Naval Command College Diploma

International officers in the Naval Command College (NCC) complete a robust program of academic core courses and electives, as well as professional development including a Field Studies Program. Upon completion they receive a U.S. Naval War College (NWC) Diploma. Selected students will be eligible to earn a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.
Naval Command College students

General Information

Eligibility

NCC is open to U.S. and international military officers from participating countries in the O5 and O6 pay grades.

Location & Duration

The 11-month curriculum for resident students is divided into trimesters and is taught at NWC in Newport, Rhode Island.

Learning Format

Core Courses are primarily seminar format but include the field studies program, capstone exercises, and comprehensive writing assignments.

Outcome

Upon completion, international officers receive an NWC Diploma. Selected students will be eligible to earn a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies degree.

Program Structure

Ongoing

Field Studies Program

Required | Core Course
The Field Studies Program provides students with an understanding of U.S. society, institutions, and culture through exposure to various topics. These field studies include approximately six out-of-area trips and numerous day trips.

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

Optional | Elective
The elective program, optional but encouraged, offers graduate level courses that provide specialized areas of study. Note: Electives are required each trimester for those international officers pursuing a master’s degree.

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

Optional | Elective
The elective program, optional but encouraged, offers graduate level courses that provide specialized areas of study. Note: Electives are required each trimester for those international officers pursuing a master’s degree.

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

Optional | Elective
The elective program, optional but encouraged, offers graduate level courses that provide specialized areas of study. Note: Electives are required each trimester for those international officers pursuing a master’s degree.

Incoming Students

Contact Information

Naval Command College

More Information

Next Steps
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International flags at Naval War College
U.S. Naval War College side view of a building on campus