Last Updated on November 15, 2023
Are you considering a career in the US Navy Medical Service Corps? If so, you should know about the Medical Service Corps (MSC) In-Service Procurement Program (IPP).
This guide provides helpful information for those seeking to obtain a commission in the U.S. Navy through the Navy MSC-IPP during Fiscal Year 2024.
The U.S. Navy is committed to maintaining the highest levels of medical care for its personnel. To support this mission, they offer a comprehensive suite of programs and services to bolster their medical force.
One such program is the Navy MSC-IPP, which provides an opportunity for enlisted personnel who are already serving in the military to complete their education and commission as an officer in the Navy Medical Service Corps.
MSC-IPP offers a path to an officer commission for career-minded active duty enlisted individuals in pay grades E-5 through E-9 who meet the qualifying standards outlined in OPNAVINST 1420.1B. MSC IPP provides undergraduate and graduate study in a variety of Medical Service Corps disciplines that leads to a commission in the Medical Service Corps. Health Care Administration (HCA), Physician Assistant (PA), Environmental Health (EHO), Entomology (ENTO), Radiation Health (RHO), Industrial Hygiene (IHO), Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, and Social Work are also offered. Duty under Instruction (DUINS) allows enlisted service members to attend fully subsidized training to get a qualifying degree while remaining in the military.
This article will summarize what the program entails, from eligibility requirements and financial assistance to academic expectations and other details. It also outlines potential benefits that come with becoming an MSC officer.
Active duty enlisted personnel who meet the eligibility criteria for direct commission or training programs in health care administration (HCA), physician assistant, radiation health, environmental health, industrial hygiene, occupational therapy, clinical social work, entomology, medical laboratory science, and pharmacy can apply for officer commissions through the MSC-IPP.
Basic Program Requirements
Below are the basic requirements for applying for the MSC-IPP. The criteria below are current as of September 2023, per the Navy Personnel Command. No updates have been issued thus far.
| Citizenship | Applicants must be citizens of the United States. |
| Age | Applicants must be at least 18 years old and ready to serve before their 42nd birthday. Age waivers up to the age of 48 are considered on an individual basis. To adhere to the age limitations, IPP applicant selection criteria will assess the candidate’s capacity to complete all pre-commissioning educational requirements. |
| Rank | Applicants must be in the E-5 to E-9 salary range. Waivers for E-4 paygrades will be handled on a case-by-case basis, according to the annual IPP NAVADMIN. This program has no time in service requirement. |
| Rating | All Ratings may apply. |
| Physical | Officer applicants must achieve pre-commissioning/accession physical criteria outlined in the Manual of the Medical Department, Chapter 15. Minor physical faults of a non-organic nature may be waived by DCNO N1 with the recommendation of the Chief, BUMED. They must meet the physical fitness weight or percentage of body fat standards. Applicants must be assignable globally. |
| Conduct | Applicants must have no history of non-judicial punishment, court martial or civil court convictions for anything other than minor traffic offenses in the three years preceding the Fiscal Year of the selection board for which they are applying. On the application, any minor traffic offenses must be stated. Driving under the influence of intoxicants shall be deemed severe traffic offenses and disqualifying if committed within three years of the fiscal year for which the application is lodged. |
| Recommendation | Applicants must have their Commanding Officer recommend them. |
Education Requirements
Application to this Navy program does not require standardized test results, except for the Physician Assistant option. Prior to issuing an acceptance letter, degree-granting schools may demand standardized test scores as part of their admission procedure.
Below are the education requirements for each of the MSC-IPP specialties. The criteria below are current as of September 2023, per the Navy Personnel Command. No updates have been issued thus far.
Health Care Administrator
Direct admission requires the possession of a baccalaureate or graduate degree that meets the prerequisites.
The Director, Medical Service Corps, may grant exceptional candidates with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics limited waivers.
Candidates who meet the prerequisites for HCA training ought to hold a baccalaureate degree. Baccalaureate degrees that meet the requirements are in health care administration, management or administration of health services, or a relevant business/management discipline.
Public administration, accounting, information systems management, logistics, personnel (human resources), materials management, and finance are areas of study that are deemed acceptable.
