Marine Corps War College The Marine Corps War College ( MCWAR ) , is the senior school of the Marine Corps University , providing Joint Professional Military Education ( JPME ) to selected United States military officers , civilian Government officials , and international military officers . The College prepares officers for future senior command and staff responsibilities requiring exceptional operational competence , sound military judgment , and strategic thinking . The college is located within the Marine Corps University aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico , Virginia . History . On 1 August 1990 , the 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps , General Alfred M . Gray , Jr . , instituted the Art of War Studies program under the Marine Corps Command and Staff College . General Gray ’ s vision was to establish a “ world - class educational institution for the study of war and the profession of arms . ” The original seminar was attended by six lieutenant colonels and was ten months long . Following General Gray ’ s vision and charter , the course of study matured into the current College and was patterned after other United States military senior - level service colleges . By 1999 , the college became an accredited JPME Phase - I institution , enrolling 16 students from all five branches of the Armed Forces and various government agencies . In 2002 , the college received full accreditation from both the United States Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to confer a Master of Strategic Studies degree . In 2006 , the college received JPME Phase - II accreditation . In 2009 , the college expanded its student population and opened enrollment to include international military officers . The maximum enrollment per academic year is 30 students . In 2011 , the College published the inaugural edition of the " MCWAR Papers " in cooperation with the Marine Corps University Press . The MCWAR papers is compilation of select , analytical papers by the College ' s students on strategic - level issues of national importance . MCWAR is located in Dunlap Hall aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico , Virginia . Dunlap Hall is named in honor of Brigadier General Robert H . Dunlap , USMC . BGen Dunlap served during the Spanish - American War , Philippine - American War , and World War I . He died on May 19 , 1931 in Cinc - Mars la Pile , France while attempting to save a French woman from a landslide . Mission and Vision . Mission : The Marine Corps War College , as the senior PME institution of the Marine Corps , educates selected military and civilian professionals in order to develop critical thinkers , military strategists , joint warfighters , and strategic leaders who are prepared to meet the challenges of a complex and dynamic security environment . Vision : To be the preferred choice for leaders seeking a world - class educational experience in preparation for assuming senior leadership positions in a complex and dynamic security environment – grounded in enduring principles and values while continuously adapting to ensure relevance . Curriculum . The curriculum is designed to ensure officers " develop intellectual and technical approaches to warfighting and strategic thinking , hone military judgment , evaluate methodologies , expand academic expertise , and sharpen teaching skills through reading , research , writing , and participation in seminars . " In order to achieve this , the curriculum partners military competence with political , economic , social , and informational studies which converge to form a complete national strategy . Collaborative efforts with various organizations provides a diverse educational experience on complex topics . Students routinely interact with policy makers such as the Secretary of Defense , the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , the Secretary of Homeland Defense , the Director of the FBI , the National Security Advisor , and members of congress . Non - government agencies such as JP Morgan , the Council on Foreign Relations , the New York Stock Exchange , and J Walter Thompson are also engaged to supplement the College ' s coursework . Domestic and international travel opportunities are integrated with the curriculum to provide a global perspective These travel opportunities have included trips to Unified Combatant Command s such as United States Central Command ( USCENTCOM ) as well as international trips to allies in Europe and Latin America . The curriculum is administered through a ten - month resident program consisting of 42 credit hours in the following core courses : In addition to the curriculum , extracurricular educational activities are offered through the auspices of The Marine Corps University , Library of the Marine Corps ( Alfred M . Gray Research Center ) , National Museum of the Marine Corps , Marine Corps University Foundation , and Marine Corps Heritage Foundation . Graduates are awarded a Master of Strategic Studies degree and JPME Phase - II certification by the President of the Marine Corps University . The degree is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools . Notable Speakers . Throughout the academic year numerous distinguished guests visit the College to lead small group seminars , and give lectures : Students & Admissions . Admission to the College is based on allocations granted by the Commandant of the Marine Corps and are solicited each academic year through a Marine Administrative Message . The admissions policy supports the mission and purpose of the College and reflects the needs of the United States Marine Corps and the educational criteria of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ’ s Officer Professional Military Education Policy . The student body is composed from three distinct populations : Invitation , nomination , and admission to the College vary by student type : U . S . military officers are admitted through their services ’ selection / assignment processes ; Federal Government civilian employees are admitted through an invitational nomination and approval process ; International military officers are selected through the Department of State . As of 1995 , the number of graduates promoted to O - 6 was 93 % which exceeds the Marine Corps average . Also , 96 % have been selected for command .