As an incoming student to National Defense University in 2025, you will be part of an important milestone. We have a newly implemented student information system, NDU Connect. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate the new system and processes together.
This page applies to US Civilian Students in the following programs. See college-specific information at the links immediately below:
See the University's Incoming Student Information page for a directory to other programs.
NDU Connect Student Portal for US Civilian Students
You will be sent a welcome message from NDU Connect to the email address that was provided to us. Please ensure that your service provides us valid email address to which you have reliable access throughout the admissions and onboarding process; personal email addresses are preferred to ensure delivery of automated emails. Upon receipt of the welcome message, please follow the instructions to set your password for the NDU Connect Student Portal. After your initial login, access the student portal at https://ndu.my.site.com/login using your username, which was provided in the welcome message, and the password you created. Do not reuse the link in your welcome message.
In the NDU Connect Student Portal, you are required to complete the following:
1. Nomination Package
- Start in the Application Center.
- Select the link to your application (i.e., APP-XXXX) under the column header Application Name; DO NOT SELECT YOUR NAME!
- Complete the form in the Application tab.
- Complete the items in the Checklist tab.
- When your nomination package is complete, click the Submit button.
After your nomination package has been reviewed by the university, you will be notified of your admissions status by your agency. Admitted students will be instructed to return to the NDU Connect Student Portal to complete the remaining steps:
2. Confirmation of Admission Action
- Return to the NDU Connect Student Portal by logging in with your username and password.
- Return to the Application Center.
- Select the link to your application (i.e., APP-XXXX) under the column header Application Name; DO NOT SELECT YOUR NAME!
- Select Accept to indicate that you will attend NDU as expected. If your situation has changed, please select Decline or Defer, and you will be contacted by an NDU registrar to coordinate your status with your agency.
- NOTE: Below your admissions offer and acceptance options, you will be able to see, but not change, the nomination package you submitted.
Upon your acceptance of the admissions offer, refresh your browser. You will then be taken to the My Tasks tab in the portal.
3. Onboarding Validation Wizard
The wizard appears at top of the My Tasks page. Click on the RED "Next" button at the top of the page. Note that information we already have about you will be pre-filled in the wizard. Page 1 of the wizard is Information Required for Cyber Compliance (see NDU's IT and Cybersecurity Requirements page); the information will be used to prepopulate REQUIRED forms, which will be delivered to you later via DocuSign. To complete page 1:
- Correct any of the pre-filled information.
- Complete any missing information, specifically:
- At least one Phone number
- Preferred phone number
- DoD CAC Number (EDIPI) – required for Department of Defense civilians
- Social Security Number
- Security Officer Name
- Security Officer Email
Page 2 of the wizard is Information Required to Customize your Educational Experience: Please complete all information on the form.
4. Program-Specific Tasks
After you have completed the Onboarding Validation Wizard, please begin to complete the rest of the tasks on your list. You will find detailed instructions and the forms you need in the Library on the right. NOTE: Instructions are also provided in the portal for most of the onboarding steps. In addition to instructions, when you see the 
symbol, hover over it to see more information.
If you need assistance, please contact connect_admin@ndu.edu.
Contact Info for US Civilian Students at Fort McNair
DoD and non-DoD federal agency civilian and private industry students should contact the NDU Registrar if they have any questions or concerns.
IT and Cybersecurity Requirements
All students should thoroughly read NDU's IT and Cybersecurity Requirements page. Completion of these requirements will be tracked in NDU Connect. You will begin with the Onboarding Validation Wizard. Please note, you will also have the opportunity during Student Orientation Week to troubleshoot technical issues both face-to-face and online with NDU Help Desk personnel.
Passing DoD and Non-DoD Federal Agency US Civilian Student Clearances to NDU
You will find detailed instructions for this task in the NDU Connect Student Portal.
