Information Resources Management College

The National Defense University College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC) -- formerly the Information Resources Management College (IRMC) or NDU iCollege—is a U.S. Department of Defense graduate school working to inform leaders of the United States from the government and the private sector. A unit of the National Defense University (NDU), it is located at Fort McNair, Washington, DC. As a trusted voice in the information resource management community,^[1] NDU CIC is recognized for its excellent graduate-level programs, faculty, and services that provide a strategic advantage for today’s military and civilian leaders in the United States Department of Defense and across government. The Chancellor of the NDU CIC, RADM Jan Hamby, USN (Ret.), provides strategic direction and vision for all faculty, staff, and students. The Dean of Faculty and Academic Programs, Tom Wingfield, oversees faculty, curriculum, and instruction. The Dean of Administration, Russell Quirici, oversees operational support for the College. The Dean of Students, COL Matt Hergenroeder, oversees the Office of Student Services and all student matters."

History

In 1976, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the National War College were brought into one joint educational institution when the National Defense University became a historic pooling of the defense community's intellectual resources. They were joined in 1981 by the Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC) and in 1982 by the Department of Defense Computer Institute (DODCI). In 1988, DODCI was re-established and changed to the Information Resources Management College (IRMC) and then was rebranded as the iCollege in 2008.^[2] Over the last 25+ years, the NDU CIC has expanded its programs and offerings for all of government and has developed robust online and in-person academic programs. The 2017 renaming to the current College of Information and Cyberspace reflects the evolving understanding and employment of information as a Joint warfighting function^[3] and cyberspace as its own warfighting domain.^[4]

Mission and Vision

CIC Overview (from its official website)^[5]

"The NDU College of Information and Cyberspace offers a wide spectrum of educational activities, services, and programs to prepare information leaders to play critical roles in national security in the Information Age. Whether in pursuit of the Master of Science in Government Information Leadership, a NDU CIC certificate, or a graduate level course for professional development— CIC students bring diverse perspectives to contribute to a rich and dynamic learning environment. They are motivated to learn and share knowledge, experience, and best practices. Our students are encouraged to become better leaders and decision-makers and to master the tools of lifelong learning. Students, graduates, employers, leaders, and practitioners create a global learning community to foster innovation and creativity."

The mission of the NDU CIC is "The College of Information and Cyberspace prepares its graduates to lead national security institutions and advance global security in the information environment." (updated 2018)

The vision is "CIC is the premier senior national security educational institution focused on the information environment. CIC is the desired educator of leaders who perform national and military actions within the cyberspace domain using the information instrument of national power."

Social Media

The College of Information and Cyberspace maintains active Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/CollegeofInformationandCyberspace/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/NDU_CIC) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVwR4H8YwJDDiNrFKi9SI7g). Please visit these for the latest information on news, events, course announcements, faculty publications, etc.

College Structure

The CIC is made up of two schools^[6]

Courses and Graduate Programs

Courses at the College of Information and Cyberspace are free (no tuition) for DOD military and civilians. Courses are also open to federal agency students, U.S. private sector students, and international students, although non-DOD students must pay tuition. Courses are offered in residence at the National Defense University campus on Fort Lesley J. McNair (Washington, DC waterfront) and online through the college's Distributed Learning (DL) program. Students must be at or above a GS-13 or officer level O-4 (equivalent mid-to-senior management level in the private sector) to apply for courses and must already possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. International students must work through their embassy and also pass an English language proficiency exam.

The NDU iCollege offers several different graduate certificate programs and a Master of Science Degree. They are:
- Government Information Leader Master of Science Degree
- Joint Professional Military Education (JPME), Phase II
- CIO Leadership Development Program (CIO LDP), formerly the AMP
- Chief Information Officer (CIO) Certificate
- Chief Financial Officer(CFO) Leadership Certificate
- Enterprise Architecture (EA) Certificates (Note: Being phased out starting fall 2015)
- Cyber Security Certificates (4011, 4012, 4015, 4016, CISO)
- Cyber Leadership Certificate
- Information Technology Program Management Certificate
- Professional Development, Part Time, Online programs

In addition to facilitating learning through courses and programs, the NDU iCollege responds to workforce learning needs of government organizations in areas corresponding with faculty competence. If agencies and other government organizations request tailored workshops, expert perspectives, and practical advice that aligns with the core competencies of the College and the courses offered, faculty may be deployed to work with agencies on a case-by-case basis.^[7]
NDU iCollege faculty members have backgrounds in the private sector, civilian government and defense, and academe, contributing a rich combination of experience and theory that enhances our learning environment. Although by mission the College is primarily a teaching college, faculty are active in many intellectual communities because scholarship is concomitant to good teaching.

