This graduate degree has recently been designed to allow students to choose an area of concentration in a field of study that best suits their professional aspirations and interests. This program ensures that students will learn about the "big picture" through exposure to strategic and operational perspectives, while allowing them to tailor graduate study to individual needs. Graduates of this program typically go on to serve in government or military occupations, write articles and/or books, and/or pursue the doctorate in a related field. Degree Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning outcomes objectives, the Master of Arts in Military Studies also seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates. With reference to each of the respective areas of military studies, graduates in this degree program will be able to: - Define, classify, and articulate the major trends, events, and people that have shaped military studies and evaluate them in context by comparison and contrast.
- Examine, analyze, and evaluate at least one specialized operational sub-discipline.
- Synthesize operational issues into a coherent and comprehensive paradigm of the human condition.
- Analyze data, information, and concepts pertinent to various methodologies of historical research.
- Create a research proposal in which data, information, and concepts can be evaluated and synthesized.
- Appraise different approaches to military studies in order to evaluate and propose a specific methodology for a particular project.
- Create a publication quality presentation for reporting current analysis and synthesis.
Degree Program Requirements Core Courses (12 semester hours)
RC576 / HIS 500 - Historical Research Methods
LW540 / MLH 601 - Great Military Philosophers
MS614 / MIL 602 - National Political/Military Goals & Strategies
MS607 / MIL 660 - Strategy, Tactics, & the Operational Art Concentration in Air Warfare
Air Warfare students study the history, power, strategy, and great leaders of the war in the air. This concentration is structured to focus on areas such as strategic and/or tactical air power theory, air wars in previous wars, special operations, and other current topics related to the discipline. Most popular among students from the U.S. Air Force, this major is open to interested military or civilian student who seeks to know more of air philosophy, strategy, tactics, history, and contemporary issues.
Concentration Objectives
Upon completion of this concentration, the student will be able to: - Explain the advent of air power on the conduct of war and role in revolutionizing the battlefield by expanding the scale and scope of conflict from two to three dimensions.
- Discern and assess the effectiveness of strategic air power in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War and the Gulf conflict.
- Distinguish the evolving role of fighter aircraft in combat to include doctrine, weaponry, and airframe capabilities through actual combat examples involving various air forces in several wars and conflicts, including Desert Storm.
- Appraise the technology (airframes, weapons, and avionics), that influences current strategic concepts and aerial combat tactical doctrine.
- Assess the conventional and unconventional air warfare of the future in light of technological change and the information age, non-state military threats, rogue regimes, and clashes of culture between regions.
Concentration Requirements
Complete five on the list below: (15 semester hours)
AW500 / MIL 550 - Air Power
AW514 / MIL 553 - Strategic Air Power Theory
AW505 / MIL 554 - Tactical Airpower Theory
AW506 / MIL 556 - Air Warfare in the 21st Century
LC505 / MIL 620 - Studies in Future War Choose one of the following: (3 semester hours)
AW545 / MIL 655 - Air Power in Joint Warfare
AW524 / MIL 656 - Air Power in Small Wars
LC540 / MIL 657 - Special Operations: Air
MS680 / MIL 680 - Special Topic - this course, when offered, may be applied to fulfill major course requirements or elective requirements with permission of the Department Chair.
MS691 / MIL 690 - Independent Study – this course may be applied to fulfill major course requirements or elective requirements with permission of the Department Chair. Graduate Electives (6 semester hours)
Select from graduate level Military History or Military Studies courses that have not been used to fulfill core or concentration requirements.
MS710 / MIL 700 - Separate Comprehensive Exam- Military Studies
Taken once all other degree requirements have been met. Total Hours: 36 semester hours
Concentration in Land Warfare
The Land Warfare concentration offers a range of historical and contemporary courses that cover the leading land warfare campaigns and operational issues faced in war fighting from classical through modern times. Students may focus their course work on great events in time, such as land warfare or past wars or the present in our history, (2) the analysis of strategy and tactics used in various campaigns, (3) war fighting options other than total war, including future war, and (4) other combinations of courses leading to a unique concentration. Most popular among students from the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps, 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. Concentration Objectives
Upon completion of this concentration, the student will be able to: - Discern war fighting from ancient times to the beginning of the 17th Century to the present with emphasis on technological advances in land warfare and their effects on strategy and tactics.
- Distinguish and apply the principles of war using actual campaigns from various historical periods.
- Evaluate the tactics applicable to today's exigencies of conflict and compare past styles of war fighting with the potential use against contemporary military and paramilitary forces.
