The Masters in Operational Studies (MOS)

(1) Introduction. If the MMAS is a research degree, the Masters in Operational Studies is a practitioner’s degree with emphasis on the knowledge, skills, and attributes essential for officers at the higher tactical and operational levels of conflict.

(a) U.S. resident CGSOC students are automatically enrolled in the MOS unless they formally “opt out” as described below.

(b) Students arriving with an advanced degree (master’s or higher) must still pursue the MOS or MMAS, or formally opt out for one of the four reasons listed in (2)(c), below.

(c) International military students are not automatically enrolled in the MOS or MMAS. International officers must “opt in” during the MOS enrollment period between the end of X100 comp exams and the published application date. They must also provide an official transcript (bearing the institution’s raised seal) of previous college work at the baccalaureate or higher degree level.

(2) Admission Requirements.

(a) MOS degree candidates must be resident CGSOC students at Fort Leavenworth or taking CGSOC in Spanish at SPME, WHINSEC.

(b) Students must have an undergraduate degree or international equivalent to enroll.

(c) U.S. resident CGSOC students will automatically be enrolled as MOS candidates unless they formally “opt out” between the end of X100 Comp Exams and a published date in December, for one of the following reasons:

1. The student is already enrolled in the MMAS program;

2. The student is already enrolled in a master’s degree program with a CGSC partner institution (University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Webster University, or Central Michigan University);

3. The student is already enrolled in another master’s degree program approved by the Dean of Academics; or

4. The student is enrolled in a doctoral program at any regionally accredited university.

(d) To formally “opt out,” U.S. students complete and sign a form provided by the CGSC Registrar. This form identifies the reason for opting out. It also includes a section to seek Dean of Academics approval to opt out in pursuit of a civilian master’s degree program offered by an institution other than Kansas, Kansas State, Webster University, or Central Michigan University.

(e) International Military Students (IMS) may enroll in the MOS provided that the IMS:

1. Provides an undergraduate degree or equivalent transcript;

2. Gains IMSD director’s concurrence;

3. Is not already pursuing an MMAS; and

4. Submits an “opt in” form provided by the CGSC Registrar prior to the CGSC published deadline in February.

(f) IMS are free to enroll in civilian graduate degrees during their CGSOC year, without a requirement to “opt out” of the MOS.

(3) MOS Program Requirements

(a) Complete all CGSOC coursework – to include the 10-12 page Leadership and History papers, and Common Core written and oral comp exams.

(b) Earn a “B” or better in all courses, and maintain a 3.0 GPA.

(4) CGSOC Program Requirements Associated with the MOS

(a) All CGSOC students write the 10-12 page Force Management case study during Common Core.

(b) U.S. Students who “opt out” – and International Students who do not “opt in” – do not write the same 10-12 page papers for History and Leadership required of MOS candidates. To meet CGSOC program requirements, these students complete an alternative assignment and assessment approved by the History and Command & Leadership department directors.

(c) Students disenrolled from the MOS for a “C” on any CGSOC Transcript Reportable Item (TRI) are still required to complete the 10-12 page History and Leadership papers as part of the CGSOC curriculum.

(d) Even if disenrolled from the MOS, students who successfully complete CGSOC program requirements outlined elsewhere in this Catalog earn a CGSOC diploma, Army MEL-4, and JPME Phase I.

(5) Important note to U.S. Army students: Participation in the MOS terminates your ability to use Army Tuition Assistance funds in pursuit of a graduate-level degree once the degree is granted. Army ACCESS rules preclude the use of Tuition Assistance for a second graduate degree, even if the first graduate degree earned is an Army graduate degree (MMAS or MOS), and no tuition assistance was used.