Overview

The Space Systems Certificate program is comprised of four courses. Upon successful completion of the course work, students will be awarded a certificate of completion in keeping with standard practices of the Naval Postgraduate School as well as the 6206L subspecialty code. The Space Systems Certificate program supports Navy and DoD space educational needs and complements existing resident training by providing cross-disciplinary science and technical education. The Space Systems Certificate program is targeted primarily at enhancing the education and preparation for USN Space Cadre personnel. The Navy's Space Cadre represents a distinct body of expertise horizontally integrated within the Navy active duty, reserves, both officer and enlisted, and civilian employee communities organized to operationalize space.

Entry to the Space Cadre is met, in part, by completion of a Space PQS. The courses included in the certificate are designed to give a prospective Space Cadre member the knowledge required to meet the requirements of many portions of the PQS.

Completion of the Certificate will count toward satisfaction of the Information Professional Advanced Qualification Certification matrix (COMNAVCYBERFORINST 1520.1).

The original course and academic content for the SSC was vetted and approved by USN space and space training leaders.

Applications are being accepted for Fall quarter (September 2025). Deadline to apply is 7 July 2025.

Courses Required

Eligibility

The following are eligible for this offering:

• Naval Officers
• Naval Enlisted
• Non-Naval Officers
• Non-Naval Enlisted
• DON Civilians
• DOD Civilians
• Defense Contractors
• Non-DOD Federal Employees

Requirements for Entry

• Baccalaureate degree with completion of college level algebra, geometry, trigonometry, logarithms, and physics (including electricity and magnetism).
• Minimum acceptable grade for courses is a C.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Space Systems Fundamentals Certificate students should be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the Space Environment in which DOD satellites operate, including Remote Sensing, Space Environment, orbitology, satellite communications and satellite subsystems.
• Be able to advocate for USN/DoD interests in significant National Space Security Organizations.
• Be able to drive participation in joint processes for space systems architecture and requirements development.
• Be able to prioritize the resources necessary to formulate and defend operational requirements for space.
• Understand the major satellite systems used in ISR, PNT and communication.

Navy students will:

• Gain knowledge required in corresponding fundamentals section of Space Cadre PQS.
• Upon completion of the certificate, be awarded the 6206-L subspecialty code.

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 SSAGCertificatePrograms@nps.edu.

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

Other Information

Contributes towards an MS in Space Systems Operations. Requirements for the certificate in Space Systems are met by successful completion of all four courses. Certificate credit is obtained by maintenance of a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

The Naval Postgraduate School’s Space Systems Academic Group is pleased to announce that it is currently accepting applications for its distance learning Space Systems Certificate (curriculum 273). The class size is limited to 20 students. The Space Systems Certificate program is primarily targeted at Navy and Marine Corps Officers and enlisted students but is also open to other uniformed services, federal civilians, and defense contractor civilians when space is available. Space assets are essential to modern warfare. The program is designed to give students the foundation to understand the integration of Space capabilities across combined armed forces, involving networks, sensors and weapons. The student will gain critical thinking and analytical skills to support key space decisions in both operational and staff assignments.

NPS Mission-funded Tuition

NPS is mission-funded to provide tuition-free graduate education to active duty Navy and Marine Corps officers. Students are required to purchase their own textbooks.

Sponsor-reimbursed Tuition

Seats not filled by active duty Navy and Marine Corps officers will be made available for open enrollment to other uniformed officers, Department of the Navy and other federal government civilians, and defense contractor civilians under the sponsorship of their organization. The open enrollment tuition price is $2,600 per course. Students are required to purchase their own textbooks.