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

Gabriela Patterson headshot

Changing careers in my 30s was hard, but doing this degree has helped tremendously. Without this program, it would have taken me longer to gain the knowledge base I needed to be proficient and excel in the cybersecurity field.

Gabriela Patterson

'22 Master of Science in Cybersecurity

Read Story
Derynioski headshot

I’m most proud of being recognized as a person people come to for insights that can’t just be Googled. I can give someone the feel for what’s normal when we’re looking at another country. What should be expected, and what should raise questions.

Kirsten Derynioski

'06 Master of Arts in Diplomacy

Read Story
Kenneth Lai headshot

The fundamentals learned in the MBA program provide a springboard that will allow me to dive deeper into business material that would have otherwise been very challenging to understand without the foundational knowledge provide by the MBA program.

Kenneth Lai

'15 Master of Business Administration

Read Story
Todd Coulard headshot

An MBA felt like a check in the block, whereas the leadership program fed my passion.

Todd Coulard

'22 Master of Science in Leadership

Read Story
Ethan Jensen headshot

By gaining my degree from Norwich, I was able to commission in the Air Force and become a pilot.

Ethan Jensen

'22 Master of Arts in Strategic Studies

Read Story
Gabriela Patterson headshot

Gabriela Patterson

Derynioski headshot

Kirsten Derynioski

Kenneth Lai headshot

Kenneth Lai

Todd Coulard headshot

Todd Coulard

Ethan Jensen headshot

Ethan Jensen