The MNSA Program
The National Defense College of the
Philippines upholds the constitutional provision that “The
defense of the State is the prime duty of every citizen.”
The NDCP pursues this commitment through the education of future
national leaders from the various sectors of society on the
aspects of national defense and security. The
NDCP has the broad mission to prepare and develop potential
national defense leaders, civilian officials of the different
branches of the government and selected executives from the
private sector for more effective participation in national
security formulation, for high command and staff duty, and
for the conduct of strategic and international studies as
basis for national policies.
Cognizant of this mission, the academic
department envisions to be a modern, technology-driven, and
globally competitive national defense and security institution
of higher learning in the country.
The College believes that a national security
administrator must possess the broad skills and the proper
attitude necessary to perform his multifarious responsibilities.
The NDCP provides the kind of education needed by this administrator
in terms of analytical and conceptual skills to prepare him
to meet the broad challenges emanating from the internal and
external environment.
The MNSA program is a unique graduate program
because:
- It is the only graduate level program
that offers a master’s degree covering the broad spectrum
of formulation, implementation, and evaluation of policies
in national security administration
- For AFP and PNP participants, candidates
are required to have a rank of at least Lieutenant Colonel
or a Superintendent. Candidates are also required to submit
a diploma from the AFPJCSC or from an equivalent foreign
command and staff college or its equivalent in the police
service. Civil government candidates are required to have
the rank of at least a division chief and have at least
10 years of government service.Civilian graduates are commissioned
Lieutenant Colonels or Commanders in the AFP Reserve Force
upon completion of the commission training under PD 190,
they are entitled to the rank of CESO VI.
- Applicants are required to pass a series
of psychological tests, written and oral examinations. Those
who qualify are interviewed, screened and selected by the
Board of Admissions. Finally, the Board of Admissions submits
the list of those who qualified to the President of the
NDCP, who, together with the Executive Vice President and
the Vice President/Dean for Academic Affairs, decides en
banc on the final list of those to be admitted.
- During class sessions, a variety of
methodologies are employed. These range from group discussions,
workshops, panel discussions, directed readings, reaction
papers, and other participatory learning strategies. Opportunity
lectures, symposia, field trips cum on-site briefings are
also employed to further reinforce the learning process.
- Course examinations do not only deal
with recollection of data obtained from the class sessions,
references and other sources, but also include the assessment
of the students’ capabilities to integrate, synthesize
and apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the course
work.
- A very highly selective method of choosing
lecturers/discussants is maintained at all times. To establish
the lecturers’ credibility, criteria for selection
include, among others, outstanding academic qualifications
and exposure to and mastery of topics to be taken up.
- A sound, updated and credible curriculum
is maintained. A continuing analysis and assessment of the
curriculum is periodically made to keep it abreast with
national security concerns and developments.
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