# United States Coast Guard Auxiliary University Programs

The Auxiliary University Programs (AUP) is a United States Coast Guard Auxiliary-managed initiative established in 2007. Today AUP now has nearly 200 members in 11 units representing over 30 colleges and universities across the United States. The Auxiliary University Program (AUP) prepares undergraduate and graduate students for future public service inside and outside of the Coast Guard. AUP provides the opportunity to attend college while learning to gain boating education, to learn about homeland security, and to gain operational and leadership experience. AUP has a positive track record of getting a large number of its graduates into Coast Guard Officer Candidate School. Members graduating AUP and choosing to enlist are automatically promotable to E-3 pay grade/rank when joining.

## Overview

AUP programs on university campuses are organized as detachments of nearby Auxiliary flotillas. Students complete a "basic auxiliary programs" training curriculum taught by local auxiliarists and older students, after which they volunteer 60 hours per semester with their local flotilla. As of 2019, AUP flotillas were present at Auburn University, the California Maritime Academy, The Citadel, New York Maritime Academy, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, University of Southern Mississippi, Texas A&M University, Virginia Military Institute, Virginia Tech, University of Central Florida, University of Virginia, College of William & Mary. To join the AUP a student must first join the Coast Guard Auxiliary and then join the university program.

## Academic Studies

Academic Studies classes are the academic portion of AUP. In general, AUP programs are structured around general courses, typically at the beginning of the AUP program, and elective courses that allow for a specialty or concentration. Students are required to take three general courses, a leadership capstone, and at least one elective. In addition, students must also earn at minimum one qualification (Air Observer, Boat Crew, Marine Safety, Public Affairs, Telecommunications, or Vessel Examiner).

### General Requirements

All three are required in the program of study.
    AUP101 - Basic Introduction Course
    AUP103 - Incident Management
    AUP110 - Safe Boating
    AUP111 - Cyber Awareness

### Academic Courses

    AUP201 - Auxiliary Weather Specialty Course - (AUXWEA)
    AUX202 - Auxiliary Seamanship Specialty Course - (AUXSEA)
    AUX203 - Auxiliary Communications Specialty Course - (AUXCOM)
    AUX204 - Introduction to Marine Safety & Environmental Protection - (IMSEP)
    AUX205 - Introduction to Public Affairs

### Elective 200 Level Course

(Bridge Resource Management, Cyber Security, Maritime History, International Politics, Homeland Security, or other relevant courses) pre-approved by AUP Academic Branch Chief.
    To be considered for an Elective 200 level course, it must meet the following criteria. The university course shall be:
    - Offered by a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S.
    - Three-semester credits or equivalent
    - Taken face-to-face or online
    - Completed with a grade of C or better
    - Preapproved by the Academic Branch Chief
    AUP students wishing to fulfill an Elective 200 level requirement must submit the intended course syllabus to the AUP Administrator before taking the course. Once the syllabus is approved, the course can be used to fulfill the Elective 200 Level requirement. Additionally, a single approval may be utilized by multiple students for courses offered at the same university for three years. The syllabus must be re-submitted for approval every three years.

### Leadership Capstone

At minimum one 300-level elective course of their choice or capstone must be completed. Students may complete additional courses.
    AUP301 - Leadership and Management
    AUP302 - Internship
    AUP303 - Independent Project
    AUP304 - Homeland Security Seminar
    AUP305 - Unit Leadership

### Internship Program

The AUP internship program is an opportunity available to students in Approval Pending (AP) Status. The application process requires the member to apply on the AUP Website with a personal statement and all of the required supporting materials. The program is operated by an Internship Program Manager. The program can place students at Coast Guard Headquarters and other operational or mission support units across the United States or virtually. To receive academic credit the student is advised to work with their college or university ahead of time to ensure they get academic credit. Upon completing the internship the member will receive credit for completing the AUP401 Course.

### Operational Qualifications

Students must complete at least six credits of operational qualification by earning any of the following:
* Air Observer (6) - As the basic qualification of the Coast Guard Auxiliary aviation program, this enables students to assi:st in air operations, including providing situational awareness, search and rescue, and other missions.
* Culinary Assistant (4) This qualification enables students to augment their local active-duty units with food service.
* Auxiliary Paddlecraft Operator (2) Students who complete the AUXPAD will become vital emissaries to those who canoe, kayak, and paddleboard regarding safety.
* Boat Crew (Auxiliary or Active Duty) (6) Students with a Crew qualification can serve underway on Auxiliary (or active duty) patrols aboard small boats.
* Cyber Workforce Certification (6) 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 Qualification (SITL/RESL) (6) Students can augment during incidents as situation unit leaders or resource leaders in the Incident Command System.
* Instructor (2) Students can teach public safety education and member training courses with this qualification.
* Marine Safety Training Ribbon (6) 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.
* Public Affairs Specialist III (6) 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.
* Program Visitor (2) Sharing information regarding water safety, student who complete the program Visitor qualification can visit and provide resources to the local boating community on behalf of the Coast Guard.
* Radio Watchstander (4) 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.
* Telecommunications Operator (2) 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 (2) Students will gain knowledge and examine non-commercial vessels to protect and educate the boating public.
* USCGC Officer of the Day (6) The qualification enables students to augment active duty aboard small cutters. Students will gain an understanding of damage control, anti-terroism/force protection, and management so that can assist active-duty crews.
* Auxiliary Level 1 Leadership Competency Certificate (4) Core Training (Including Basic Qualification Course II (BQCII))

## Additional Training Opportunities

The Coast Guard Auxiliary provides an opportunity for AUP Member to take Incident Command System (ICS) courses through FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and additional training opportunities through the Auxiliary Learning Management System.

### Center for Homeland Defense and Security Courses

Auxiliarists may register and participate in the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security Self Study Courses. As of 2019, over 10 online courses are available.

## AUP Units
### Remote Collaborative Unit (RCU)

The Auxiliary University Programs Remote Collaborative Unit was created for students interested in participating in the AUP that don't have a campus presence at their school. Through cooperation with a nearby flotilla, students can further develop operational and leadership skills. Auxiliarists enrolled at any accredited American college or university are welcome to join.

### Military Colleges and Academies

* United States Merchant Marine Academy
* Norwich University
* Texas A&M University
* The Citadel Military College of South Carolina
* University of North Georgia
* Virginia Military Institute
* Virginia Tech

### State-supported, maritime colleges

* California State University Maritime Academy (Vallejo, California; part of the California State University system)
* Great Lakes Maritime Academy (Traverse City, Michigan; a division of Northwestern Michigan College)
* Maine Maritime Academy (Castine, Maine)
* Massachusetts Maritime Academy (Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts)
* State University of New York Maritime College (New York City, New York; part of the State University of New York system)
* Texas A&M Maritime Academy (Galveston, Texas; part of Galveston campus of the Texas A&M University System)

### Other colleges

* University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
* Elizabeth City State University
* Franciscan University of Steubenville