HomeGCPMEACSC

 

College of Distance Learning PME

Air Command and Staff College (IDE) Distance Learning Program

Curriculum
 
IDE / ACSC Distance Learning Curriculum Flow
Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for the College of Online PME's IDE/ACSC DL program are found in Air Force Instruction (DAFI) 36-2686, Officer Development.

  • Military: The program is offered to O-4 selects and above. Applicants may be active duty USAF/USSF, Air Force Reserves (AFRES), or Air National Guard (ANG); sister service active duty, Guard or Reserve or Civil Air Patrol. 
    • Note for US Army Applicants: Officers will not enroll in other than Army schools without written approval of the DCS, G-3/5/7 (Director of Training) per Army Regulation (AR) 350-1.
  • Civilians: Department of the Air Force civilian employees in the grade of GS-11 thru GS-13 (or equivalent) with a bachelor’s degree and supervisor endorsement may also enroll. NH-II Civilians must contact Air Force HQ/A1 for an eligibility determination of before applying.  As per the supervisor endorsement letter, Member must have a minimum of 2 years federal civil service.
  • International Officers: Requests for international students must be forwarded to the Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron through the applicable country Security Cooperation Organization or country embassy. The request must identify an existing source of funding (for example, FMS training case) or request preparation of a new training case; provide the name, address, email, and phone number for the U.S. military officer or U.S. civilian employee who will sponsor the student; and include written verification by the U.S. sponsor that the student meets the rank prerequisite for the desired program and is proficient in the English language to complete the program successfully.

 

Enrollment

For Civilians Only: During the enrollment process you will be asked to upload 2 documents: 1) a copy of your Civilian Career Brief (You can download it from MyBiz+) and 2) Your supervisor endorsement letter (Click here for an example letter).  As per the supervisor endorsement letter, Member must have a minimum of 2 years federal civil service.

For all Eligible personnel: Please download and follow our step-by-step guide for completing the admissions process by clicking here.

The Air Command and Staff College distance learning (ACSC DL) program is an intermediate developmental education (IDE) program. Additionally, the ACSC DL program was reviewed by the joint staff and received full Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I accreditation.  

The ACSC DL curriculum is designed to produce a more effective field-grade officer serving in operational-level command or staff positions. The courses emphasize applying airpower in joint campaign planning and the operational art of war. Students explore national security issues, strategy and war theory, airpower history and theory, expeditionary Air Force force-employment concepts, and the capabilities and limitations that the US Air Force and its sister services contribute to joint force commanders.  

The ACSC DL program is delivered online through a mix of self-paced courses and asynchronous facilitated seminars. The curriculum provides students with peer-to-peer interaction and collaboration opportunities, facilitation of online seminars by DL-certified faculty, and the ability to customize the program to suit personal and professional needs. 

All ACSC distance learning graduates receive Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) phase I credit. Phase I emphasizes the fundamentals needed for a sound basis in joint operations and provides a foundation for follow-on study for Phase II education. Students interested in earning a Master’s degree, in addition to ACSC and JPME Phase I credit, should examine the Online Master’s Program (OLMP) curriculum page. 

  

Student Handbook

Student Handbook

Canvas IDE 7.0 Transition Instructions

Transition Instructions

ACSC DL produces air-minded graduates who are able to…  

  1. demonstrate creative thinking, critical analysis, and persuasive communications about airpower and operational problem solving.  
  2. apply principles of leadership and ethics to decision-making based on the shared values of the profession of arms.  
  3. apply the capabilities, limitations, and integration of the instruments of national power across the spectrum of competition, conflict, and war. 4.
  4. analyze operational environments marked by complexity, uncertainty, and surprise.  
  5. apply military theory, doctrine, strategic guidance, and joint warfighting principles to plan for all-domain, globally integrated operations.  
  6. explain the conduct of contemporary and emerging warfare. 
Course Descriptions: 

For course descriptions and requirements, see the Air University Academic Catalog.

For an outline of required courses, see the Program Map.