Officer Professional Military Education
Command and Staff College
Distance Education Program

Welcome to Command and Staff College Distance Education Program (CSCDEP). Informed by the study of history and culture, the CSCDEP educates and trains its joint, multinational, and interagency professionals in order to produce skilled warfighting leaders able to overcome diverse 21st Century security challenges. We attempt to provide an intermediate level PME program at a distance in order to prepare our graduates to perform effectively in command and staff duties with Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs) and for assignment with joint, interagency, and multinational organizations. The CSCDEP Branch provides this education through a variety of educationally sound delivery methods and through cost-effective and dynamic media in order to ensure that timely and relevant curricula reach all distance students at the right time and right place.

The seminar will be offered onsite and online. All students enrolling in this program will be assigned an instructor and will attend the seminar at their location or asynchronously online.

CSCDEP 8900 Series

The courses that are available for next academic year are listed below. By clicking on the course names, you will be able to view each of the eight course syllabi for course descriptions and amount of study time required.

  1. 8901: Theory & Nature of War (130 KB)
  2. 8902: National & International Security Studies (116 KB)
  3. 8903: Operational Art (194 KB)
  4. 8904: Joint Warfighting (120 KB)
  5. 8905: Small Wars (113 KB)
  6. 8906: MAGTF Expeditionary Operations (267 KB)
  7. 8907: Amphibious Operations (117 KB)
  8. 8908: Operation Planning and Final Exercise (200 KB)

CSCDEP Fact Book (1.6 MB)

Student Information and Schedules

Below are links to useful information that will assist you with the CSCDEP.

CDET Blackboard

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enroll?

Locate a Regional Coordinator near you.

CSCDEP Seminar Program Academic Schedules

  1. CSCDEP AY12 Seminar Schedule, 1st Half (114 KB)
  2. CSCDEP AY12 Seminar Schedule, 2nd Half (116 KB)
  3. CSCDEP AY12 Weekend Seminar Schedule, 1st Half (99 KB)
  4. CSCDEP AY12 Weekend Seminar Schedule, 2nd Half (112 KB)

Writing Guides and Tools

  1. CSC Communications Guide (151 KB)
  2. Writing Tips at a Glance (73 KB)
  3. Developing the Thesis (28 KB)
  4. Organizing the Essay (61 KB)

Reference Documents

  1. PAJE Self Study (7.6 MB)
  2. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction (535 KB)

Research Tools

Several external resources are available to assist in your research or school work.

Additional Information

JPME Phase I

The CSCDEP includes educational objectives and joint professional military education (JPME) learning areas selected by the respective resident school academic faculty to ensure that the CSCDEP curriculum is derived from and parallel to the resident curriculum content. This curriculum has been accredited by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to ensure it meets JPME Phase I requirements. Therefore, CSCDEP graduates will be both PME complete for the grade of major and JPME Phase I complete.

School of Advanced Warfighting

Graduates of the CSCDEP are eligible to compete for admission into the School of Advanced Warfighting (SAW). CSCDEP student admittance is highly competitive. If you have questions, please contact the CDET operations section or your nearest regional coordinator.

Visit the School of Advanced Warfighting website for more information.

Master's Degrees and Certificates

CSCDEP has partnered with several universities and colleges to provide credits to help achieve a variety of master's degrees and certificates. These universities and colleges now grant credits for the completion of 8900 series CSCDEP courses. Visit our Master's Degree Credit page for more information.

Related Links

Information on the resident Command and Staff program may be accessed on the MCU Command and Staff College website.

Give us your feedback with CDET program, courseware, and faculty surveys.

Faculty Interest

If you are interested in participating as faculty, refer to our page discussing OPME adjunct faculty.

Testimonials

Take a look at recent testimonials regarding MarineNet and our Professional Military Education Distance Education Programs.

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