References:
Graduate Education Voucher (GEV) Program: OPNAVINST 1520.37A (pending version B)
Graduate Educations Programs for Midshipmen: USNAINST 1520.2Z
USNA Voluntary Graduate Education Program (VGEP): USNA INST 1560.3F
Graduate Education: OPNAVINST 1520.23B
Navy Subspecialty System Website: https://navprodev.bol.navy.mil/nss/

Educational Plans for GEV and USNA VGEP/Scholarship Programs:

Applicants to GEV and USNA VGEP/Scholarship Programs are required to submit Educational Plans (EPs) to their respective program manager/administrator.  The coursework in the EPs should satisfy the Educational Skills Requirements (ESRs) of the requested subspecialty code (SSC).  This discussion should assist in developing EPs and requesting SSC:

1. What is a subspecialty code?

OPNAV policy requires that Navy-funded graduate Education Plans (EPs) meet “Educational Skill Requirements” (ESRs) of the requested Navy subspecialty code.  The subspecialty code is a four-digit code (with one alpha suffix) that defines education/expertise in a certain area.  An officer who is assigned a subspecialty code is eligible for assignment to subspecialty-coded billets, which can enhance Navy career prospects.   The suffix “P” is assigned by completing a Master’s degree in the area of study that fully satisfies the ESRs of that subspecialty (based on a review of the coursework by a designated Subject Matter Expert).   

2. How do I develop my EP?

Use the ESRs as your roadmap to determine whether a curriculum will meet the learning objectives for a subspecialty code.  First, determine which general discipline area your target curriculum falls under.

To the best of your ability, provide an EP with a proposed coursework to match corresponding ESRs.  On your EP, next to each course, annotate the corresponding ESR number/letter, as provided on the ESR document.

To obtain an ESR not listed above, contact:  Ms. Carol Stoker, NPS Graduate Education Review Specialist, cstoker@nps.edu or (831) 656-3025 or refer to NSS website at  https://navprodev.bol.navy.mil/nss/

3. NPS Review of EP

The Navy’s designated Subject Matter Expert (SME) for each subspecialty code will review EPs related to that area.  If the EP does not sufficiently meet requirements of the ESRs, the applicant will receive feedback as to what coursework should be added to the EP in order to meet the subspecialty requirements.   The EP will be approved if found to sufficiently meet ESR requirements.  

4. Does my EP have to meet every single item on the ESR list?

Generally, most, if not all, ESR items must be met in order to earn a P-code suffix.  Depending on the field of study, a thesis may be required.    An EP that does not meet all ESR requirements might still qualify for a G-code if it satisfies sufficient ESRs based on SME review.  An officer holding either P- or G-coded subspecialty code may be detailed into a corresponding P-coded billet. The Navy places a higher value on the P-code because it meets all, not just some, of the ESRs.  The goal is to develop an EP that satisfies requirements to attain a P-code.

5. What if I change my coursework after my initial EP is approved?

Any modifications to the EP (after approval) must be submitted as a revised EP for SME review to ensure the revised EP still satisfies ESRs.   Your final transcripts will be compared against your most recent approved EP to ensure consistency. If the coursework on your transcripts differs from that of your approved EP, you risk not being awarded the subspecialty code.  Revised EPs are submitted to the same contact/office were the initial EPs.

Final Transcript Review for Subspecialty Code:

Graduate transcripts earned from the following Navy-funded graduate education programs should be submitted to their respective Program Managers/Administrators (per program instructions) to request subspecialty code assignment. Official final transcripts (with degree conferred annotated on the transcript) must be sent electronically directly from the university to the appropriate program contact:

GEV: Ms. Marjoriette Dilworth, CPPD marjoriette.dilworth@navy.mil
USNA Scholarship: Ms. Billie Colonna, CPPD billie.colonna@navy.mil
USNA VGEP: Mr. Bill Eschbach, USNA eschbach@usna.edu

Transcripts of degrees not fully funded by a Navy graduate education program (i.e., Tuition Assistance, GI Bill, etc.) should be submitted to PERS-45E for subspecialty code assignment per guidance on their website:
http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/distribution/Pages/Pers45E.aspx