Special Academic Opportunities S tudents who excel at the Naval Academy have many opportunities to challenge and advance themselves through several special programs. Following their selection to the program during their junior year, the first class scholars conduct independent research in an area of interest, working with a faculty advisor who is an expert in the field. Trident Scholars carry a reduced formal course load to give them time for in-depth research of the project and for preparation of a these. Honors Program M idshipmen with excellent academic and leadership performance can apply for honors programs offered in history, English, political science, mathematics, oceanography and economics. Honors students complete a thesis or research project and orally defend it before a panel of faculty members.
Successful participants gradate with honors.
M idshipmen who have completed academy course requirements early through any combination of validation and overloading can begin work toward master's degrees at nearby civilian universities, such as Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland. Fields of study are selected from Navy-approved graduate education programs leading to Navy subspecialty qualification.