National Defense University (United States)

The National Defense University (NDU) is a U.S. Department of Defense institution of higher education that provides professional military education and leadership development. It is located at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C. NDU's mission is to prepare senior leaders to lead, develop, and employ military power in support of U.S. national security strategy.

NDU offers a variety of graduate-level programs, including master's degrees and certificates, focused on national security strategy, joint warfare, information operations, and related fields. These programs are designed for senior military officers, government civilians, and international fellows.

The university is comprised of several component colleges, including:

• National War College (NWC): Focuses on strategy and policy at the national level.
• Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy (ES): Concentrates on resource management and industrial base issues related to national security.
• College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC): Formerly the Information Resources Management College (IRMC), it focuses on information strategy, cybersecurity, and related topics.
• Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC): Located in Norfolk, Virginia, it provides joint professional military education to mid-career officers.

NDU also includes research centers and institutes that contribute to the study of national security issues. These organizations conduct research, publish scholarly work, and host conferences and symposia.

Admission to NDU programs is highly competitive and typically requires nomination by a sponsoring organization. Graduates of NDU are often assigned to key leadership positions within the Department of Defense, other government agencies, and the military services. NDU plays a significant role in shaping national security policy and developing future leaders in the defense and security sectors.