The University of Texas at San Antonio and the  National Defense University‘s Information Resources Management College

The goals of this collaborative arrangement between UTSA and NDU include

  • Strengthening the quality and breadth of both academic programs.
  • Promoting an educational environment where faculty and graduate students from both institutions can learn from one another through sharing of information and knowledge.
  • Leveraging the strengths and resources of both programs.
  • Providing additional online course offerings

Both NDU, through its IRMC, and UTSA have a mission to offer high quality graduate level programs in information security and assurance, and each institution has been accredited by the U.S. National Security Agency as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education. Both NDU and UTSA recognize that by working together in collaborative efforts, both programs will be enhanced, strengthened and expanded. It is recognized that while both NDU, through its IRMC, and UTSA provide unique graduate programs, the interface of both graduate programs will result in a new educational synergy that will have a significant impact on the effectiveness of information assurance managers in the public and private sectors.

The following aspects of this agreement are intended to achieve the goals outlined above.

The Masters of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Information Assurance program agrees to accept 15 credit hours from graduates of the Chief Information Officer Certificate Program with an Information Assurance Concentration (CIOP-IA), or 15 hours of credit from graduates of the Chief Information Officer Certificate Program (CIOC) and the Information Assurance Certification Program (IACP), or 9 credit hours from graduates of the Information Assurance Certification Program (IACP) (NSTISSI Standard 4011) toward a Master's of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Information Assurance. This degree will be awarded by the Carlos Alvarez College of Business at UTSA.

Admissions Procedures

NDU IRMC CIOP-IA graduates, CIOC graduates and IACP graduates must apply for admission to the MSIT Program at UTSA as graduate students and must meet the graduate admissions requirements of the MSIT program at UTSA.

For the purpose of evaluating applicants for admission, the MSIT program at UTSA will follow the guidelines and procedures that have been established for the graduate programs in the college. While the overall qualifications of the candidates are considered, particular emphasis is given to GPA and GMAT scores.

MBA Program Course requirements

NDU IRMC CIOP-IA graduates, CIOC graduates and IACP graduates admitted to UTSA’s MSIT program (“IRMC Enrollees”) will be subject to all the rules governing the awarding of the degrees including rules pertaining to satisfactory performance in accordance with its policies.

IRMC enrollees enter a structured program and will be expected to complete 18 credit hours from business courses specified for the specific degree program. The total number of credit hours for the MSIT degree with an IA Concentration degree is 33. The 33 hours will include the 15 hours of transfer credit and the 18 hours earned from UTSA. The exact list of courses from either institution may vary over the life of this agreement, but the total number of hours will remain at 33. Course substitutions must be approved by the UTSA Graduate Advisor of Record.

Tuition

Each year the tuition and fees for all courses offered by the college is set by UTSA.

Collaboration

Both NDU, acting through its IRMC, and UTSA, acting through the college, will each disseminate information about these collaborative arrangements and work toward ensuring a successful collaboration. Both IRMC and the Carlos Alvarez College of Business will appoint a liaison to serve as the point of contact.

Initial Point of Contact

For The University of Texas at San Antonio Carlos Alvarez College of Business:
Glenn Dietrich, Ph.D., CISSP
Professor, Department of Information Systems and Cyber Security
The University of Texas at San Antonio
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, Texas 78249
(210) 458-5354
E-mail: glenn.dietrich@utsa.edu

For the Information Resources Management College National Defense University:
Ms. Donita McGeary
Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Programs
Information Resources Management College, NDU
(202) 685-3888
Email: mcgearyd@ndu.edu

The agreement described here is effective from date of signing to December 31, 2007 and is subject to renewal at that time. The terms of this agreement will apply to IRMC enrollees who have successfully completed the NDU curriculum described in this Agreement after December 31, 2002.

Additions and changes to this Agreement may be made at any time with the agreement of both NDU and UTSA. Either NDU or UTSA may withdraw from this Agreement upon 60 days written notice to the other party made to the party’s contact address above by U.S. Certified mail. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement will continue to apply to IRMC Enrollees who have been accepted into UTSA’s MSIT Program while this MOU is in effect.