National Defense University

The NDU is an accredited university - a professional military institution that provides graduate-level education and training to security leaders.

NDU’s education, research, and outreach programs are integrated and mutually supportive, creating an exceptionally rich learning environment. This approach combines the unique strengths of the university’s five colleges, research institute, international student program, library, gaming and simulation center, and deep relationships with organizations throughout Washington to produce a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Students also benefit from the diversity of their peers, who represent all the military services, along with many federal agencies, private sector companies, and partner nations.

NDU students’ experience in the classroom is first-rate and is enriched both by the experienced faculty and by the university’s research program. Leading the research program is the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS), which was established early in the life of NDU to provide policy research and applied strategic learning, and now provides timely, objective analysis to senior decision makers and supports NDU’s educational programs.

Through its five centers, INSS focuses research on key issues ranging from complex operations, to technology and weapons of mass destruction. INSS serves as the university’s research arm, think tank, and is one of the most recognized venues in the National Capital Region for scholarly expertise on national security issues. NDU conducts outreach via the International Fellows program, a multitude of international visits yearly by senior officials from nations that are important to U.S. national security, and via scholarly publications and presentations.

Through its International Student Management Office, NDU hosts more than 100 International Fellows each year, who study in the university’s colleges and develop a deeper understanding of American government and society. The university also engages peer institutions and senior officials from a wide variety of countries, as well as U.S. universities, to increase understanding and cooperation. The NDU Press supports education, research, and outreach as the university’s cross-component, professional military and academic publishing house.

In addition, NDU’s subject matter experts are frequently called upon to provide briefings for senior officials throughout the U.S. government.