Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog

Naval Postgraduate School – Distance Learning – Master’s Programs – Starting September 2024

Posted on June 17, 2024 Updated on June 14, 2024

1. This message announces application procedures for the Naval Postgraduate School September 2024 distance learning Master Programs (curriculum 311, 359, 363, 367, 569, 571, 572, 592, 608, 721, 722).

2. Context:

a. Naval Postgraduate School’s Master programs are 12-36 months in length. Upon successful completion of the coursework, students will be conferred with a master’s degree and a subspecialty code (Navy Officers only, depending on program of choice).

b. These programs support Navy and DoD defense educational needs and complement existing resident education by providing cross-disciplinary education in the chosen curriculum.

c. A bachelor’s degree is required for entry into a master’s program. A master’s is needed for entry into a PhD program. Students lacking these prerequisites may be accepted to the program through their undergraduate records and other indicators of success.

d. Programs Offered beginning, September 2024.

311 Systems Engineering: Designed for Navy System Commands and DoD organizations involved in a wide range of systems engineering and integration challenges. These commands can partner with NPS to educate and train engineers with tools and technologies relevant to their work, resulting in employees with greater knowledge and expertise to enable them to better meet the needs of their customers.

359 Human Systems Integration: Human Systems Integration (HSI) is an interdisciplinary program that emphasizes human considerations as a priority in systems design and acquisition, to reduce life cycle costs, and improve total system performance. HSI has been divided into several distinct domains that include human factors engineering, manpower, personnel, training, human survivability, health hazards, system safety, and habitability. HSI is based on the understanding that people (operators, maintainers, and support personnel) are critical elements of the system and that a human-centered design perspective promotes system effectiveness, safety, and cost savings.

363 Systems Analysis: Designed to meet the needs of the Navy and other services in the Department of Defense (DoD) for technical graduate education in systems analysis as a basis for aiding key decisions on force requirements, weapon systems, and other defense matters. Students acquire foundational skills and hands-on experience in all aspects of analytical studies, which includes the skills to formulate problems, use the analytical process to design study requirements, highlight critical assumptions, recognize strengths and weaknesses of applied analytical methodologies, and evaluate study recommendations.

367 Applied Computing: Equips graduates with the essential skills and knowledge to specify, evaluate, and manage computing systems, as well as the ability to provide technical guidance in the analysis, design, and application of computing systems used in the Navy. The MAC degree is designed to be completed by combining a sequence of NPS graduate-level certificates in areas related to computing, such as computer science, cyber systems and operations, robotics, and data science. The program’s flexible design provides sponsoring agencies and students the ability to achieve specific professional education goals by selecting a tailored combination of certificates. There is no thesis or capstone requirement for this degree.

569 Master of Mechanical Engineering: Broad-based, graduate education in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on thermo fluids, structures, autonomous systems, and space systems. Requirements for entry include a bachelor’s degree, preferably in an engineering discipline. While an undergraduate degree in engineering is preferred, special preparatory programs can accommodate officers with other backgrounds.

571 Naval Reactors – Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Program: Provide both naval officers and civilian employees of Naval Reactors (NR), an advanced education leading to a Master of Science in Engineering Science with major in either Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. This is a non-thesis program for individuals who work as engineers and who wish to pursue a master’s degree via Distance Learning. The program sponsor is NAVSEA and the subject matter expert is SEA-08.

572 Master of Mechanical Engineering for Nuclear Trained Officers (ME): This degree program provides the opportunity for nuclear trained naval officers (those who have successfully completed Naval Nuclear Power School, Officers Course) to obtain a Master of Science in Engineering Science with a major in Mechanical Engineering – MSES(ME), while on sea or shore duty. Requirements for entry include currently serving on Active Duty, successful completion of the Officer’s Course at the Naval Nuclear Power School, a B.S. in Engineering (or closely related field) and a nomination by command, which must include original transcript of the student’s undergraduate records.

