Admissions FAQs

NIU does not charge tuition. Textbooks are provided by the university at the start of each quarter.  You will be required to return the books at the end of each quarter.

Prospective and current students must hold an active TS/SCI clearance and indoctrinated with your agency. An interim clearance is not permitted. Your clearance must be held by the Federal Government or the U.S. Armed Forces. Please obtain/maintain an active TS/SCI and be indoctrinated to the current accesses before applying to NIU. You may contact the NIU Security Office at NIU_Security@odni.gov with questions about the University’s security requirements. NIU is not permitted to hold TS/SCI for students. They must be briefed by their agency.

If you attend NIU as an in-residence or non-residence student and earn a graduate or undergraduate degree you are eligible receive IC civilian joint duty credit through your home agency.

No. The university offers blended learning through secure video telephone conference (VTC) capabilities at select locations.

Graduate students may transfer a maximum of six quarter hours into the MSSI or MSTI program towards the elective requirement.
Courses must have been taken within five years prior to enrolling in the NIU and have an earned grade of B or higher. Approval of transfer hours resides with the Dean of the appropriate program.

Yes. Foreign transcripts must be submitted with an official transcript evaluation from an approved foreign credential evaluation service.

The degree programs are offered in one and two year formats. 

No. Prospective students with a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related background are highly desired; however, possession of a degree from a STEM field of study is not required.

No. All MSSI/MSTI students must complete a thesis as part of their degree requirement.

Please consult the nominating authority or training office for your service/agency.

Nominations are not required for individuals applying for part-time study. 

Please consult your service to find out if this is possible.

Yes, but you will need to obtain a nomination from your assignment manager to attend the in-residence degree program.

Up to two certificate courses can be applied to the MSSI program as electives. Only one certificate course may apply for students pursuing the MSTI program.

Times can vary depending upon the quarter of enrollment. Most certificate courses take place in the evening between 6:00 p.m. and 10:40 p.m.