Students

About

Welcome to Marine Corps University’s student registration page for the MCU resident schools. The following content and links provide information and forms for all military and civilian students who will be attending the resident officer professional military education programs given at Marine Corps University. These programs include the Marine Corps War College, School of Advanced Warfighting, Command and Staff College, and Expeditionary Warfare School.

College/school homepage links

Marine Corps War College (MCWAR)

MCWAR, as the senior PME institution of the Marine Corps, educates selected military and civilian professionals in order to develop strategic advisors, critical and creative thinkers, military strategists, and joint warfighters who are prepared to meet the challenges of a complex and dynamic security environment.

School of Advanced Warfighting (SAW)

SAW develops lead planners and future commanders with the will and intellect to design and execute joint campaigns and naval expeditionary operations.

Marine Corps Command and Staff College (CSC)

CSC provides graduate level education and training in order to develop critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers, and ethical leaders who will serve as commanders and staff officers with Marine Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTF) and with service, joint, interagency, intergovernmental and multinational organizations confronting complex and uncertain security environments.

Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS)

EWS educates and trains company grade officers in order to prepare them mentally, morally, and physically for billets of increased leadership responsibility across the Fleet Marine Force and the Joint Force, with emphasis on the warfighting capabilities of a Marine Air Ground Task Force operating within a complex and distributed Naval expeditionary environment.

onboarding courses

All students must request enrollment in their respective college or school onboarding course via the links below. Enrollment begins on 15 December 2025 and must be completed by 30 June 2026. The onboarding course must be completed before the college/school report date. You are required to complete the onboarding course to confirm enrollment in your college/school. Failure to complete the onboarding course can result in you being dropped from the program.

All Sister Service and Inter-Agency students will need to have a MarineNet account to access their respective onboarding course. The following link is to the MarineNet help page that will walk you through the process of establishing a MarineNet account. If you need a sponsor for your MarineNet account request, please contact the Registrar office at MCU_Registrar@usmcu.edu. Please click on the link provided for step-by-step instructions for establishing your MarineNet account.

Create or Request a MarineNet Account.

International Officers do not need to request a MarineNet account. International Officers will create their MarineNet account as part of their check-in process.

onboarding course links

AY27 onboarding course links will be posted on 15 December 2025. Please check back then to enroll in your onboarding course.

EWS AY27 Student On Boarding Course

CSC AY27 Student On Boarding Course

SAW AY27 Student On Boarding Course

MCWAR AY27 Student On Boarding Course

Reporting & Orientation Dates

The dates listed below apply to all U.S. military and interagency students. All local students are expected to report into Marine Corps University by 1600 on the “Report No Later Than Dates” established below.

Marine Corps War College

TBA:  Report not later than date for all students traveling from a CONUS location        

TBA:  Report not later than date for all students traveling from an OCONUS location

TBA:  Orientation & Onboarding for all students

TBA:  Classes Convene

School of Advanced Warfighting

TBA:  Report not later than date for all students traveling from a CONUS location

TBA:  Report not later than date for all students traveling from an OCONUS location          

TBA:  Orientation & Onboarding for all students

TBA:  Classes Convene

COMMAND AND STAFF COLLEGE

TBA:  Report not later than date for all students traveling from a CONUS location        

TBA:  Report not later than date for all students traveling from an OCONUS location

TBA:  Orientation & Onboarding for all students

TBA:  Classes Convene

Expeditionary warfare school

TBA:  Report not later than date for all students traveling from a CONUS location        

TBA:  Report not later than date for all students traveling from an OCONUS location

TBA:  Orientation & Onboarding for all students

TBA:  Classes Convene

check in Procedures for all mcu students

During normal working hours:  All Marine Corps University students reporting during normal working hours must check in at:  

Student Services is open Monday through Friday from 0800 to 1630, except on federal holidays.

After normal working hours:  Students who report after normal working hours must check in with the Officer of the Day (Duty) at: 

The Officer of the Day will provide administrative guidance and temporary billeting assistance, as needed, and stamp your original orders. On the next working day, students must report to Student Services to complete the formal check-in process. The phone number for the Command Duty Officer is (703) 784 2707 or (703) 784 4096.

