Joining America's Navy doesn't mean giving up your plans for a master's, doctorate or other graduate degree. Instead, you'll be encouraged to reach your academic goals by working in an environment where advanced education is supported. For more information and to find out if you can qualify for some of these programs, contact a Navy recruiter.
GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES
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General Programs
POSTGRADUATE DEGREES
Now more than ever, the Navy needs highly educated individuals to carry out critical research, strategic planning and other initiatives that are vital to its overall mission. Continuing education and postgraduate programs help qualified servicemembers stay on the cutting edge in their respective fields. This means you could attend an accredited institution operated by the Navy or earn your graduate degree elsewhere with the help of Navy funding.
NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL (NPS)
If you’re an Active Duty Officer in the Navy, you could pursue master’s-level coursework, Ph.D. programs or fellowship opportunities that are available through the world-renowned Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.
From operations and logistics management, to oceanography, to information sciences, or national security affairs, the Naval Postgraduate School offers excellent graduate degree programs in a variety of disciplines, in multiple departments, administered through four primary graduate schools:
- Graduate School of Business and Public Policy
- Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- Graduate School of Operational and Information Sciences
- School of International Graduate Studies
Visit the Naval Postgraduate School site for more information.
Specialized Programs
MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
If you're interested in launching a medical career, the Navy offers a variety of programs that can help finance your graduate-level professional schooling all the way through residency. After graduation, you’ll become an Officer and professional serving in the world of Navy health care as a physician, dentist, nurse, health care administrator, health care scientist or clinical care provider.
Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)
The HPSP offers:
- 100 percent of the cost of medical school, dental school or qualifying postgraduate school tuition
- A monthly stipend in excess of $2,200 to cover living expenses for up to four years
- A sign-on bonus of up to $10,000 for medical school and dental school candidates
Learn more about the Health Professions Scholarship Program for physicians (PDF).
Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP)
The HSCP provides:
- From $157,000 up to $269,000 while finishing medical school, dental school or qualifying postgraduate school
- An included monthly salary and housing allowance from $3,280 to $5,610 for up to 48 months of your program (housing allowance may vary depending upon location)
- Potential military pay and additional benefits that are competitive with many entry-level management positions for up to 24 months while still in school for some master’s programs, and for up to 36 months for various Ph.D. programs
Financial Assistance Program (FAP)
FAP provides:
- Potentially more than $275,000 during a typical four-year medical or dental residency
- An included $45,000 annual grant on top of any residency program-based salary
- A monthly stipend in excess of $2,200 to cover living expenses for up to four years
Offers for Practicing Health Care Professionals (Active Duty or Reserve)
Practicing physicians, dentists, nurses and select health care specialists interested in Active Duty or Reserve service may qualify for incentives ranging from sign-on bonuses to loan assistance through the Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP).
LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
If you are interested in practicing law in one of the world’s most exclusive law firms, consider becoming a lawyer and Officer in the highly esteemed Navy Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps.
After your fifth year of service, you can potentially:
- Receive up to $60,000 more than the competitive salary and benefits you’ll already earn
- Use this money to pay off student loans
- Get help from the Navy to pay for your master of laws degree (LL.M.) in any of four specialties: military law, international law, environmental law and trial advocacy
Learn more about opportunities for attorneys in the Navy.
CHAPLAIN EDUCATION PROGRAM
If you are passionate about religion, the Navy Chaplain Candidate Program (CCPO) offers a whole new dimension of faith-based service. Through this program, you can be commissioned as a Navy Officer while finishing your theological studies at an accredited seminary or graduate school. Completion of this program means you're qualified for significant pay increases once you enter Active Duty and on-the-job training under the direct supervision of a Navy Chaplain.
Learn more about Chaplain opportunities in the Navy.
STEM Opportunities
The Department of Defense offers a wide range of STEM opportunities for graduate and other students. Explore the links below to learn more about how the DoD can help advance your career:
- Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP) – The NREIP program places college and university students in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories where they will take part in real Naval research for ten weeks during the summer.
- Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship Program – The SMART scholarship is open to master’s and doctoral students currently pursuing a degree in one of the 21 STEM disciplines. SMART scholars receive full tuition, annual stipends, internship opportunities and guaranteed employment with the DoD after graduation.
- U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s STEM Student Employment Program (SSEP) – The SSEP program is a direct hire authority for graduate degree-seeking students enrolled in scientific, technical, engineering or mathematics majors.
- DoD STEM Opportunities Database – Use this database to search for STEM opportunities in the Department of Defense by grade level, program type and more.
- NITRD STEM Portal – Explore Federal STEM opportunities in a database from the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program. Search by department/agency, education level, program type and more.
- National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship – Pursue a doctoral degree at the U.S. institution of your choice through NDSEG 3-year fellowships. U.S. Citizens studying science and engineering disciplines relevant to military operations may apply, and chosen fellows will receive tuition funding and other stipends.