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About This Program
Deepen your knowledge of military history by earning an online bachelor’s in military history from American Public University (APU).
Designed differently than many military history programs, APU’s BA in Military History focuses primarily on how armed conflict shaped society throughout history
The program focuses on the philosophies and strategies of war, leaders and management of militaries and people, the impact of decisive historical battles, technological innovations in war and their influence on society, and historical lessons of diplomacy and foreign affairs.
APU has roots in the military, and faculty who are current or former military leaders or accomplished authors enrich your learning.
What You Will Do
- Understand key historical facts, values, and ideas that shaped society throughout history
- Analyze primary sources in their historical context and use them to evaluate historical arguments
- Study secondary sources and identify approaches to historical interpretation through critical reading
- Conduct independent historical research using primary and secondary sources to complete a major research paper
Degree at a Glance
Number of Credits
120
Cost Per Credit
$360 | $250*
$324**
$324**
Courses Start Monthly
Online
-
Want to Learn More?
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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version
Students must choose a concentration for this degree program:
A student enrolled in the Concentration in American Military History is recommended to take HIST101-American History to 1877 and HIST221-African American History before 1877 as part of their General Education Requirements.
Students who pursue this concentration will focus on American Military History from Colonial America to the present. Students study the philosophies, personalities, strategies, leadership, and other factors that influenced American Military History. Topics focus on military operations but also cover foreign policy and domestic political, economic, and social components of early America to the Persian Gulf War.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Identify causes of America's break from the British Empire.
- Compare and contrast the philosophy of early American leaders.
- Analyze the reasons America pushed westward and what that expansion entailed.
- Identify and give examples of the causes of the Civil War as well as differentiate the outcomes of that war in the North and the South.
- Assess the social, economic, and political situation in America leading up to the 20th century.
- Identify the causes of the Great Depression and recognize the attempts that were made to bring America out of it.
- Analyze America's reasoning for joining both World Wars as well as identify military policy and strategy that contributed to eventual victory.
- Elaborate on the political background of the Cold War and what factors led to diplomatic struggles between the United States and the Soviet Union.
- Integrate the cultural revolution of the 1960s and what was happening in Vietnam.
- Identify major political, cultural, and economic developments from the 1980s to the 21st Century.
Choose 30 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 3064
|
This course explores North American history from the dawn of the British colonization of North America to
the end of the French and Indian War in 1763, which sparked subsequent British Colonial Policy and thus set into motion the events leading to American Revolution in 1775. (Prerequisites: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3067
|
Antebellum America, 1846-1861 examines the divisive political, social, and economic forces which intensified in the 1840s and culminated in the Civil War. Through a study of the primary and secondary literature of American history this course surveys the individuals and groups who influenced the American experience, as well as the cultural, political, and socio-economic movements that shaped the nation.(Prerequisites: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3068
|
Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877 examines the wartime problems of the Union and Confederacy, as well as the consequences of the war and the postwar efforts to create a new Union. Through a study of the primary and secondary literature of American history this course surveys the individuals and groups who influenced the American experience, as well as the cultural, military, political, and socio-economic movements that shaped the nation. (Prerequisites: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3382
|
This course examines the American Revolution from its antecedents to its legacy. The events leading to the revolt and the Declaration of Independence; the strategy and tactics of the war emphasizing the land campaigns; and the aftermath of war on the new Nation.
(Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3385
|
This course analyzes World War I, from the political unrest in Europe in 1914 and the outbreak of war to the Armistice in November 1918 to the treaty of Versailles in 1919 and the official end of the war. Global in scope, the themes highlight the origins of the conflict, Entente and Central Powers strategies, plus the major military campaigns, power diplomacy, life on the home front and America’s entry and effect to the Entente (Allied) war effort her entry had on the outcome of the conflict. (Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3392
|
This course is a global examination of the Second World War with an emphasis on the origins of the conflict, Axis and Allied strategies, major military campaigns, great power diplomacy, life on the home front, and the Holocaust. The experience of combat, social and political changes that resulted from the conflict and the scientific consequences of the war will be continual themes addressed by the course material.
(Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3386
|
This course provides a history of the Korean War from pre-hostilities to post-ceasefire. The course mainly concentrates on the U.S. and South Korean conflict against North Korean and Chinese forces, but other UN participants are covered throughout the course. All three levels of conflict, from tactical to strategic are discussed. The increase in technology, the usage of modern weapons, POWs, and the continued presence of U.S. forces in the Republic of South Korea are also covered. (Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3387
|
This course examines the origins of the conflict in Indochina, American intervention and commitment, the ground wars, Vietnamization, trouble at home, the US withdrawal, and the war's effect on American society. (Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
Choose 6 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 3065
|
The Early Republic, 1783-1815 examines the development of American political, social, and cultural institutions during the formative years of the new Republic. Through a study of the primary and secondary literature of American history this course surveys the individuals and groups who influenced the American experience, as well as the cultural, political, and socio-economic movements that shaped the nation. (Prerequisites: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3066
|
Jacksonian America, 1815-1846 examines the nature of Jacksonian democracy and its treatment in American historiography. Through a study of the primary and secondary literature of American history this course surveys the individuals and groups who influenced the American experience, as well as the cultural, political, and socio-economic movements that shaped the nation.
(Prerequisites: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3069
|
The Gilded Age, 1877-1900 examines the rise of the United States as an industrial and world power with particular stress on the changing patterns within American society. Through a study of the primary and secondary literature of American history this course surveys the individuals and groups who influenced the American experience, as well as the cultural, political, and socio-economic movements that shaped the nation. (Prerequisites: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3070
|
This course examines the changes in American society at the end of the 19th century as it confronted the issues of industrialization, immigration, and urbanization. It explores the open conflict between the advocates of isolationism and collective security and examines the impact of World War I. It also examines the changing values of the 1920’s, the stock market crash of 1929, the Great Depression that followed, and the prelude to the second world war.
(Prerequisites: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3071
|
The United States: WW II to the Present is a study of the political, economic, social, and cultural development of the United States from World War II to the Present. Topics include social and cultural changes in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and the first decade of the 21st Century; the United States foreign policy from the post-WWII "Cold War," to Korea, Vietnam, and other global confrontations between the United States and the communist world from Somalia, Grenada, and the First Gulf War to the most recent "War on Terrorism"; and the technological changes and their impact on the social and economical development of the United States. (Prerequisites: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3072
|
This is a special topics course that is designed to afford students the opportunity to examine topics not covered by the existing curriculum. Students are permitted to substitute up to two special topics classes for other courses required in their concentration. Special topic courses are offered quarterly, and the topics for these will vary.
July 2026: The History of AI
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in daily life, understanding its long and complex history is essential for interpreting the present—and anticipating a potential “posthuman” future. This course traces AI from early dreams of artificial minds in classical antiquity to the latest advances in generative AI. Students examine foundational figures and early post-WWII pioneers (Turing, Newell, Simon, Minsky, Shannon, McCarthy, and others), as well as the skepticism and backlash of subsequent “AI winters.” The course explores the significance of gaming as both a laboratory and a public proving ground for AI (from chess to today’s AI-driven worlds, where agents learn, adapt, and generate dialogue and quests in real time). Students examine how popular culture (from Frankenstein and Metropolis to 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star Trek, The Matrix, Her, and Black Mirror) has shaped public expectations and, at times, influenced technological agendas. Finally, students assess why historical perspective is indispensable for contemporary debates over AI creativity, labor, bias, surveillance, regulation and companionship. The course concludes by confronting emerging “posthuman” questions about what AI is becoming, what society should demand of it, and how it may reshape human life and work.
Course ID: 3073
|
An opportunity for History students to pursue an independent research project or examine a specific area of history under the mentorship of a single professor. Course is open to History majors only. The course will typically involve a major research paper; there will be no examination. Students will submit a proposal prior to the start of the project, and a rough draft of the paper, both of which will count toward the final grade. To be eligible for an independent study, students must be enrolled in a bachelors degree program, must have completed 24 hours at APUS toward their current degree program, and should have already contacted a professor and gained approval for the independent study topic. Once these conditions are met the student should contact their academic advisor. Once the course is open the student must complete an official online registration for the course. (Prerequisites: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
Course ID: 3415
|
This course is a one-time offering on an area of special interest and may be applied to fulfill major course requirements or electives. A student may appeal to take this course twice, if the subject matter is different enough to merit separate credit. WINTER 2016 SPECIAL TOPIC - MEDAL OF HONOR: Students will learn about the story behind the Medal of Honor and the significance of the design of the Medal. Students will also learn how Confederates were honored with a Roll of Honor. They will learn that the Medal of Honor Legion was founded in 1890 to protect the Medal from abuse. They will learn that 911 Medals of Honor were revoked in 1917 after all the Medals to date were reviewed, including those of the only woman and the 27th Maine, and will learn if any of these Medals were restored later. They will also learn about modern Medal of Honor recipients.
