Defense Analysis (DA) Curricula

The Department of Defense Analysis is home to two very unique and highly respected graduate programs: 1) the USSOCOM-sponsored Special Operations and Irregular Warfare (SO/IW) program, and 2) the USDP-sponsored Information Strategy and Political Warfare curriculum. Both programs feature an interdisciplinary faculty representing a wide range of academic and operational specialties.

Masters of Science in Applied Design for Innovation (697)

Program Officer: LTC David Hawk, USA
Academic Associate: Leo Blanken, Ph.D.

The objective of this curriculum is to educate military personnel and civilian officials of the United States and its Allies to better defend the nation and prevent, prepare for, and prevail in conflicts by intentionally exploring, understanding, and attacking the problems posed by the future operating environment. This curriculum is designed to meet the changing needs of operators in the context of rapidly changing technology and Great Power Competition.

There are three sets of required courses for the 697 degree. One is the "common core" of DA courses (shared by DA 699 and 698); the second set of requirements are specific for 697 students. In addition to these curricula, the program includes customizable elective sequences for each student. These sequences draw on courses throughout the Naval Postgraduate School. Each customized sequence must be approved by the Academic Associate for the 697 curriculum.

The Chairman of the Defense Analysis Department and the Academic Associate of the Applied Design for Innovation curriculum approve each individual program.

Information Strategy and Political Warfare (698)

Program Officer: LTC David Hawk, USA
Academic Associate: Dr. Ryan Maness

The Information Warfare & Political Strategy curriculum focuses on the strategic and operational dimensions of information—relative to the use of force—as an instrument of statecraft. Graduates will be able to develop information strategies to support military action by taking advantage of information technology, exploiting the growing worldwide dependence on automated information systems, and capitalizing on the near real time global dissemination of information to affect an adversary's decision cycles—all with the goal of achieving information superiority. This capability is dependent upon students acquiring a thorough understanding of the enduring nature of war. See the curriculum matrix here.

The curriculum is designed for both the specialist who will be assigned to an information operations position and the generalist who will be assigned to an operations directorate. The curriculum includes a core group of courses that address military art and operations, the human dimension of warfare (psycho-social), analytical methods, and a technical course sequence customized for each student. Additionally, each student will have an elective sequence designed to develop an in-depth understanding of joint information operations. Graduates are awarded a Master of Science in Information Operations. The program is 18 months long and requires a completed thesis.

This curriculum is open to officers, select NCOs, and civilian employees of the U.S. Government and other countries. U.S. officers and NCOs must be eligible for a TOP SECRET clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information based on a Special Background Investigation completed within the last five years. A baccalaureate degree earned with above average academic performance and a minimum academic profile code (APC) of 265 are required.

Special Operations and Irregular Warfare (699)

Program Officer: LTC David Hawk, USA
Academic Associate: Dr. Robert Burks

The Special Operations/Irregular Warfare curriculum provides a focused curriculum of instruction in irregular warfare. Courses address counterinsurgency, terrorism and counterterrorism, unconventional warfare, information operations, and other "high leverage" operations in U.S. defense and foreign policy. The core program also provides a strong background in strategic analysis, decision modeling, organization theory, and formal analytical methods. See representative SO/IW course matrices here.

Student programs of instruction are built around a common set of core courses and a selected specialty track. The individual student, depending on his or her interests and academic background, chooses the specialty track. In selected cases, students are able to develop a tailored area of specialization to satisfy a particular interest or requirement. Graduates are awarded a Master of Science in Defense Analysis, with their specialty track so specified.

This curriculum is the only education program in DoD in which 100 percent of the instruction is dedicated directly or indirectly to the study of irregular warfare.

While the curriculum is sponsored by US Special Operations Command, the curriculum actively solicits students from across the services, regardless of branch, MOS, or AFSC.  In addition, international students are considered an important asset of the program. Students are encouraged to apply for an admission beginning with either the Winter or Summer Quarter, thereby permitting them to take maximum advantage of the program's sequenced course of instruction. The program extends for 18 months and requires a completed master's thesis prior to graduation.

The Special Operations/Irregular Warfare curriculum is open to officers, select NCOs, and civilian employees of the U.S. Government and other countries. U.S. officers and NCOs must be eligible for a TOP SECRET clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information based on a Special Background Investigation completed within the last five years. A baccalaureate degree earned with above average academic performance and a minimum academic profile code (APC) of 265 are also required.

Defense Analysis (DA) Certificate Programs

SOF Support to Regional Governance Certificate (109)

Academic Associate: Dr. Kalev Sepp
Program Officer: LTC Dave Hawk

SOF Support to Regional Governance certificate integrates academic study with Special Operation Forces governance study on the application of theories, methods, and practices of governance-based support in competition, conflict, austere, denied, and politically sensitive environments. Review of US National policies guide principles for shaping USG objectives in civil-military operations and help inform decisions to support local and national governance efforts. Comprised of classes from the Defense Analysis and National Security Affairs Departments, this certificate further integrates ARSOF officers and Foreign Area Officers through governance studies and regional classes preparing for mutually supportive relationships in a specific COCOM.

Course Requirements

The SOF-G certificate requires three classes. More information on those class offerings can be found here.

Note: Each Quarter represents a different sub-group. All three classes can be taken in one quarter or extended over the course of a student's study at NPS.

Social Network Analysis, Research, and Practice Certificate (239)

Note: For most current information, please refer to NPS Course Catalog.

The new ESRs (educational skills requirements) for SOF graduates includes a focus on transnational dark networks. Since 2007 the CORE Lab, which is embedded in the Defense Analysis Department, has focused on offering students the opportunity to develop the analytical skills for disrupting dark networks. The purpose of this certificate program is to recognize students who have developed such skills. By completing the program they will acquire the theoretical and methodological tools for applying social network analysis to situations that many will encounter in the field after they graduate.

Certificate Requirements

Students will be required to take three or more classes that are methodologically and/or theoretically related to social network analysis.

Certificate in Social Network Analysis, Research and Practice

Students will need to take at least 2 of the following 3 classes:

DA3610 - Visual Analytics
DA4600 - Dark Networks
DA4610 - Dynamic Network Analysis (R for SNA)

And at least 1 of the following 2 classes:

DA3721 - Networks and Religion
DA4106 - Trust, Influence, and Networks