Applicants must possess a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0.
Degrees in health care administration, health services administration, hospital administration, public health administration with a concentration in health care administration, or business administration with a concentration in health care administration are all acceptable as graduate qualifications.
In order to qualify for entry-level credit, a degree must possess accreditation. On a case-by-case basis, candidates lacking a qualifying degree (baccalaureate or graduate) may be considered for HCA training.
Applicants seeking graduate level training must submit a letter of acceptance to a qualified graduate program that is accredited as a full time, in-resident program by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Council on Education on Public Health (CEPH), or the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration, in cases where full-time out-of-service training is permitted.
Physician Assistant
Possess a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate, and a minimum of 60 semester hours of entirely transferable college credit in the physical sciences, mathematics, physics, biology, or chemistry, which may be applied toward the completion of a qualifying degree.
A cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 is mandatory, with all science and biology courses earning a 3.0. Scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) must be submitted by applicants prior to acceptance.
It is required that the applicant attain a minimum math score of 500 on the SAT. Prerequisite requirements comprise thirty of the sixty semester hours and must be fulfilled through residence (classroom) courses.
Validation by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is not accepted for prerequisites. On transcripts of joint service, only baccalaureate credits will be admitted; these hours count as in-residence hours.
A minimum of two semester hours of college-level medical terminology is required in addition to six semester hours of English composition, six semester hours of chemistry, and six semester hours of anatomy and physiology (A&P).
The prerequisite requirements also consist of humanities and social sciences, three semester hours of psychology, and three semester hours of algebra.
It is mandatory to have completed prerequisite courses no later than the annual application deadline and within the last ten years.
The remaining 30 semester hours may be comprised of distance learning or in-person general education college credits that are transferable.
In order to qualify, distance learning courses must be completed for credit with proctored examinations and must be entirely transferable.
A minimum of 18 semester hours must be devoted to biological and chemical sciences. In lieu of the six semester hours of chemistry, successful completion of the Hospital Corps Independent Duty Tech courses fulfills the aforementioned 30 hours and the six semester hours of A&P prerequisite requirements.
Credit may be awarded for CLEP. However, not in relation to any of the mandatory fundamental courses.
Applicants are required to provide NMLPDC with a comprehensive list of all institutions attended along with notification that they intend to submit official transcripts for evaluation.
Furthermore, all official transcripts must be submitted to NMLPDC by the deadline specified in the annual IPP NAVADMIN. The degree-granting institution will assess academic eligibility on transcripts; NMLPDC will inform applicants of their eligibility subsequent to the transcript review process.
Radiation Health Officer
Degree and education prerequisites for baccalaureate degree completion: Applicants must possess a letter of acceptance from an accredited institution along with a degree completion plan and 60 semester hours of fully transferable college credit.
This credit must be applied towards the fulfillment of the requirements for a qualifying degree in one of the following fields: radiation health, health physics, radiobiology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, nuclear engineering, or biology.
Applicants must possess a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0. Bachelor’s degrees from accredited universities or colleges in the following fields are mandatory for applicants holding baccalaureate degrees: radiation health, health physics, radiobiology, radiological science, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, nuclear engineering, or biology.
Applicants must possess a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0. Those who are eager to undertake a qualifying graduate degree prior to commissioning will be given preference.
The applicant must submit a letter of acceptance or a letter of tentative acceptance to a medical physics or health physics graduate program at an accredited institution.
The Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs must grant accreditation to medical physics programs. Applicants must possess a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0.
Environmental Health Officer
Specific educational prerequisites for baccalaureate degrees in environmental health or those requiring substantial coursework in physical sciences, biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as epidemiology, statistics, and life sciences.
Applicants must possess 60 semester hours of entirely transferable college credit with a 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale, which can be applied toward completion of the baccalaureate degree.
Candidates with a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian Credential, Certified in Public Health Credential, or two or more years of full-time, compensated experience in environmental health will be given preference.
General environmental health (including contamination control, environmental microbiology, and inspections), food protection, potable water, facility inspections, vector/pest control, and occupational safety and health are all eligible areas of environmental health.
Particular academic prerequisites and degrees are mandatory for candidates desiring to pursue a qualifying graduate-level degree.
