Master in Meteorology (Master's)

At Naval Postgraduate School, tuition is Tuition and fees are covered for sponsored students through military service funding..

This programme prepares students for careers in military meteorology and operational oceanography. It leads to a Master of Science degree with a focus on atmospheric and oceanic sciences. Students complete coursework in both meteorology and physical oceanography, along with a required thesis. The programme is designed for international officers and sponsored civilians from military services.

Focus areas include Meteorology, Physical Oceanography, Operational Oceanography, Atmospheric Sciences, Marine Environmental Sciences, Weather Forecasting.

The programme requires 10 quarters of study and includes coursework in meteorology and physical oceanography, plus a thesis. Total credits are not specified on the page.

Graduates typically serve as meteorologists or oceanographers in military operational roles, supporting naval and defense missions.

Applicants must be international officers, sponsored civilians, or personnel from other military services. A bachelor's degree and relevant academic background are required. Application materials include official transcripts and service sponsorship documentation.

On-campus, full-time, 2.5 years (10 quarters).

Applied research connects the Naval Postgraduate School's graduate education with practical defense needs. Warfare studies and wargaming form a central area of work, alongside research in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, digitally crewed vessels, and space-related imaging systems. Centers, institutes, and academic groups provide interdisciplinary expertise across the institution's education and research programs.

Based in Monterey, California, NPS offers graduate study through academic departments and provides programs both on campus and through distance learning. NPS Online extends defense-focused education through tailored graduate-level distance learning and on-location opportunities. The school also supports research and education linked to operational challenges, with faculty expertise spanning a broad range of critical disciplines.

International applicants should understand that NPS is designed primarily for eligible U.S. and allied military personnel, Department of Defense civilians, and a limited number of defense contractors. The school also works with international partners. Its degrees are master's and PhD programs focused on defense-related study, and its academic model expects students to connect professional operational experience with graduate education and applied research.