- Use the case study approach to gain an appreciation of modern urban warfare by studying three urban conflicts [Stalingrad (1942/43), Hue City (1968), and Mogadishu (1992)] along with additional readings on urban warfare and potential in the 21st Century.
- Assess the conventional and unconventional land warfare of the future in light of technological change and the information age, non-state military threats, rogue regimes, and clashes of culture between regions.
Concentration Requirements
Complete five courses on the list below: (15 semester hours)
LW546 / MIL 560 - Land Warfare from Antiquity to Present
LW552 / MIL 661 - Campaign and Battle Analysis
LW553 / MIL 662 - Contemporary Tactical Thought
LW585 / MIL 568 - Urban Warfare
LC505 / MIL 620 - Studies in Future War Choose one of the following: (3 semester hours)
LW655 / MIL 665 - Land Power in Joint Warfare
LW572 / MIL 667 - Desert Shield/Desert Storm
MS632 / MIL 668 - The War in Afghanistan
MS680 / MIL 680 - Special Topic - this course, when offered, may be applied to fulfill major course requirements or elective requirements with permission of the Department Chair.
MS691/ MIL 690 - Independent Study – this course may be applied to fulfill major course requirements or elective requirements with permission of the Department Chair. Graduate Electives (6 semester hours)
Select from graduate level Military History or Military Studies courses that have not been used to fulfill core or concentration requirements. |
MS710 / MIL 700 - Separate Comprehensive Exam- Military Studies
Taken once all other degree requirements have been met. Total Hours: 36 semester hours
Concentration in Naval Warfare
The concentration in Naval Warfare degree is designed to emphasize historical, geo-strategic, and tactical issues associated with war at and below sea level. Through leading naval philosophers, strategists, leaders, and texts, naval warfare is analyzed for its crucial role in the maintenance of national security and geopolitical stability. Most popular among students from the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, 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. Concentration Objectives
Upon completion of this concentration, the student will be able to: - Discern the history of sea power from antiquity to the present by evaluating classical theories of naval warfare, as reflected by Mahan and Corbett in light of today's scenarios.
- Compare and contrast naval military philosophers and writings that have influenced the use of sea power and the conduct of naval warfare between nation states.
- Examine the critical importance of special operations and the art of special operations: naval/shore from use in World War II through its role in Korea, Vietnam, and other conflicts.
- Evaluate the naval component of joint warfare in the modern age and naval strengths and weaknesses in working in inter-agency, and inter-service environments through analysis of several modern military operations.
- Assess the conventional and unconventional naval warfare of the future in light of technological change and the information age, non-state military threats, rogue regimes, and clashes of culture between regions.
Concentration Requirements
Complete five courses on the list below: (15 semester hours)
NW500 / MIL 570 - History of Sea Power
NW544 / MIL 573 - Great Naval Philosophers and Strategists
LC541 / MIL 676 - Special Operations: Naval/Shore
NW539 / MIL 677 - Naval Power in Joint Warfare
LC505 / MIL 620 - Studies in Future War Choose one of the following: (3 semester hours)
NW580 / HLS 511 - Coastal Security
NW538 / MIL 675 - Amphibious Warfare
NW543 / MIL 674 - Undersea Warfare
MS680 / MIL 680 - Special Topic - this course, when offered, may be applied to fulfill major course requirements or elective requirements with permission of the Department Chair.
MS691 / MIL 690 - Independent Study – this course may be applied to fulfill major course requirements or elective requirements with permission of the Department Chair. Graduate Electives (6 semester hours)
Select from graduate level Military History or Military Studies courses that have not been used to fulfill core or concentration requirements.
MS710 / MIL 700 - Separate Comprehensive Exam- Military Studies
Taken once all other degree requirements have been met. Total Hours: 36 semester hours
Concentration in Joint Warfare
This concentration is a study of 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. Concentration Objectives
Upon completion of this concentration, the student will be able to: - Examine the theory and practice of joint warfare in every major conflict since the mid-19th century with special emphasis on American joint warfare in the 1980s and 90s.
- Discern and assess the contemporary factors influencing planning for combined and joint operations at the strategic and operational levels of war.
- Evaluate the doctrinal and technical aspects of Joint Warfare command and control as well as operational differences among the services.
- Debate the varied dimensions of coalition warfare and combined operations in both a historical and contemporary perspective.
- Assess the conventional and unconventional joint warfare of the future in light of technological change and the information age, non-state military threats, rogue regimes, and clashes of culture between regions.
