Strategic Study Programs

The Australian Defence College offers strategic study programs to middle level and senior officers and officials working in defence and national security. These twelve month, full time study programs are delivered at the Australian Defence College in Weston, Canberra.

The Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies

The Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS) hosts the senior course in Australia for military officers and Government officials engaged in national security issues. The CDSS is responsible for providing Australian and overseas participants with the knowledge and skills required to operate at the strategic level in a complex and modern security environment.

CDSS runs one course per year, from January to December. Each course is attended by some 50 course members both military and civilian officers, but inter-agency attendees for specific blocks of study are welcome. The course is conducted at the post-graduate level and most of the participants are at the levels of Military 06-07 (Colonel - Brigadier equivalent) or Australian Public Service Executive Level 2.

Students of CDSS can achieve, through assessed course participation, research and assignments; a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies, through Deakin University. Alternatively, students can choose to study for a Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies, which CDSS is accredited to award.

The Australian Command and Staff College

The Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC) offers courses designed to prepare selected career officers for command and staff appointments, and to develop selected Australian Public Servants and professionals working in roles in single Service, joint and integrated environments.

The Australian Command and Staff Course (Joint) is a full time course of 46 weeks duration commencing in mid-January and finishing in early December. It is preceded by an orientation week for overseas Course Members. Each course is attended by a maximum of 180 full time students at O4 level. Depending on the subjects studied, members undertaking this postgraduate program may be granted a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in the fields of Management in Defence Studies or Strategy in Defence Studies, and may continue on to complete a Masters of Arts in Strategy and Policy or a Masters of Arts in Strategy and Management from the University of New South Wales.

ACSC also offers programs for ADF reserve officers.