ALCOAST 110/25 - MAR 2025 SOLICITATION FOR THE CHDS MASTER'S DEGREE IN SECURITY STUDIES

R 111556Z MAR 25   MID120001781740U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 110/25
SSIC 1500
SUBJ: SOLICITATION FOR THE CHDS MASTER'S DEGREE IN SECURITY STUDIES
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 142150Z FEB 25/ALCOAST 068/25
1. The Office of Leadership, COMDT (DCMS-DPR-5), is soliciting
applications for the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS)
Master's Degree in Security Studies.
    a. This opportunity is part of the wider DHS Academic Programs
Spring Open Season for civilians and military members.
    b. The DHS Academic Programs cultivate creative homeland
security strategic analysis and decision-making skills through
high-quality, fully-accredited academic programs.
    c. Please pay close attention to the application procedures in
paragraph 3 for this program, as the process is different for
civilian and military personnel.
2. The Program.
    a. The CHDS Master's in Security Studies focuses on building
collaboration among local, tribal, state, and federal leaders who
develop strategies, plans, and programs to prepare and respond to
national security threats and catastrophic events. Participants
develop critical thinking skills and an appreciation of interagency
collaboration. They are able to network with colleagues who
represent law enforcement, fire, emergency management,
transportation, utilities, DHS, and the National Guard as well as
other agencies. Participants will complete a thesis that solves a
problem within the agency they represent. This 18-month program
requires two weeks of residency per quarter (total of 12 weeks) at
both the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA and the Bolger
Center in Potomac, MD, with the remainder of the work completed
online. This degree is fully funded by a FEMA grant.
    b. Eligibility:
        (1) Civilian: GS-11 through GS-15 and SES or equivalent. All
applicants must have been a federal employee with DHS for at least
one year at the time of application.
        (2) Officer: Active duty officers with a command endorsement
are eligible to apply.
        (3) Enlisted: Active duty enlisted E-5 and above with a
command endorsement are eligible to apply.
        (4) Any individual who has completed a degree under a DHS
Academic Program within the last 3 years is not eligible to apply.
    c. Program Duration: 18 months
    d. Resident Session Dates: Seven sessions listed at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.chds.us/c/academic-programs/masters

    e. Once accepted, students will work directly with CHDS on any
conflicts or issues that may arise during their cohort.
3. Application Procedures.
    a. Civilian: A DHS nomination and CHDS application are both
required. Applicants are encouraged to complete both processes
at the same time.
        (1) DHS nomination packages are located on the DHS Academic
Programs website and are due to the CG POC (listed in paragraph 5
below) NLT 11 APR 2025:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://usdhs.sharepoint.com/sites/dhsconnect/org/comp/mgmt/
dhshr/emp/Pages/Academic-CHDS.aspx

        (2) CHDS Applications are located on the CHDS Master's Degree
website and are submitted via the website NLT 01 MAY 2025:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.chds.us/c/academic-programs/masters/apply-to-the-masters

    b. Military: A single application to CHDS is required.
        (1) Applications are located on the CHDS Master's Degree
website and are submitted via the website NLT 01 MAY 2025:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.chds.us/c/academic-programs/masters/apply-to-the-masters

        (2) Instructions on how to submit your Command endorsement
are addressed in the application.
        (3) Once you submit your application, please send an email to
the CG POC (listed in Paragraph 5 below) for tracking purposes.
Include only your name, program name, and dates for which
you applied.
4. Per REF (A), upon acceptance into this program, please route all
TDY travel in accordance with the requirements set forth in
ALCOAST 068/25.
5. POC. Please send all questions, DHS applications and application
confirmation emails to:
SMB-COMDT-CG-DHSAcademicProgramsAdministration@uscg.mil.
6. Mr. Gary C. Rasicot, Deputy for Personnel Readiness
(CG-DCMS-DPR), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.