Frequently Asked Questions

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Hiring and Admissions

The Remote Sensing Center is currently accepting applications for several part-time Research Assistants who want to work supporting a variety of Remote Sensing research projects beginning in September 2012. Because the work is part-time, these individuals would be encouraged to enroll in classes and pursue a degree in Remote Sensing Intelligence so as to broaden their ability to support the work of the remote sensing community. Support for this program was initiated by the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Task Force. Research Assistants at the Naval Postgraduate School are Department of the Navy employees, which is part of the Department of Defense (DoD). One of the employment benefits available to DoD employees is the opportunity to enroll in courses and earn a degree at NPS, free of charge. U.S. citizens only for this program.

• I am interested in becoming a Research Assistant at NPS and getting a Master's degree in Remote Sensing Intelligence, what do I do now? After reading through the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), send a digital copy of your unofficial transcripts along with a cover letter and resume or C.V. to remotesensing@nps.edu. If digital copies of your unofficial transcripts are not available, send them via U.S. postal service to Jean Ferreira, Operations Manager, Remote Sensing Center, Naval Postgraduate School, 833 Dyer Road - PH, Monterey, CA, 93943. You may also send hard copies of your resume and cover letter with your hard copy transcripts if you wish.
• What paperwork is required? 1) Transcripts, 2) Resume or C.V., 3) Cover letter. If you are offered a position, additional paperwork may be required.
• What is NPS looking for in an applicant? A recent college graduate with a technical degree, who is interested in government service and working in the intelligence community.
• If I am not a U.S. citizen, can I still apply to the program? No.
• What is the deadline to apply? As of February 2012 we are currently accepting applications for the Fall Quarter, which starts in September 2012. When we receive a number of qualified applicants, we will close the application process. We anticipate hiring 10 civilians this year.
• When should I apply to a degree program online through NPS? Only after you are offered and have accepted a Research Assistant position.
• Would admissions need a form like a DD214 (for veterans)? No.
• Can a student qualify for federal financial aid while at NPS? No.
• When will I know if I am accepted? How will I be notified? All U.S. government positions are officially offered through Human Resources, so an acceptance letter will be sent to you through the U.S. postal service.
• Do I have to join the Navy? No, you do not have to join the Navy. You will be a civilian working for the Department of the Navy.

Remote Sensing Intelligence Degree Program

• What are the prerequisites? Linear Algebra, Basic Physics, Programming (which is not part of the 1-year program) and an undergraduate degree in a scientific or technical field such as Physics, Math, Geography, Geology, Earth Science, or Engineering.
• I only took one or two of the prerequisites. Can I still enroll? Yes.
• I did not take the prerequisites. Can I still enroll? Yes.
• Can it be rolled into a PhD at NPS afterwards? Possibly.
• What is the exact start date of the degree program? Monday, September 24th 2012 (Fall Quarter), however there are refresher courses offered in the Summer Quarter if needed.
• Is the GRE required? No.
• Who pays for the tuition? Funds from the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Task Force awarded to us for this program.
• Can I take two years instead of one to finish? No.
• Who buys my books? You pay for your own textbooks and they will be available on Amazon.com. With instructor approval, you may also purchase them at the Naval Exchange on campus.
• What if I don't finish my thesis in one year, can I spend another quarter on it and, if so, will you pay for that time? This would be subject to arrangement with the Director of the program.
• What if I don't pass a class? Can I take it again the next quarter? No, because it probably won't be offered in the next quarter. Courses are offered in a specific sequence.
• Can I take other classes at another college instead of some of the ones offered in the program? Equivalent course work will be given credit depending upon review by the Director of the program.
• Can a student start filling out the TS/SCI clearance paperwork now? If so, where is that form? You must be hired first before starting the clearance process.
• What if I don't get clearances to take the classified courses? Can I still get a Master's degree? We are working on alternate course work to enable graduation, but support for this program does require clearances at this time.
• What if I don't want to move somewhere else for a job after graduation; can I work in Monterey? No, the intent of the program is most graduates will work in the Washington DC area, other geographic places within the DoD and Intelligence communities with a need for our graduates, or potentially overseas.
• Do I have to agree to work for a certain number of years as in a scholarship for service agreement? How soon does it start after I finish school? Yes, upon completion of the program, the graduates will ideally transition to a DoD or Intel job for a minimum of one year, or possibly longer if desired, and if the position is long-term.
• Will you provide me a license to any software I may need, such as MS Office, ENVI, ERDAS, or ArcGIS? Yes.
• Why am I called a Research Assistant if I am really just a student? You are a Research Assistant government employee first, and a student second in the program.
• When do I have to show up on campus? The start date will depend on your hire date, but you should plan to show up at least one week prior to the start of classes, possibly sooner if arranged.
• When are the breaks from classes? The academic calendar is available on www.nps.edu. Vacation time must be accrued first before taking time off, and breaks in between quarters are not automatically granted to Research Assistants.
• How do I get into campus without a badge? You will receive a Common Access Card (CAC or badge) after being hired as a Research Assistant.
• How do I enroll in my classes? Is that done for me? Once hired, the Research Assistants taking classes are responsible for enrolling in each class by getting a signature from the instructor and Director during the first week of classes.
• Will I have my own office on campus? No, but there will be study space.
• Do I have to provide my own computer? Students generally use their own computer for course work, but the Professor will provide a computer for research work.
• Do I have to go to Afghanistan when I am done with my degree? No, but there are workforce needs overseas for those interested in going.
• Can you find me a job in a specific place or state when I am done? Probably not, but there are workforce needs in many states and it depends on the timing related to DoD budget issues and needs.
• I want to go back to my home city/state after I am done and look for a job. Is that okay? No, the intent of the program is to support the DoD and Intelligence community.
• My company will let me spend a year in Monterey for a Masters, but when I am done, I go back to my regular job. Is that ok? If your company is paying the tuition, you are welcome to join the program and return to your regular job after completion. If tuition is covered by our sponsors, you are signing up for a one year scholarship for service agreement. The intent is to be placed in a position to support the needs of the DoD and Intelligence communities.
• Do I get to attend conferences and present my research? Yes, we expect you to present your research at a conference.
• Is there a posibility of spouse employment during schooling? Yes, based upon position availability.

Housing

• Where will I live? In Monterey or surrounding towns. There is a significant rental market.
• Can I live out of the area and only commute to Monterey a couple days per week? No. The Research Assistant positions will require that you be on campus five days a week, Monday through Friday for core work hours and to attend classes. Some rental options will be posted to the website soon.
• Do you have dorms for grad students? No.
• Will you help pay my moving costs? No.
• How much does it cost to live in Monterey? Similar to other towns on the coast of California, and generally higher than the national average cost of living.
• Will you pay my housing costs? No.
• Can you supply a list of possible rentals? There are resources available on the internet if you search for them.
• Are there schools nearby for children of students? Yes.
• Is a retired military student eligible to live in NPS off-base housing? Possibly, check with the military housing office.

Pay and Benefits

• How much does the Research Assistant position pay? $32,000 - $36,000 per year.
• I already have five years of experience in the real world; can you pay me more than someone right out of school? Possibly, but not likely. This may be negotiated with the Director of the program.
• Am I eligible for full medical benefits from the government? Yes.
• Do I get a raise after a year or does the Federal Government pay freeze apply to my salary? You should not expect a raise in pay while participating in the program; however, future federal employment would include potential raises in pay.

CONTACT: Remote Sensing Center, Naval Postgraduate School at remotesensing@nps.edu

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