Applicants must possess a Bachelor of Science degree in epidemiology, statistics, life sciences, physical sciences (including biology, chemistry, and physics), environmental health-aligned engineering program, or environmental sciences and statistics.
The degree must be from a regionally accredited university or college.
Applicants must possess an acceptance letter or a tentative acceptance letter from a CEPH-accredited or National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council-accredited university for a full-time resident graduate degree program, master of public health with a concentration in environmental health, or master of science in environmental health.
Applicants must possess a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0.
Industrial Hygiene Officer
Specific educational and degree prerequisites for baccalaureate degree completion: In addition to a letter of acceptance accompanied by a degree completion plan from a regionally accredited university or college, applicants must possess 60 semester hours of fully transferable college credit that can be applied toward the completion of a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in industrial hygiene, chemistry, biology, physical sciences, physics, or engineering with an industrial hygiene focus.
Degree completion must be possible within twenty-four months. It is mandatory for all candidates to fulfill the following requirements: two academic years of chemistry, comprising both inorganic and organic courses with laboratory work, one year of biology, one semester each of calculus and physics, and a minimum of forty semester hours of pure scientific coursework. Applicants must possess a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0.
Particular academic prerequisites for candidates who have obtained baccalaureate degrees are as follows: degrees from reputable universities or colleges, with a concentration in industrial hygiene, chemistry, biology, physical sciences, physics, or an engineering program that is in line with the field of industrial hygiene.
It is a prerequisite for all applicants to possess a minimum of two academic years of chemistry experience, which must include laboratory work in both inorganic and organic chemistry, one year of biology, one semester each of calculus and physics, and a minimum of forty semester hours of pure science coursework.
Applicants must possess a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0. Graduate-level applicants are mandated to possess a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in industrial hygiene-aligned engineering, chemistry, biology, physical sciences, or physics from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
It is mandatory for all candidates to possess a minimum of two academic years of chemistry experience, which must include laboratory work in both inorganic and organic chemistry, along with one year of biology, one semester each of calculus and physics, and a minimum of forty semester hours of pure science coursework.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 is required. Candidates with academic backgrounds in environmental health, public health, occupational safety and health, and industrial hygiene are given preference.
Applicants must submit a letter of acceptance or a letter of provisional acceptance from an institution accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology in industrial hygiene (www.abet.org) to a full-time graduate program in industrial hygiene.
Occupational Therapist
Prior to commissioning, applicants who wish to pursue a qualifying graduate level degree must submit an acceptance letter or a tentative letter of acceptance to a full-time occupational therapy graduate degree program at a university accredited in occupational therapy by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
Clinical Social Worker
Applicants interested in pursuing the 24-month post-graduate supervised social work fellowship must have a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a Graduate School of Social Work accredited by the Council of Social Work Education prior to the annual application deadline as published in the annual MSC-IPP NAVADMIN.
Candidates with a clinical background are preferred, with preference given to those who can show proficient MSW coursework and/or practice experience in adult behavioral health disorder diagnosis, evaluation, and evidence-based treatment.
In states that license post-MSW professionals, a post-graduate social worker license or equivalent is necessary for fellowship.
Entomologist
Prior to commissioning, applicants who choose to pursue a qualifying graduate level entomology degree must present an acceptance letter or a tentative letter of acceptance to a full-time graduate degree program in entomology from an approved university. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Medical Laboratory Scientist
A current certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist from the American Society for Clinical Pathology and a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Medical Technology (MT), Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS), Medical Laboratory Science (MLS), or a natural science from an accredited university are prerequisites.
Applicants are required to have completed four courses at the college level in the natural, chemical, or biological sciences, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, subsequent to their completion of the Enlisted Medical Laboratory Technician program.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for the applicant’s fundamental MT, CLS, or MLS science coursework.
In the preceding six years, candidates must have accumulated a minimum of three years of direct laboratory officer-supervised experience in a medical treatment facility (excluding research and veterinary laboratory experience).
