R 252106Z JAN 17
MARADMIN 046/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG MCCDC QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/AY17-18 NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL DISTANCE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/USD PR/MD: 20121206//
REF/B/OPNAV INST 1520.23C//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/C 465/YMD: 20120625//
NARR/REF A IS DODI 1322.25 W/CH1, VOLUNTARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS.  REF B IS CNO, GRADUATE EDUCATION.  REF C IS MCO 1200.17E, MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES (MOS) MANUAL.//
POC/LOUIS CAMARDO/LTCOL/NPS/831-656-2794/EMAIL: CAMARDO(AT)NPS.EDU//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  The purpose of this MARADMIN is to solicit applicants for Advanced Degree Distance Learning (AD-DL) and Certificate Distance Learning (C-DL) Programs administered through the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) at Monterey, CA.  The program start dates begin during Academic Year (AY) 2017 fourth quarter (Q4) (Jul-Sep 2017) through AY 2018 Q4 (Jul-Sep 2018).  The Distance Learning Board (DLB) for AD-DL and C-DL will convene at a minimum on an annual basis.  It is possible for a second application solicitation and selection each year by the DLB based on the results of the first selection process.  The DLB will consist of at least the NPS Senior Marine Representative, the Deputy Senior Marine, and the Admissions Officer.
2.  The mission of the (DLB) is to further the professional and academic development needed for critical occupations across all functional areas.  The DLB will select Marine officers at the senior O-3 through O-5 level to participate in mission funded non-resident DL graduate programs and certificate offerings at NPS. Applications from Chief Warrant Officers (CWO) at the CWO-2 through CWO-4 level and from senior enlisted Marines at the E-6 through E-9 level will be accepted for technical, analytical, or engineering certificate programs that would advance skills within their Military Occupational Specialty.  Applications from Marines in other pay grades will be considered on an individual case-by-case basis.  Participation in this program does not preclude consideration by the Commandants Career Level Education or Commandants Professional Intermediate-Level Education Board.
3.  DLB application requirements and procedures for all programs.
3.A.  Each applicant must submit an online NPS application no later than (NLT) 13 February 2017.  General information on how to apply is located at my.nps.edu/web/admissions/apply1.
3.B.  All applicants are responsible for ensuring their DLB applications arrive at NPS in a timely manner, whether the application is submitted electronically or on paper.  FEDEX or some other means of tracking packages is recommended for air delivery if electronic means is not available.  Mail applications to NPS at the address below, arriving NLT 13 February 2017.
NPS Admissions
United States Marine Corps Distance Learning Board
1 University Circle, HE-022
Monterey, CA 93943-5100
3.C.  A participation agreement signed by the applicants immediate supervisor is required and can be found at my.nps.edu/web/admissions/required-forms.
3.D.  An original 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 6 February 2017.  Marines that 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.  The DLB will convene on or about 21 February 2017 and will select applicants for certificate and graduate programs listed in this message.  Program commencement is subject to the availability of funds.  All applicants should submit one application via the online admissions portal annotating “Not Sure” for the curriculum number.  In the comments section of the online application, the member must annotate one specific program desired and may list up to three for consideration.
Graduate Degree Programs:
311 Systems Engineering             24 Months Quarterly
312 Aviation Systems Engineering    24 Months Fall/Spring
359 Human Systems Integration       24 Months Fall
363 Systems Analysis                24 Months Fall/Spring
379 Cost Estimating and Analysis    24 Months Spring
592 Electronic Systems Engineering  48 Months Quarterly
613 Engineering Science (Aero Eng)  18 Months Winter/Summer
692 Homeland Defense and Security   18 Months Fall/Spring/Summer
805 Executive MBA                   24 Months Fall/Spring
Certificate Programs:
256 Cyber Security Fundamentals      6 Months Quarterly
262 Human Systems Integration       12 Months Fall
268 Data Science                    12 Months Fall
273 Space Systems Ops               12 Months Fall/Spring
281 Systems Analysis                12 Months Fall/Spring
282 Systems Engineering             12 Months Fall/Spring
289 Cost Estimating and Analysis    12 Months Summer
5.  The following paragraphs provide additional information on graduate curricula 311, 312, 613, 692, and 805, due to the unique blended learning environment.
5.A.  Curriculum number 311, Systems Engineering and 312, Aviation Systems Engineering.  These courses are designed for all Marine Officers serving in Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) billets worldwide, including those at U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS). 
