FAQ

U.S. Naval Community College (USNCC)
Frequently Asked Questions
 
Phase I Pilot - January to June 2021
 
1)  What is the purpose of the USNCC?
The purpose of the USNCC is to provide world-class, naval-relevant education to a globally deployed force to enhance operational readiness and improve warfighting capabilities.  While it is still in its pilot stage, it is working towards providing enlisted service members with access to high quality associate’s degree and certificate programs that will produce graduates who are steeped in naval heritage and values, have sound ethical decision-making ability, possess improved critical thinking skills and have a deeper understanding of the complex maritime environment in which they operate.
 
2)  Who can use it?
At present, the plan is for active duty enlisted Service Members in the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard to be able to access relevant programs. 
 

• In January 2021, 500-600 students selected by their service, will participate in a limited pilot program whereby they will take several college courses at partner Colleges and Universities.
• In 2022, up to 5000 students (as above) will be enrolled in degree programs through the USNCC and its partner institutions.
• In 2023, the USNCC plans to reach its initial operational capability (IOC) and enroll up to 7500 students. 

 
3)  How can I volunteer to be a part of this program? 
Student selection for participation in the pilot phase I program is in progress across the services and will be complete by late October 2021.  Contact your Chain of Command for more info.  USNCC has stood-up several working groups in conjunction with service leadership to establish foundational policies and effective administration of the USNCC and the programs offered.  These policies along with service policies will identify the process for future enrollment and participation following the USNCC pilot phase.  Student selection for Pilot II will begin in early 2022. 
 
4)  Will Service Members be forced to participate?
We expect the various commands and services will set their own policies as to how they incentivize/reward students for participation - e.g. through points on evaluation, etc… 
 
Current service policies do not require enlisted service members to pursue or complete college education.  Both the USN and USMC enlisted advancement policies include some incentives for completion of college classes and degrees.  Services can adopt or change policies in the future to further incentivize the use of the USNCC educational opportunities.

 
5)  What will the Service Member’s course load look like for Gen Ed and CYBER?
The pilot will be one course at a time, likely to be about 8 weeks in duration (similar to many online schools supporting volEd - TA).
 
6)  Will the curriculum be based on a full time or part time schedule?
Instruction is designed in an asynchronous fashion, that does not require the student to be online at any certain point, but will have a required amount of interaction and participation throughout the week/course to support successful course completion.  An expected weekly workload for a given course may be between 4-10 hours/week.
 
7)  Are there specific details outlining Service Member’s responsibilities with full time work and school?
Students’ course load will require participation in a similar fashion to online schools, allowing service members to complete courses during nights and weekends, not during the work day.
 
8)  How do I register and enroll for the USNCC Pilot Program?
Student selections were made through service (USN, USMC and USCG) leadership in the month of October and submitted to the USNCC for participation in the pilot phase I program.  We will expand and begin phase II pilot program in 2022, so watch for the latest info on future opportunities.
 
9)  Do I have to pay to participate in USNCC Pilot Program?
No.  The USNCC Pilot Program is separately funded.  Participants will not need to use their Tuition Assistance (TA) or pay out of their own pocket to attend these courses.
 
10)  Does this count against my service provided TA (VolEd) entitlement?
College education opportunities offered through the USNCC are funded independent from service offered TA programs.  Participation or enrollment with the USNCC will not affect your TA (VolED) entitlements.
 
11)  Can I use TA while participating in the USNCC Pilot Program?
Although college education opportunities offered through the USNCC are funded independent from service offered TA programs and participation or enrollment with the USNCC will not affect your TA (VolED) entitlements, it is highly recommended that TA is not used while participating in the pilot program due to course load and demands.
 
12)  How long are the classes in the USNCC Pilot Program?
The USNCC pilot Program will run from January to June 2021 and include two courses per student.  Courses will be one at a time and normally be 8 to 10 weeks in duration, depending on the partner institution.
 
13)  What happens after the Pilot ends in June of 2021?
After completion of the pilot program in June of 2021, the USNCC will evaluate the potential to offer additional courses with the partner schools before pilot phase II commences in 2022.

 
14)  When will I find out what partner school I will be taking classes with?
The USNCC is currently finalizing partner school contracts and expects to notify pilot students in mid to late November 2020 of the school selections and courses they are being enrolled in.
 
15)  When will I find out what classes I am enrolled in?
The USNCC is currently finalizing partner school contracts and expects to notify pilot students in mid to late November 2020 of the school selections and courses they are being enrolled in.
 
16)  What if I have already taken the class that I am enrolled in for the Pilot?
As part of our student communications and enrollment process, we will confirm with students the courses they will be enrolled in, based on previously completed college courses.
 
