Resident Students
All U.S. resident students in the College of Naval Warfare and the College of Naval Command and Staff will be examined and graded in the three trimester studies prescribed by the Departments of Strategy and Policy, National Security Affairs, Joint Military Operations, and by the College of Leadership and Ethics. The final academic grade will be derived by equally weighting and averaging numerical results obtained in the three trimesters.
Electives
In the electives program, students will be graded on a High Pass/Pass/Fail basis. Each student must take one elective per trimester that will require an allocation of about 20 percent of their effort, with the balance being directed to the prescribed program.
International Officers
International officers may voluntarily take all exams. The faculty evaluates their academic work and provides substantive, written feedback, but does not assign grades to these products, unless enrolled in the degree program. International officers are also encouraged to participate in the electives program, and will enroll if part of the degree program.
Field Studies Program
The Field Studies Program for international officers is designed to give a balanced understanding of the United States culture and institutions as well as American political, social, and economic life. It also provides an increased awareness of the basic issues of internationally recognized human rights.
Nonresident Students
Nonresident students of the College of Distance Education must complete specialized versions of the three core courses of Joint Maritime Operations, Theater Security Decision Making, and Strategy and Warfare. Completion of electives is not required for nonresident students. Nonresident students in the Graduate Degree Program must successfully complete nine semester hours of elective work from the College or a regionally accredited college or university in an elective area of study to be eligible for the Master of Arts degree.