FY27 MARINE CORPS DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAMS (PHDP) SELECTION BOARD ANNOUNCEMENT

R 021900Z MAR 26
MARADMIN 079/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/FY27 MARINE CORPS DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAMS (PHDP)
SELECTION BOARD ANNOUNCEMENT//
REF/A/MSGID: CMC/MPO/YMD: 20250307//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/DODI/YMD: 20080429//
REF/C/MSGID: WEB/U.S.C/YMD: 20110107//
REF/D/MSGID: MCO/CMC/YMD: 20210519//
REF/E/MSGID: MCO/CMC/YMD: 20190530//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1300.8 W/CH 2, MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT
POLICY. REF B IS DOD INSTRUCTION 1322.10, POLICY ON GRADUATE
EDUCATION FOR MILITARY OFFICERS. REF C IS 10 U.S.C SECTION 2013,
TRAINING AT NON-GOVERNMENT FACILITIES. REF D IS MCO 1524.2, MARINE
CORPS DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM POLICY. REF E IS MCO 1524.1,
MARINE CORPS GRADUATE EDUCATION PROGRAM//
POC/J. L. ASH/LTCOL/USMC/PP&O/PHDP-S/
EMAIL: [email protected]//
POC/E. W. AKIN/LTCOL/USMC/CD&I/PHDP-T/
EMAIL: [email protected]//
POC/J. D. PINEIRO/LTCOL/USMC/MCU//
EMAIL: [email protected]//
POC/D. T. DUMANOVSKY/MAJ/USMC/MMOA-3/
EMAIL: [email protected]//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. This message establishes the provisions for
eligibility and selection to the Marine Corps Doctor of Philosophy
Program (PHDP) and provides guidance for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27)
PHDP Selection Board implementation. This program contains two
fully-funded education tracks: the Marine Corps Doctor of
Philosophy Strategist Program (PHDP-S) and the Marine Corps Doctor
of Philosophy Technical Program (PHDP-T). This MARADMIN solicits
for applications to both. Applications are due no later than 2359
on 23 April 2026. PHDP interviews will not be conducted
before the FY27 board convenes.
1.a. Major milestone timeline (read in two columns):
NLT Date Milestones
Release of MARADMIN Questionnaire/Application open
23 April 2026 Applications due
04 May 2026 PHDP Board convenes
1.b. The purpose of the PHDP is to provide the Marine Corps a
cohort of strategic and highly technical thinkers to support senior
leader decision making, assist in developing defense and Service
strategies, and to help inform long range concept and capability
development areas. Furthermore, uniformed officers with doctorate-
level education provide deployable, highly-skilled support to senior
leaders, and help generate national, defense, and Service strategies
in an increasingly complex world.
2. Eligibility
2.a. PHDP-S
2.a.1. Unrestricted active duty officers: majors (select), majors,
and lieutenant colonels with less than 19 years commissioned service
by 31 July 2028. This ensures that officers selected will have the
career timing to complete a three-year education tour and six years
of service obligation prior to the 28-year service limitations for
lieutenant colonels.
2.a.2. Officers who will have no less than two years'
time-on-station by the start of PHD coursework (estimated July
2027).
2.a.3. Hold at least a Secret clearance and be eligible for a Top
Secret or Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance.
2.a.4. Officers with a Master's degree with a grade point average
(GPA) of 3.5 or higher from an institution accredited by an
accreditor recognized by the Department of Education in disciplines
related to one of the specified doctoral fields of study listed in
paragraph 4.a.2.
2.a.5. Officers with a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken no
earlier than 1 January 2022. Competitive GRE scores are generally
considered minimums of 158 verbal reasoning, 156 quantitative
reasoning, and 4.5 analytical writing.
2.a.6. Applicants may request a waiver on a case-by-case basis when
a civilian institution's doctoral program prerequisites differ from
these minimum standards, however GREs help the board assess an
applicant's competitiveness for acceptance to high quality PHD
programs.
2.b. PHDP-T
2.b.1. Unrestricted active duty officers: career designated
captains, majors, and lieutenant colonels with less than 19 years
commissioned service by 31 July 2028. This ensures that officers
selected will have the career timing to complete a three-year
education tour and six years of service obligation prior to the
28-year service limitations for lieutenant colonels.
2.b.2. Officers who will have no less than two years'
time-on-station by the start of PHD coursework (estimated July
2027).
2.b.3. Hold at least a Secret clearance and be eligible for a Top
Secret or Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance.
2.b.4. Officers with an accredited master's degree GPA of 3.5 or
higher in a discipline related to one of the specified doctoral
fields of study as listed in the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS)
Academic Programs and Degree guide.
2.b.5. Officers with a GRE taken no earlier than 1 January 2022.
Competitive GRE scores are generally considered minimums of 158
verbal reasoning, 165 quantitative reasoning, and 4.5 analytical
writing.
2.b.6. Current students completing coursework as Graduate Education
Program (GEP) participants are eligible to apply.
3. Ineligibility
3.a. Officers in the above-zone for promotion.
3.b. Officers with an approved separation or retirement date.
3.c. Restricted officers.
3.d. Officers currently in a GEP utilization tour are not eligible
to apply unless they are scheduled to have completed at least
24-months of their assigned utilization tour by 30 September 2027.
3.e. Officers in a required utilization tour incurred through
education or training, other than GEP, with a date of departure
after 30 September 2027.
