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GSOIS offers curricula and degree programs to resident and non-resident degree students.

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Cyber Academic Group Curricula

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Degree-Granting Programs

Graduate Certificate Programs (Resident and DL)

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Defense Analysis (DA) Curricula

The Department of Defense Analysis is home to two very unique and highly respected graduate programs: 1) the USSOCOM-sponsored Special Operations and Irregular Warfare (SO/IW) program, and 2) the USDP-sponsored Information Strategy and Political Warfare curriculum. Both programs feature an interdisciplinary faculty representing a wide range of academic and operational specialties.

Information Strategy and Political Warfare (698)

Program Officer: Jennifer Duncan
Academic Associate: Hy Rothstein

The Information Warfare & Political Strategy curriculum focuses on the strategic and operational dimensions of information—relative to the use of force—as an instrument of statecraft. Graduates will be able to develop information strategies to support military action by taking advantage of information technology, exploiting the growing worldwide dependence on automated information systems, and capitalizing on the near real time global dissemination of information to affect an adversary's decision cycles—all with the goal of achieving information superiority. This capability is dependent upon students acquiring a thorough understanding of the enduring nature of war. See the curriculum matrix here.

The curriculum is designed for both the specialist who will be assigned to an information operations position and the generalist who will be assigned to an operations directorate. The curriculum includes a core group of courses that address military art and operations, the human dimension of warfare (psycho-social), analytical methods, and a technical course sequence customized for each student. Additionally, each student will have an elective sequence designed to develop an in-depth understanding of joint information operations. Graduates are awarded a Master of Science in Information Operations. The program is 18 months long and requires a completed thesis.

This curriculum is open to officers, select NCOs, and civilian employees of the U.S. Government and other countries. U.S. officers and NCOs must be eligible for a TOP SECRET clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information based on a Special Background Investigation completed within the last five years. A baccalaureate degree earned with above average academic performance and a minimum academic profile code (APC) of 265 are required.

Special Operations and Irregular Warfare (699)

Program Officer: Jennifer Duncan
Academic Associate: Gordon McCormick

The Special Operations/Irregular Warfare curriculum provides a focused curriculum of instruction in irregular warfare. Courses address counterinsurgency, terrorism and counterterrorism, unconventional warfare, information operations, and other "high leverage" operations in U.S. defense and foreign policy. The core program also provides a strong background in strategic analysis, decision modeling, organization theory, and formal analytical methods. See representative SO/IW course matrices here.

Student programs of instruction are built around a common set of core courses and a selected specialty track. The individual student, depending on his or her interests and academic background, chooses the specialty track. In selected cases, students are able to develop a tailored area of specialization to satisfy a particular interest or requirement. Graduates are awarded a Master of Science in Defense Analysis, with their specialty track so specified.

This curriculum is the only education program in DoD in which 100 percent of the instruction is dedicated directly or indirectly to the study of irregular warfare.

While the curriculum is sponsored by US Special Operations Command, the curriculum actively solicits students from across the services, regardless of branch, MOS, or AFSC.  In addition, international students are considered an important asset of the program. Students are encouraged to apply for an admission beginning with either the Winter or Summer Quarter, thereby permitting them to take maximum advantage of the program's sequenced course of instruction. The program extends for 18 months and requires a completed master's thesis prior to graduation.

The Special Operations/Irregular Warfare curriculum is open to officers, select NCOs, and civilian employees of the U.S. Government and other countries. U.S. officers and NCOs must be eligible for a TOP SECRET clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information based on a Special Background Investigation completed within the last five years. A baccalaureate degree earned with above average academic performance and a minimum academic profile code (APC) of 265 are also required.

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The Department of Information Sciences Curriculum

The Department of Information Sciences provides in-residence graduate education, as well as a continuum of career-long learning opportunities, in support of defense requirements in the areas of information sciences, systems, and operations. The Department maintains an internationally respected research program in selected areas of information sciences, systems, and operations, and has the capability of developing research programs in additional areas of information sciences that are required to support graduate education.

The IS Department offers the following curricula:

326 - Cyber Systems and Operations

336 - Applied Cyber Operations (MACO)

365 - Joint Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) Systems

370 - Information Systems and Technology

474 - Doctor of Philosophy in Information Sciences

386 - Network Operations and Technology (NWOT)

475 - Master of Science in Remote Sensing Intelligence (closed to new admissions)

595 - Information Warfare

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Operations Research (OR) Curricula

Originating during World War II as a response to tactical problems relating to the optimal operation of weapon systems and to operational problems relating to the deployment and employment of military forces, Operations Research (OR), also known as Operations Analysis (OA), has since evolved to a full-scale scientific discipline that is practiced widely by analysts in industry, government, and the military. It is the development and application of mathematical models, statistical analyses, simulations, analytical reasoning and common sense to the understanding and improvement of real-world operations. Improvement can be measured by the minimization of cost, maximization of efficiency, or optimization of other relevant measures of effectiveness.