Leave & PTAD (Permissive TDY)

All PTAD is required to be taken prior to the start of the school year. Students are encouraged to factor in the 10 days of PTAD when determining the day in which they will report into the university. PTAD will be scrutinized in accordance with the intent of the leave and liberty order.

MCB Quantico Map                              Marine Corps University Campus Map 

Note:  This information is subject to change as guidance is updated by higher headquarters.

International Students

Each year, the Commanding General, Education Command/President, Marine Corps University oversees the administrative support of 140 to 150 IMS attending the many schools, programs and courses within the Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC) located aboard Marine Corps Base (MCB), Quantico, Virginia. 

This page provides specific information that applies to those IMS who have been selected to attend one of Marine Corps University’s year-long officer professional military education (PME) programs:

MCWAR:  Marine Corps War College (10 months long, for Lieutenant Colonels)

SAW:  School of Advanced Warfighting (11 months long, for selected Majors)

CSC:  Command and Staff College (10 months long, for Majors)

EWS:  Expeditionary Warfare School (9 months long, for Captains)

International Military Students attending all other courses aboard MCCDC should contact the Regional IMS Officer at MCU_IMSO@usmcu.edu.

For additional information, such as what to do prior to departing your home country, what things to bring with you, and what to expect and do upon arrival, please click the following link:  More Information.

International Military Student Escorts

This section is still being updated for Academic Year 2026-2027. Please check back in December for additional information.

International Military Students are scheduled to arrive in CONUS to attend a two-week foreign student orientation program. Escorts will meet these students at the airport and help orient them to Quantico by assisting them with the initial requirements of settling their families and preparing for the academic year.

Note:  Students who report early, and not in a liberty/leave status, will be required to provide support as needed for the in-processing of International Military Students.  

Sponsor

Each International Military Student will be assigned a U.S. military student to serve as their 'IMS' sponsor during the academic year. Volunteers are preferred. A sponsor's primary role is to assist the IMS with settling their family at Quantico, understanding the administrative and academic requirements, and to be aware of needs that may require referral to the appropriate supporting activities.

If you have any questions, please contact the Regional IMS Officer at MCU_IMSO@usmcu.edu.

Accreditation

Marine Corps University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the following master’s degrees:

Master of Strategic Studies via the Marine Corps War College
Master of Operational Studies via the School of Advanced Warfighting
Master of Military Studies via the Command and Staff College

Students enrolling in a master’s degree program must have earned a regionally or nationally accredited U.S. bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent. Students attending the Marine Corps War College and the School of Advanced Warfighting are required to submit official transcripts as evidence of your bachelor’s degree. All U.S. Students attending the Command and Staff College are required to apply for the Master of Military Studies (MMS) and must also submit official transcripts. Transcript receipt due dates are listed below:

Marine Corps War College 30 June 2026                         
School of Advanced Warfighting 30 June 2026
Command and Staff College 15 October 2026

​​Command and Staff College International students will be briefed on the optional MMS program and its requirements/deadlines during the first week of classes.

Official Transcript Defined

Official transcripts must be submitted directly from the degree granting institution to the Marine Corps University Registrar in the manner prescribed by that granting institution as “official.” Normally, this means a stamped transcript sent by mail in a sealed envelope. Some institutions have official electronic transcripts, which are accepted by Marine Corps University.

Transcripts that are hand carried by students, unofficial transcripts, “student” copies, faxed copies, and unsealed/open copies etc., are not accepted.

send transcripts to

President, Marine Corps University
Attention:  Registrar
2076 South Street
Quantico, VA  22134-5067

Or electronically to:  MCU_Registrar@usmcu.edu 

Note 1:  Students who previously attended the School of Advanced Warfighting and/or Command and Staff College Resident are NOT required to submit them again as long as they remain on file with the Marine Corps University Registrar. Please contact the Registrar at MCU_Registrar@usmcu.edu to confirm.

