Academics

The Program of Study document below supersedes this webpage except where otherwise noted. The information contained on this webpage is subject to change. Please refer to the Program of Study document for a comprehensive listing of requirements and the most current information.

Junior Status is granted immediately upon enrollment, valid not more than 12 months; students have a maximum of 12 months to achieve Senior Status (complete General Requirements) from the date they first enroll as an AUP Student. Enrollment requirements are:

  • Coast Guard Auxiliary enrollment application submitted; and

  • Enrolled full-time in an accredited undergraduate program at an American college, university, community college, or technical school; and

  • Meets all institutional requirements for participation in extracurricular activities; and

  • Favorable endorsement from student’s unit officer; and

  • AUP enrollment application submitted and reviewed for conformance with criteria.

Institutions must be accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Waivers for full-time status will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Students have a maximum of 3 years to achieve Graduate Status (complete Academic Course, Leadership Capstone, and Operational Qualifications and Certifications) from the date they achieve Senior Status. Students may graduate before the expiration of the 3-year Senior status if all requirements are met. Extensions may be given on a case-by-case basis.

Students who complete all Program of Study requirements listed above will be permanently qualified as an Auxiliary University Program “Graduate.” Students who do not complete the Program of Study will be designated as "Incomplete."

Advance from Junior Status to Senior Status:

Advance from Senior Status to Graduate Status:

  • Complete at least 1 of:

    • AUP 201: Auxiliary Weather (AUXWEA)

      This course is intended to train the Auxiliary weather specialist in the art of practical meteorology. The main focus will be on weather assessment for surface operations, but some attention will be paid to issues particular to air operations.

    • AUP 202: Auxiliary Seamanship (AUXSEA)

      The Auxiliary Seamanship course is designed to present the Auxiliarist with a thorough knowledge of vessels and proficiency in their operation.

    • AUP 203: Auxiliary Communications (AUXCOM)

      The Auxiliary Communications course focuses on radio communications for the Auxiliary and Coast Guard, providing broad knowledge of the fundamental principles underlying communications systems in use by both the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary.

    • AUP 204: Introduction to Marine Safety & Environmental Protection (IMSEP)

      This course is designed to provide an extensive background in the history, policies, laws, and regulations pertaining to the Marine Safety and Environmental Protection missions.

    • AUP 205: Introduction to Public Affairs (PA)

      This course provides an overview of the goals, objectives, and competencies of the professional Public Affairs Officer.

    • AUP 299: 200-Level Course Approved Substitution

      Students may substitute a relevant course taken at their school for one of the above 200 level courses. Examples include Bridge Resource Management, Cyber Security, Maritime History, International Politics, Homeland Security, or other related courses approved by the Branch Chief, AUP Academic Affairs Branch. To be considered for an elective 200-level course, it must meet the following criteria. The course shall be:

      • Offered by a regionally or nationally accredited U.S. college or university; and

      • At least three credits or equivalent; and

      • Taken in-person or online; and

      • Completed with a letter grade of C or higher; and

      • Approved by the Branch Chief, AUP Academic Affairs Branch.

      • Students must submit the course syllabus and proof of completion (transcript) if already completed to the Branch Chief, AUP Academic Affairs Branch.

      • If the student has not taken the course yet, they should provide the syllabus for preapproval. Once the course is completed the student will then provide proof of completion by providing the transcript to the Branch Chief, AUP Academic Affairs Branch.

      • Note: Approval of a course may be utilized by multiple students for the same course offered at the same school for three years. The syllabus must be re-submitted for approval after three years.

  • Complete at least 1 of:

    • AUP 301: Leadership and Management

      This course is satisfied by completion of either the Auxiliary Leadership and Management School (AUXLAMS) or the Leadership and Management School (LAMS) typically taught to active-duty and reserve Coast Guard personnel.

    • AUP 302: Internship

      This is an on-the-job course facilitated by AUP. Additional information can be found in the AUP Internship Guide.

    • AUP 303: Independent Project

      Students complete an independent project in support of Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Department of Homeland Security, or related needs. Proposal must be approved by the Branch Chief, AUP Academic Affairs Branch.

    • AUP 304: Homeland Security Seminar

      Complete any two online self-study seminar courses from Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security.

    • AUP 305: Unit Leadership

      Complete at least six months of service as a unit leader, deputy unit leader, unit operations leader, division leader, deputy division leader, or division operations leader. Leaders who are relieved of their duties due to unsatisfactory performance (per applicable Coast Guard policies) are not eligible to apply that experience towards this requirement.

    • AUP 399: 300-Level Approved Substitution

      In addition to the 300-level courses listed above, students may complete courses taught outside of AUP in fulfillment of requirements. Students may request substitutions using the AUP 299 referenced earlier course substitution procedure to the Branch Chief, AUP Academic Affairs Branch (BC-SUA). The BC-SUA will assess the request on a case-by-case basis based on course content parity and rigor. Proof of completion of acceptable substitutes should be submitted to the AUP Students Services Branch. For graded courses, the student must earn a grade of C or better. Reference the Program of Study document for acceptable substitutes.

  • Complete at least 6 credits of:

    2 credits:

    • Instructor (IT)

      Students can teach public education and member training courses with this qualification.

    • Recreational Boating Safety Program Visitor (PV)

      Sharing information regarding water safety, students who complete the Program Visitor qualification can visit and provide resources to the local boating community on behalf of the Coast Guard.

    • Telecommunications Operator (TCO)

      As the shoreside support for underway Auxiliary units, students who become telecommunications operator qualified can serve as the link between water, air, and land air assets.

    • Vessel Examiner (VE)

      Students will gain knowledge and examine vessels to protect and educate the boating public.

    4 credits:

    • Aids to Navigation Verifier (AV)

      Able to report and verify discrepancies to assist the Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Teams, Buoy Tenders, and Waterways Staff.

    • Auxiliary Culinary Assistance Specialist 1 (AUXCA1)

      This qualification enables students to augment their local active-duty units with food service.

    • Auxiliary Leadership Competency Level 1 (LEAD1)

      Leadership Competency Certification is the process by which a person proves that he or she has the knowledge, experience and skills to perform the tasks required of leadership.

    • Auxiliary Paddlecraft (AUXPAD) Operator

      Students who complete the AUXPAD will become vital emissaries to those who canoe, kayak, and paddleboard regarding safety.

    • Communications Watchstander

      Tasked with monitoring the radio for signs of distress, maintaining communication with units, and assisting with planning operations, students who become radio watchstanders are primed to assist active-duty boat stations.

    6 credits:

    • Air Observer (AIROBS)

      As the basic qualification of the Coast Guard Auxiliary aviation program, this enables students to assist in air operations, including providing situational awareness, search and rescue, and other missions.

    • Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialist 3 (AUXPA3)

      This allows students to build experience writing for the media, conducting public appearances, taking photographs, and otherwise augmenting the active duty on behalf of the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary.

    • Boat Crew Member (BCM)

      Students with a Crew qualification can serve underway on patrols aboard small boats.

      • Auxiliary

        This qualification can be completed through the process at the flotilla level.

      • Active Duty

        This qualification can be completed through internships with active-duty small boat stations.

    • Cutter Officer of the Day (OOD)

      This qualification enables students to augment active duty aboard small cutters. Students will gain an understanding of damage control, anti-terrorism/force protection, and management so that they can assist active-duty crews.

    • Cyber Workforce Certification

      By completing a cyber workforce certification, students will gain a greater understanding of how to protect vital infrastructure that is being targeted by adversaries.

    • Incident Command System (ICS) Type 3 Unit Leader

      Students can augment during incidents as situation unit leaders or resource leaders in the Incident Command System.

    • Marine Safety Training Ribbon

      The Marine Safety Training Ribbon recognizes those who are working on qualifications and courses that directly apply to the prevention realm within the Coast Guard.

  • At least 200 activity hours logged in AUXDATA II since AUP enrollment date

  • Minimum 4-year bachelor’s degree granted by the institution at which student is enrolled

Graduate with Distinction Status:

Members enrolled in AUP may wish to prepare for competitive civilian hire or military selection boards (Officer Candidate School, MARGRAD, etc.). Members wishing to be recognized as a Graduate with Distinction must verify completion of additional tasks on their AUP Graduate PQS submission. Award of the Graduate with Distinction honor must coincide with graduation from college and from AUP, i.e., it is not possible to retroactively meet these requirements following the initial award of the AUP Graduate qualification. Members intending to graduate with distinction are required to fulfill the following requirements in addition to all items required to qualify as an AUP Graduate.

  • Complete all of:

    • Leadership Philosophy

      This requirement is intended to reflect a student’s deliberate consideration of their leadership style. Students should write an essay expressing a clear, concise understanding of what makes a good leader and the studies and events that have influenced that belief. Students must complete a 2 page, double-spaced essay in 12-point Times New Roman font, 1” margins. The essay shall be reviewed and approved by the Unit Officer.

    • Coast Guard Issues Paper

      This course is intended to demonstrate the student’s knowledge of the Coast Guard and ability to identify and research a topic that is significant to the Coast Guard. The topic may be an internal issue (e.g. Coast Guard budget process) or external (e.g. Coast Guard’s response to climate change). Students must complete a 10 page, double-spaced essay in 12-point Times New Roman font, 1” margins. The essay shall be reviewed and approved by the Unit Officer.

    • Internship

      This is an on-the-job course facilitated by AUP. Additional information can be found in the AUP Internship Guide.

    • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)

      The student must complete their degree as issued by their academic institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

    • Leadership Evaluation Report

      The student must receive an aggregate marking above 5.5 in the final two years in the program and receive no marks below a 4 in the final year.

    Complete one of:

    • Physical Fitness

      Meet or exceed Coast Guard Officer Candidate School (OCS) physical fitness and swim test requirements.

    • Additional 300-Level Course

      Any student may substitute an additional 300-level course instead of Physical Fitness; however, any student pursuing an active-duty career is strongly encouraged to complete the PT requirements. Cannot double count for the above Internship requirement.