The benefit of exploring this course of study at NPS is that the approach to teaching OR blends a balanced mix of modern technology with the best practices of traditional education. Computing technology is coupled with individual guidance and a superlative faculty in order to give each student a career enhancing educational experience. Each student learns computational methods and develops skills to identify relevant information, formulate decision criteria, and select alternatives. This education enhances performance in all duties throughout a military career including operational billets, technical management assignments and policy-making positions.

The OR program at the Naval Postgraduate School provides several world-class curricula designed to teach students the science of helping people and organizations make better decisions.

This science is necessary in today's increasingly complex operating environment in which officers and managers must respond quickly to a vast array of demands while also weighing the options and consequences of each into his or her final decision. OR offers a scientific approach through the use of many tools and techniques in order to assist an individual in his or her decision making process.

View the OR Catalog

Resident Programs

Masters Programs

Operations Analysis (Curriculum 360)

Completion of this curriculum earns a Masters of Science in Operations Research and qualifies an officer as an Operations Analysis Subspecialist with a subspecialty code of 3211P. The curriculum sponsor is OPNAV N81, Assessment Division.

Logistics Analysis (Curriculum 361)

Completion of this curriculum earns a Masters of Science in Operations Research and qualifies an officer as an Operational Logistics Subspecialist with a subspecialty code of 3212P. The curriculum sponsor is OPNAV N42, Strategic Mobility and Combat Logistics Division.

Human Systems Integration (Curriculum 362) 

Completion of this curriculum earns a Masters of Science in Human System Integration and qualifies for Navy subspecialty code 4600P. The curriculum sponsor is OPNAV N12, Total Force Manpower, Training, & Education Requirements Division.  See the HSI web site for more information.

Systems Engineering Analysis (SEA) (308)

The Systems Engineering Analysis (SEA) curriculum and program at NPS provides a unique education bridging the knowledge bases of both Systems Engineering and Operations Analysis.  The SEA curriculum is designed for unrestricted line officers who aspire to command and seek a graduate degree tailored to enhance their value as combat officers. The Systems Engineering and Operations Research Departments jointly award the Master of Science in Systems Engineering Analysis (MS SEA) degree.  Completion of this curriculum qualifies a naval officer as a Systems Engineering Subspecialist, with subspecialty code 6500P.

Ph.D. Program

The department offers the Doctor of Philosophy in Operations Research degree. The program begins with advanced course work guided by the student's doctoral committee and leading to qualifying examinations in optimization, statistics, and stochastic processes as well as completion of a minor field of study outside of operations research. The primary emphasis then shifts to the student's research program, culminating in the Ph.D. dissertation.

Operations Analysis PhD - Curriculum 382

Non-Resident Programs

Masters in Human Systems Integration (Distributed Learning) (359)

The Human Systems Integration (HSI) is a 24-month, distance learning interdisciplinary program that emphasizes human considerations as a priority in systems design and acquisition, to reduce life cycle costs, and improve total system performance. HSI has been divided into several distinct domains that include human factors engineering, manpower, personnel, training, human survivability, health hazards, system safety, and habitability.   See the HSI web site for more information.

Masters in Cost Estimating and Analysis (Distributed Learning) (Curriculum 379)

The Master of Cost Estimating and Analysis (MCEA) is a 24-month, distance learning graduate degree program designed to increase the accuracy and proficiency of DoD cost estimates and cost estimators. Students will learn cost estimating techniques commonly used in both DoD and industry, and acquire foundation skills and hands-on experience in all aspects of cost estimation, including shipbuilding, aircraft, software, and many other areas. See MCEA graduates' capstone projects here.

Master of Systems Analysis (Distributed Learning) (Curriculum 363)

The Master of Systems Analysis (MSA) is a 24-month, distance learning graduate degree program designed to provide skills necessary for aiding key decisions on force requirements, weapon systems, and other defense matters.  Completion of this curriculum qualifies an officer as an Operations Research Analyst Subspecialist with a subspecialty code of 3210P. The curriculum sponsor is OPNAV N81, Assessment Division.

Certificate Programs

Certificate in Human Systems Integration (Curriculum 262)

Certificate in Systems Analysis (Curriculum 281)

Certificate in Cost Analysis (Curriculum 289)

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