Note 2:  Students who have NOT earned a qualifying degree from an accredited U.S. institution must have their academic credentials evaluated for equivalency. Please contact the Registrar for guidance and assistance.

Prior to Arrival

All students must check out with their current command Security Manager prior to executing transfer to Marine Corps University. A “debrief” and an “out-process” action is required to be completed by your current Security Manger via the Defense Information Security System (DISS). Students should ensure their security clearance will not expire prior to the end of the academic year (June 2027).

Marine Corps University’s Security Manager is responsible for providing personnel security guidance, education, and training support to all students. The Security Manager serves as the primary advisor in all matters regarding the eligibility of personnel to access classified information.

Krulak Center

Krulak Center Website

The Brute Krulak Center for Innovation & Future Warfare enables an interdisciplinary approach to supporting all students and faculty at Marine Corps University through complex problem solving, fostering an environment that enhances our collective warfighting capability and facilitating and encouraging novel solutions to current and future warfighting challenges in order to expand the Corps’ competitive edge and improve our warfighting effectiveness. The center’s activities follow four lines of effort (LOE):

LOE 1. Student Support - Inculcate critical, creative, and innovative thinking among students.

LOE 2. Instructor Support - Provide resources and enhanced opportunities for faculty development.

LOE 3. Advanced Educational Opportunities - Offer a space to challenge the known and explore the unknown.

LOE 4. Outreach/Collaboration - Be a nexus for, and actively seek, MCU, Fleet Marine Force, and external partners to develop useful solutions that benefit our community of interest.

JPME Prospective Research Topics Database (PRTD)

JPME JPRTD is the JPME Prospective Research Topics Database, which provides prospective research topics for students attending advanced military study programs and intermediate and senior services schools. This site is CAC-enabled. If you are unable to access the PRTD, check your browser settings.

JOINT SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIVERSITY

The Joint Special Operations University Press publishes a list of research topics annually. The 2026 list highlights a wide range of topics collaboratively developed and prioritized by experts throughout the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community.

USMC DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE PROPOSED TOPICS

In an effort to align the Marine Corps intelligence enterprise investment in the special education program and professional military education programs with the real problem-solving needs of our service, the director of intelligence, solicits thesis topics from operating force and supporting establishment. Access to full list of topics may require Intelink account and page permissions.

LIBRARY OF THE MARINE CORPS/GRAY RESEARCH CENTER

The Marine Corps Research Library produces a broad range of research guides which can be used to identify and pursue research topics of interest to the Marine Corps and broader national security community.

Leadership Communication Skills Center​​

The Leadership Communication Skills Center is an educational support resource for the MCU community—students, faculty, and staff.

Library of the Marine Corps/Gray Research Center

The Marine Corps Research Library produces a broad range of research guides, which can be used to identify and pursue research topics of interest to the Marine Corps and broader national security community.

COMPLETED STUDENT PAPERS

Gray Research Center

Research papers produced by MCU's students are maintained by the Marine Corps Research Library Reference Branch and the Archives Branch of the Marine Corps History Division. Additional information is available on the MCU Student Papers site.

The Breckinridge Papers

Marine Corps University recognizes outstanding PME student papers and advances their ideas into academic and defense community debate. The Breckinridge Papers: Selected Studies from the Marine Corps University showcases Marine Corps War College, School of Advanced Warfighting, Command and Staff College, and School of Expeditionary Warfare student writing.

MARADAMINS

ACADEMIC YEAR 2026-2027 ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE LEVEL SCHOOL STUDENT SELECTION RESULTS

ACADEMIC YEAR 2026-2027 TOP LEVEL SCHOOL SELECTION BOARD RESULTS

FY26 COMMANDANT'S CAREER-LEVEL EDUCATION BOARD (CCLEB) SELECTION RESULTS

FY26 COMMANDANT'S PROFESSIONAL INTERMEDIATE-LEVEL EDUCATION BOARD (CPIB) SELECTION RESULTS

Policies

MCU Academic Integrity Policy

MCU Artificial Intelligence Policy

MCU Parental Leave Policy Letter 3-23

Student Services Office