Pharmacist
Applicants who wish to pursue a qualifying degree prior to commissioning must have a letter of acceptance into a Doctor of Pharmacy degree program accredited by a nationally recognized pharmacy accreditation agency and be able to complete the requirements for a Doctor of Pharmacy degree within 48 consecutive months. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
License or National Registry Certification Requirements
Prior to commissioning or within one year after commissioning, MSC specialties, pharmacists, occupational therapists, clinical social workers, and physician assistants must get licensure or certification from the appropriate certifying body, state, territory, or the District of Columbia, as dictated by the standard practices and procedures of the specialty for which they are appointed.
The cost of obtaining and maintaining a license/certification to practice is borne by the individual. Applicants will be required to certify in writing that they are aware of the license/certification requirements prior to an appointment.
Who May Apply
At the time of application, this program is open to active duty enlisted Sailors, Marines, and Navy Training and Administration of the Reserve (TAR) personnel in any rating or military occupation specialty in paygrades E-5 through E-9. Applicants in the Individual Ready Reserve, active duty for specific duties, active service for training, one to three year recalls, or active Reserve Marines are ineligible for this program.
Upon Selection
Direct commissions and graduates of training programs will be commissioned in the US Navy’s staff corps, designator 2300, in a grade commensurate with their level of education.
Entry-level credit will be granted under DOD Instruction 6000.13, dated December 30, 2015. (Accession and Retention Policies, Programs, and Incentives for Military Health Professions Officers).
Officer Development School
All commissioned officers will be sent to the next available class at Officer Development School in Newport, Rhode Island.
The U.S Navy Officer Development School (ODS) is a five-week program that provides a comprehensive and intense introduction to the responsibilities of Navy Staff Corps Officers. ODS is held at the Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center in Newport, Rhode Island.
Upon completion of ODS, officers will be assigned to a Medical Service Corps (MSC) specialty. Officers will then attend the appropriate technical school for their MSC specialty.
Technical schools vary in length from 6 weeks to 18 months, depending on the specialty. Upon completion of technical school, officers will be assigned to a Navy medical treatment facility or other command as dictated by their specialty and the needs of the Navy.
Service Obligation
Selectees who receive a direct commission will have an eight-year service requirement, with a minimum of three years on active duty and the remaining in the Inactive Ready Reserve.
Those entering a training program will be required to serve a minimum of three years on active duty for the first year or any portion of the first year of training, and six months for each additional six months or any part of six months of training.
Selectees starting training must reenlist for six years from instructions to train. “Training (Health Care Administration IPP, MSC; Physician Assistant IPP, MSC)” or an appropriate program shall be stated as the basis for reenlistment.
“I understand that upon selection for the IPP (as appropriate), this agreement becomes binding and may not thereafter be canceled except as provided by the MILPERSMAN 1306-106,” should be inserted.
Prior to transfer, orders will be issued contingent on reenlistment. If an applicant who receives orders does not wish to reenlist to qualify, the commanding officer, NMLPDC, should be notified promptly.
Selectees will keep their enlisted status and will be eligible for rating advancement through the Navy advancement system. Payment of the selective reenlistment bonus is not permitted for selectees who reenlist to fulfill this required service condition.
Selectees who meet or complete degree requirements but do not commission will remain enlisted in the Navy or Navy Reserve and will be made available for general assignment to serve the time left on their present duty.
If a selectee cannot fulfill his or her service requirement, he or she will be obliged to reimburse the United States for educational costs.
More Information
To get further guidance, current enlisted personnel interested in pursuing a commission through the MSC-IPP should visit the MSC-IPP website: https://www.med.navy.mil/Naval-Medical-Leader-and-Professional-Development-Command/Professional-Development/Enlisted-Commissioning-Programs/Medical-Service-Corps-Inservice-Procurement-Program/.
Below is the contact information for the MSC-IPP:
Naval Medical Leader & Professional Development Command
ATTN – HMDT
16th Floor
8955 Wood Road
Bethesda, MD 20889-5611
Phone: (301) 319-4520 (DSN 285-4520)
301-295-0925 (DSN 295-0925)
Those who already qualify for any Medical Service Corps specialty may contact a local Naval Officer Recruiter for help with commissioning application.
Here are other Navy enlisted to officer programs that may interest you:
Hope this helped you with your career planning.
