Established 1962 (1962) Students 715 (2015–16) Website www.ni-u.edu Founded 1962 | Provost Susan M. Studds, PhD Location Washington, D.C., USA Total enrollment 624 (2011) Academic staff 64 | |
 | ||
Former names National Defense Intelligence College, Joint Military Intelligence College Headquarters Washington, D.C., United States Presidents David R. Ellison, Rear Admiral, USN (Ret) Similar National Defense University, National War College, Washington Theological Union, The Institute of World Pol, Southeastern University | ||
The National Intelligence University (NIU), (formerly known as the National Defense Intelligence College and the Joint Military Intelligence College), is an education and research institution that is federally chartered to prepare United States Intelligence Community (USIC) personnel for senior positions in the USIC and the national security structure. Since 1963, over 80,000 military and civilian students have completed courses or participated in the university's academic programs. The university is located at the Defense Intelligence Agency headquarters on Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling in Washington, DC.
Contents
Educational accreditation
The university is authorized by the United States Congress to award the Bachelor of Science in Intelligence, the Master of Science and Technology Intelligence and the Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence degrees. The university is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Offered degrees and certificates
Background
The university was established by DoD Directive and attached to the Defense Intelligence Agency.
The United States Congress authorized the MSSI degree in 1980 and the BSI degree in 1997.
Student eligibility
All prospective full-time NIU students must meet the following requirements:
Vision and mission
LTG Michael T. Flynn, USA, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, addressed NIU graduates, their families and guests at the 2012 graduation by stating, "Our vision—that NIU becomes the center of academic life for the intelligence community—will help shape graduates who address the range of mission challenges as a fully integrated community, and encourage lifelong learning as they continue to serve this nation."
NIU is an accredited federal degree granting institution educating and preparing intelligence officers to meet current and future challenges to the national security of the United States. NIU President Dr. David Ellison stressed in his 2012 graduation remarks that NIU addresses these challenges by helping students develop "depth in critical thinking" and "breadth in understanding the IC" and how focused research applies to analysis and addressing critical questions on national security.
History
The United States Department of Defense established the Defense Intelligence School in 1962 to consolidate existing U.S. Army and Navy academic programs in strategic intelligence. In 1980, the U.S. Congress authorized the school to award the Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence degree. In 1981, the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools accredited the School. That same year, DoD rechartered the institution as the Defense Intelligence College, placing additional emphasis on its research mission.
Since then, the university has added several off-campus programs at the National Security Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and several regional centers and has encouraged an increase in enrollment from civilian agencies. On campus, it has also added two part-time graduate programs, one designed for military reservists. Students from throughout the Intelligence Community attend the university, and they include active duty and reserve military personnel from each of the services (including the Coast Guard), DoD, and other federal civilian employees.
Renamed the Joint Military Intelligence College in 1993, it educates the future leaders of the Intelligence Community by offering an undergraduate and graduate curriculum. In addition, the university sponsors research and publication opportunities for students and faculty, attracts distinguished speakers, and its students participate in field exercises and simulations in partnership with their peers at the military staff and war colleges.