Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis Admissions

Getting Started on Your Application

Norwich welcomes goal-oriented military personnel who share our passion for public service and are committed to furthering their field and contributing positively to their community. The following eligibility requirements are intended to ensure that those admitted to the program will be able to take full advantage of Norwich’s rigorous academic environment. Applicants not meeting these requirements will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Admission Criteria

  • An associate degree or a minimum of 60 credits from a combination of:
    • Prior college courses, completed with a grade of C or better, from regionally or nationally accredited institutions of higher learning, or the equivalent from a foreign institution, as evaluated by WES, IERF, SpanTran, or CED.
    • ACE-reviewed military or professional training for which college credits are recommended.*
    • Other military or professional training reviewed by Norwich University for which college credit has been assessed, or is stipulated in an MOU.
    • Credit recommended based on scores on standardized tests such as CLEP.
  • Military service as soldier, member of the National Guard, sailor, airman or Marine in the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), its subordinate and sub-unified commands, or NATO Special Operations Forces.
    • For service members, the program is tailored to those who have successfully completed one of the following: the U.S. Army’s Civil Affairs Qualification Course (38), Military Information Support Operations (37), Special Forces (18), Warrant Officer (180), MOS courses, or related occupations.
  • If English is not your first language, proof of English language proficiency is required. This can be demonstrated in one of three ways:
    • TOEFL - a minimum score of 550 (paper-based test) or 80 (Internet-based test) on the TOEFL is required unless otherwise noted in specific articulation agreements.**
    • IELTS – a minimum composite score of 6.5 is required.**
    • Successful completion of an associate’s degree from an accredited U.S. higher education institution.
  • Proficiency in basic college-level math, science and writing demonstrated by prior successful completion of general education equivalent, or by prior approved training. Courses in these areas are offered for students who may need them.

*Prospective students who have completed military or professional training that has not been ACE reviewed may petition the Chair of Continuing Studies to have their training reviewed and assessed for transfer credit.

Please Note: All eligibility requirements are expected to be met unless noted in specific articulation agreements or memoranda of understanding (MOUs).

Admissions Process

To apply, you must submit the following no less than four weeks prior to your desired start date:

  • Application form
  • Letter of Intent (1-2 pages) outlining your SOF experience, prior learning, and educational/career objectives.
  • Resume or ERB
  • Official military training transcripts (Joint Services Transcript/CCAF), mailed to the address below. For NATO SOF, the official military training transcripts for your home country are required.
  • Official transcripts of all courses taken at regionally accredited colleges, mailed to the address below.
  • Proof of English language proficiency if applicable (TOEFL).

Transcript Links

Mail transcripts to:
Norwich University
College of Graduate and Continuing Studies
ATTN: SSDA
P.O. Box 367
Northfield, VT 05663

Transfer Credits

Students entering the SSDA program may receive the equivalent of up to 60 semester credits for your military training, preparation in leadership and language study, or additional specialized military training as reviewed for credit by the American Council on Education or a similarly recognized organization. You may also transfer up to 30 additional semester-credit equivalents from other regionally accredited institutions of higher education for courses that meet specific course requirements in the SSDA program.

Agreements between Norwich University and Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC), and Norwich University and Tidewater Community College (TCC), designed especially for the Special Operations community, could help facilitate seamless entry into the SSDA program by accepting a block of 60 credit hours completed at FTCC or TCC. Special conditions apply. Please talk to an admissions advisor for specific details of the agreements.

To contact an admissions advisor:

Call: 1-866-684-7237
Email: ssda@online.norwich.edu

Non-Discrimination Statement

Norwich University, in compliance with Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education amendment of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, or physical handicap in any of its policies, practices, or procedures.