Students

About

Welcome to Marine Corps University’s New Student Registration page. 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)

School of Advanced Warfighting (SAW)

Marine Corps Command and Staff College (CSC)

Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS)

Reporting and 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

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

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

TBD:  Orientation & Onboarding for all students

TBD:  Classes Convene

School of Advanced Warfighting

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

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

07 Jul:  Orientation & Onboarding for all students

08 Jul:  Classes Convene

COMMAND AND STAFF COLLEGE

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

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

23-25 Jul:  Orientation & Onboarding for all students

28 Jul:  Classes Convene

Expeditionary warfare school

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

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

23-25 Jul:  Orientation & Onboarding for all students

28 Jul:  Classes Convene

onboarding courses

All students must request enrollment in their respective college or school onboarding course via the links below. Enrollment begins on 1 January 2025 and must be completed by 1 July 2025. 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 create a MarineNet Account. Please click on the link provided for step-by-step instructions for creating your MarineNet account.

onboarding course links

Links to the onboarding courses will be posted in December.

check in location

All students will report to the Student Services Office (Warner Hall, First Floor, Room 1177) to complete the university check-in process.

Warner Center Address
2044 Broadway Street (Room 177)
Quantico, VA 22134 

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

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. Interested students should complete and submit the applicable school sponsor form provided below. 

[ Placeholder:  Forms are currently being updated for AY-26 ]

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 1 July 2025                         
School of Advanced Warfighting 1 July 2025
Command and Staff College 15 October 2025

​​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 2026).

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.

Current Topics of Value

MARINE CORPS RESEARCH TOPICS AY 2022-2023

Krulak Center Scholarly Opportunities

BRUTE KRULAK CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND FUTURE WARFARE SCHOLARS PROGRAMS

• Krulak Scholars Program - AY23 focus is "The World Energy Paradigm after Ukraine:  Global Perspectives on Strategic Competition."  (application deadline 02 Sep 2022)

• Ellis Fellowship for Military Transformation - AY23 focus is the Marine Corps "Campaign of Learning" and refinement of Force Design 2030  

• Reynolds Scholars Program - focus is the advancement of the Women, Peace & Security effort within PME. (application deadline 26 Aug 2022)

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 2022 list highlights a wide range of topics collaboratively developed and prioritized by experts throughout the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community.

USSPACECOM RESEARCH TOPICS

USSPACECOM developed space defense, technology, and war studies topics, which are listed in this document. Students who select a research topic from this list will receive informal, open-source access, coaching, and, depending on the topic, unclassified material from one or more USSPACECOM subject matter experts (SMEs). The top research papers received will be assessed for potential inclusion in an all-space special issue or an Air University journal to be edited by USSPACECOM's SIG. The SIG will coordinate for longer document publication options for projects that exceed a journal-sized entry but are considered highly desired for Department of Defense (DoD) formal publication and dissemination.

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.

SUGGEST TOPICS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

For information on how to submit a topic for inclusion in future topic lists, please contact MCU’s Director of Research or use the online form.

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.

Designing Data-Gathering and Analysis Approaches

For students with specialized research design needs, such as survey or interview protocols or use of qualitative and statistical analysis tools, MCU will attempt to link them to internal and external Marine Corps scholars/scientists who can assist them on an individual basis. This support is provided through a network of volunteer scholars/scientists in MCU and not all types of expertise may be available at a particular point in time. For more information, contact MCU_ResearchResources@usmcu.edu.

Not sure who to ask? Contact MCU_ResearchResources@usmcu.edu.

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.

Parental Leave

MCU Parental Leave Policy Letter 3-23

Student Services Office