Naval Staff College
The Naval Staff College is a graduate level professional development program designed for midcareer officers representing navies from around the world, including the U.S. Each year, we bring together students from diverse cultures to share their maritime traditions, experiences, and challenges. Upon graduation they earn a Naval War College diploma. A select group will earn a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies. Our graduates return to their navies to continue their successful careers; to date over 130 have become chiefs of service. The NSC also welcomes a small group of American officers. Those interested in becoming part of the NSC team can reach us through the contact information below.
Naval Staff College Diploma Program
Building knowledge. Fostering cooperation.
Over the course of your 11 months in Newport, you’ll prepare for positions of higher responsibility through rigorous coursework and diverse field study opportunities. You’ll also educate your classmates, faculty, and guests from the community about your home nation during your cultural presentation.
Core Curriculum
You’ll hone your strategic, analytical, and management skills through four core subject areas: Joint Maritime Operations, Theater Security Decision Making, Strategy and War, and Leadership in the Profession of Arms.
View CoreElective Courses
We encourage our International students to enrich their experience with electives. Choose from topics ranging from science and technology to history and geography.
Explore ElectivesField Studies Program
Our Field Studies Program will take you to cities across the United States, and you’ll participate in cultural experiences from a New England clam bake to exploring our nation’s capital.
Learn MoreIncoming Students
More Information
Prepare for your arrival at Naval Staff College-and see what others have done after completing our program.
Featured Faculty
Ryan Logan
Capt. Logan is a native of Dayton, Ohio. He was commissioned in 1997 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and designated a naval aviator in 1999. He has had flying tours in Jacksonville, Fallon, and San Diego as a SWTI flying carrier-based H-60 Seahawk helicopters. In 2013, he earned a Master of Arts with Distinction from the U.S. Naval War College. He commanded Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Six and served as the USS Abraham Lincoln Navigator. Most recently, Capt. Logan was a military professor at the Naval War College teaching with both the National Security Affairs and the Strategy and Policy departments. In 2023, Capt. Logan was selected as the Director of the Naval Staff College.
Jon R. Huggins
Jon Huggins is an associate professor for International Programs at the Naval War College. He has worked across four continents as a maritime security consultant for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Maritime Organization, the G7++ Presidency and the commercial shipping industry. As director of the Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) program, his organization’s research was featured by the BBC, New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Al Jazeera. OBP was also a key contributor to the release of 44 piracy hostages held in Somalia for up to four years. A career Navy P-3 NFO, he also served at NATO and EU HQs in Brussels, 7th Fleet HQ, as a FEF Fellow, and the CNO Executive Panel staff.