17)  Who do I contact if I have questions or need assistance?
The USNCC team can be contacted at any time by emailing us at student.help@usncc.usmcu.edu for assistance to pilot students or for general questions or future inquiries at info@usncc.usmcu.edu. Please follow us on social media for current news and updates.
18)  How do I contact the USNCC or get additional Information?
The USNCC is developing a command web page to support additional information sharing, but is not expected to go live until late November 2020.  The USNCC is live on social media, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for current updates and the latest news.
 
https://twitter.com/USNCCollege 
 
https://www.facebook.com/USNavalcommunitycollege
 
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/usnccollege
 
USNCC General Questions and Information
 
1)  How will this benefit the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard?
The program is designed to benefit the Naval services as well as the service members who participate as students.  The purpose of the USNCC is to provide world-class, naval-relevant education to a globally deployed force to enhance operational readiness and improve warfighting capabilities.  It will do this by providing enlisted service members with access to high quality associate’s degree and certificate programs that will produce graduates who are steeped in naval heritage and values, have sound ethical decision-making ability, possess improved critical thinking skills and have a deeper understanding of the complex maritime environment in which they operate.
 
In practical terms, in an increasingly globalized and ambiguous world, all service members will need to use critical thinking, analytical reasoning and other decision-making skills to be able to adapt to the future of warfighting and defense.  Education that prepares service members not only for the needs of today, but the challenges of tomorrow are critical to our greatest success. 
 
2)  Why should the Department of the Navy (DoN) do this?
The robust training the Navy provides supports the known.  Education prepares Sailors for the unknown.  The USNCC will support the mission of the Naval Services by helping to develop ethical leaders that are grounded in the history of the U.S. Military, and its role in our nation and across the globe.  It will help to develop professional competence in areas from engineering to nuclear to data analytics to decision-making that will complement professional training.  Finally, it will provide 21st Century skills inclusive of critical thinking, analytical reasoning, information literacy, data fluency, and teamwork. Students shall demonstrate effective communications skills, inclusive of writing and verbal communications.  Most importantly, it will help to develop lifelong learners that can and will pursue further education.
 
In addition to creating better warfighters, it also will enhance recruitment and retention of enlisted Service Members, by removing barriers to education and investing in the enlisted force.  It will honor their commitment to learning by ensuring substantive credit for prior experience/training, and developed four year pathways to a bachelor's degree and beyond.  Finally, it will support diversity and inclusion by providing a program that supports a diverse group of students, and that can meet them where they are in terms of education needs.
 
3)  How does participation in the USNCC work?
The USNCC will provide naval relevant education through partnerships with the top academic institutions in the country.  Courses will be delivered on-line in a highly-flexible format that takes operational commitments into consideration.
 
While the specific details are still being worked out, it is currently envisioned that an enlisted service member will apply for an Associate of Science (AS) degree or stackable certificate that is relevant to their rating/MOS.  Students will be able to take college credits/courses each year towards an AS degree program with the USNCC.  Those courses may be run directly by the USNCC or by one of its partner (consortium) institutions (which are currently being vetted).  Initially, the degree will be offered by the partner institution, but as the USNCC achieves accreditation, it will become the degree grantor.  The Department of the Navy (DoN) will fund participation in these programs, consistent with its policies and procedures. 
 
Each program will include:

1. US Naval Core Certificate, which will include up to five courses in Naval heritage, history, ethics, and areas aligned to Naval Science. 
2. General Education component - which will include additional courses in English, Math, and a combination of Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences.
3. Professional certificate - a series of concentration courses that align to various areas of study relevant to the Navy (e.g. Data Analytics, Cyber Security, Organizational Leadership, Military history)

 
4)  How will this get folded into my training day?
Similar to current vol-Ed (TA) opportunities, all USNCC programs and course offerings will be exclusively through asynchronous on-line distance learning environments.  Course work and participation will be expected to be done on personal electronic devices (computer, tablet, or other smart device) on a service members personal time similar to current vol-Ed requirements. Individual Commanders may allow Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen to complete academic coursework during the training day, if the operational environment permits.
 
5)  Is participation in the USNCC degree programs required?
Current service policies do not require enlisted service members to pursue or complete college education.  Service enlisted advancement policies include some incentives for completion of college classes and degrees.  Services may adopt or change policies in the future to further incentivize the use of the USNCC or other educational opportunities.
 
6)  Can families use USNCC?
As of today, the USNCC is open and funded for active duty Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen only.  Families are not eligible. 
 
7)  What is an associate’s degree?  What degrees will be offered?
The USNCC plans to offer an Associate of Science (AS) degree across a likely 14 to 15 concentration areas.  The Associate of Science degree is designed to be a two-year transferable degree, which means that its purpose is not only to provide a valuable education and credential to the service member, but also to be transferable into a bachelor’s degree program.  The AS program will include a Naval Core Certificate, a General Education component, and a Professional Certificate (concentration).  Concentration areas are still under development, but will range from the technical to the more general.
 
