AWC DL Program

eSchool of Graduate PME - Air War College (SDE)

SDE/AWC Distance Learning Curriculum Flow

Program Description
Program Learning Outcomes
Eligibility and Enrollment
Course Requirements

Program Description:

The Air War College distance learning (AWC DL) program is a senior developmental education (SDE) program. The AWC DL curriculum is based on the five core areas central to all levels of professional military education—leadership, profession of arms, warfighting, national/international security, and communication studies. As an Air Force SDE program, AWC DL provides a strategic, “air-minded” curriculum that prepares graduates to provide strategic leadership, appropriate expertise and critical thinking in support of national security objectives.

In August 2016 the AWC DL program transitioned to a new curriculum (AWC DL 18.0) that is delivered online through a mix of self-paced courses and asynchronous facilitated seminars. This transition began the transformation of the AWC DL experience to “…develop Airmen who are critical and creative thinkers by implementing an agile, individually tailored approach to life-long education….” (USAF Strategic Master Plan, May 2015). The new AWC DL 18.0 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.

Student Handbook

Graduates are able to:

illustrate the skills required to lead successfully at the strategic level in the complex national security environment;
analyze the contextual requirements for the effective strategic employment of airpower;
comprehend the elements of successful military strategies which, in concert with other instruments of national power, support national security objectives; and
critically analyze complex political-military issues and clearly articulate national security strategy options.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for AWC DL are found in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2656, Developmental Education.

Military. The program is offered to O-5 selects and above. Persons may be active duty, Air Force Reserve (AFRES), or Air National Guard (ANG); sister-service active duty, Guard, or Reserve; or Civil Air Patrol (CAP).
Civilian. Civilians may be federal civil service employees in the grades of GS 13/14/15 or comparable grade, or lab/demo employees in grades DRIII/IV.
International. International applicants must be an O-5 select or higher. International officers must request enrollment via the Air Force Security Assistance Training (AFSAT) program office.

Enrollment

Military personnel enroll in AWC DL via the Air University Student Information System (AUSIS) which can be accessed through the Air Force Portal. From the Air Force Portal, use the Air University Portal link under the Education/Training/Force Development category. Eligible civilian personnel enroll by contacting the AWC DL Student Services Branch via the AU Service Desk at https://auservicedesk.af.edu: select Student Request, and then eSchool Request. International students will be enrolled by the eSchool once approved by AFSAT and the AU Registrar.

Civilians
If you meet the program eligibility, complete the Civilian Enrollment Instructions

Students must complete the orientation course, and all the foundational courses, and the minimum number of focused courses; all with passing scores to graduate and receive program credit. The WAR 7XXS self-paced focused courses require a score of 75% or higher on the end-of-course exam; the orientation course requires a score of 80% or higher on the progress checks to advance; the self-paced foundational courses require the submission of all assigned coursework and a score of 80% or higher on the progress checks to advance; the facilitated foundational and the NSP 8XXA facilitated focused courses require submission of all assigned coursework and an overall course grade of 75% or higher.

For course descriptions, see the current Air University Catalog.