Master of Arts in Military Studies-Capstone Option
Program Description
The Master of Arts in Military Studies focuses on strategic military operations in peace and conflict with concentrations in joint warfare, irregular warfare, or strategic leadership. You will study military art through historical and contemporary context and apply theory, established doctrine, and the laws of war to emerging defense and security challenges facing the U.S. You will also learn to identify viable courses of action when doctrine or revolutionary changes in strategy and operation occur.
The curriculum for this online master’s program was developed with input from academic professionals, senior military leaders, and those serving in the national security arena. Coursework provides useful skills and knowledge for professional government or military service, or as a research scholar or military instructor. It also helps to prepares you to publish scholarly works and to pursue a doctorate in a related field. While popular among students from the armed forces and government agencies, this major is open to any student interested in military philosophy, strategy, and operations.
Degree Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:
- Analyze the origins, development, capabilities, and vulnerabilities of both friendly and hostile military forces.
- Assess the major trends, theories, laws of war, events, and people that have shaped military studies in both an historical and modern context.
- Evaluate the variables and influences affecting military forces to include the following: leadership, doctrine; strategy, tactics, operations, joint operations and integrated systems, technology, cultures, and the multidimensional battle space.
- Judge examples of successful and unsuccessful military and strategic leadership philosophies and decisions based on historical and current events.
- Analyze critical issues and trends in national and international security that affect the strategic employment and sustainment of military forces and the relationship between military power and other elements of national power.
- Develop effective research, analysis, methodological, and presentation skills relevant to military studies.
- Synthesize information in a publication-quality paper that presents new knowledge or a new approach to a topic pertinent to the field of military studies.
Degree at a Glance
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Core Requirements
15
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Select one of the following concentrations:
15
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Final Program Requirement
3
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Elective Requirements
3
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Total Semester Hours
36
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Degree Program Requirements
Core Requirements (15 semester hours)
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The Making of Strategy 1
3 |
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Great Military Leaders
3 |
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Research Design and Methods
3 |
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Strategy, Tactics, & the Operational Art
3 |
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Joint Warfare Theory and Practice
3 |
| Total Semester Hours 15 |
Students must choose a concentration for this degree program and may select from a Concentration in Irregular Warfare, Concentration in Joint Warfare, Concentration in Modern Armed Conflict, or Concentration in Strategic Leadership.
Concentration in Irregular Warfare (15 semester hours)
This concentration provides students with an opportunity to research, study, and write in the field of lrregular Warfare (IW). The program experience includes a detailed analysis of historical, current, and future IW theories and concepts. Students will expand critical thinking and their knowledge of IW methods through an examination of materials on intelligence, international relations, terrorism, criminal activities, cyber warfare, propaganda, and the various levels of armed conflict to include conventional, asymmetric, and irregular warfare. The study of insurgent activities and the implementation of these methods provide an understanding of the nature and motivation of movements which challenge legitimate governance through forms of modem or hybrid warfare.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Diagram the changing nature of Irregular Warfare (IW) in terms of current theory, planning, and implementation.
- Synthesize elements of Irregular Warfare (IW) in historical and contemporary campaigns.
- Analyze emerging theories of Irregular Warfare (IW), through an understanding of varied methods of implementation.
- Evaluate Irregular Warfare (IW) concepts within the geo-political and operating environments.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)
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Seminar in Asymmetrical Warfare
3 |
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Insurgency and Revolution
3 |
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The Non-State Soldier
3 |
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Select 2 courses from the following:
6 |
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Case Studies in Foreign Cyber Threats
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Counterterrorism
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Terrorism: Assessing the Past to Forecast the Future
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Deception, Propaganda and Disinformation
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International Political Systems
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Special Operations Forces Application
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Studies in Future War
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Special Topic: Military Studies 2
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| Total Semester Hours 15 |
Concentration in Joint Warfare (15 semester hours)
This concentration studies modern joint warfare operations, leadership, and management. Students will learn of the theory, practice, planning, implementation, command and control, and overarching military philosophy that pervades today’s joint military environment. Going beyond the specific joint military community, students will also study coalition warfare and future war. The application of air, land, and sea power in joint operations can be analyzed as well as seen through past joint operations. Most popular among students from all military services and inter-governmental agencies, this major is open to any interested military or civilian student who seeks to know more of military philosophy, strategy, tactics, history, and contemporary issues.
