ACADEMIC YEAR 2020-2021 NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL DISTANCE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Date Signed: 2/25/2020 | MARADMINS Number: 112/20
MARADMINS : 112/20

R 251514Z FEB 20
MARADMIN 112/20
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG TECOM QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/ACADEMIC YEAR 2020-2021 NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL DISTANCE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES//
REF/A/USD(P(AND)R)DODI 1322.25 W/CH3/20110315//
REF/B/CNO/OPNAVINST 1520.23C W/CH1/20150107//
REF/C/CMC/MCO 1524.1/20190530//
REF/D/CMC/MCO 1200.18/20141208//
NARR/REF A IS DODI 1322.25 W/CH3, VOLUNTARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. REF B IS OPNAVINST 1520.23C W/CH1, GRADUATE EDUCATION. REF C IS MCO 1524.1, MARINE CORPS GRADUATE EDUCATION PROGRAM. REF D IS MCO 1200.18, MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES (MOS) MANUAL.//
POC/DAVID FORBELL/LTCOL/NPS/(831) 656-2794/EMAIL: DAVID.FORBELL@NPS.EDU//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  The purpose of this message is to solicit applicants for Advanced Degree Distance Learning and Certificate Distance Learning Programs administered through the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) at Monterey, CA in accordance with the references.  Program start dates begin during Academic Year (AY) 2020 fourth quarter (Q4) (July-September 2020) through AY 2021 Q4 (July-September 2021).
2.  Marine officers at the captain through lieutenant colonel level are eligible to participate in mission funded non-resident Distance Learning (DL) graduate programs and certificate offerings at NPS.  Applications from chief warrant officers (CWO) at the CWO2 through CWO4 level and from senior enlisted Marines at the staff sergeant through master gunnery sergeant or sergeant major level will be accepted for technical, analytical, or engineering certificate programs that would advance skills within their occupational field.  Applications from Marines in other pay grades will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Participation in this program does not preclude consideration by the Commandants Career Level Education Board or Commandants Professional Intermediate-Level Education Board.
3.  Application requirements and procedures for all programs. 
3.A.  Each applicant must submit an online NPS application no later than (NLT) the start date of the preceding academic quarter for which the desired program of study begins, anytime throughout the AY.  The NPS academic calendar is located at https:(slash)(slash)my.nps.edu/web/registrar/calendar for reference to AY quarter start dates.  General information on how to apply is located at https:(slash)(slash)my.nps.edu/web/admissions/apply1.
3.B.  All applicants are responsible for ensuring their transcripts arrive at NPS, whether submitted electronically or on paper.  Transcripts must be mailed from the institution(s) directly to NPS at the following address:  NPS Admissions, United States Marine Corps Distance Learning Board, 589 Dyer Rd, Root Hall Room 100 Monterey, CA 93943-5100 or electronically from the attended institution(s) to admissions@nps.edu.
3.C.  A participation agreement signed by the applicants immediate supervisor is required and can be found at https:(slash)(slash)my.nps.edu/web/admissions/required-forms.
3.D.  An official transcript from every college/university attended with credits and letter grades must be submitted to NPS (address in paragraph 3.B.).  NPS must receive official transcripts sent directly from the respective college or university NLT the start of the preceding academic quarter for which the desired program of study begins.  Marines who previously applied to resident programs are not required to submit transcripts.  If additional paperwork is required, admissions will contact the applicant directly.
4.  Curricula not offered at NPS will not be considered.  Matriculation fees, textbooks, education materials, and all similar fees will be borne by the student.  Program commencement is subject to the availability of funds.  All applicants should submit applications via the online admissions portal annotating the desired curriculum number.
5.  Most programs contain synchronous courses that require participation at specific times.  Officer Assignments Branch will not favorably endorse requests to extend on station for the sole purpose of completing participation in this program.  Marines are to notify their gaining command of their enrollment upon check-in.  If a Marine is unable to continue the program, regardless of the reason, he or she must notify the NPS instructor and staff immediately.
5.A.  Eligibility Requirements
5.A.1.  The Marine must have sufficient time remaining in service to fulfill obligations specified in paragraph 5.B. below.
5.A.2.  The Marine must have a bachelors degree from a regionally accredited undergraduate institution.  Bachelors degrees from nationally accredited universities will not be considered.  Enlisted Marines must be working in an occupational field relevant to the certificate program they are pursuing.
