Master of Science in Nuclear Operations - Curriculum 738
Program Officer
LCDR Brannon Chapman
Spanagel Hall, Room 401A
(831) 656-2678, DSN 756-2678
bwchapma@nps.edu
Academic Associate
Steve Tackett, Lecturer
Code SP/Ta, Spanagel Hall, Room 230
(831) 656-2944, DSN 756-2944
shtacket@nps.edu
Brief Overview
The Nuclear Operations curriculum is designed to be completed via distance learning and is designed to provide students with knowledge of nuclear operations such as nuclear deterrence and assurance, nuclear weapons effects, nuclear command, control and communications (NC3), space-based systems used for early warning and communications, nuclear platforms, nuclear command and control (NC2), nuclear policy and nuclear non-proliferation. There are many tracks available in this curriculum, so students will complete 24 credit hours from the Naval Postgraduate School as well as one 12-credit (3 or 4 course) pre-approved nuclear operations-related certificate from either The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Harvard University Extension School, or equivalent courses from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Requirements for Entry
The curriculum is open to US military officers and US federal government employees. Other nuclear enterprise or US government affiliated applicants will generally be accepted if sponsored by a US military command or US government federal agency. Applicants must be eligible for a Secret security clearance, and a security clearance must be obtained before enrolling in the classified courses. Students will require access to SIPRNet while taking the classified courses. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree, with an APC of 255 (Bachelor's degree GPA of 2.6 or higher)
Entry Date
Students may begin in the Spring or Fall quarters.
Program Length
Three years (12 quarters) if completing one course per quarter. (Part-time distance learning)
Degree
Nuclear Operations students who successfully complete the curriculum will be awarded the Master of Science in Nuclear Operations.
Core Requirements
Space Nuclear Command, Control and Communications Certificate (SNC3 - Curriculum 298)
All students are required to complete the Space Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (SNC3) Certificate (Curriculum 298)
| 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 |
Complete a pre-approved nuclear strategy and policy certificate.
All students will complete a certificate in Nuclear Deterrence & Assurance Theory, Policy, Proliferation and History to satisfy the requirements in part 1 of the Degree Learning Outcomes or alternatively select 12 credit hours from the courses listed below.
This requirement may be satisfied by completing one of the following certificates and transferring the credit to NPS:
1. Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Nuclear Weapons Effects, Policy, and Proliferation (NWEPP) (12 credit hours)
2. Harvard Extension School Nuclear Deterrence Certificate (12 credit hours)
3. Missouri State Graduate Certificate in Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) (15 credit hours)
Alternatively, the requirement may be satisfied by:
4. Completing Twelve (12) credits hours of courses offered at NPS from the list below.
| NS3280 | Nuclear Weapons and National Strategies | | 4 | 0 |
| NS3285 | Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons: Proliferation and Nonproliferation | | 4 | 0 |
| NS3030 | American National Security Policy | | 4 | 0 |
| NS4990 | Seminar in Strategic Studies | | 4 | 0 |
| NS4991 | Seminar in United States Foreign Policy | | 4 | 0 |
| NS3024 | Introduction to International Relations | | 4 | 0 |
| NS4677 | Space and International Security | | 4 | 0 |
Systems Engineering and Acquisition Track
| SE3100 | Fundamentals of Systems Engineering | | 3 | 2 |
| SE4950 | System of Systems Engineering | | 4 | 0 |
| MN3221 | Principles of Acquisition and Program Management I | | 3 | 0 |
| MN3222 | Principles of Acquisition and Program Management II | | 3 | 0 |
Thesis or Capstone Project
All students will complete a thesis or capstone project as approved by the academic group.
Other tracks are in development and will be approved by SSAG Chair.