Naval War College (NWC) with museum in the background

Academic Departments

U.S. Naval War College’s academic departments support our curriculum by providing core and elective coursework, and through research, gaming, and educational programming opportunities. Our three primary teaching departments, Strategy & Policy, Joint Military Operations, and National Security Affairs, each offer one intermediate-level and one senior-level course. Additionally, for one trimester of their studies, students take the Leadership in the Profession of Arms course.

U.S. Naval War College Academic Departments

International Flags Hanging

International Programs Department

The International Programs department teaches foreign officers from around the world strategy, warfare, decision making and operational art. Equally important, they learn how the United States works as a country through the field studies program.

The Joint Military Operations (JMO) department at U.S. Naval War College (NWC), Newport, Rhode Island, hosts its Capstone educational event which is designed to expose students in the courses to maritime warfare problems and how to creatively approach them.
The Joint Military Operations (JMO) department at U.S. Naval War College (NWC), Newport, Rhode Island, hosts its Capstone educational event which is designed to expose students in the courses to maritime warfare problems and how to creatively approach them. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jess Lewis/released)

Joint Military Operations Department

The Joint Military Operations department addresses enduring principles that govern military operations, including collaborating with other services, U.S. agencies, and multinational partners. Its courses focus on the theater-strategic and operational levels of war.

Army Lt. Col. Patrick Pflaum, a U.S. Naval War College student in the National Security Affairs department participates in the National Security Decision Making Final Exercise in the college’s Spruance auditorium in Newport, Rhode Island.
Army Lt. Col. Patrick Pflaum, a U.S. Naval War College student in the National Security Affairs department participates in the National Security Decision Making Final Exercise in the college’s Spruance auditorium in Newport, Rhode Island. The final exercise for the course is a competition among student seminar teams with the winning group presented the James V. Forrestal Award for Excellence in Strategy Development and Force Planning. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jess Lewis/released)

National Security Affairs Department

The National Security Affairs department is one of the nation’s oldest and largest graduate departments focused on national and international security studies. Our rigorous courses, designed for mid-career professionals, focus on theater decision-making and global and regional strategy.

Students at S&P Lecture
U.S. Naval War College (NWC) students listen to a keynote address on sea power and national strategy from Randy Forbes, senior distinguished fellow of U.S. Naval War College (NWC) Foundation and former representative, during an EMC Chair Symposium on Maritime Security, “Sea Control and Foreign Policy,” held at NWC in Newport, Rhode Island. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jess Lewis/released)

Strategy & Policy Department

Our Strategy & Policy (S&P) department teaches students how to make sound judgments in joint, inter-agency, and multinational environments. S&P’s courses explore case studies and offer a blend of liberal arts and professional disciplines, from political science to multicultural studies.

Game board with pieces

Wargaming Department

The Wargaming department conducts high-quality research, gaming, and analysis. Here, future leaders can hone their strategic, risk-assessment, and decision-making skills. Wargaming efforts also help inform key Navy decisions.