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My Coast Guard
Commentary | Oct. 21, 2020

Earn your MBA in security technology transition

By MyCG Staff

A new master’s degree program is available for Coast Guard civilians and officers.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology (S&T) Office is sponsoring a master of business administration (MBA) degree program through George Washington University. Civilians grade GS-12 through GS-15 and active duty officers O-3 through O-5 who are interested in earning their MBA with a concentration in Security Technology Transition (MBA STT) are encouraged to apply,

You’ll learn how to navigate established federal acquisition regulations, experience the research and development process from a private sector vantage point, navigate the challenges of technology development and adoption, and advance technologies from concept to operational use. This is a part-time program with classes convening in the Washington, D.C., area in the evenings and on weekends. The first cohort will begin in January 2021.
 
Applicants must have earned at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Any members that have completed a Coast Guard or DHS-sponsored degree program in the last five years are ineligible to apply.

Expectations and requirements
The MBA STT program is best suited for DHS employees in roles that involve research and development, procurement and acquisition, testing and evaluation, scientific program management, contracting, government cost assessment, and program analysis that includes interaction with other federal agencies and private sector.

The MBA STT program is unique among advanced education opportunities in that it is a part-time program, enabling students to remain in their full-time billets/positions.

In order to fulfill the objectives of the course, the following restrictions are added:

  • Applicants must already reside in the Washington, D.C., metro area (within the reasonable commuting distance of 50 miles) and military personnel must have sufficient time in their current National Capital Region (NCR) assignment to complete the program. A majority of courses will be conducted online, but students should expect at least 25% of instruction to be held in person. On-campus courses are planned to take place one day per week (Monday through Thursday), after 6 p.m., for approximately two and a half hours. Students will complete online courses independently, meeting one hour per week, either in the evenings (Monday through Thursday) or on Saturdays.
  • As a rule of thumb, students should plan to spend approximately 20-25 hours per week preparing for and attending class.
  • Students should expect to take two and a half years to complete the program, and all coursework should be completed within three years.
  • DHS will fully fund students’ tuition. Selectees will be required to pay for books and all other costs associated with attendance. Time spent outside of students' normal work schedule is not compensated.
  • Coast Guard Office of Acquisitions (COMDT CG-9) is the sponsoring office. However, a payback tour in an acquisition billet will not be a requirement.
  • Selectees must sign a two-year continuing service agreement with the Coast Guard.

How to Apply

  1. Click here (CAC required) for the DHS application package.
  2. https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg9/2/1/CG9 Advanced Education Programs/Forms/AllItems.aspxApplicants must submit a resume/CV, an essay of 500 words max, a letter of recommendation, and the DHS application form. Details for each of these items can be found at this link (CAC required).
  3. Submit your application materials as one package to Lt. Cmdr. Vincent Escobedo at: Vincent.E.Escobedo@uscg.mil by Oct. 30, 2020.
  4. Application packages will be reviewed by a Coast Guard executive-level panel in mid-November, and selectees will be forwarded to DHS no later than Dec. 1, 2020.
  5. Applicants should be notified of their selection status by Dec. 15, 2020.
  6. Selected students must then submit an application to GWU, including an online application form, current resume, letter of recommendation, essay and transcripts.

Resources

  • For questions regarding the program or application process, contact Lt. Cmdr. Vincent Escobedo at (202) 475-3197.
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