5.A.3.  Officers who are in the above zone for promotion will not be considered.
5.A.4.  Officers not yet career designated must be offered and accept career designation prior to matriculation.
5.A.5.  Officers who have already earned a graduate degree through a Marine Corps education program are not eligible for additional degrees.  These officers are eligible for certificate programs.
5.B.  Service Obligation.  See Reference C, Appendix A for service obligation requirements.  Marines must include the following statement in the application:  “If selected, I agree to remain on active duty in accordance with service obligation requirements outlined in Reference C.  I agree not to tender my resignation or request separation or retirement while participating in the program.  This obligation will be served concurrently with any other service obligation previously incurred.”
6.  Several of the degree programs have requirements that are unique.  The following paragraphs provide additional information on graduate curricula 311, 312, 613, 692, and 805, due to the unique blended learning environment.
6.A.  Curriculum number 311, Systems Engineering and 312, Aviation Systems Engineering (ASE).  These courses are designed for all Marine Officers serving in Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) billets worldwide, including those at United States Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS).
6.A.1.  A Master of Science (MS) in Systems Engineering (MSSE) or an MS in Engineering Systems (MSES) from NPS has been established as curriculum number 311 in a blended learning environment.  Participants take two courses per quarter from NPS over eight quarters, including a capstone project.
6.A.2.  Marines who are USNTPS graduates may apply to curriculum number 312, ASE.  The program builds upon the USNTPS academic and flight test instruction, with the students USNTPS final flight test project and report second development test (DT-II) serving in lieu of a thesis.  The point of contact (POC) for questions regarding curriculum 312 is John OConnor at john.c.oconnor@navy.mil.
6.A.3.  Marines who are interested in curricula 311 or 312, and who are serving in NAVAIR billets must also complete a NAVAIR application.  The POC for questions regarding the NAVAIR application process is Karen Veid, 312 Program Administrator at karen.veid@navy.mil or (301) 342-5339.
6.B.  Curriculum Number 613, Engineering Science (ES) with a major in ASE.  This course is designed for all Marine officers serving in NAVAIR billets worldwide who are enrolled in or who are graduates of USNTPS, providing an opportunity to obtain a MS in ES with a major in ASE-MSES.  This is a DL program building upon the USNTPS academic and flight test instruction, with the students USNTPS final flight test project and report (DT-II) serving in lieu of a thesis.  The POC for questions regarding curriculum 613 is John OConnor at john.c.oconnor@navy.mil.
6.C.  Curriculum Number 692, Homeland Defense and Security.  Experience with homeland security, interagency operations, public affairs, and leadership roles dealing with strategy and policy are desired attributes of applicants for the 692 curriculum.  This curriculum requires 2 weeks in residence each quarter throughout the 18 month program.  The remainder of the coursework is completed via network-based learning.  Applicants command must approve of the time commitment as well as agree to pay the temporary additional duty costs associated with this curriculum.  Marines should have approximately 18 months time on station remaining in order to complete this curriculum.  The Marine(s) interested in 692 are required to complete the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) application and must be selected by CHDS before applying to NPS.  Details regarding the CHDS application can be found at https:(slash)(slash)www.chds.us/c/.  The POC for the CHDS application is Heather Issvoran at hissvora@nps.edu or (831) 402-4672.
6.D.  Curriculum Number 805, Executive Master Business Administration (EMBA).  The EMBA from NPS is offered to Marine officers (major (select) through lieutenant colonel).  The 24-month program is delivered in a blended learning environment with an established cohort.  Students take two courses from NPS per quarter during working hours via a variety of DL technologies over eight quarters including a capstone project.  A minimum remaining time on station of 24 months is required for enrollment into the 805 program.  The EMBA homepage is https:(slash)(slash)my.nps.edu/web/gsbpp/emba.  Send questions about the EMBA program to emba@nps.edu or call (831) 656-2562.  The POC for the EMBA program is the Program Manager, Dr. Christina Hart at cchart@nps.edu.
7.  Additional information regarding content of programs can be obtained on the NPS Distance Learning graduate education website https:(slash)(slash)my.nps.edu/web/dl.  Specific questions regarding admissions should be directed to admissions@nps.edu.
8.  This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.
9.  Release authorized by Major General William F. Mullen III, Commanding General, Training and Education Command.//