Defense-focused graduate university synchronizing military education, research, and warfighting innovation.
NPS offers master's and doctoral degrees in over 70 fields of study through 13 departments: Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Defense Analysis, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Information Sciences, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Meteorology, National Security Affairs, Oceanography, Operations Research, Physics, Systems Engineering, and Acquisition/Finance/Management. The school also operates eight interdisciplinary academic groups including Cyber, Data Science and Analytics, Space Systems, and Undersea Warfare. All programs emphasize military applications and defense-focused research.
NPS provides "defense-focused graduate education, including classified studies and interdisciplinary research, to advance the operational effectiveness, technological leadership and warfighting advantage of the Naval service." Students are primarily active-duty officers from all U.S. military branches, supplemented by active-duty enlisted personnel, DoD civilians, and officers from approximately 50 partner nations. The institution operates under the Naval University System.
NPS houses the Center for Information Systems Security Studies and Research (CISR), the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS)—which offers the first homeland security master's degree in the U.S.—and the Wayne P. Hughes Jr. Naval Warfare Studies Institute (NWSI). The Consortium for Robotics and Unmanned Systems Education and Research (CRUSER) was established in 2011. Research programs are aligned to Naval needs and enable innovative defense solutions.
NPS has graduated more than 40 NASA astronauts, exceeding any other graduate institution. Alumni include military leaders (Michael Mullen, 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; William McRaven, Commander SOCOM), government officials (Carlos Del Toro, 78th Secretary of the Navy; Keith Alexander, NSA Director), and international leaders (Bujar Nishani, President of Albania). The school emphasizes warfighting solutions and operational effectiveness.