592 Master of Electronic Systems Engineering (MSEE): Courses for this degree are delivered on a schedule determined in consultation with the customer, with one course per quarter being typical (four courses per year) can be completed in two to three years. This program is research-based and requires submission and approval of a written thesis. Requirements for entry include acceptance by the ECE Department: Entrance to the Electrical and Computer Engineering curriculum at Naval Postgraduate School is through a three-part requirement consisting of a minimum grade point average at the undergraduate level, a sufficient mathematics background, and a sufficient background in technical undergraduate studies. Applicants with a B.S.E.E. degree usually will satisfy the last two requirements automatically, and Command/Company endorsement.

608 Master of Aerospace Engineering: Degree program designed to meet the specific needs of the U.S. Military, U.S. Coast Guard, and international partners with a broad-based graduate education in Aerospace Engineering with a focus on missile design, autonomous systems, and space systems. The program is intended to be completed within 36 months (about 3 years), assuming one course or thesis slot per quarter. Requirements for Entry include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, or its equivalent, preferably in an engineering discipline. While an undergraduate degree in engineering is preferred, special preparatory programs can accommodate officers with other backgrounds.

721 Joint Executive Systems Engineering and Management (SEM-PD21): Designed to produce a cadre of change agents skilled in engineering and management across the nation to bring about dramatic improvements in the way American corporations and the defense industry develop and build new systems and products. This program prepares today’s technical experts for successful careers as systems engineering leaders, technically grounded senior managers, and agents of innovation and acquisition excellence in their business enterprises. It is known for its unique its joint focus: joint services, joint engineering and management, and joint government and industry; and integrating business and technical elements via formal education, exposure to ongoing research, and immersive experiences in current, real-world industry practices.

722 Systems Engineering Management: Systems and Program Management: An interdisciplinary program combining systems engineering with program management knowledge and skills. The program is intended to broaden the technical capabilities of the acquisition workforce who may have non-technical backgrounds, so they can manage and lead programs/ projects supporting the Defense Acquisition System. Students in this program learn the systems engineering process from establishing system requirements through test and evaluation. Simultaneously students learn how to manage, schedule, and budget programs as well as work with DoD suppliers through contracts to meet program obligations.

3. Tuition: NPS is mission-funded to provide tuition-free graduate education to full-time active-duty Navy and Marine Corps service members. Seats not filled by active-duty Navy and Marine Corps service members will be made available for open enrollment to other uniformed service members, Department of the Navy and other federal government civilians, and defense contractor civilians under tuition sponsorship by their organization or agency. For information regarding tuition, please contact the NPS Tuition office at tuition@nps.edu. NPS is required to have a support agreement (DON form 7600A or DD1144) in place with each government funding sponsor before acceptance of funding documents. All students are required to purchase their textbooks.

4. Application Process: Service members interested in the programs may visit the NPS web pages for detailed eligibility and application process. Program webpages:

https://online.nps.edu/w/311-systems-engineering

https://online.nps.edu/w/359-human-systems-integration

https://online.nps.edu/w/363-systems-analysis

https://online.nps.edu/w/367-applied-computing

https://online.nps.edu/w/569-naval/mechanical-engineering-master

https://online.nps.edu/w/571-naval-reactors-mechanical/electrical-engineering-program

https://online.nps.edu/w/572-distance-learning-program-in-mechanical-engineering-for-nuclear-trained-officers

https://online.nps.edu/w/592-electronic-systems-engineering

https://online.nps.edu/w/608-aerospace-engineering

https://online.nps.edu/w/721-joint-executive-systems-engineering-and-management

https://online.nps.edu/w/722-systems-engineering-management-systems-and-program-management

5. Post Graduation: Per OPNAVINST 1520.23C, Navy officers participating in this program must agree to remain on active duty for two years following completion of a master’s program. This obligation is discharged concurrently with any other service obligation already incurred if U.S. Navy. This agreement does not obligate the Navy to retain the officer on active duty.

6. Point of Contact: NPS master’s program contact, via email at ONLINE(AT)NPS.EDU. Additional information on the Naval Postgraduate School’s online programs can be obtained via our website online.nps.edu.