Information and Cyber Labs

The NDU iCollege laboratories (iLabs) provide adaptable and customizable immersive learning environments designed to enhance iCollege learning outcomes, reproduce real-world scenarios, and provide a venue for innovative uses of emerging technologies to educate military and civilian senior leaders. The iLabs provide experiential, adult learning through flexible and mobile courses and workshops across the globe.

Cyber-Security and SCADA/Infrastructure Protection Labs: As a NSA-designated Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Education, the iCollege operates two cyber security labs addressing threats to information systems. The Cyber Attack/Defend Lab provides an environment to examine computer and network defense through exercises in intrusion techniques, mitigation, and forensics. The Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Lab simulates realistic exploits and protections of various industrial control systems, such as electrical, oil, gas, water, and transportation grids.

Ci Center, or Center for Innovation: The newest iCollege lab is an “instructional ecosystem” that uses cutting-edge technologies, flexibly integrates the latest physical and technical elements, and enables access to multiple learning environments. It facilitates instructional methodologies and strategies that take advantage of “anywhere-anytime” capabilities. This is a unique and highly customizable instructional space that offers a complete range of physical and virtual interactions designed to facilitate learning across various realities.

Academic Partners

The NDU iCollege has more than 30 current NDU iCollege academic partners and continues to form academic partnerships with regionally accredited universities across the United States, signing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with schools that are Centers of Academic Excellence (CAEs) in Information Assurance/Cyber Education and with universities whose programs align well with the iCollege's certificates. Graduates from the college’s many certificate programs can apply to a number of partner institutions for completion of a Master’s or Doctoral/PhD Degree. There are a multitude of degree choices for NDU iCollege graduates at the partner institutions.

Academic partners accept 9, 12, or 15 graduate semester credits depending on which certificate program and how many courses were completed at the NDU iCollege. After the iCollege reduced certificate requirements on July 1, 2014, students completing fewer courses under the new model typically receive a maximum of 12 transfer credits. Students still on the legacy program still receive the higher amount of credits. For example, students completing the CIO Certificate with 8 courses will receive 15 transfer credits, while students in the new CIO Certificate program who complete the now-required 6 courses receive 12 transfer credits.

Awards

• Elearning! 100 Award for Innovation (iCollege elearning and labs)
• Association of Old Crows, the Electronic Warfare and Information Operations, Distinguished Service Award, Dan Kuehl
• DoD CIO Award for exceptional academic achievement, 13th International Cyber Defense Workshop, Russ Mattern and Stan Boddie
• Federal 100 Award from Federal Computer Week, Dr. Robert Childs
• AFCEA Meritorious Service Award for Excellence in IT, Patty Coopersmith
• Educator Award from the Association of Government Accountants (AGA), Ricardo Aguilera and Gary Maupin
• DoD CIO Award for exceptional academic achievement, 12th International Cyber Defense Workshop, Gil Duvall, John Saunders, John Hurley
• Federal 100 Award from Federal Computer Week, Dr. Robert Childs
• Finalist, eLearning Age Awards, Excellence in Online Learning Content, Dr. Cathy Downes for MAC course
• Government Information Security Leadership Awards (GISLAs), Mark Duke for AII class
• AFFIRM Awards, Leadership in Service to the Government IT Community
• Finalist, Women in Technology Awards/Government, Dr. Paulette Robinson
• Excellence in IT Award from AFCEA
• Eagle Award from Federal Government Distance Learning Association
• Intergovernmental Solutions/Management of Change Award (finalist), American Council for Technology
• Rising Star Award from 1105 Government Information Group
• Finalist, SC Magazine Awards, Best Professional Certificate Programs
• Best Practice Awards in Corporate/College Partnerships from CUX
• Tele-work in the Federal Government Leadership Award
• Golden Link Award for partnering with industry from AFCEA
• Excellence in Corporate Education Award from London Financial Times

References

• Official site