Attending National War College

CJCSI 1800.01D OFFICER PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION POLICY (OPMEP) and CJCSI 1801.01C NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY POLICY cover all aspects of admission for colleges and components of the NDU. The specific prerequisites for admission to NWC follow:

Military Officers

Military Officers attending NWC must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and must attain the grade of 0-5 before the academic year starts. Officers will also have a demonstrated record of outstanding performance and have the potential for future growth in positions of senior strategic leadership.

Military Officers Links

U.S. Civilian Students

U.S. government civilian students attending NWC will be professionals in their parent organizations and comparable in rank and potential to their military student counterparts. In addition, they should possess a graduate degree and demonstrate potential to serve at the senior executive level. The NDU-P may make exceptions to these criteria when it is judged to be in the interest of the Department of Defense.
The presence of non-DOD civilians in the student body of NWC has a positive effect on the learning process for all concerned. Attendance is on a non-interference basis with the education of U.S. military and government personnel.
A number of students from the private sector are allowed to attend NDU (see Title 10, United States Code, Section 2167).

U.S. Civilians Links

International Student Program

NWC is allotted a specific quota of International Fellows (senior military and civilian students) who attend the 10-month resident program. International students bring an essential perspective to NWC.
There is essentially one approval process. International students attending NWC are under administrative control of the Security Assistance Training Field Activity. NDU includes international seats in the annual size and composition submission to the Joint Staff in June. The University collects requests and consolidates the lists using priority lists provided by the combatant commands. NDU distributes seats in a manner designed to achieve a global representation in classes. The Chairman approves the list of invitees and NDU sends invitations to the selected countries.
Once approved, selected countries are invited to nominate prospective students with the following qualifications:

Active duty military officer or civilian within the defense establishment.
Rank equivalent to a U.S. O-6 or O-7.
Graduate of U.S. Staff College or equivalent.
Minimum of 15 years of military or government service.
Baccalaureate degree or equivalent.
High levels of command and staff experience. Have achieved a score of 80 or higher on the English Comprehension Level (ECL) test in those cases when English is not the native language.
Achieved a score of 83 or better on the internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Failure to submit the required documentation within the specified time will preclude the student from degree consideration by the college.
An international student who has properly applied for admission into a degree program and who possesses the documented equivalent of an earned U.S. baccalaureate degree, but whose TOEFL score is less than 83, will be provided a procedure established

International Fellows attend all classes and most choose to participate fully and meet all requirements necessary to receive a master’s degree at the end of the year (Degree Program). Some, particularly those with limited English skills, choose to participate at a level with reduced writing and evaluation requirements. They receive a diploma but are not eligible for the master’s degree. (Diploma Program)