Consumer Information Student Right to Know

The University does not charge tuition and does not receive funding through any Department of Education grant or loan programs. Students at the University do not receive financial assistance through Department of Education grant or loan programs.

Textbooks are provided on loan to students through the library and are to be returned at the end of each quarter.

The University receives all of its funding through the federal government budget process, under the General Defense Intelligence Program (GDIP) element of the National Intelligence Program, which is approved by the Director of National Intelligence, and eventually by the administration and the Congress.

The University does not charge tuition and does not receive funding through any Department of Education grant or loan program. Students at the University do not receive financial assistance through Department of Education grant or loan programs. In accordance with 34 CFR 602.16(a)(1)(x) and the Federal Student Aid Handbook 2012-2-13, the National Intelligence University is not required to submit reports on Cohort Default Rates to the U.S. Department of Education. NIU financial data to date has not been loaded to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

Assignment of Academic Credit Hours was signed by the NIU President on November 16, 2022.

Through course Curriculum Working Groups and Quality Circles, faculty regularly review course content and workload to ensure they meet expectations for credit hours and various aspects of quality. Degree requirements and the credit load for specific courses are documented in the NIU Catalog and NIU Student Handbook (provided in student orientation).

NIU’s Definition of Credit Hours
The University operates on the quarter system. Credits are awarded based upon the quarter hour.  The standard graduate, undergraduate, or certificate courses at NIU carries a 3-credit weight based on: 

• Students achieving 1600 minutes of instruction, excluding the final examination period, if any, during each term.  In accordance with federal standards and academic best practices, each credit hour carries the expectation of an approximate 1:2 ratio of time spent in any form of classroom, laboratory, field, or other instruction to time spent in any form of individual study, preparation and completion of course work outside of formal instruction. 

Students must successfully complete a minimum number of credits based upon an academic program. 

• The Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence and the Master of Science and Technology Intelligence programs require students to earn 45 quarter credit hours.
• The Bachelor of Science in Strategic Intelligence is a degree completion program. Students are required to transfer in 120 quarter credit hours of work. While at the University, students earn 57 upper division quarter credit hours. 

Students in the Joint Professional Military Education program are required to earn 46 quarter credit hours.

The Deans and Degree Program Directors conduct periodic reviews of credit hour assignment for those classes in their respective programs to ensure consistent application of this credit hour policy.  The Directors also ensure for each course that content and workload meet expectations for the number of credit hours assigned. 

Transfer credit guidance is available in the Academic Catalog. Please reference page 16 for undergraduate and page 18 for graduate transfer credit information.

Admissions Counseling

Prospective students are strongly encouraged to have their academic records reviewed by the University Admissions Office to determine whether they meet the academic prerequisites. To request an evaluation, applicants should forward all of their transcripts with a cover note that includes the request and applicable contact information. Legible copies are acceptable for credit evaluation; official copies are preferred. The Admissions staff will evaluate the applicant’s credentials and provide feedback, as well as make recommendations on how to meet any remaining semester hour requirements.

The University does not have any articulation agreements established with other institutions.

National Intelligence University is accredited by Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE).

NIU Academic Integrity and Ethical Conduct Policy
As federal employees and members of the Intelligence Community (IC), all NIU students, faculty, and staff are required to uphold the highest ethical standards in their personal and professional conduct. This Academic Integrity Policy identifies the requirements for academic integrity and ethical conduct.

Identity Verification Policy

All students are subject to Department of Defense rules and regulations governing use of information technology and eligibility for security clearance.  Identity verification at NIU is handled internally by the U.S. Government as part of the security clearance process.  The University does not assess any charges or fees to students for the identity verification.

All students attending class or taking an examination at the main NIU campus, Academic Center, or other instructional site must present government-issued photo identification approved for entry to the campus or Academic Center.

Each student admitted to NIU receives a secure login and password to access all campus systems including three networks:

• • NIPRNET – Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network 
  • JWICS –  Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System 
  • Blackboard. 

For examinations, University instructors or academic center directors may validate the identity of the student taking the exam – in person or remotely through secure audiovisual technologies.

NIU supports Federal statutes and DoD regulations that require reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with disabilities. NIU supports Federal statutes and DoD regulations that require reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with disabilities. Students with disabilities should contact the NIU Office of Student Affairs with their concerns.

NIU is committed to:

• provide instructional materials in accessible formats.
• ensure academic courses and programs are accessible

NIU Student Outcome Information

NIU Diversity Information