Objectives
Focuses on modern joint warfare operations, leadership, and management, including the theory, practice, planning, implementation, command and control, and overarching military philosophy of today’s joint military environment. Topics include coalition warfare; future military conflict; the application of air, land, and sea power in joint operations; and various case studies in joint warfare from World War II to the present.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)
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Joint Warfare Planning and Implementation
3 |
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Joint Warfare Command and Control
3 |
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Case Studies in Joint Warfare
3 |
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Studies in Future War
3 |
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Select 1 course from the following:
3 |
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Strategic Military Leadership
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Air and Space Power Theory: Strategy and Tactics
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Seminar in Asymmetrical Warfare
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Special Operations Forces Application
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Insurgency and Revolution
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Air Power in Joint Warfare
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Naval Power in Joint Warfare
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The Non-State Soldier
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Special Topic: Military Studies 2
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Independent Study: Military Studies 2
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| Total Semester Hours 15 |
Concentration in Modern Armed Conflict (18 semester hours)
This concentration provides students with advanced-level insight into the dynamics of modern armed conflict, with emphasis on the national and global security challenges of the 21st century. Students will study, research, and analyze issues of conflict, defense, and security through an interdisciplinary military studies approach that integrates perspectives from national security, intelligence, and defense studies. Using social science methodologies, the curriculum promotes a holistic understanding of modern warfare, security threats, and contemporary military issues.
Coursework draws from a wide range of SSGS programs, allowing students to tailor their studies to individual interests while gaining breadth across strategic studies, intelligence, terrorism, asymmetric warfare, cybersecurity, and future war. Designed to strengthen analytical and leadership skills, this concentration prepares graduates for professional roles in the military, government agencies, or organizations focused on defense and security, as well as for careers in research and analysis in the broader field of military studies.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Investigate modern armed conflict through an interdisciplinary military studies approach to gain a holistic understanding of relevant theories, concepts, and issues within contemporary contexts.
- Analyze and form critical perspectives on major classic and contemporary theories, strategies, doctrines, events, people, threats, and organizations that shape modern armed conflict and contemporary national security.
- Evaluate emerging challenges in areas such as strategic studies, terrorism, asymmetric warfare, cyber threats, intelligence, and future war, and apply this knowledge to defense and security contexts.
- Synthesize insights from multiple areas of study to strengthen analytical and leadership skills for careers in government, the military, or related national security organizations.
Concentration Requirements (18 semester hours)
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Seminar in Asymmetrical Warfare
3 |
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Insurgency and Revolution
3 |
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Studies in Future War
3 |
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The Non-State Soldier
3 |
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Select 2 courses from the following:
6 |
|
Domestic Terrorism and Extremist Groups
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Case Studies in Foreign Cyber Threats
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Counterterrorism
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U.S. National Security
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Cyber Policy and Practice in National Security
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Current and Emerging Threats to U.S. National Security
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Political Psychology of Terror Groups
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International Terrorism
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| Total Semester Hours 18 |
Concentration in Strategic Leadership (15 semester hours)
This concentration is for students who seek an understanding of the principles, theory, and practices of strategy and leadership from historical and contemporary perspectives. This program provides students with the opportunity to focus on strategic leadership lessons learned under military, civil-military, and government settings and conditions. With critical analytical thinking skills, students can apply the classic strategies, tactics, and teachings of the great military philosophers and leaders to key national strategic issues and international concerns that are relevant in modern times.
Objectives
Traces the principles, theory, and practices of strategy and leadership from historical and contemporary perspectives with a focus on strategic leadership lessons learned under military, civil-military, and government settings and conditions. Also teaches critical analytical thinking skills needed to apply classic strategies, tactics, and teachings of great military philosophers and leaders to key national strategic issues and international concerns.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)
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Strategic Military Leadership
3 |
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Joint Warfare Command and Control
3 |
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Studies in Future War
3 |
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National Security and Globalization
3 |
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Select 1 course from the following:
3 |
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Special Operations Forces Application
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Insurgency and Revolution
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The Non-State Soldier
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Special Topic: Military Studies 2
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Independent Study: Military Studies 2
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Institutions of National Security
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| Total Semester Hours 15 |
Final Program Requirement (3 semester hours)
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Military Studies Capstone 3
3 |
| Total Semester Hours 3 |
Elective Requirements (3 semester hours)
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Select any graduate courses not already taken to fulfill the requirements listed above. 3 |
| Total Semester Hours 3 |
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Required as the first course in this program.
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Students will need permission from the Department Chair to take this course.
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Taken once all other requirements have been met.