Military, Veterans, and Foreign Area Officers at Korbel

As federal tuition assistance policies evolve, Korbel remains committed to serving military students with accessible, accredited graduate education aligned with national security and public service.

We will make every effort to provide last-dollar scholarship support to help cover any gap between your military education benefits and Korbel tuition. While not guaranteed, our goal is to minimize out-of-pocket costs so you can pursue your degree with confidence.

Denver is home to one of the largest concentrations of military and defense activity in the United States. This provides access to career pathways, professional networks, and applied learning opportunities while you complete your degree.

Nearby installations and employers include Buckley Space Force Base, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), NORAD, Fort Carson, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. Major defense employers such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Ball Aerospace also operate in the region.

Students benefit from internships, research opportunities, and direct connections to national security careers.

Korbel faculty include internationally recognized experts in national security strategy, intelligence, cybersecurity, diplomacy, and regional security.

Military-affiliated students gain academic training directly relevant to operational and strategic leadership roles.

Korbel offers dedicated financial support for military and veteran students, including military-affiliated scholarships, merit scholarships, and Yellow Ribbon Program participation. Our admissions team works directly with students to coordinate military education benefits and help bridge any funding gaps.

Our goal is to ensure cost is not a barrier to continuing your education.

Korbel graduates move into leadership roles across the Department of War, intelligence agencies, the Department of State, national laboratories, and defense contractors. Many also transition into strategic roles in government, international organizations, and policy institutions.

Your military experience becomes a foundation for strategic leadership.

Korbel offers regionally focused graduate degrees aligned with Foreign Area Officer requirements.
Officers can specialize in:

• The Americas
• Europe and Eurasia
• Middle East and North Africa
• Sub-Sahara Africa
• Indo-Pacific

Some of the regionally focused classes include: 

• INTS 4207: Global Political Economy of China
• INTS 4649: Human Rights and the Middle East
• INTS 4907: Terrorism 
• INTS 4958: Nationalism and Internationalism in Global Governance

Foreign Area Officers can complete a Korbel master’s degree in as little as one year (12 months), depending on program structure and FAO requirements. This accelerated pathway allows officers to meet FAO academic requirements efficiently while gaining deep regional expertise.

Korbel provides scholarships specifically designed to support Foreign Area Officers.

These scholarships can help cover the difference between FAO tuition support and Korbel tuition, ensuring officers can complete their degree without financial hardship. In some rare cases not all financial need can be met. We encourage you to reach out to Korbel admissions to learn more.

Graduate students at the University of Denver can pursue language study through the Center for World Languages & Cultures.

Language courses and resources are available to support continued skill development and proficiency. Students may choose to enroll in courses, pursue independent study, or demonstrate proficiency through assessment.

For military students, including those preparing for Foreign Area Officer (FAO) roles, language training is pursued independently of the degree program and is completed outside of required coursework. These opportunities are optional and may involve additional cost.

Korbel emphasizes practical communication skills critical for military leadership, including strategic writing, policy memoranda, analytic assessments, and executive briefings. These skills prepare Foreign Area Officers to operate effectively at senior levels.

Foreign Area Officers operate at the intersection of military operations and diplomacy. At Korbel, students learn directly from faculty and practitioners with experience in diplomacy, defense policy, and international negotiations. Graduates gain the skills needed to operate effectively across military and civilian leadership environments.

Korbel offers nationally respected graduate education in international affairs and public policy. At Korbel you have direct proximity to military and national security institutions, accelerated degree pathways aligned with military timelines, faculty expertise in regional and strategic security, and scholarships designed to support military funding structures.

Korbel prepares those who serve to lead.