Incoming Student Preparation Information

Congratulations on being selected to attend this Master's level graduate residence program! You will be receiving a rigorous 10 month education specializing in national security and resourcing strategies designed to meet the needs of senior leaders. You will be awarded an MS degree upon your successful completion of the program in late spring.

Please check back regularly for updated information

The information below is intended to get you to the NDU campus and through to your first day of class on time and enabled for strategic thinking.

Ft McNair | Technical Prep | Academic Prep | In-Processing

The student handbook has more detailed information about all subjects but is currently in review for the upcoming academic year. However, much of the detail is still relevant and useful. Information on this website is likely to change as dates and processes are confirmed.

Getting To Ft. McNair and Eisenhower Hall

1. The school is located at Ft. McNair Washington DC in Eisenhower Hall (Building 59) [ Washington & Ft. McNair ]

2. Eisenhower Hall is located within Ft. McNair toward the south end of the post
   [ Ft. McNair & Eisenhower Hall ]

3. There are several travel options for getting to Ft McNair (Car - WMATA Metro - Trains - Bus)

4. You will need accepted identification to enter the premises of Ft. McNair
   US Government CAC - Passport - State Drivers License - Military ID

5. Drivers will need to maintain vehicle identification and insurance paperwork to enter the post. Drivers with CAC/Military ID may enter the post at the front or the 2nd Street gate. Drivers with only a state license/ID will be directed to the 2nd Street gate. Vehicles are subject to random search at any time

6. Parking is available in the south side lot between ICAF and NWC. Parking is also available on some of the surrounding streets. Parking spaces in front of the building are generally reserved for guests

7. Access into Eisenhower Hall is security controlled on each end of the building. A public entrance is available at the front of the building which faces the Potomac

8. Student rooms are located mostly on the upper floors of Eisenhower Hall

9. Your first few days will be very busy with in-processing activities, welcoming events and academic preparatory lectures. Plan to be here from 0730 to 1600

10. There are light food and service amenities in Eisenhower Hall (small kitchens [microwave/refridgerator only] / locker rooms ) and larger services on the NDU campus

Advance Technical Preparations

1. Students will have access to a wireless internet network. To access, any device must be able to connect to an 802.11 g/n wireless network with WPA2 security. The device must be registered with NDU Information Assurance. It is highly recommended that you have updated virus protection for your device. NDU laptops WILL NOT be issued to individuals

2. You will receive a wireless network access form to register your device(s) with the University

3. Everyone accessing a DoD network is required to complete an Information Assurance training and certification. This annual certification should be valid at least through June 10 of the following year. DoD IA Awareness Training DoD IA Awareness (for DoD Personnel) [ save completed certificate as PDF if possible ]

4. It is expected that all students possess a Common Access Card (CAC) prior to the first day of class -- if you do not possess one now it will be provided to you prior to the official first day of class at orientation

5. Options for enabling a CAC reader for personal computing devices are available -- internet search 'military CAC' for more information. Certain administrative activities will require the use of CAC

6. Students will be issued an email address for communication of official academic updates and planning purposes

7. The college is able to conveniently work with the following file types: '.doc', '.docx','.ppt','.pptx','.pdf', '.txt','.rtf','.odt'. It is generally recommended you have software compatible with Microsoft Office 2007 or newer.

8. You should have a browser (Firefox,Chrome,Explorer,Safari) capable of connecting to Blackboard and Gmail.

Advance Academic Preparations

1. You will be assigned to a seminar group consisting of about 17 students. Seminar groups will meet regularly in a particular classroom and have an assigned set of rooms for individual study. Seminar assignment will occur again for the spring term providing an opportunity to be acquainted with more of your classmates

2. The academic year is separated into two terms (Fall & Spring)

3. The primary delivery of course materials and off-campus access to learning resources will be with the Blackboard Learning Management platform

   Blackboard Help (v9.1)

4. You will receive a Blackboard account to access the NDU Blackboard platform

5. Other course materials and readings will be supplied to each student in their study room

6. Printers will be available for academic purposes and use, but a digital document production and delivery environment (paperless) is encouraged

7. Each seminar group will have access to a CAC enabled NDU computing device which will allow for the completion of official digitally signed required documents and other administrative tasks

In-Processing

1. For the most detailed information on in-processing consult your welcome package documents

2. You will need to be officially assigned/registered as a student through in-processing activities held on the first day of the AY14 session (TBD)

3. You may report to Eisenhower/Bldg 59 Room TBD (first floor) between TBD for room assignments

4. The morning will be filled with various introductions and welcoming activities in Eisenhower Hall

5. The afternoon is scheduled for student academic in-processing with the NDU. This will be done alphabetically through-out the day. Consult the welcoming package for those details

6. DOD students must ensure your traveler profile is released in DTS prior to departure from your last/parent organization

7. You will need to have a copy of your current immunization records available for submission to health/fitness