7. This message will remain in effect until superseded or 1 September 2024, whichever occurs first.

Naval Postgraduate School – Distance Learning – Certificate Programs – Starting September 2024

Posted on June 15, 2024 Updated on June 14, 2024

1. This message announces the application procedures for the Naval Postgraduate School September 2024 distance learning Certificate Programs (curriculum 118, 122, 131, 133, 135, 171, 192, 218, 231, 235, 238, 244, 256, 262, 273, 281, 282, 288, 290, 291, 292, 293, 295, 296, 297, 299).

2. Context:

a. The certificate programs are typically comprised of four distance learning courses. Upon successful completion of the course work, students will be awarded institutional credits, a certificate of completion in keeping with the standard practices of the Naval Postgraduate School as well as a subspecialty code (Navy Officers only, dependent on program of choice) if applicable.

b. The certificate program supports Navy and DoD defense educational needs and complements existing resident education, by providing cross-disciplinary education in the chosen curriculum.

c. A bachelor’s degree is required for entry into these programs. Students lacking these prerequisites may be accepted to the program through their undergraduate records and other indicators of success.

d. Distance learning certificates offered beginning September 2024:

118 Aerospace Engineering Certificate: Designed for a practicing engineer with a STEM undergraduate degree to provide foundational knowledge to begin working on topics in aerospace & missile systems. Uniquely relevant defense examples and applications include missile design and aircraft systems integration. The objective of this program is to provide graduate education in the field of Aerospace Engineering, to provide working knowledge and technical competence for the operation, design, and acquisition of modern military aerospace systems.

122 Mechanical Engineering (Structures) Certificate: Designed to provide graduate education, with an emphasis in the field of Naval Mechanical Engineering, to produce graduates with the technical competence to operate and maintain modern warships and military combat systems. It establishes a broad background of basic engineering knowledge leading to advanced studies in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, control systems, solid mechanics and vibrations and material science, by applying U.S. military standards and industry practices to solve engineering problems and analyze structural components of mechanical systems.

131 Capability and Mission Engineering Certificate: The Department of Systems Engineering offers a four-course academic certificate in systems capability and mission engineering that enables students to apply systems engineering in defense acquisition and system lifecycle support.

133 Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Design and Development Certificate: This program is targeted for mid- and upper-level engineers working in or in support of the Defense Acquisition System but has great benefits for all who seek further knowledge in the theory and practice of systems engineering.

135 Advanced Systems Suitability Certificate: Enables students to apply systems engineering in defense acquisition and system lifecycle support. This certificate offers more detailed courses focused on specific suitability areas providing additional expertise useful in system design through integration and manufacturing, development and production efforts. Students create strategies that incorporate human factor considerations, software, production and risk in the overall systems engineering process and product lifecycle. This program is targeted for mid- and upper-level engineers working in, or in support of, the Defense Acquisition System but has great benefit for all who seek further knowledge in the theory and practice of systems engineering.

171 Systems Engineering Management Certificate: enables students to apply systems engineering and management in defense acquisition and system lifecycle support. Integrated product development team members work with systems engineers in both technical and management competency areas requiring skills in effective teamwork and communications, statistical operational analysis, lifecycle cost management, system verification and validation, and manufacturing and production. This program is targeted for mid- and upper-level integrated product team members working in or in support of the Defense Acquisition System but has great benefit for all who seek further knowledge in the theory and practice of systems engineering and the implementation of systems engineering management principles within an organization.

192 Defense Management Foundations Certificate: This program prepares graduates to manage organizations, resources, and programs in complex environments. Requirements for entry include a bachelor’s degree.

218 Advanced Acquisition Studies: This program supports continuous acquisition reform initiatives mandated by Congress and senior leaders and supports initiatives to educate operational warfighters in the business of acquisition.

231 Implementing Technological Change Certificate: This program offers cyberspace and technology professionals the opportunity to cultivate essential skillsets to spearhead policy development and drive organizational change. Requirements for entry include completion of two (2) required core courses (CS4926 and MN3012/GB3012) and two (2) additional courses specified by the program.

