The SAASS online application window opens mid-August each year, and application packages are due in early September. For the fall 2025 application cycle, the application window will open on August 11 and close on September 8. Please check back on this webpage during that window to access the application.
SAASS AY27 Program Information:
Location: Maxwell AFB, AL
Start: July 2026 / End: June 2027
Class Size: 45 total; anticipated 37 seats for active-duty Air Force and Space Force
Eligibility Criteria for Department of the Air Force (DAF) applicants:
- Rank of O-4 or O-5
- Less than 16 years total active commissioned service at the start of SAASS
- Graduate from an in-residence Intermediate Developmental Education (IDE) program (e.g., ACSC, CGSC, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Naval War College, Naval Postgraduate School, Schriever Space Scholars program, or IDE Fellowship) prior to the start of SAASS. The only non-resident IDE program SAASS accepts without waiver for DAF applicants is the Air University Online Master’s Program (OLMP).
- Possess a Master’s Degree from an accredited institution or have an undergraduate degree with a GPA of 3.25 or higher
- Career field release from their respective Career Field Team (CFT) Assignment Officer. Documentation of release may be in email format converted to PDF and included with the application.
- If applicants do not meet the eligibility requirements and would still like to apply, they may submit a waiver. The SAASS Commandant is the waiver authority for basic eligibility requirements, except for the rank requirement. Applicants should submit any waiver requests addressed to the SAASS/CC with their application packages.
Eligibility Requirements for Army, Navy, and Marine Corps applicants:
- The above eligibility requirements for Department of the Air Force applicants apply to Army, Navy, and Marine Corps applicants, with one exception:
- For Marine Corps officers, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College Distance Education program fulfills the Intermediate Developmental Education requirement without waiver.
Information and Documents Required for the Application
For ANG and Air Force Reserve prospective applicants, please contact your respective branch point of contact below for more information on the application process.
All Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and active-duty DAF applicants will be required to provide basic personnel information, career field release, and an application essay. The essay question will be included with the application and is not available ahead of time.
- DAF applicants do not need to upload any personnel files with their application. Letters of recommendation are not required or desired.
- Army, Navy, and Marine Corps applicants must provide last 5 personnel record evaluations (to include an OEB, ORB or equivalent) along with the application. Letters of recommendation are not required or desired.
- All applicants must provide copies of transcripts to document meeting eligibility requirements. Official copies are not required.
- All provided documents (essays, transcripts, evaluations, etc.) must be attached to the application in one rolling PDF document.
ACSC Early Select Program (DAF-Only, for SAASS AY28)
For officers who are selected to attend IDE in residence at Maxwell AFB, SAASS offers the opportunity to apply early for the following academic year. This early-application opportunity is available only to IDE-selects already coming to Maxwell AFB for school, giving a small group of early SAASS-selects the advanced knowledge that their upcoming assignment to Maxwell AFB will be two years instead of one. The SAASS selection board anticipates selecting a small number of the active-duty Air Force and Space Force slots via the ACSC Early Select Program. The application and selection process follows the same procedures and timeline as the AY27 application process.
Admissions Timeline
- 11 August – 8 September 2025: Application window
- Mid-October: SAASS/STP central selection board
- November: SAASS selectee notification
- Early January: SAASS selectee acceptance deadline
- Mid-late January: Alternates offered admission, as available
Strategic Thinkers Program Guidance – DAF only
Air Force and Space Force officers eligible for SAASS may, as an alternative, apply for and attend the Secretary of Defense’s Strategic Thinkers Program (STP). STP is a partnership between the Department of Defense and Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) offering a unique, in-depth graduate level education designed for intellectually talented military officers who wish to enhance their analytical and strategic thinking skills.
STP develops service members to support civilian and military leaders in developing the integrated perspective necessary to envision and pursue a strategy in pursuit of national policy objectives. It is a 10-month program designed for majors to colonels and DoD civilians. Applicants must have served a minimum of 10 years, completed JPME-I, and, preferably, have completed O-5 command. Students immerse themselves in the conceptual dynamics and trends of war and strategy and analyze their role in the development of effective decision-making and execution of strategy and military operations. STP conducts eight Socratic seminars within the cohort; students take four additional courses from the SAIS catalog. Graduates receive a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University and an ASG special experience identifier. See https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/SAASS/Strategic-Thinkers-Program/ for further details.
Location: Washington, D.C. (Johns Hopkins University-SAIS)
One-Year Program Start: August / End: June
Anticipated number of DAF seats: 3
STP Application Procedures
Active-duty Air Force and Space Force officers interested in STP will use the combined SAASS/STP online application form and comply with all SAASS application requirements and timelines. The combined application form offers three options:
- Apply to SAASS only.
- Apply to STP only
- Apply to SAASS and STP.
If selected by the SAASS/STP Central Selection Board, STP nominees will undergo a second application process through the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Education and Training. Officers who apply to both programs and are nominated but not ultimately selected for STP will be considered primary selectees for SAASS.
Other Sister Service members should apply to STP through their respective service representatives.
Contact Information for SAASS and STP Application
For SAASS/STP application information and questions concerning program selection procedures/eligibility criteria, please contact Lt Col Rachel Seablom at saass.admissions.director@us.af.mil or 334-953-5815 (DSN 493-5815).