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

Program Officer

Adam Arndt, CDR

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

This inter-disciplinary degree of curriculum 688 provides officers with expertise in nuclear strategy and international security combined with technical knowledge in nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3). The MS in Strategy (Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications) is pedagogically innovative, focusing on the Navy’s S&T objectives and on Great Power Competition. The degree is for U.S. military students with Secret-level or higher clearance only.

APC

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

Convenes

Fall, Spring

Program Length

12 months

Degree

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

Subspecialty

Navy P-Codes: 2301P

Curriculum Requirements

 

Students in curriculum 695 must complete the following:

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

Three electives from courses approved by the sponsor.

Three courses associated with the degree must be at the 4000 level.

Thesis-Related Courses - Required

Course Number	Title	Credits	Lecture Hours	Lab Hours
NS4080	Thesis Proposal		0	8
NS0810	Thesis Research		0	8
NS0810	Thesis Research		0	8

NS0810 must be taken twice.

Four JPME courses taught by the Naval War College satellite program maybe be added with a 5th quarter:

Course Number	Title	Credits	Lecture Hours	Lab Hours
NW3230	Strategy and War		4	2
NW3275	Joint Maritime Operations - part 1		4	0
NW3276	Joint Maritime Operations - part 2		2	2
NW3285	Theater Security Decision Making		4	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.