235 Combat Systems Science and Engineering Certificate: This program covers fundamental physical principles governing combat systems and their integration. This ranges from sensor technologies, weapons and their effects, modern missile technologies, and advanced weapon systems. Requirements for entry include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution including an undergraduate physics sequence.

238 Basic Contract Management Certificate: Distance learning program that supports continuous acquisition reform initiatives mandated by Congress and senior leaders and supports initiatives to educate operational warfighters in the business of contract management.

244 Advanced Contract Management Certificate: This program supports continuous acquisition reform initiatives mandated by Congress and senior leaders and initiatives to educate operational warfighters in the business of contract management.

256 Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate: This program provides a technically rigorous foundation upon which to build knowledge and skills in computer network defense, attack, and exploitation. Each course is comprised of both instruction and laboratory exercises involving cybersecurity aspects of computers and networks. Requirements for entry include a bachelor’s degree and prior academic experience at the undergraduate or graduate level in computing systems and computer networking.

262 Human Systems Integration Certificate: Designed to enable acquisition professionals, program managers, engineers and scientists of the DoD to effectively implement Human Systems Integration (HSI) as required by the DoD. Students will learn the fundamentals in applying usability assessments, modeling, optimization, and decision making to demonstrate cost-benefit trade-offs for technical, cost, and schedule modifications in systems acquisition.

273 Space Systems Fundamentals Certificate: Supports Navy and DoD space educational needs and complements existing resident training by providing cross-disciplinary science and technical education. The Space Systems Certificate program is targeted primarily at enhancing the education and preparation for USN Space Cadre personnel. The Navy’s Space Cadre represents a distinct body of expertise horizontally integrated within the Navy active duty, reserves, both officer and enlisted, and civilian employee communities organized to operationalize space.

281 Systems Analysis Certificate: Designed to meet the needs of the Navy and other services in the Department of Defense (DoD) for nondegree technical education in systems analysis as a basis for aiding key decisions on force requirements, weapon systems, and other defense matters. Students learn and apply modeling, optimization, simulation, and decision making under risk and uncertainty. This certificate program consists of four courses delivered entirely online over a one-year period. The course content and projects will challenge the student academically and address problems of interest to the Department of Defense. The courses are paced week-to-week by the instructors, but the students have great flexibility to do their course work at times of their choosing during each week.

282 Systems Engineering Fundamentals Certificate: This certificate program is designed to provide graduate level foundation courses in systems engineering to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of how DoD designs, develops and produces large complex systems.

288 Cyber Warfare Certificate: The Cyber Warfare Certificate addresses the network threat environment, network infrastructure, network design and security for both wired and wireless environments as well as all facets of computer network operations, depending on the choice of certificate electives. The coursework equips students with an ability to apply techniques for network operations with both wired and wireless computer networks based on an ability to analyze, design and evaluate networks. Electives can be chosen to satisfy requirements for workforce education in both the DoD and Intelligence Community. Non-DoD sectors of government and the private sector which traditionally focus on network defense may also wish to consider this certificate to provide their employees with a more insightful understanding of computer and network defense challenges.

290 Signal Processing Certificate: This program provides a solid engineering foundation which covers the fundamental concepts needed to analyze and process digital information in many current applications including video, imaging, audio, communications, networking, underwater, and control applications.

291 Electric Ships and Power Systems Certificate: Provides an engineering foundation which covers the fundamental concepts in electrical power conversion and electromechanical power conversion at the advanced level. This coherent program is obtained by taking a 4-graduate-course sequence which provides a mixture of instruction and computer-based laboratories offering students the opportunity to study the behavior and performance power systems in a virtual environment.

