College of Naval Command & Staff
At the College of Naval Command and Staff, you’ll join other intermediate-level officers from the U.S. Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard, as well as civilians with equivalent seniority, in developing essential leadership and strategic skills while preparing for increased responsibilities and promotion.
The College of Naval Command and Staff Program
Complete JPME Phase I
During this 10-month in-resident program combining classroom learning, simulations, and research, you’ll fulfill your Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I credit requirement, and earn a master’s degree.
Core Curriculum
Over the course of three trimesters, you’ll focus on four major subject areas: Joint Maritime Operations, Theater Security Decision Making, Strategy and War, and Leadership in the Profession of Arms.
View CoreElective Courses
Expand your service education with electives that fit your career interests. Choose from more than 120 courses, from Pen and Sword to Game Theory.
Explore ElectivesAcademic Opportunities
Broaden your understanding of war (and peace) by pursuing group or independent research and learn from military thought leaders by attending our conferences and seminars.
Learn MoreIncoming Students
More Information
Prepare for your arrival at College of Naval Command and Staff-and see what others have done after completing our program.
Featured Faculty
Sean M. Mahoney
Cmdr. Sean Mahoney joined the National Security Affairs Department after earning a Master's Degree (with distinction) from NWC in June 2020. Additional degrees include an Executive Master of Business Administration (with distinction) from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2017 and a B.A. from the University of Washington. A career E-2C/D naval flight officer, his operational tours include deployments in support of multiple global war on terror operations, and he most recently deployed as the assistant air officer aboard CVN-74. His shore assignments include the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School and VAW/VRC requirements officer at Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic.
Jessica D. Blankshain
Dr. Jessica Blankshain joined the National Security Affairs department in 2014 with a doctorate in political economy & government. She teaches the Leadership Concepts and Policy Analysis sub-courses, as well as electives on Central Challenges of American National Security and Civil-Military Relations. Dr. Blankshain is a former graduate fellow with the Rumsfeld Foundation and a former research fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Her research interests include civil-military relations, bureaucratic politics, and organizational economics. She also worked for two years as an associate consultant in the Chicago office of the Boston Consulting Group.