Master of Science in Strategy (Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications) - Curriculum 688

Program Officer

Adam Arndt, CDR, USN

Code 38, Glasgow Hall, Room 336

[phone], DSN 756-3781

[e-mail]

Academic Associate

James (Clay) Moltz, Ph.D.

Code 38, Glasgow Hall Room 394

[phone], DSN 756-1039

[e-mail]

Brief Overview

Strategy (Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications [NC3]) is an interdisciplinary track within curriculum 688. It is open only to U.S. military personnel with a security clearance of Secret or higher. Strategy (NC3) provides students with expertise in nuclear strategy and international security, combined with technical knowledge of nuclear command, control, and communications. This track addresses the Navy’s S&T objectives and provides an understanding of contemporary Great Power Competition.

Courses conveying Phase I JPME certification, as well as selected U.S. Marine Corps PME courses, are available to NSA students while in residence at NPS. JPME courses are taught by the Naval War College satellite program, which is described elsewhere in this Catalogue.

Satisfactory completion of the four-course Naval War College JPME sequence is required for Navy officers in Strategy (NC3).

APC

The minimum APC requirement for entry to this degree program is 244.

Convenes

Students may enter in the Fall or Spring quarters. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for quarterly start dates.

Program Length

• For students wishing to complete JPME Phase I, Strategy (NC3) is a five quarter (15 month) program.
• For all other students, Strategy (NC3) is a four quarter (12 month) program.

Degree

Master of Science in Strategy (Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications)

Subspecialty

Navy P-Codes: 2301P

Curriculum Requirements

The Strategy (NC3) track of curriculum 688 is comprised of required core courses and curricular electives. Core requirements are spelled out below. Three curricular electives are also required. Curricular electives are identified in NSA’s annual Teaching Plan, which is available at https://nps.edu/web/nsa/courses. At least three courses (either required or elective) must be taught at the 4000 level.

In addition to the required courses listed below, all students in Strategy (NC3) must complete NS4000, Great Power Competition: Current Policy and Strategy, a one-credit pass fail course that is delivered entirely on-line. NS4000 does not count as one of the required 4000-level courses mentioned above.

All students in Strategy (NC3)must write a Master’s thesis. The first step is completion of NS4080, Thesis Proposal, no later than six months prior to intended graduation. NS4080 does not count as one of the 4000-level courses required above. Thereafter students must enroll twice in NS0810, Thesis Research.

 

All students must complete the following core courses

Course Number	Title	Credits	Lecture Hours	Lab Hours
NS3005	Great Power Conflict in Modern History		4	0
NS3011	Research and Writing for National Security Affairs		4	0
NS3024	Introduction to International Relations		4	0
NS3280	Nuclear Weapons and National Strategies		4	0
NS4000	Great Power Competition: Current Policy and Strategy		0	2
NS4253	Seminar on Technology and Strategic Planning		4	0
NS4990	Seminar in Strategic Studies		4	0
SS3011	Space Technology and Applications		3	0
SS3613	Military Satellite Communications		3	0
SS3740/AE3740	Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications Systems - Part I		3	0
SS3741/AE3741	Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications Systems - Part II		3	0

 

Educational Skill Requirements (ESR)

1. Understand the critical technical systems involved in the U.S. NC3 system.
2. Understand the factors involved in the operation of highly reliable systems, including methods used to protect and secure these systems in extremely adverse environments.
3. Demonstrate a knowledge of the state of nuclear weapons worldwide and an ability to understand and examine potential vulnerabilities.
4. Understand the basic physics of orbital mechanics and the space environment as they relate to national systems involved in NC3.
5. Demonstrate an ability to examine the design of orbits and constellations and explain how spacecraft maneuver and transfer to other orbits in support of NC3 missions.
6. Understand the history of NC3 technologies and the political, strategic, and budgetary factors that have affected their development over time.
7. Demonstrate a knowledge of nuclear strategy in both historical and comparative (international) contexts.
8. Demonstrate a knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of international relations.
9. Understand the history and current dynamics of Great Power Competition and its linkages to U.S. national strategy.
10. Understand the interaction between technology and strategic planning, as well as adaptation in military organizations, as related to nuclear weapons.
11. Demonstrate a knowledge of future challenges to the U.S. NC3 system from the perspective of emerging technical and geo-strategic threats.