Course ID: 3807
|
An opportunity for Military History students to pursue an independent research project or examine a specific area of history under the mentorship of a single professor. Course is open to Military History majors only. The course will typically involve a major research paper; there will be no examination. Students will submit a proposal prior to the start of the project, and a rough draft of the paper, both of which will count toward the final grade. To be eligible for an independent study, students must be enrolled in a bachelors degree program, must have completed 24 hours at APUS toward their current degree program, and should have already contacted a professor and gained approval for the independent study topic. Once these conditions are met the student should contact their academic advisor. Once the course is open the student must complete an official online registration for the course. (Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
Students who pursue the General Concentration will learn about the "big picture" through exposure to five historical perspectives. They will learn critical and analytical thinking, and effective writing and research methods. Students study the philosophies, personalities, strategies, leadership, and other factors that influenced the world. Topics cover Ancient and Classical Military History, American Military Campaign Histories, Diplomacy and Peacekeeping, Strategy and Operations, and Current Issues and Future Trends.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Identify a broad knowledge of the historical literature that pertains to the topics of study included in the degree program and locate the linkage between historical studies and allied disciplines.
- Interpret historical forces that have shaped social change and contemporary human problems and discern an understanding of the historical experiences that go beyond a single time period and national or cultural experience.
- Analyze historical material and make judgments, to establish causal relationships between facts, to find order and patterns, and to answer why and how - not just simply report.
- Analyze the contributions of the major military philosophers and leaders to the understanding of military history.
- Examine the dynamics of diplomacy and peacekeeping as they have existed throughout history and in the present.
- Discuss the major military events, technologies, and nations that shaped our past and contemporary world.
- Examine the operational art and warfare options practiced in historical and modern scenarios.
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 3991
|
The Cold War developed between capitalist and communist nations—primarily between the United States and Russia—shortly after World War II and lasted until the early 1990s. Although the conflict is technically considered over, its impact is still felt in society, politics and economics even today. The Cold War often threatened to transform into a hot war, and actually did so periodically, such as in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. This course focuses on the development of the ideological conflict and its effects on politics, economics, technology, society and culture in both the East and the West. (Prerequisites: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3385
|
This course analyzes World War I, from the political unrest in Europe in 1914 and the outbreak of war to the Armistice in November 1918 to the treaty of Versailles in 1919 and the official end of the war. Global in scope, the themes highlight the origins of the conflict, Entente and Central Powers strategies, plus the major military campaigns, power diplomacy, life on the home front and America’s entry and effect to the Entente (Allied) war effort her entry had on the outcome of the conflict. (Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3392
|
This course is a global examination of the Second World War with an emphasis on the origins of the conflict, Axis and Allied strategies, major military campaigns, great power diplomacy, life on the home front, and the Holocaust. The experience of combat, social and political changes that resulted from the conflict and the scientific consequences of the war will be continual themes addressed by the course material.
(Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3880
|
This course is a comprehensive survey of ancient and classical warfare (prehistory to c. AD 500) in Western Civilization from the origins of warfare in the Paleolithic period to the decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century. The millennia under study in this course were a dynamic period in warfare, full of important discoveries and innovations in martial technologies, strategy, organization and combined-arms tactics, fortification, siege craft, and naval warfare. Students will read and analyze a wide variety of sources on ancient and classical warfare in Mesopotamia and the Near East (Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Hittite, Assyrian and Persian), Egypt (Old, Middle and New Kingdom), Greece (Mycenaean, Archaic, Hellenic and Hellenistic) and Rome (Republican and Imperial) in order to develop an appreciation of the important contributions of these civilizations to the continuity of warfighting in the Western world. (Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
Course ID: 3877
|
This course covers the history of warfare from the Spanish Armada in 1588 to the dawn of the French Revolutionary wars in the 1790s. The 17th and 18th centuries were an era in world history abound in continuous warfare. The militaries of Europe in particular were still primarily composed of mercenaries, politically and often militarily unreliable. Warfare in this era was not confined to the plains of Europe; the world’s oceans also played host to their own form of combat. The 17th and 18th centuries at sea began with Great Britain on the verge of invasion from the Spanish Armada to Great Britain becoming the unquestioned master of the ocean. Thus, the 17th and 18th centuries began in an aura of indecisiveness and closed awash in the destruction of “world” war. The evolution of warfare from the inconclusive to the decisive battle is explored in depth. (Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3878
|
This course is a comprehensive study of European post-classical warfare from the decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century to the integration of reliable gunpowder technologies at the beginning of the sixteenth century (c. 450 to c.1500 AD). Students will read and analyze a wide variety of sources on medieval warfare in order to develop an appreciation of the important contributions of the European Middle Ages to the continuity of warfighting in Western civilization. Contrary to popular belief, the millennium under study in this course was a dynamic period in warfare, full of important rediscoveries and innovations in fortification, siegecraft and combined-arms technology, organization and tactics, all of which allowed Europe to become the preeminent military power in the period after 1500 AD. (Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3879
|
This course examines the theory and practice of warfare in Europe from 1785 to 1870. It will emphasize the rise of Napoleon as a military leader, as a practitioner of the operational art, but will also examine his political, economic and legal impact on Europe as a whole. This course will focus on the wars of the French Revolution, Napoleon's northern Italian campaigns, his expedition to Egypt, his battles while leading the Grand Army at Austerlitz and Jena, and his march to Moscow where he led the largest army in European history to date. It will also cover the 1813 and 1814 campaigns, the reactions of Napoleon's enemies to his innovations in warfare, and his final defeat at Waterloo. The course then looks at the status of Europe in 1815 and the conditions which set the terms for the “Long Peace”. The course ends prior to the start of the wars of 1870 and the lessons learned. (Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
Course ID: 3386
|
This course provides a history of the Korean War from pre-hostilities to post-ceasefire. The course mainly concentrates on the U.S. and South Korean conflict against North Korean and Chinese forces, but other UN participants are covered throughout the course. All three levels of conflict, from tactical to strategic are discussed. The increase in technology, the usage of modern weapons, POWs, and the continued presence of U.S. forces in the Republic of South Korea are also covered. (Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
Choose 6 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 3990
|
This course explores European colonial history from the fifteenth century to the present. It takes into account the exploration, colonization, and decolonization of the Americas, Africa, Asia, India and the Middle East by three major European powers: Britain, France, and Spain. The actions of these countries, among others in Europe, affected the areas they colonized and the indigenous populations for generations to come. This course will focus on the expansion of European empires, the consolidation, management, and disintegration of the empires. (Prerequisites: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3068
|
Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877 examines the wartime problems of the Union and Confederacy, as well as the consequences of the war and the postwar efforts to create a new Union. Through a study of the primary and secondary literature of American history this course surveys the individuals and groups who influenced the American experience, as well as the cultural, military, political, and socio-economic movements that shaped the nation. (Prerequisites: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3382
|
This course examines the American Revolution from its antecedents to its legacy. The events leading to the revolt and the Declaration of Independence; the strategy and tactics of the war emphasizing the land campaigns; and the aftermath of war on the new Nation.
(Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3387
|
This course examines the origins of the conflict in Indochina, American intervention and commitment, the ground wars, Vietnamization, trouble at home, the US withdrawal, and the war's effect on American society. (Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
Course ID: 3415
|
This course is a one-time offering on an area of special interest and may be applied to fulfill major course requirements or electives. A student may appeal to take this course twice, if the subject matter is different enough to merit separate credit. WINTER 2016 SPECIAL TOPIC - MEDAL OF HONOR: Students will learn about the story behind the Medal of Honor and the significance of the design of the Medal. Students will also learn how Confederates were honored with a Roll of Honor. They will learn that the Medal of Honor Legion was founded in 1890 to protect the Medal from abuse. They will learn that 911 Medals of Honor were revoked in 1917 after all the Medals to date were reviewed, including those of the only woman and the 27th Maine, and will learn if any of these Medals were restored later. They will also learn about modern Medal of Honor recipients.