4. Program specifics
4.a. PHDP-S
4.a.1. The purpose of the strategist program is to select up
to two officers to fill Marine Corps requirements for doctorates
with a focus on strategic affairs. This track is designed for
candidates to complete coursework within two academic years and a
dissertation within one academic year. Traditionally, officers
have been encouraged to attend universities in the NCR, however
many officers have been accepted and successfully completed PHD
programs at top-tier institutions outside of the NCR.
4.a.2. This MARADMIN particularly solicits applicants interested in
the following academic disciplines: political science, history,
public policy, international relations, government, economics and
other security studies related fields.
4.a.3. Tuition. PHDP-S tuition and required academic fees are paid
by Education Command (EDCOM) directly to the student's respective
educational institution via third party billing. Optional
student fees are the responsibility of the student; reimbursement
for parking fees and other discretionary fees is not authorized.
PHDP-S candidates are expected to be dissertation complete within
three academic years. No more than one additional year to complete
dissertation may be granted on a case-by-case basis by CG, EDCOM.
Funding beyond four years may be borne by the individual student or
require a waiver to be approved by CG, EDCOM.
4.a.4. Books. In accordance with reference (c) and (d), students
will receive a 1,000 dollar book stipend per academic year for up to
two academic years while completing coursework. Students will
receive a one-time 1,000 dollar book stipend at the beginning of
their dissertation phase. EDCOM will pay stipends directly to the
student and in parallel with tuition payments.
4.b. PHDP-T
4.b.1. The purpose of the technical program is to select up
to two officers per year to participate in a fully-funded doctoral
program with a technical focus. This track selects officers to
assess into a doctoral program at the Naval Postgraduate School
(NPS) for approximately three years. Current assignment to NPS in a
Master's program does not preclude eligibility for follow on
assignment to the PHDP-T assuming all eligibility requirements have
been met by established deadlines. Interested officers may visit
NPS website at https:(slash)(slash)nps.edu/web/admissions/programs
for details on the specified doctoral fields available; however,
officers will indicate their desired course of study in the
application process. Final selection will be determined based on
the needs of the Marine Corps. Officers interested in doctoral
programs outside of NPS may contact the PHDP-T POC for guidance.
4.b.2. Tuition. PHDP-T students assigned to Naval Postgraduate
School are not subject to tuition and academic fees. Reimbursement
for parking fees and other discretionary fees is not authorized.
4.b.3. Books. In accordance with reference (c) and (d), students
will receive a 1,000 dollar book stipend per academic year for up to
two academic years while completing coursework. Students will
receive an additional one-time 1,000 dollar book stipend at the
beginning of their dissertation phase. EDCOM will pay stipends
directly to the student.
5. Application process
5.a. The application templates for the PHDP can be found on the
Commandant's Education Board webpage on the main USMC Manpower and
Reserve Affairs website under the Plans and Programs, "Grad Ed
Applications and Information" tab at:
https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower-Management/
Officer-Assignments/Plans-and-Programs-MMOA-3/#tab/graduate-
education-boards
5.a. The application templates for the PHDP can be found on the
USMC Manpower and Reserve Affairs website under the Plans and
Programs, "Graduate Education Boards" tab and the" PME Information,
ILS Fellowships, Grad Ed Board Applications and Programs" sub-tab
at: https:(slash)(slash)www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower-
Management/Officer-Assignments/Plans-and-Programs-MMOA-3/#tab/
graduate-educationn-boards
5.b. Complete the "FY27 Doctor of Philosophy Program Board"
questionnaire at: https:(slash)(slash)www2.manpower.usmc.mil/
application_cac/edu/ViewBoardServlet.action?boardID=4665
5.c. Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file titled
"EDIPI_PHDS_Last Name" or "EDIPI_PHDT_Last Name".
5.c.1. File size should not exceed 8 MB.
5.c.2. Applications are due no later than 2359 on 23 April 2026 and
should be submitted via the questionnaire.
5.d. Additional information for the PHDP-T enrollment at NPS can
be found at https:(slash)(slash)nps.edu/web/admissions/programs.
5.e. Applicants shall not apply to NPS or other institutions
prior to being notified of their acceptance into the program.
6. Service requirements
6.a. All PHDP applicants must agree in writing to:
6.a.1. Not tender resignation or request separation or retirement
while participating in the program or during period of service
obligation.
6.a.2. An active duty service obligation of six years from the
start of follow-on orders. Should participants fail to meet the
PHDP coursework requirements or fail to complete their dissertation,
they will incur an active duty service obligation equal to three
times the number of months of funded education completed during the
first year of coursework or two years of service obligation for
every year of funded education if the education received is greater
than 12 months. Failure to complete service obligation may result
in recoupment of funds provided for education.
7. Command Screening Eligibility
7.a. Participants in the PHD-T will not be eligible to screen on
future Command Screening Boards until they have completed their
two 36-month utilization tours.
7.b. Participants in the PHD-S may be eligible to screen on future
Command Screening Boards during their two 36-month utilization tours.
8. Professional Military Education Requirement. Officers
successfully completing the PHDP track are considered Top Level
School (TLS) complete; however, TLS credit will only be granted to
those officers who have previously completed Intermediate Level
School and Joint PME, Phase I. TLS completion via PHDP does not
provide Joint PME, Phase II credit.
9. Questions
9.a. General PHDP questions may be directed to MCU for program
requirements via email to [email protected].
9.b. PHDP-S questions may be directed to [email protected].
9.c. PHDP-T questions may be directed to [email protected].
9.d. Application submission questions may be directed to MMOA-3
for the PHDP via email to [email protected], subject titled
"Marine Corps Doctor of Philosophy Program (PHDP)".
10. This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.
11. Release authorized by BGen Fridrik Fridriksson, Director,
Manpower Management Division.//