How do I apply to NPS?
Click here to apply for any graduate degree or certificate program. Select the form that best describes you. Fill out the application form and submit it per the instructions on the form. If you have any question or problems transmitting the application, contact us.
May I contact an Admissions Counselor at NPS?
Please email or call anytime. Email to grad-ed@nps.edu or call NPS Admissions at (831) 656-3093/DSN 756-3093.
Can I leave a voicemail at the Admissions Office if my call is not answered?
Yes. Please leave a detailed voicemail with your student information and concerns. Please note, the volume of calls precludes us from answering each call. Your call is very important to us. By leaving a voicemail, this will allow Admissions the ability to expedite a solution to your problem, as well as provide tailored customer service.
Do you have to be in the Navy to attend NPS?
No. All U.S. military services, foreign military allies and government civilian employees may be admitted. An applicant must meet the academic requirements of the particular graduate degree program sought. For specific admission requirements, please visit the NPS Admissions web page for full details at Masters Programs Admissions.
What constitutes a complete application?
Once received, an admission counselor reviews the application for completeness. If applying for a degree granting program, a complete application includes official sealed transcripts from each college or university attended, regardless of the number of courses taken (GRE scores may be required for some programs). Applications for distributed learning degree or certificate programs require official sealed transcripts from all attended institution(s) and a command endorsement letter. If all required academic documents are at NPS, we can proceed with a review. If some documents are missing, the counselor will contact you, normally via email, and advise you of what documents we need to conduct an academic assessment. Official sealed transcripts are required and should be mailed to the address noted below and on the NPS application website.
Where do I send my transcripts?
Once you have completed page five of the application, a confirmation page labeled “Important Information” will appear explaining that your application has been submitted.You may print the page for your records. The page also includes further instructions on completing your application package, as well as the mailing address to which your previously attended institutions should mail your official sealed transcripts. The NPS mailing address is also listed below:
Admissions OfficeAttn: Director of Admissions - Official Transcripts
Naval Postgraduate School
1 University Circle, He-022
Monterey, CA 93943-5100
Copied, faxed, and email scanned transcripts are not accepted. Transcripts from unaccredited institutions are not acceptable for admission to NPS. NPS will only accept official sealed transcripts. Unless you previously attended NPS, applied to NPS, or were commissioned via the Navy ROTC program or USNA, your transcripts would not be on file. In order to process an application for admission as a degree-seeking student, we require official sealed transcripts from each school attended.
What is the difference between an unofficial, issued to student, and official transcript?
Official transcripts have the institution's seal and the registrar's signature. They are usually printed on security transcript paper and/or have a raised seal embossed on the paper. Issued-to-student transcripts are the same as the official transcripts; however, they are stamped “Issued to Student” on the transcript. These are official issued to student transcripts. Unofficial transcripts do not have the characteristics of an official transcript. Copied, faxed, and email scanned transcripts fall into this category. Transcripts from unaccredited institutions are not acceptable for admission to NPS. NPS will only accept official sealed transcripts.
Is the GRE absolutely required?
GRE scores are also required for consideration for admission to any doctoral program. The National Security Affairs Department is the only department that requires GRE scores be submitted as part of the academic evaluation process for a masters’ degree. The GRE is mandatory for all US Air Force and US Army officers applying for admission to the NSA Department. GRE scores may be requested from other applicants to enhance their academic record. The GRE must have been taken within five years of the date of application. The GRE scores are to be sent to the NPS mailing address as noted above and on the NPS application website. Faxed or emailed copies of GRE scores may be accepted on a case-by-case basis until the original copy arrives at the Admissions Office. Please use Institutional Code 4831 to have your scores sent automatically to NPS.
What are the academic requirements for admission?
In order to attend NPS as a degree-seeking student, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants should possess sufficient preparatory background coursework to enable comprehension and classroom interaction with fellow students and instructors, GPA levels that reflect academic merit, and in some programs GRE or GMAT scores, at or above minimum entrance standards, are key indicators of a student’s potential for success.
