COMDTINST 1500.27 governs Coast Guard undergraduate and graduate education under the Public Affairs Advanced Education Program.
View COMDTINST 1500.27 on armypubs.army.mil
The publication addresses eligibility, school selection, curriculum, follow-on assignments, and service obligations for PA_AE participants. It requires formal education opportunities for public affairs officers and enlisted public affairs specialists.
Applies to: This Instruction establishes policy and provides guidance for Coast Guard members selected to attend undergraduate and graduate college and university programs of study under the Coast Guard’s Public Affairs Advanced Education (PA_AE) Program as set forth in References (a) and (b).
The Coast Guard must invest in formal education programs for the Public Affairs Program. Advanced education opportunities must be afforded to public affairs officers (PAO). Advanced education opportunities must be afforded to enlisted public affairs specialists (PA). (paragraph 8)
Officers and enlisted members must have an undergraduate degree, and show favorable ability to complete a master’s degree, to be selected for a master’s level, 24-month program of study. Enlisted members who do not have an undergraduate degree must have an associate’s degree, or show favorable ability to complete a bachelor’s degree, to be selected for a 24-month program of undergraduate study.
Members selected to attend formal training through the Public Affairs Advanced Education Program must attend an accredited, research-producing university or college.
The PA_AE program manager must approve all school selections before orders are issued.
Students will be expected to focus in academic areas of study specifically relating to Public Relations, Mass Communication, Media Studies, Communication Theory, Communication Planning, Digital Media, and Crisis Communication.