Squadron Officer School distance learning

15 courses
○ 9 self-paced + 3 facilitated core courses
○ 2 self-paced + 1 facilitated elective courses

Requirements

The eligibility criteria for Squadron Officer School distance learning are found in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2656, Developmental Education.

• Air Force and Space Force Active Duty - The intent is for all active duty to attend Squadron Officer School in-residence and the Squadron Officer School distance learning program to serve as an alternative if an officer is unable to attend the in-residence program. Therefore the following restrictions apply for active duty officers:
  
  ○ Line-of-the-Air Force (LAF) captains are prohibited from enrolling in the Squadron Officer School distance learning course until seven years TAFCS.
  
  ○ Exceptions: LAF-J, HC, NC, MSC, BSC, MC and DC officers may enroll in Squadron Officer School distance learning on or after their date of rank to captain.
  
  
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve - Upon selection to captain, all Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve officers are eligible to enroll in Squadron Officer School distance learning.
  
  
• Civilians - DoD civilian employees in the grades of GS-9 to GS-12 and above (or equivalent) who possess regionally-accredited baccalaureate degrees may enroll in Squadron Officer School distance learning.
  
  

Note: Officers who complete the resident Squadron Officer School program are prohibited from enrolling or reenrolling in the Squadron Officer School distance learning course.

Online Master’s Program

Upon successful completion of any of the Online Master’s Program concentrations, students earn an accredited Master of Military Operational Art and Science degree. Students who complete the joint warfare concentration also earn Joint Professional Military Education – Phase 1 credit. If a student completes any of the other 3 OLMP concentrations, they will have to complete ACSC DL 7.0 "Supplemental" to earn JPME Phase 1 credit.

Due to the level of work required, new students can take only one course each term; however, they may be approved to take two courses per term after they have successfully completed their first three courses. Tuition is free and there is no active-duty service commitment associated with the program; however, students incur the cost of required books, personal computer and Internet connection. Additionally, students will require access to a common access card-enabled system for initial program enrollment. Students who work steadily should complete their master’s degree in two years; however, students have up to five years to meet all degree requirements.

10 eight-week courses
○ 6 facilitated core courses
○ 4 facilitated concentration courses

30 semester hours of credit

Requirements

The eligibility criteria are found in Air Force Instruction 36-2656, Developmental Education. Additional criteria by concentration is as follows:

Joint warfare concentration

• U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force: Eligible personnel include O-4 selects and O-4s on Active Duty or in the AFRES and ANG. Individuals who have completed IDE are eligible. However, individuals who have completed an Advanced Degree are ineligible.
  
  
• Civilians: Full-time Department of the Air Force civilians in grades GS-12 through GS-14, or equivalent with a minimum of two years of federal service by the last day of the applicant window (Not Waiverable). Individuals who have completed IDE are eligible. However, individuals who have completed an Advanced Degree are ineligible. Air Force civilians should contact their local civilian personnel office for more information.
  
  
• U.S. sister service (military): Eligible personnel include O-4 selects and O-4s on Active Duty or in the Guard or Reserves. Individuals who have completed IDE are eligible. However, individuals who have completed an Advanced Degree are ineligible. Sister Service acceptance into the program is limited by space availability within the program. Note for U.S. Army: Army officers will not enroll in other than Army schools without written approval of the DCS, G-3/5/7 (Director of Training) per Army Regulation (AR) 350-1.
  
  

Leadership Concentration

• U.S. Air Force: Eligible personnel include only U.S. Air Force active duty O-3s who:
  
  ○ Have six or more years of total active federal commissioned service.
  
  ○ Have completed Squadron Officer School (resident or online).
  
  ○ Do not have a master’s degree.
  
• There are limited opportunities for Guard and Reserve O-3s who meet all other requirements to participate in the leadership concentration. Contact the Guard or Reserve headquarters for more information.

Operational Warfare Concentration

• U.S. Air Force: Eligible personnel include only U.S. Air Force O-3s through O-5s who:
  
  ○ Have six or more years of total active federal commissioned service.
  
  ○ Have completed Squadron Officer School (resident or online).
  
