Civilian developmental education program expands; Fully funded degree program opportunities available at AFIT

  • Published
  • Hanscom Education and Training Center
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The Civilian Developmental Program (CDE) has been expanded to incorporate all master's degree programs offered by the Graduate School of Engineering and Management at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. These graduate programs provide scientists and engineers with more options in choosing technical master's degrees as part of the CDE program, increasing both their leadership and technical expertise.

Technical degrees are a critical aspect of professional development within the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) community, particularly in the United States Air Force, and AFIT plays a vital role in educating STEM professionals.

AFIT is the only Department of Defense educational institution categorized by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral/Research and STEM institution, a distinction awarded to institutions with high scholarly output in technical areas.

Those selected for this program could join more than 125 civilian students already attending the Graduate School of Engineering and Management and interact with more than 700 students from all branches of the U.S. and international services.

Master of Science degrees are available in engineering, applied science, computer systems and management disciplines. A list of programs and their descriptions can be found at www.afit.edu/en/academicprograms.cfm?a=masters-doctoral.

The Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) will call for CDE nominations in March 2012. Options vary by grade, so AFPC has scheduled several webcasts that will focus on opportunities available to civilians in each grade.

The current schedule is at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. central standard time March 1 for GS- 14 and 15 employees; March 8 for GS-12 and 13 employees; and March 15, 21 and 29 for GS-7 through 11 employees.

Beginning this year applicants are no longer required to have 12 months in their current position to be able to apply. Interested employees must complete the AF IMT (form) 4059, and submit it to their supervisor for coordination and approval through the chain of command.

For more information about civilian developmental education opportunities and other personnel issues, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.

For further information about the AFIT Graduate School of Engineering and Management admissions process, visit www.afit.edu/en/admissions/index.cfm. To speak with an admissions counselor, visit www.afit.edu/en/admissions/officeinfo.cfm?a=contactinfo or call 937-255-6234, ext. 3184.