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About This Program
Enhance your level of professional military knowledge with a master’s in military studies from American Public University (APU).
APU’s online master’s degree in military studies aims to produce thoughtful warrior practitioners by promoting military thought, achieved by considering the dynamic interaction of history, theory, and doctrine of the military art of war.
The program uses a four-part social science methodology to approach the discipline: military history, military theory and principles, military concepts and doctrine, and military leader and conflict analysis.
Academic professionals, senior military leaders, and those serving in the national security arena provided input in developing APU’s curriculum. APU’s Master of Arts in Military Studies sharpens your capacities for effective research, analysis, methodological, and presentation skills relative to military studies.
What You Will Do
- Promote military thought by analyzing the origins, development, content, and implications of essential military theories and principles
- Assess major developments, concepts, trends, , events, people, and organizations that have shaped military studies in historical and modern contexts
- Creatively analyze and methodically evaluate the variables and influences affecting the theory and practice of war
- Master and apply the social science methodology to enhance your ability to analyze military-related topics beyond a solely historical approach
Degree at a Glance
$386.75** | $409.50***
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Want to Learn More?
Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version
Students must choose a concentration for this degree program:
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.
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 3274
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3275
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3273
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3219
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Choose 3 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 4726
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4523
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3239
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3240
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3220
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2520
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3499
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3224
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3471
Course ID: 3472
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.
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 4726
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3275
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3219
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3492
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Choose 3 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 3255
Course ID: 3240
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3220
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3224
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3471
Course ID: 3472
Course ID: 3475
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
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.
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 3239
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3220
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3224
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
Choose 6 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 4825
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3102
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3938
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3967
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3560
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3240
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3219
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3471
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 3242
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3829
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3463
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3266
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4891
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 3902
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 09/22/24 | Spring 2024 Session C | 16 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 10/20/24 | Summer 2024 Session A | 16 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 11/24/24 | Summer 2024 Session K | 16 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 12/22/24 | Summer 2024 Session C | 16 Week session |
Admission Requirements
- All APU master's degree/graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA®).
- Please read all graduate 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.
CHEA® is a registered trademark of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Materials Cost
Most courses in this program use Open Educational Resources (OER). These teaching, learning, and research materials are made available to you at no cost, meaning there are minimal book costs associated with earning this degree.
Technology fee: $85 per course
Need Help?
Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions coach at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].
Consumer Information
Disclosures
Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.
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.
See all military student benefits.
Cost of Attendance
Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance.