The Navy’s Own Community College

Through the United States Naval Community College (USNCC), junior enlisted sailors, marines, coast guardsmen and coast guard reservists can complete naval and maritime-relevant coursework and, at the same time, earn credits applied to an associate degree.

The USNCC program begins with a five-course Naval Studies Certificate that fulfills 15 of the 60 credits required for an associate degree. A naval/maritime-focused curriculum, based in part on the USNA and NROTC officer-training programs, encompasses ethical leadership development, naval history, geopolitics, civil/military context, and Force structure design. This coursework, combined with classes in English, math, and other sciences, provides a strong educational foundation.

USNCC students can then work on a Professional Certificate for the ‘major’ (or concentration) classwork within their given pathway. Relevant to sailors, marines, and coast guardsmen, regardless of their rating or military occupational specialty, the available degree programs include STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Leadership & Social Science, and Operations (Emergency Management and Logistics).

While USNCC directly facilitates and delivers the coursework for the Naval Studies Certificate, the specific associate degree prerequisites are handled through specialized programs at Alexandria Technical and Community College, Arizona State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Northern Virginia Community College, Tidewater Community College, University of Maryland Global Campus, and Western Governors University. These partner institutions all provide high-quality education with a track record of positive results in working with service members, adapting to military policies and processes, and responding to the challenges of military service.

Coursework is delivered online and asynchronously, thus allowing USNCC students to use their own time, ashore and at sea. Shorter sessions, often only eight weeks, accommodate service members’ schedules.

The USNCC program is separate from tuition assistance and voluntary education programs, which means that service members can save their military tuition assistance, GI Bill, and other education benefits for higher-level degree programs.

Information regarding eligibility requirements, academic program offerings, and the application process can be found on the USNCC website.