Course ID: 3807
|
An opportunity for Military History students to pursue an independent research project or examine a specific area of history under the mentorship of a single professor. Course is open to Military History majors only. The course will typically involve a major research paper; there will be no examination. Students will submit a proposal prior to the start of the project, and a rough draft of the paper, both of which will count toward the final grade. To be eligible for an independent study, students must be enrolled in a bachelors degree program, must have completed 24 hours at APUS toward their current degree program, and should have already contacted a professor and gained approval for the independent study topic. Once these conditions are met the student should contact their academic advisor. Once the course is open the student must complete an official online registration for the course. (Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
Must take the following in this Section:
Course ID: 5037
|
Information and Digital Literacy is designed to provide students with sustainable and usable skills essential to success in both academic and professional settings. Students will learn best practices to locate and evaluate sources, and effectively communicate using digital literacy to become proficient 21st century learners.
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 06/29/26 - 12/04/26 | 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 | Fall 2026 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4951
|
Martin Luther King, Jr, said, “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to KEEP MOVING.” Making Writing Relevant is a composition course that will definitely keep you moving. It is not merely a required course; it is the type of course you will want to take because it moves you onto the path to success. Over eight-weeks, we will help you learn the most important components of a successful writer-communicator. We will teach you how to research properly, knowing you will need this skill in every course you take here at APUS and also in interactions in your professional and personal life. We will teach you the formatting style you will use in your field. We will provide a supportive community to strengthen and encourage you, and by the end of this nearly-all-you-need-to-know-about-writing course, you will be able to fly.
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 06/29/26 - 12/04/26 | 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 | Fall 2026 Session D | 8 Week session |
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 3059
|
The purpose of this course is to prepare the student for upper-division course work, research, and writing based on historical methodologies such as quantification or paleography. It is designed to familiarize the student with what historians do and how they do it, and affords the student the opportunity to develop their own skills as a historian by interpreting and evaluating primary and secondary source material and presenting their findings in a written, properly referenced format.
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3657
|
This course is a survey of the changing patterns of warfare within Western civilization, to include analyses of principal military thinkers and the evolving relationship among Western societies, warfare, and their military institutions.
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3383
|
This course is a study of the American military institution from the colonial period to the current environment in the 21st century. Students will examine military traditions and employment of forces during war and peace as well as the relationships between the military and society. Recommended prerequisites are two lower level survey courses in U.S. or World History.
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3658
|
This course is a survey and discussion of warfighting during ancient times through to the beginning of the 17th century with emphasis on technological advances in the military arts and sciences and their short-term and long-term effects on strategy and tactics.
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3659
|
This course is a survey and discussion of warfighting from end of the 17th century until now, to include military arts and science as well as combined arms employment. Emphasizes the innovations and changes in strategy, tactics, organization and technology engendered by the decisions of the great captains of each age.
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3393
|
This course is a study of military leadership of ancient to present day commanders through selected readings. Emphasis will be on the burden of command and the various solutions that military leaders employed in the prosecution of war. Ancient and modern leadership will be examined, but the primary focus will be on the modern era.
(Prerequisites: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3394
|
This course is a study of basic concepts in military strategy and tactics viewed through the prism of the selected readings from well-known military philosophers. Both ancient and modern philosophers will be studied.
(Prerequisite: HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
Select any courses that have not been used to fulfill major requirements. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major.
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 4477
|
Preparation for the BA in History and Military History Capstone seminar begins on day one of a student's program of study. The theories, research methods and analytical skills, and substantive knowledge obtained through their BA curriculum provide the basis for the Senior Seminar. Students are required to develop primary and secondary source materials on their research topic and address the writing requirements as described in the syllabus and classroom assignments. The research proposal must provide a clear description of a question or problem and a proposed method of answering the question or solving the problem. This course should be the LAST course in your program prior to HIST498/MILH498 and should not be taken earlier in your program.
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3416
|
The Senior Seminar in Military History is designed to integrate the student's past work in their major field of study and to review as well as strengthen their understanding of their focus area in military history. After a review of the student’s academic experience, the student and professor will design a course of study to complete the student’s preparation for research and writing a major paper in their field of interest. This is a capstone course to be taken after all other Military History courses have been satisfactorily completed. (Prerequisite: HIST491 and completion of a minimum of 105 hours towards your program)
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/23/26 - 07/31/26 | 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 | Summer 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 04/27/26 - 10/02/26 | 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 | Fall 2026 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 05/25/26 - 10/30/26 | 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 | Fall 2026 Session I | 8 Week session |
Admission Requirements
- All APU undergraduate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e., GED). Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
- There is no fee to complete the APU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.
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1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.
*Cost Per Credit Hour
The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.
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