In order to attend NPS as a non-degree-seeking student, (including graduate level certificate programs), applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree (or be able to provide proof of undergraduate degree completeness by the time of class start), an academic background supportive of the certificate program or courses desired, a command endorsement letter and GPA levels that reflect academic merit. Following admission, registration in individual courses requires permission from the instructor. Admission requirements vary by program; however, the general standard is a minimum grade point average of 2.2 on a 4.0 system, of which 100 semester hours/150 quarter hours must be letter-graded. For those applicants requiring the GRE or GMAT, test scores are evaluated by the department to which prospective students are applying. That department will set standard requirements based on the number of applicants.
What if I do not meet the admission standards?
If the candidate does not possess an undergraduate degree, the following are standards for admission to a program leading to a graduate degree:
A minimum of 100 semester hours/150 quarter hours of letter-graded undergraduate work must have been completed at a regionally accredited institution with an average grade of "B." Courses in which grades lower than "C" were earned will not be counted in the total. Courses which have been duplicated on various transcripts should be counted only once in arriving at the number of semester hours to be credited.
The general education requirements prescribed for the Naval Postgraduate School baccalaureate degree must be satisfied as specified in the Academic Policy Manual.
No more than 20 semester hours may be credited for work done in non-degree granting service schools.
Final approval of candidacy will be made by the Academic Council upon the recommendation of the appropriate department chair.
What programs may I apply for at NPS?
NPS offers a vast array of master programs in areas such as business, engineering, information science, defense analysis and national security affairs. NPS also offers doctoral and certificate programs. Please see Programs for a listing of our programs, as well as program descriptions.
What is your application deadline?
The NPS admissions office has no formal application deadlines. However, as a practical matter, and depending upon the status of the applicant, externally driven deadlines may apply for which NPS letters of academic acceptance are a required component of an application package. The NPS Admissions Office processes applications on an ongoing basis with an average 4-8 week processing time upon receipt of a complete application.
When and how will I be advised of the outcome of my NPS application?
After the Admissions Office and respective departments have made an academic eligibility or admission decision, we will mail or email a formal letter informing you of the decision. Please, allow 4-8 weeks for processing upon our receipt of your complete application package. For U.S. Navy, full acceptance requires both acceptance from the admissions office and orders directing students to NPS. Non-U.S. Navy candidates may receive conditional letters of acceptance from the Admissions Office until payment is given to NPS via the candidate’s sponsor.
I have been informed that my application is under academic review. What does that mean?
Normally, this indicates that the NPS Admissions Office has received your application, transcripts, GRE/GMAT results (when applicable), and all other required documentation and has began the formal academic review process leading to a decision regarding your eligibility. When a decision is made, you will receive a letter by mail or email regarding your admission status.
What are the Tuition Costs?
Tuition costs vary by service and program. The rate is set by the University and promulgated to the Service headquarters when there is a change. NPS does not accept Tuition Assistance, the Montgomery GI Bill, or Graduate Education Vouchers for payment. Click here for more information regarding distance learning tuition programs; or for resident tuition information click here.
Can I take courses at NPS and not be admitted?
Single courses can be taken prior to being admitted if you are staff at NPS, the Defense Language Institute, the Defense Manpower Data Center, or other local/tenant commands. This enables the prospective applicant to assess the appropriate curriculum for which to apply. It is highly recommended that the application for admission be completed as soon as possible in order for the applicant to comply with staff admissions procedures. In order to graduate, the student must be officially admitted by the Director of Admissions, with approval by the Academic Council.
Is base housing available, and when should I apply for base housing?
Base housing is filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Housing Main Office at (831) 644-0400 for more information.
Can I order a printed version of the catalog?
Yes. Catalogs are $10 for each catalog ordered. The catalog also is available online.