Requirements for US Civilian Students in the JPME Masters Programs at Fort McNair

US Civilian Students should consider attending one of the Civilian Voluntary Pre-Briefs offered by the University (more information forthcoming). 

As an incoming student to National Defense University in 2024, you will be part of an important milestone: the implementation of our new student information system, NDU Connect. We’re excited to offer an improved student experience, but also expect some bumps along the way. 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 emaiaddresses 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, you will be taken to the My Tasks tab in the portal.

3. Onboarding Validation Wizard

The wizard appears at top of the My Tasks 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

  • Complete the tasks in the Open Tasks list provided.
  • To view instructions for the task, click the hyperlink in the Subject column of the list.
  • As you finish each task, click the Mark Complete button and the task will disappear from your Open Tasks list.

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.

Name

Phone

Email

University Registrar's Office

  (202) 685-1704

  University-Registrar@ndu.edu 

 


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 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

All security clearance information must be submitted to the NDU Security Office at least 30 days prior to the first day of class. Security Specialist POCs are Montez Winters, (202) 685-2134, and Cody Maxwell, (202) 685-7309.  

  • DoD Civilians: Security clearances will be verified through the Defense Information System for Security (DISS) by the NDU Security Office. Minimum required clearance is SECRET; SCI is not a requirement to attend. The Security Management Office (SMO) code to pass SECRET, TOP SECRET, and SCI clearances through DISS to NDU is DJJNDU3/JFSC is DJJNDU7. The name of the student's college (CIC, CISA, ES, NWC or course of instruction JCWS, JAWS) must be entered into the POC section of the visit request for the clearance to be identified properly by NDU Security Specialists. This verification process will begin 5 Jul 2024.
  • Non-DoD Civilians:  A Visit Request must be submitted to NDU's Security Office by the student's employing agency or organization on official letterhead via FAX to (202) 685-3765. TS and SCI Clearances must be submitted separately via FAX. Students who are attending NDU based upon a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) must have their employing agency or organization submit a NACI confirmation with date of investigation on official letterhead via FAX to (202) 685-3765; Students attending at JFSC send FAX to (757) 443-6046. This verification process will begin on 5 Jul 2024. You will be required to report the completion of this task in NDU Connect.
  • Private Industry Civilians: A security clearance is not required for any core curriculum course at any NDU college. Private industry students who hold a security clearance issued by the US Government must submit a Visit Request to NDU Ft McNair Security Office on their company's official letterhead via FAX to (202) 685-3765/JFSC Security Office FAX to (757) 443-6046. TS and SCI Clearances must be submitted separately via FAX. Private industry students who do not hold a security clearance will not be allowed to enroll in classified courses and or electives. You will be required to report the completion of this task in NDU Connect.

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 Cody Maxwell 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. TAs will not process applications until they have received verification from the NDU Security Office that the applicant has met all security clearance requirements.

  1. Student submits CAC application to their college's TA, per the chart below;
  2. Student contacts college TA, per chart below, to securely transmit the PII (SSN, DOB) required for CAC application;
  3. TA provides student information to NDU Security Office;
  4. Security Office notifies TA when student's security clearance has been successfully passed to NDU;
  5. Student receives TASS approval from DEERS once the TA has approved the TASS application.
  6. Student contacts NDU Security Officer to make RAPIDS appointment;
  7. For appointment scheduling, please reach out to Mr. Carl Wright (202-685-3780) or NDU Security.
  8. 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.  

College

TA/POC

Phone

Email

 NWC

  Dave Pearson

  (202) 685-4344

  pearsondb@ndu.edu

 CIC

  Donna Powers

  (202) 685-2070

  powersD3@ndu.edu

 ES

  Anita Beard-Johnson

  (202) 685-6252

  anita.beardjohnson@ndu.edu

 CISA

  Nadine Plater-Jones

  (202) 685-2290

  platern@ndu.edu


US Civilian Student Travel Requirements

To facilitate in-processing, students should review and complete the following documents. These links will also be made available in NDU Connect, and you will be required to report the completion of these tasks in NDU Connect.

  1. Defense Travel System Personal Data Worksheet *For all students
  2. DoD Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) Transfer Request *For students who have a DoD GTCC
  3. NDU GTCC Instructions *For students who do NOT have a DoD GTCC
  4. DoD GTCC Statement of Understanding *For all students

All DoD and non-DoD federal agency US Civilian Students must register for an NDU-sponsored Government Travel Credit Card (GTCC), and hold a passport with an expiration date AFTER 15 Jun 2025. Private industry students must also hold a passport with an expiration date AFTER 15 Jun 2025; however, these students will not receive a GTCC. 


Medical Readiness for US Civilian Students at Fort McNair

Civilian students should email (ENCRYPTED ONLY), transmit via DOD SAFE, or hand-deliver a copy of their immunization records to Mr. Don Myers in NDU's Health/Fitness Office. See "Transmitting PII and Sensitive Data" for guidance.


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