In addition, the USNCC plans to offer stand-alone Undergraduate Certificates for students who may have already completed an associate’s degree or bachelor’s, or may be focused on skills development in a particular area.
 
8)  What happens after I get my associate’s degree?
In support of current DoN enlisted educational directives, emphasizing life-long learning objectives, service members may choose to continue college degrees (associates, bachelors and master’s degrees) utilizing service Tuition Assistance (TA) programs or their GI Bill.  The USNCC will build transfer pathways (articulation agreements) that will allow seamless transfer with little to no loss of credit.
 
9)  Can officers use it?
The primary audience for the USNCC is enlisted Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen.  However, Warrant or Limited Duty Officers may be able to attend in the future.
 

10)  Is this a commissioning program?
This is not a commissioning program but it does provide an opportunity to work towards completing a four year degree that is required for many commissioning programs. Successful completion of the rigorous academic coursework at the USNCC will be a good indicator of a service member’s dedication and ability to complete the academic portion of any commissioning program.
 
11)  What if I was in NJROTC in High School?
NJROTC experience will be an excellent compliment to USNCC activity.  Any college credits earned during high school may be evaluated and applied to a USNCC AS degree. 
 
12)  What is the impact on the deckplate?
There is no negative impact to the current workforce or day-to-day operations.  The USNCC will provide an educational opportunity to service members to pursue a naval relevant AS degree that compliments or supports their current rating/MOS at no cost to the service member, all on their off-duty time.  Service members who take advantage of these or any vol-Ed programs are better suited for the challenges they face inside the service and better prepare them for life outside of the military.
 
13)  Does my Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard training count towards my degree?
Yes. The USNCC plans to leverage both ACE-recommended credits, as well as its own evaluation of training (where appropriate), to provide academic credit for the relevant competencies that a service member has demonstrated.  The USNCC believes that it is imperative to recognize when a service member has mastered a competency, regardless of where that was learned.  That being said, residency and relevance requirements will apply in the awarding of credit.
 
14)  Who facilitates this program? 
This pilot program and future degree programs will be funded and run by the USNCC with coordination with the services.
 
15)  What is “naval-relevant” education?
The degree and certificate programs have been designed to do the following:

• Students shall understand the context of the Naval Services
  through the lenses of history, civil-military relations and current geopolitical threats.
• Students shall demonstrate strong ethics and judgment in personal and professional environments, and through individual and team leadership.
• Students shall become proficient in one concentration area that has relevance to the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard services.

 
Digging into this last one a bit, we have selected an initial set of concentrations that ensure that:

• Every rating/MOS has one or more programs that directly relate to it:
• That any/all concentrations would benefit the Naval Services overall, regardless of who takes them.  They include a mix of technology-oriented programs, to leadership and management programs, to those focused on tomorrow’s technologies that address all ratings.  The USNCC can also expand and adapt overtime based on service requirements.

 
16)  What is the Naval Core Certificate?
The Naval Core Certificate is envisioned as the common academic grounding for all participants in the USNCC Associate of Science program.  The USNCC has tentatively identified five course classes - Naval Ethics and Leadership, Geopolitics and Current Threats, Naval Force Design and Development, The Fundamentals on Civil-Military Relations, and Modern Naval History and Great Power Competition, that will make up the Naval Core Certificate.  These courses will provide the context of deeper/broader understanding of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard missions, and the individual service member’s role/responsibilities therein.  These courses, while covering topics relevant to the naval services, will also teach broader skill sets (e.g. critical thinking, analytical reasoning, writing etc…) and will count towards the General Education credits for most associate degrees in areas such as History, Political Science, and Philosophy.  While  the USNCC is not yet accredited, we will ensure that all consortium partners will accept these courses for credit, and will also get the courses ACE reviewed.  On receiving accreditation, the USNCC will offer these courses directly for credit.
 
17)  What are Naval communications, as specified under the general education component?
USNCC envisions the General Education series in English will have a focus on both reading and communications (two different courses).  The former will likely build off of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and/or Commandant of the Marine Corps’ (CMC) reading list.  The latter will emphasize communications in a Naval setting (e.g. policy brief, memo, general writing skills, etc…)
 
18)  What credentials are being earned on the way to an associates?
To begin, the student can earn a Naval Core Certificate and also a Professional Certificate (in their concentration of choice, based on the 14 we’ve identified).  Over time, USNCC also hopes to be able to offer other certificates and potentially certifications.
19)  What is the definition of “full operational capability?”
Ability to provide a full complement of degree programs/concentrations, and support demand/enrollment by 10’s of thousands of enlisted Sailors, Marines, Coasties, and auto enrolled with USNCC as a student upon accession into the service (end of recruit training).
 
 
 
 
The USNCC is live on social media, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for current updates and the latest news.
 
https://twitter.com/USNCCollege 
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