The U.S. Army Armament Graduate School (AGS) is a one-of-a-kind institution offering a PhD in Armament Engineering to employees across the DoD. Supporting the mission of the DEVCOM Armaments Center to Lead innovative research and lifecycle engineering of armaments solutions, AGS develops eligible DoD employees by providing the only known graduate school curriculum created specifically to advance armaments engineering and research. The school awarded its first Masters in Armament Engineering certificate in 2015 and its first Doctor of Philosophy in Armaments Engineering certificate in 2019. The Armament Graduate School provides a rigorous, graduate-level curriculum in armament engineering under the guidance of a faculty that is comprised principally of Armaments Center Ph.D. employees. The Armament Graduate School is pursuing accreditation as authorized by the Armament Graduate School Act (10 USC 7422). Students retain their full-time positions as DoD government employees during their study, attend classes in-person during a given semester on Fridays, and complete coursework during their personal time.
Who can apply?
- DoD workforce employees who have a degree in engineering, mathematics or any of the hard sciences should apply.
- Students must be able to attend classes in person at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ on Fridays.
Why should I apply?
- Deepens your understanding and broadens your knowledge and horizons for armament engineering success. This is a one-of-a-kind Doctorate in Armament Engineering.
When should I apply?
- Applications are accepted every year from January through the first week of April.
- Reach out to the contact on the application form for the current year’s submission end date.
Click on this Box to Obtain an Application
Click HERE to obtain an application. Please follow the instructions on the application form.
Mission and Vision of the Armament Graduate School
Mission
The U.S. Army DEVCOM Armaments Center Armament Graduate School at Picatinny Arsenal provides advanced-level education and research to enhance the nation’s armament capabilities.
Vision
The US Army DEVCOM Armaments Center Armament Graduate School at Picatinny Arsenal serves the nation as the world’s preeminent center of higher learning for armament engineering and as a unique catalyst for armament innovation and research.
Accreditation Status
The U.S. Army Armament Graduate School is a Candidate institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE or the Commission) www.msche.org. The U.S. Army Armament Graduate School accreditation status is Candidate Status Granted. The Commission’s most recent action on the institution’s accreditation status on March 17, 2025, was to grant candidate for accreditation status. MSCHE is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct accreditation and pre-accreditation Candidate activities for institutions of higher education including distance, correspondence education, and direct assessment programs offered at those institutions. The Commission’s geographic area of accrediting activities is throughout the United States.
Updated September 2025
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Armament Graduate School Short Courses
Not quite ready for the full AGS graduate study program? AGS short courses covering the various armament engineering subjects are also offered periodically through Armament University.
The AGS’s Armament Engineering Foundations Courses
The Armament Graduate School (AGS) will be conducting an Armament Engineering (AE) Foundations training program for interested Armament Center, and other DOD Agency employees. Courses are designed to give participants a broad understanding of the AGS academic degree program and an overview of the specific course content. The program will be held Thursday afternoons for 19 sessions. The classes will be held on MS Teams and in-person at the Armament University in building 3410, classroom 2 from 12:00 – 16:00. As these are training classes, there will be no homework or testing, and minimal advanced mathematics will be needed.
See Armaments Engineering Foundations Courses Schedule Here
The Armament University’s 40-Hour Certification Courses
AU’s 40-Hour Certification courses are focused and condensed educational trainings designed to impart specific skills or knowledge in a shorter timeframe than the traditional AGS PhD degree program. These courses are completed within one week, except for the Applied Statistics course completed within three two-day modules. The 40-Hour courses also focus on practical, and job-related skills that specialize in targeted knowledge designed for immediate application in the workplace.
See 40-Hour Certification Courses Schedule Here
To enroll in a AGS Short Course, please e-mail: usarmy.pica.devcom-ac.list.armament-graduate-school@army.mil