Do You Need to Be in the Military?

Although Norwich is famous for its Corps of Cadets and military lifestyle on campus, civilian students thrive here, too. Our online student population is a mix of both military-affiliated students and others with no military connections at all.

For 200 years, Norwich University’s Guiding Values and mission have helped create an atmosphere of excellence. We are the nation’s oldest private military college and the birthplace of ROTC, serving a diverse student body that reflects the world today, civilian, military career-focused, and online.

The simple answer is no, you do not need to be in the military or associated with the military in any way to be a Norwich Online student.

Since 1997, our online student body has been composed of people from all over the world. Our students are business professionals, servicemembers on deployment, federal, state or city employees looking to advance their careers, veterans, first responders, hobbyists, and so much more! Offering bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and professional development certificates, Norwich Online graduates build upon their Norwich educations to launch or grow careers and make outsized contributions to their communities, the nation and the world.

Student Testimonials

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Everyone at Norwich was great. Even the admissions office and registrar went above and beyond to help me get through it.

Emerson Sullivan

'18 Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

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Lyndsey Gates Headshot

"On a personal level, completing multiple degrees while working full-time and raising a family has been a significant accomplishment, one that would not have been possible without Norwich's flexible structure."

Lyndsey Gates

'26 Master of Business Administration

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jimmy luong at graduation, on campus with parents and brother

It was a challenge. I wanted to find leadership and take on something new.

Jimmy Luong

'26 Master of Business Administration

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Thomas Sittmann

Because of my education at Norwich, I was very fortunate to learn topics that I was actually applying (to my job). I could take the concepts and the work from the labs we did in class and apply them to real-world scenarios.

Thomas Sittmann

'21 Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity

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Donald Gray and his son

"I expected to be challenged academically, and the curriculum met that expectation! My professors were excellent and pushed me to develop."

Donald Gray

'26 Masters of Science in Leadership with concentration in Public Sector Leadership and Crisis Management

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Emerson Sullivan

Lyndsey Gates Headshot

Lyndsey Gates

jimmy luong at graduation, on campus with parents and brother

Jimmy Luong

Thomas Sittmann

Thomas Sittmann

Donald Gray and his son

Donald Gray