292 Electronic Warfare Engineer Academic Certificate: This program provides the fundamental concepts needed to understand how EW signals are affected by the environment and includes a survey of existing EW systems and analysis techniques. Requirements for entry include acceptance by the ECE Department. Entrance to the Electrical and Computer Engineering curriculum at the Naval Postgraduate School consists of a minimum grade point average at the undergraduate level, a sufficient mathematics background, and a sufficient background in technical undergraduate studies. Applicants with a B.S.E.E. degree usually will satisfy the last two requirements automatically. Command/Company endorsement is required.

293 Journeyman EW Engineer Academic Certificate: Provides students an understanding of the microwave and optical aspects of sensor and electronic warfare systems. State-of-the-art material on microwave and optical devices and their use in systems are discussed during the courses. The certificate material also includes a description of the operation of devices and trade-offs involved in component selection. This program provides a mixture of instruction and computer-based laboratory exercises that offer students the opportunity to explore concepts and investigate applications in the electronic warfare area.

295 Network Engineering Certificate: Addresses the design, implementation, traffic, signaling and performance analysis of modern enterprise and telecommunications network infrastructures integrating both wired and wireless media.

296 Cyber Systems Certificate: Designed to provide students with a graduate level focus on cyber systems, system reverse engineering, and depending on elective choice, an ability to assess vulnerability and risk, architecture and engineering, or network traffic.

297 Wireless Network Security Certificate: Provide students with a graduate level focus on the security of wireless communications networks, and depending on elective choice, an ability to assess the security of wireless devices or telecommunications systems, to maintain situational awareness on wireless networks or assess the risk of covert malicious functionality in system hardware components.

299 Applied Trajectory Optimization Certificate: This program provides students with a suite of practical mathematical tools for applying trajectory optimization techniques to solve various problems in engineering design and optimization. Requirements for entry include a bachelor’s degree and acceptance by the MAE Department.

3. Tuition: NPS is mission-funded to provide tuition-free graduate education to full-time active-duty Navy and Marine Corps service members. Seats not filled by active-duty Navy and Marine Corps service members will be made available for open enrollment to other uniformed service members, Department of the Navy and other federal government civilians, and defense contractor civilians under tuition sponsorship by their organization or agency. For information regarding tuition, please contact the NPS Tuition office at tuition@nps.edu. NPS must have a support agreement (DON form 7600A or DD1144) in place with each government funding sponsor before acceptance of funding documents. All students are required to purchase their textbooks.

4. Application Process: Service members interested in this certificate program may visit the NPS web pages for detailed eligibility and application process. Program webpages:

https://online.nps.edu/w/118-aerospace-engineering-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/122-mechanical-engineering-structures-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/131-capability-and-mission-engineering-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/133-model-based-systems-engineering-mbse-design-and-development-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/135-advanced-systems-suitability-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/171-systems-engineering-management-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/192-defense-management-foundations

https://online.nps.edu/w/218-advanced-acquisition-studies

https://online.nps.edu/w/231-implementing-technological-change-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/235-combat-systems-science-and-engineering-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/238-basic-contract-management-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/244-advanced-contract-management-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/256-cybersecurity-fundamentals-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/262-human-systems-integration-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/273-space-systems-fundamentals-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/281-systems-analysis-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/282-systems-engineering-fundamentals-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/web/online/-/288-cyber-warfare-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/290-signal-processing-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/291-electric-ships-and-power-systems-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/292-electronic-warfare-engineer-academic-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/293-journeyman-ew-engineer-academic-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/295-network-engineering-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/296-cyber-systems-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/297-wireless-network-security-certificate

https://online.nps.edu/w/299-applied-trajectory-optimization-certificate

5. Post Graduation: Per OPNAVINST 1520.23C, Naval personnel participating in a program must agree to remain on active duty for one year following completion of a certificate program. This obligation is discharged concurrently with any other service obligation already incurred. This agreement does not obligate the Navy to retain the service member on active duty.

6. Point of Contact: NPS Certificate program contact, via email at ONLINE(AT)NPS.EDU. Additional information on the Naval Postgraduate School’s online programs can be obtained via our website online.nps.edu.

7. This message will remain in effect until superseded or 1 September 2024, whichever occurs first.