What kind of certification does Flagship programming lead to?

The Language Flagship recognizes three levels of certification for students who complete Flagship programs.

 

Flagship Certification with Distinction: Completion of a Domestic Flagship Program and an Overseas Capstone experience, including direct enrollment and an internship, as well as meeting or exceeding the proficiency minimum of ILR 3 in speaking, reading and listening. Students must demonstrate ILR 3 proficiency or higher in all three modalities to be eligible for certification with distinction.

 

Flagship Certification: Completion of a Domestic Flagship Program and an Overseas Capstone experience, including direct enrollment and an internship, as well as meeting or exceeding the proficiency minimum of ILR 3 in speaking, and an ILR 2+ in reading and listening.

 

Flagship Completion: Completion of a Domestic Flagship Program and an Overseas Capstone experience, including direct enrollment and an internship, as well as the demonstration of a post-capstone proficiency of less than ILR 3 in speaking.

 

What is a critical language?

The U.S. Government has designated all Flagship-supported languages as “critical languages” because the national need, from the perspective of both national security and economic competitiveness, for highly proficient speakers in those languages exceeds the number of bilingual speakers available. 

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What kind of jobs require foreign language skills?

In the private sector, senior executives have identified the lack of language skills as an enormous barrier to increasing American participation in overseas markets and have recognized language acquisition and cultural competence as critical assets for businesses. In the government sector, over 80 federal agencies rely on professionals with intermediate- to professional-level competence in foreign languages. While studying under an NSEP award, students combine a professional field of study, an understanding of one or more areas of the world outside of the United States, and proficiency in at least one critical foreign language and culture to develop acute intercultural abilities. This experience results in a highly-skilled pool of global professionals eager to contribute in agencies across the federal government. 

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NSEP alumni, including Language Flagship graduates, have a perspective of how their interests relate to issues of national security. The NSEP definition of national security is both broad and diverse to include, among others, such varied issues as:

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International and regional conflict

Conflict resolution

Peacekeeping

International trade

Market penetration

Export strategy

Export controls

Economic competitiveness

Human rights and humanitarian assistance  

Health and population issues

Sustainable development

Weapons of mass destruction 

Arms control

Nuclear proliferationInternational drug trafficking 

Counter-proliferationTerrorism and counter-terrorism 

 

Is Flagship recognized as an academic achievement?

Universities with a focus on international curricula recognize that Flagship certification is an outstanding and achievement. For example, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey offers Language Flagship students and alumni a guaranteed $16,000 scholarship each year toward Middlebury Institute master’s degree. 

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Is Flagship recognized by employers?

Language Flagship graduates' linguistic and cultural expertise, as well as extensive overseas internship experiences, set them aside form non-Flagship peers. Flagship students represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in the federal national security arena. NSEP works closely with each Scholar and Fellow and with U.S. Government agencies to identify employment opportunities and recommend appropriate matches.

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