Common Access Card (CAC) Reissuing to DoD US Civilian Students at Fort McNair via RAPIDS
CAC processing is available to DoD US civilian students who need a CAC reissued to them. The NDU Security Office highly recommends that you complete the CAC reissuing process as soon as possible to ensure base access and a smooth in-processing. Obtain an appointment for CAC reissuing through the NDU Security office. For appointment scheduling, please reach out to Carl Wright (202-685-3780) or NDU Security
Common Access Card (CAC) Issuing to Non-DoD US Civilian Students at Fort McNair via RAPIDS
CAC processing is available to non-DOD US civilian students PRIOR to in-processing day once their security clearances/ background verification has been passed to NDU Security. The NDU Security Office highly recommends that students complete the CAC issuing process as soon as possible to ensure base access and a smooth in-processing. Non-DoD civilian federal agency students who need CAC issuance must verify that the NDU security office is in receipt of the security clearances from the home agency. For receipt of clearance verification please reach out to Carl Wright or Montez Winters.
Steps for Obtaining a CAC
In order for a CAC application to be processed, students must have their security clearances passed to NDU to ensure they meet HSPD 12 requirements. Mission Partner Agents (MPAs) will not process applications until they have received verification from the NDU Security Office that the applicant has met all security clearance requirements.
- Student submits CAC application to their college's MPA, per the chart below;
- Student contacts college MPA, per chart below, to securely transmit the PII (SSN, DOB) required for CAC application;
- MPA provides student information to NDU Security Office;
- Security Office notifies MPA when student's security clearance has been successfully passed to NDU;
- Student receives Mission Partner Identity, Credential, and Access Management (MP-ICAM) approval from DEERS once the MPA has approved the MP-ICAM application.
- Student contacts NDU Security Officer to make RAPIDS appointment;
- For appointment scheduling, please reach out to Carl Wright (202-685-3780) or NDU Security.
- Student keeps RAPIDS appointment at NDU Security Office in Marshall Hall, Building 62, Room 199A.
Your RAPIDS appointment will be in the NDU Security Office in Marshall Hall, Building 62, Room 199A. You must complete an Automated Installation Entry (AIE) Visitor Pass request online to enter campus. You must check in at the Lincoln Hall Guard Desk prior to proceeding to the NDU Security Office. See "Maps and Directions." Two forms of valid government identification are required. The CAC issuing process takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, depending upon the reliability of the RAPIDS Station. We recommend that you call the NDU Security Office on the day of your appointment to verify the serviceability of the RAPIDS Station. Be sure to take possession of your new CAC before leaving your appointment.
US Civilian Student Travel Requirements
You will find detailed instructions for this task in the NDU Connect Student Portal.
Medical Readiness for US Civilian Students at Fort McNair
Please make sure that your immunization record is up-to-date and shows that you have been vaccinated for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio, Mumps, Measles, Rubeola, and Chicken Pox.
If you are an Eisenhower School student email your immunization record to Christine Turpin.
If you are a National War College student email your immunization record to Duane Dunmire.
Mark this task complete in NDU Connect Student Portal to confirm that you’ve followed these instructions.
Housing and Transportation Information for US Civilian Students at Fort McNair
The website HOMES.mil offers a secure site for landlords and property managers wishing to list their properties for DoD service members and government civilians stationed near military installations. Search for "NAVY JB ANACOSTIA-BOLLING DC - NAVY YARD/PENTAGON/WASHINGTON" (more DC/Maryland listings) or "JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL" (more DC/Virginia listings). Approximate times for traveling by car to/from Fort McNair appear below. During especially bad traffic, these times may double; during exceptionally bad weather, traffic may stop completely due to road conditions.
- Downtown DC: 5 minutes
- Georgetown/Dupont Circle, DC: 10 minutes
- Pentagon City or Crystal City, VA: 15 minutes
- Arlington, VA: 20 minutes
- Alexandria, VA: 25 minutes
- McLean, VA: 40 minutes+
- Bethesda, Silver Spring or College Park, MD: 40 minutes+
- Springfield, VA: 45 minutes+
- Fairfax, VA: 50 minutes +
- Lorton, VA: 55 minutes+
- Woodbridge, VA: 55 minutes+
Getting Around