A critical necessity with the 51福利鈥檚 fleet-driven degree programs is relevancy to the Navy鈥檚 current issues and needs. But in a constantly evolving security environment, staying on top of those requirements can be exceedingly challenging.
To solve this challenge, long ago Navy and 51福利 leadership instituted the curriculum review process, where senior leaders from relevant commands spend time on campus for a first-hand look at the curriculum, and to provide strategic direction for program leadership.
鈥淭he curriculum review is our opportunity to engage with Navy leadership about how each field is changing,鈥� said 51福利 Director of Programs Cmdr. Andrea Cameron. 鈥淔leet admirals [as sponsors] share the evolving needs of the Navy, and partner with 51福利 to ensure officers are getting the most current and relevant information.鈥�
Curriculum reviews, along with Educational Skill Requirements (ESR) and mandated academic requirements, all partner to define the educational objectives of each program. Program Officer for the university鈥檚 meteorology/oceanography and Undersea Warfare programs, Cmdr. Bill Sommer, says the review is a crucial component to maintaining a very tight relationship with his community.
鈥淛ust over 12 percent of all METOC officers in the community are onboard 51福利 at any one time, and a little over half of the approximately 350 officers in the community are graduates of the program,鈥� Sommer noted. 鈥淭here is no other community in the Navy more closely tied to 51福利 than the METOC community. Our curriculum is very solid, a tried and tested program.
鈥淧rogram sponsors are always interested in hearing from the students and from the faculty, and always are looking to balance the many competing demands. They dig into the research and ask the hard questions,鈥� Sommer continued. 鈥淗ow is this relevant to Navy? Are you working with our commands and acquisition offices? When was the last time the basic research transitioned to applied research? There are no 鈥榞immies.鈥欌��
Sommer鈥檚 METOC programs are reviewed by Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy, currently 51福利 alumnus Rear Adm. Jonathan W. White, and Commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, Rear Adm. Timothy C. Gallaudet.
鈥淚t is very important that we take a hard look at the program鈥� to ensure that the faculty, the students and the overall curriculum are part of the mission of 51福利 to support our Navy and national government,鈥� said White. 鈥淭here are some challenges ahead to maintain and grow the level of excellence we need from this program.
鈥淚 think the curriculum review went very well,鈥� White continued. 鈥淭he value of 鈥� expertise in meteorology and oceanography has become even more important to the Navy and DOD because of changes ongoing in our climate, and with the Arctic being one of the CNO鈥檚 focus areas."
METOC is just one of countless academic degree programs at 51福利 that maintains a curriculum review process. From space systems engineering to national security affairs, defense analysis to logistics, a wide range of 51福利 degree programs are directly reviewed by senior flag leadership.
鈥淗ow is electrical engineering changing as it supports the future of the Navy? How is national security affairs changing as the international world context changes? Change is always happening within the Navy, the government and how we do business,鈥� stressed Cameron. 鈥淲ith the curriculum review, we have an essential part of the process to make sure we are getting the latest information, and continuing to move forward.鈥