R 232147Z FEB 21
MARADMIN 095/21
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC I//
SUBJ/ACADEMIC YEAR 2021 NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE UNIVERSITY (NIU) RESERVE COMPONENT MASTERS DEGREE PROGRAMS//
POC/M. KRALOVEC/LTCOL/UNIT: CMC WASHINGTON DC I/EMAIL: MATTHEW.KRALOVEC@DODIIS.MIL//
POC/D. DAROCY-DIORIO/SSGT/UNIT: CMC WASHINGTON DC I/-/TEL: 703-604-4593/TEL: DSN 225-3657/EMAIL: DENISSE.DIORIO@USMC.MIL//
POC/S. KHALSA/MAJ/UNIT: NIU/-/TEL: 301-243-2314/EMAIL: SUNDRI.KHALSA@DODIIS.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  National Intelligence University (NIU) is an accredited institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in Strategic Intelligence and Science and Technology Intelligence.  NIU is a directorate of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), supported administratively by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and located at the Intelligence Community Campus–Bethesda (ICC-B).  The Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence (MSSI) and the Master of Science and Technology Intelligence (MSTI) are graduate-level education programs conducted at NIU.  Successful program completion results in the awarding of an MSSI or MSTI graduate degree.  NIU’s graduate degree programs include core and elective courses and require a master's thesis on a strategic intelligence-related topic.  The progression of classes in the degree programs is designed to allow USMCR students to complete all required course work and the master's thesis in two years.  Marines accepted into the program attend classes one weekend per month for 23 months plus two, two-week tours of Active Duty.  Classes convene August 2021 for Academic Year (AY) 2021.  These graduate degree programs are open to IMA, SMCR, and IRR reserve component Marines.
2.  A selection panel convened at Headquarters Marine Corps Intelligence Department (HQMC I) will review applications.  The panel will provide an endorsement to NIU for the applicants most qualified to attend the MSSI/MSTI Program for Reserves.  Applicants who do not receive DCI endorsement are eligible to apply for part-time study in the Evening MSSI/MSTI, the Monthly Executive MSSI/MSTI, the Space-Available MSSI/MSTI, Continuing Education, or all other certificate programs besides the Leadership and Management Certificate of Intelligence Studies.
3.  Prerequisites for the MSSI or MSTI programs:  A. USMC:  (1) Grade:  1stLt to Maj, CWO2 to CWO3, SSgt to GySgt.
(2) MOS:  Open to any MOS, however, preference will be given to Marines in whose specialties align with DCI core missions.
(3) Experience:  minimum of five years intelligence or information-related experience.
(4) Service:  candidates must have had four satisfactory years (50 points minimum each year) during the last five years.
(5) Officers must not have failed selection for promotion to the next higher grade and majors must have less than four years time-in-grade.
(6) Staff Non-Commissioned Officers must be eligible for re-enlistment and have two years remaining on contract after graduation.
(7) Officers and SNCOs must agree to remain in an intelligence billet in the reserves (IMA detachment or SMCR unit) for three years following graduation.
(8) Applicants must meet Marine Corps height and weight standards per MCO 6110.3A.B. NIU:  (1) Possess a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.  (2) Possess (at the time the candidate submits his/her application) a Top Secret clearance and be eligible for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).  Application for this program is an insufficient justification to request initial processing for a TS/SCI clearance.
4.  Applications.  Applicants must submit an application package to both DCI and NIU, as outlined below: A.  NLT 1 April 2021, submit the following via email (compressed .pdf preferred) to the DCI POC and alternate POC listed above:
(1) NIU application form which can be found at:  http:(slash)(slash)ni-u.edu/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/NIU_Application_Degree-Seeking_Part-Time-Programs_Updated_Oct18.pdf
(2) A 500-word unclassified essay (typed, double-spaced) explaining the following:
(a) Your motivation for pursuing graduate study in intelligence.
(b) Your professional goals and objectives.
(c) Achievements in your education and/or career that enhances your ability to undertake graduate study.
(3) Current Reserve Qualification Summary (RQS).
(4) A brief one-page resume detailing both military and civilian experience (chronological format).
(5) A favorable endorsement from the applicant's command (IMA detachment or SMCR), IRR Marines should obtain this endorsement from the Marine Corps Individual Reserve Support Activity (MCIRSA).
(6) Current copy of the applicant's Master Brief Sheet. B. NLT 04 May 2021, forward the following to Defense Intelligence Agency,  Attn:  Defense Intelligence Agency, 7400 Pentagon Attn: NIU 1-A, Office of Enrollment Services, Washington, DC 20301-7400, Fax:  (301) 227-7067, niuadmit@dodiis.mil
(1) Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts mailed from the applicant's university/college.  Official transcripts can be mailed or sent electronically to:  niuadmit@dodiis.mil.
(2) GRE:  Due to COVID-19, GRE requirements have been waived for academic year 2021-2022 for all applicants.
(3) A completed NIU application form indicating you are applying for the MSSI or the MSTI program.  The application can be found at:  http:(slash)(slash)ni-u.edu/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/NIU_Application_Degree-Seeking_Part-Time-Programs_Updated_Oct18.pdf
(4) A 500-word unclassified essay (typed, double-spaced) explaining the following:
(a) Your motivation for pursuing graduate studies in intelligence.
(b) Your professional goals and objectives.
(c) Achievements in your education and/or career that enhances your ability to undertake graduate study.
5.  Marines selected to attend the NIU reserve graduate program will be transferred to the DCI IMA Detachment (RUC 88600) NLT July 2021.
A.  Selectees will not be transferred to the IMA Detachment until a confirmation from the NIU of the selectee’s admission to the NIU and security clearance is confirmed.
B.  Attendance at NIU 12 weekends over a 10-month academic year is required and will be considered normal drill periods.  Applicants outside of the National Capital Region should familiarize themselves with which travel-related costs are reimbursable for normal drill periods and annual active duty periods.
C.  Attendees will be required to perform active duty training at NIU for 13 days each summer for two consecutive academic years.
D.  NIU students will also be required to complete all Marine Corps annual training requirements.
E.  Drill attendance sheets, orders requests, and other administrative requirements associated with this duty will be processed by DCI.
F.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related safety protocols, the university is taking necessary precautions. Classes have been and will continue to be a blend of both in-person attendance and virtual attendance. However, to the fullest extent possible, it is the intent of the program for lessons to be conducted in person and selectees should expect regular travel to the Intel Community Campus in Bethesda.
6.  These programs do not currently qualify as an Intermediate Level School (ILS) equivalent.  Students admitted for AY 21 (August 2021) will not receive credit for ILS PME.
7.  Selectees will be notified individually by this headquarters.  This bulletin is applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.  This bulletin is cancelled 31 December 2021.
8.  Release authorized by Brigadier General J. Carter, Director of Intelligence, U.S. Marine Corps.//