ODU SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH NAVAL WAR COLLEGE
Officers in the U.S. Navy, other services and senior civilians will find it easier to obtain graduate degrees at both Old Dominion University and the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, R.I., under a cooperative agreement recently signed by the institutions' presidents.
The agreement opens ODU's master of arts degree in international studies to students at the War College and offers Old Dominion graduate credit toward the War College's graduate degree in national security and strategic studies, a potential boon to those stationed in the Norfolk area and around the country, said Douglas V. Smith, professor of strategy and policy at the Naval War College. Under the agreement, ODU students also have access to the NWC's specialized track on naval and national security issues.
The new partnership is one of more than 20 formal academic and research agreements developed by ODU with the military services.
"This agreement will enhance the educational opportunities of both our military and civilian students, but there is a larger context to it as well. " said Kurt Taylor Gaubatz, director of the Graduate Program in International Studies at ODU. "The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have again highlighted the importance of providing military officers a better understanding of the complexities of history and politics; and of giving civilian decision-makers a better understanding of the capabilities and character of modern military operations. This initiative will contribute to this important academic/military dialogue."
The Naval War College will now accept graduate credits from ODU's Graduate Program in International Studies (GPIS), as well as other appropriate courses related to national security and strategic concerns, for elective requirements in the NWC Nonresident Graduate Degree Program. Graduate semester hours awarded by ODU will be accepted on a one-for-one basis.
ODU has agreed to award 12 credits to graduates of the 21-credit NWC program, accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Additional information is available by calling GPIS at (757) 683-5700.