  ○ Do not have a master’s degree
  
  ○ Graduated from the Air Force Weapons Instructor Course after January 2009.
  
  
• The operational warfare concentration is specifically designed to award 12 credit hours in operational warfare studies toward the Online Master’s Program to Weapons Instructor Course graduates once they have completed the Online Master’s Program online application, are admitted to the Online Master’s Program and have completed the seven core Online Master’s Program courses.

Nuclear Weapons Concentration

• U.S. Air Force: Eligible personnel include only USAF O-3s through O-5s who:
  
  ○ Have six or more years of total active federal commissioned service.
  
  ○ Have completed Squadron Officer School (resident or online).
  
  ○ Do not have a master’s degree.
  
  ○ Have completed the Nuclear Weapons Effects, Policy and Proliferation Certificate Program administered by Air Force Institute of Technology.
  
  
• The nuclear weapons concentration is specifically designed to award 12 credit hours in nuclear weapons studies toward the Online Master’s Program to Nuclear Weapons Effects, Policy and Proliferation Certificate Program graduates once they have completed the Online Master’s Program online application, are admitted to the Online Master’s Program and have completed the seven core Online Master’s Program courses.

Air Command and Staff College distance learning

17-18 courses
○ 15 foundational courses (11 self-paced courses + 4 facilitated courses)
○ 2-3 elective-focused courses, totaling 45 hours

260 hours

Requirements

The eligibility criteria are found in Air Force Instruction 36-2656, Developmental Education.

• Military – The program is offered to O-4 selects and above. Persons may be active duty Air Force, Air Force Reserves or Air National Guard; sister service active duty, Guard or Reserve; or Civil Air Patrol.
  
  ○ Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members have the opportunity to enhance their intermediate developmental education experience during Air Reserve Component Seminars
  
  ○ Army officers: Officers will not enroll in schools other than Army schools without written approval of the DCS, G-3/5/7 (director of training). AR 350-1, Dec. 10, 2017.
  
  
• Department of Defense civilians: Department of Defense civilian employees in the grade of GS-11 thru GS-13 or equivalents with a bachelor’s degree may also enroll. NH-II Civilians need to contact Air Force HQ/A1 for a determination of eligibility.
  
  
• International: Requests for Professional Military Education correspondence courses for international students are forwarded to the Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron through the country Security Cooperation Organization or country embassy. The request must:
  
  ○ Identify an existing source of funding (for example, Foreign Military Sales training case) or request preparation of a new training case
  
  ○ Provide the name, address, email and phone number for the U.S. military officer or U.S. civilian employee who will sponsor the student
  
  ○ Include written verification by the U.S. sponsor that the student meets the rank prerequisite for the desired program and is proficient in the English language to complete the program successfully.

Air War College distance learning

9 courses
○ 6 self-paced courses.
○ 3 facilitated courses.

200 hours

Requirements

The eligibility criteria are found in Air Force Instruction 36-2656, Developmental Education.

• Military: The program is offered to O-5 selects and above. Persons may be active duty Air Force, Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard; sister service active duty, Guard or Reserve; or Civil Air Patrol.
  
  ○ Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members have the opportunity to enhance their Air War College distance learning/senior developmental education program experience with Air Reserve Component Seminars.
  
  ○ Army officers: Officers will not enroll in schools other than Army schools without written approval of the DCS, G-3/5/7 (director of training). AR 350-1, Dec. 10, 2017.
  
  
• Civilian: DoD civilian employees in the grades of GS 13/14/15 or equivalent are eligible to enroll.
  
  
• International: Requests for Professional Military Education correspondence courses for international students are forwarded to the Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron through the country Security Cooperation Organization or country embassy. The request must:
  
  ○ Identify an existing source of funding (for example, Foreign Military Sales training case) or request preparation of a new training case
  
  ○ Provide the name, address, email and phone number for the U.S. military officer or U.S. civilian employee who will sponsor the student
  
  ○ Include written verification by the U.S. sponsor that the student meets the rank prerequisite for the desired program and is proficient in the English language to complete the program successfully.