Air Force Officer
The Force Development Teams at HQ AFPC consider Air Force officers for Air Force sponsored, graduate educational opportunities, and recommend the right officer at the right time for the right reason. The specific graduate areas in which the Air Force will sponsor (i.e., fully fund) a student for an advanced degree are determined by the Air Force, and not by the student.
There are outstanding opportunities for graduate study offered in-residence at AFIT. Degree programs, with specializations, support multiple Air Force requirements for advanced academic degree education.
AFIT does not offer graduate programs to meet all of the needs of the Air Force. Therefore, in those cases, the Air Force looks to other sources to meet the educational needs in these academic areas. The Civilian Institution Programs office provides program management oversight for all officers pursuing sponsored degrees at other institutions.
Air Force Enlisted
The “Enlisted-to-AFIT” program is a unique element of enlisted professional development. In conjunction with other training and education programs, resident AFIT sponsored science, engineering, and management graduate degree opportunities further develop noncommissioned officers' technical education and skills. This program is intended to enhance combat capability through career field core competency augmentation and to provide the Air and Space Forces with a source of highly proficient NCOs, technically experienced in their career field and highly educated through afit graduate degree programs.
Prospective students must meet service eligibility standards and receive a letter of academic eligibility from the Office of Admissions and the Registrar prior to selection and assignment to the Graduate School of Engineering and Management. Interested NCOs should apply for an academic review anytime. HQ Air Force Personnel Center calls for applicants in November each year.
The requirements vary, but generally speaking, a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale is needed for the standard 18-month program, as well as either a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 153 (500) verbal/ 148 (600) quantitative or, depending on the program, a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score of 550. If an applicant does not meet the requirements of the typical in-resident program (generally 18 months), that individual will be evaluated for the possibility of an extended length program. This would allow the time for the student to receive additional work to bolster their academic prowess and assure successful completion. The in-residence program has no expiration date on the test scores. There is generally some latitude in the minimal GPA and test scores. Math requirements vary, but the level of math is rarely waived. Eligibility for master's programs is judged based on undergraduate work, and to some extent, graduate work when present.
Evaluations for an advanced academic degree program cannot be completed until the following documents are on file: your application, official transcripts from each school attended (even if only one course was taken), excluding CCAF and CLEP/DANTES transcripts, and a GRE or GMAT score report. The GRE is acceptable for all resident programs; some will accept a GMAT or GRE.
The Graduate School of Engineering and Management’s Admissions Office only determines your academic eligibility. HQ AFPC/DPAFE will establish selection procedures for Air Force enlisted members and announce their selections in late March Early April each year.