5.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 to provide NAVAIR personnel the opportunity to pursue a MSSE/MSES degree with a naval emphasis.  This graduate program provides professional education and development for military officers desiring to improve their expertise as program systems engineers.  Marine Officers who successfully complete the program will earn either an MS in Systems Engineering (provided they hold an ABET accredited undergraduate engineering degree, or can establish equivalency) or an MS in Engineering Systems (all others).  Participants take two courses per quarter from NPS over eight quarters, including a capstone project.
5.A.2.  Marines who are USNTPS graduates may apply to curriculum number 312, Aviation Systems Engineering.  The program builds 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 graduate will be successful as a class desk systems engineer in a NAVAIR billet.  The point of contact (POC) for questions regarding curriculum 312 is John OConnor at john.c.oconnor(at)navy.mil.
5.A.3.  Marines who are interested in curricula 311 and 312 and who are serving in NAVAIR billets must also complete a NAVAIR application.  The POC for questions regarding the NAVAIR application process is Kimberly Johnson, 4.1 MSSE Deputy Program Manager at kimberly.j.johnson.ctr(at)navy.mil or (301) 342-7132.
5.B.  Curriculum Number 613, Engineering Science with a major in Aeronautical Engineering.  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 Masters of Science in Engineering Science with a major in AE-MSES.  This is a distance learning 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.  It will provide advanced aerospace engineering knowledge to the test pilot and flight test engineer.  The POC for questions regarding curriculum 613 is John OConnor at john.c.oconnor(at)navy.mil.
5.C.  Curriculum Number 692, Homeland Defense and Security.  Experience with homeland security, interagency operations, public affairs, and/or leadership roles dealing with strategy and policy are desired attributes of applicants for the 692 curriculum.  This curriculum requires two weeks in residence each quarter throughout the 18 month program.  The in-residence coursework takes place at NPS in Monterey, CA for the cohorts that begin in the fall and spring.  The cohort that begins during the summer completes the in-residence coursework in Harpers Ferry, WV and at NPS in Monterey, CA.  The remainder of the coursework is completed via network-based learning.  A Marines command must approve of the time commitment as well as agree to pay the temporary additional duty costs associated with this curriculum before the NPS Admissions Office will consider an application to this curriculum. Marines should have approximately 18 months time on station remaining in order to complete this curriculum.  Marines desiring to enroll in curriculum 692 must complete a separate application with the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) in addition to the application requirements noted in paragraph 3 of this message.  CHDS applications are due NLT 6 February 2017.  Details regarding the CHDS application can be found at https:(slash)(slash)www.chds.us/c/academic-programs/masters-degree-program.  The POC for the CHDS application is Heather Issvoran at hissvora(at)nps.edu or 831-402-4672. 
5.D.  Curriculum Number 805-Executive Master Business Adminstration (EMBA).  The EMBA from NPS is offered to Marine Officers (O-4 select through O-5).  The 24-month program is delivered in a blended learning environment with an established cohort.  The focus is on financial management, acquisition, program management, policy, and change management.  The program includes Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Level II academics leading to certification.  Students take two courses from NPS per quarter during working hours via video teleconferencing and a variety of distance learning technologies over eight quarters, including a capstone project.  A new MBA cohort starts every spring and fall and requires a minimum remaining time on station of 24 months.  The EMBA homepage is www.nps.edu/emba.  Send questions about the EMBA program to emba(at)nps.edu or call (831) 656-3176 or (831) 656-2562.  The POCs for the EMBA program are the Program Manager, Dr. Christina Hart at cchart(at)nps.edu or the Academic Associate, Dr. Ken Doerr at khdoerr(at)nps.edu. 
6.  Most programs contain synchronous courses that require participation at specific times.  Officer Assignments 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.
6.A.  Eligibility Requirements
6.A.1.  The Marine must have sufficient time remaining in service to fulfill obligations specified in paragraph 6.B. below.
6.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.
6.A.3.  Officers who are above zone for promotion will not be considered.
6.A.4.  Officers not yet career designated must be offered and accept career designation prior to matriculation.
6.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.
6.B.  Service Obligation.  Marines must include the following statement in the application:  “If selected, I agree to remain on active duty for at least two years after completion of my education.  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 obligation previously incurred.”
7.  Additional information regarding content of programs can be obtained on the NPS Distance Learning graduate education website www.nps.edu/academics/dl. Specific questions regarding admissions should be directed to admissions(at)nps.edu.
8.  This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve Forces.
9.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Robert S. Walsh, Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command.//