572: Distance Learning Program in Mechanical Engineering for Nuclear Trained Officers - NPS Online

Overview

This special program provides nuclear-trained U.S. Navy officers—those who have successfully completed the Naval Nuclear Power School Officer’s Course—the opportunity to earn either:

• the Master of Science in Engineering Science with a major in Mechanical Engineering (MSES-ME), or
• a Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) in Mechanical Engineering, while serving on sea, shore, or overseas duty.

All courses are delivered concurrently with resident courses and follow the Naval Postgraduate School quarter system. Distance students are enrolled in the same courses, during the same academic quarters, and are held to the same academic standards as resident students. This program is not a correspondence-based program.

Courses are conducted synchronously with resident instruction, with lectures recorded to support active-duty distance students completing coursework during off-duty hours. Faculty interaction, assignments, and examinations occur on the same schedule as for resident students, unless students make prior arrangements with instructional faculty.

Both degree options are non-thesis programs. A capstone research or design project is normally required; however, approved professional qualifications—such as completion of the Prospective Nuclear Engineer Officer (PNEO) program—may be accepted in lieu of the capstone or research project, subject to departmental approval.

This is a fully funded, off-duty postgraduate education program.

Degree Structure and Academic Delivery

All courses are delivered at the same time as resident offerings and follow the standard NPS academic calendar. Distance students are expected to complete coursework on the same schedule as resident students; however, reasonable flexibility is provided to accommodate operational demands and off-duty study requirements for active-duty officers. Lectures are recorded and made available to enrolled distance students.

Approved course substitutions may be permitted to align with degree option, prior preparation, and professional experience.

The final quarters of the program may be devoted to a capstone research or design project, during which the student is enrolled in ME0810, unless the capstone requirement is waived through approved professional qualifications. A degree plan must be submitted and approved by the Chairman of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering prior to enrollment.

The program fully recognizes credits earned at the Naval Nuclear Power School; however, not all credits may be applied toward degree requirements.

Each course must be completed within the academic quarter in which it is offered. The nominal program duration is approximately 1 year, though completion timelines may vary depending on capstone requirements and operational constraints.

Requirements for Graduation:

• Completion of Naval Nuclear Power School Officer’s Course (20 credits used for degree)
• Completion of Course Requirements (4 course, two at 3000 level, two at 4000 level, 16 credits)
• Completion of Capstone/Research or Professional qualification (12 credits granted for PNEO)

Courses Required

Requirements for Entry

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (or a closely related field)
• Submission of the original undergraduate transcript
• Progress to completion of Naval Nuclear Power School Officer’s Course

Application Information

Applications are handled by the NPS Admissions Office. Please visit the admissions website or contact them at admissions@nps.edu.

Tuition & Service Obligation

For information regarding tuition, please contact the NPS Tuition office at tuition@nps.edu, or contact this offering’s POC at walter.smith@nps.edu.

For information regarding service obligation, please visit the Admissions Office’s Eligibility/Service Obligation page.

Other Information

In accordance with OPNAVINST 1520.23C, Navy officers incur a two-year service obligation upon completion of or withdrawal from the program. This obligation is served concurrently with any other service obligation. All students must submit a command-signed Participation Agreement (PA) prior to enrollment. The Participation Agreement is available through the online application system and may be printed, signed, scanned, and emailed to: admissions@nps.edu

Application Information

Tuition