JPME Phase II & Master’s Degree

The Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies is a 10-month curriculum for resident students divided into trimesters with core teachings and electives. Core courses are primarily taught in seminar format but include capstone exercises, wargame participation, and writing assignments.
U.S. Naval War College students at their graduation.

General Information

Eligibility

Students are selected to attend the College of Naval Warfare by each service based on professional performance. Candidates are senior officers (O5-O6) that are selected for promotion to Commander and Captain. In addition, selected departments and agencies are invited to nominate civilian applicants (GS14-GS15, or equivalent) for admission. A limited number of Lieutenant Commanders can attend CNW, if JPME I requirements are completed, rank waiver is approved by the Navy Personnel Command.

Location & Duration

The 10-month curriculum for resident students is divided into trimesters and is taught at the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, Rhode Island.

Learning Format

Core Courses are primarily seminar format but include capstone exercises, wargame participation, and comprehensive writing assignments.

Outcome

U.S. resident students in CNW are awarded a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies degree, graduates are also eligible for JPME Phase II certification.

Program Structure

Once Per Academic Year

Leadership in the Profession of Arms

Required | Core Course
This course allows students to recognize their impact on those they lead and enhance their thinking and ethical decision-making for their future leadership roles. It is taken in lieu of a single trimester elective course once per academic year and is assigned depending on a student's schedule.

Fall Trimester

Joint Military Operations

Required | Core Course
The Joint Military Operations course engages students in an in-depth study of the theater-strategic and operational levels of war across the spectrum of conflict.

Student Selected Elective

Required | Elective
The elective program offers graduate level courses that expand on subjects not in the core curriculum, enhance your regional expertise, or examine core subjects in greater detail. If a student is in the Leadership in the Profession of Arms course, they will not be required to take an elective that trimester.

Winter Trimester

Strategy and Policy

Required | Core Course
The Strategy and Policy course emphasizes grand strategy. Students will examine case studies to consider the long-term effectiveness of all instruments of national power, the importance of the ability to adapt in strategic leadership, and the strategic success and failure of great and regional powers as well as non-state actors over long periods of time.

Student Selected Elective

Required | Elective
The elective program offers graduate level courses that expand on subjects not in the core curriculum, enhance your regional expertise, or examine core subjects in greater detail. If a student is in the Leadership in the Profession of Arms course, they will not be required to take an elective that trimester.

Spring Trimester

National Security and Decision Making

Required | Core Course
The National Security and Decision Making course focuses on strategic-level issues, including the effective selection and leadership of military forces in the context of constrained national resources, strategic planning and selection of future military forces, and their potential use as an instrument of national power.

Student Selected Elective

Required | Elective
The elective program offers graduate level courses that expand on subjects not in the core curriculum, enhance your regional expertise, or examine core subjects in greater detail. If a student is in the Leadership in the Profession of Arms course, they will not be required to take an elective that trimester.

Incoming Students

Contact Information

Dean of Students Office

More Information

Next Steps
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International flags at the U.S. Naval War College.
Student reading a book at the U.S. Naval War College.