Concentration Requirements
Complete five on the list below. (15 semester hours)
LW574 / MIL 595 - Joint Warfare Theory and Practice
LW620 / MIL 596 - Joint Warfare Planning and Implementation
LW621 / MIL 597 - Joint Warfare Command and Control
LW554 / MIL 669 - Coalition Warfare
LC505 / MIL 620 - Studies in Future War Choose one of the following: (3 semester hours)
AW545 / MIL 655 - Air Power in Joint Warfare
LW655 / MIL 665 - Land Power in Joint Warfare
NW539 / MIL 677 - Naval Power in Joint Warfare
MS680 / MIL 680 - Special Topic - this course, when offered, may be applied to fulfill major course requirements or elective requirements with permission of the Department Chair.
MS691 / MIL 690 - Independent Study – this course may be applied to fulfill major course requirements or elective requirements with permission of the Department Chair. Graduate Electives (6 semester hours)
Select from graduate level Military History or Military Studies courses that have not been used to fulfill core or concentration requirements.
MS710 / MIL 700 - Separate Comprehensive Exam- Military Studies
Taken once all other degree requirements have been met.
Total Hours: 36 semester hours Concentration in Unconventional Warfare/Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict
This concentration is designed to provide special operations professionals and interested students an intriguing exploration into the history, doctrine, and capabilities of special operations forces. Through study, research, and analysis students will gain an appreciation and insight into the nine special operations core tasks: Counterterrorism, Counter Proliferation, Special Reconnaissance, Direct Action, Unconventional Warfare, Information Operations, Psychological Operations, Foreign Internal Defense, and Civil Affairs Operations. Moreover, students will examine the units designated as Special Operation Forces such as Special Forces, Ranger, Army Special Operations Aviation, SEALS, and Air Force Combat Controllers. Emphasis is placed on the contemporary operational environment and the role these special units play in counterterrorism, unconventional warfare, counterinsurgency, and revolutionary warfare. Concentration Objectives
Upon completion of this concentration, the student will be able to: - Discriminate "unconventional operations" within the larger scope of conventional land warfare and debate how LIC (Low Intensity Conflict) or OOTW (Operations Other Than War) may be applied.
- Explain how special operations forces as being at the cutting edge of strategic engagement in the post-Cold War security environment.
- Analyze the history and mission of United States special operations forces and role within the low intensity conflict environment.
- Analyze the origins and structures of insurgency and revolution using theories and frameworks and evaluate specific groups of insurgents and revolutionaries.
- Examine covert actions via spy technology and use in context of Intelligence and national security.
- Assess the conventional and unconventional joint warfare of the future in light of technological change and the information age, non-state military threats, rogue regimes, and clashes of culture between regions
Concentration Requirements
Complete five on the following list. (15 semester hours)
LC500 / LC538 / MIL 580 - Introduction to Unconventional Warfare / Seminar in Unconventional Warfare
NS515 / MIL 581 - Special Operations and National Policy
LC513 / MIL 582 - Insurgency and Revolution
LC512 / MIL 583 - Low Intensity Conflict & Special Op Forces
LC505 / MIL 620 - Studies in Future War AND choose one of the following: (3 semester hours)
LC521 / MIL 604 - The Non- State Soldier
MS632 / MIL 668 - The War in Afghanistan
LC517 / MIL 695 - Counterinsurgency in Asia
MS680 / MIL 680 - Special Topic - this course, when offered, may be applied to fulfill major course requirements or elective requirements with permission of the Department Chair.
MS691 / MIL 690 - Independent Study – this course may be applied to fulfill major course requirements or elective requirements with permission of the Department Chair. Graduate Electives (6 semester hours)
Select from graduate level Military History or Military Studies courses that have not been used to fulfill core or concentration requirements.
MS710 / MIL 700 - Separate Comprehensive Exam- Military Studies
Taken once all other degree requirements have been met. Total Hours: 36 semester hours
Concentration in Strategic Leadership
The Strategic Leadership concentration is designed 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. Concentration Objectives
Upon completion of this concentration, the student will be able to: - Discern and assess the domestic and international contexts that shape the behavior of state and non-state actors, and affect the formulation of national security policies.
- Explain the history of strategic developments and geopolitical concerns that are influencing military planning and execution from the mid-20th Century through the modern era.
- Compare and contrast the defense policies of nations in Europe and Asia that have had to deal with enormous changes following the East bloc's collapse.
- Compose an analysis of the characteristics of leadership common to great military leaders and appraise the decision making skills that are inbred and/or learned by the great leaders.
- Assess the conventional and unconventional joint warfare of the future in light of technological change and the information age, non-state military threats, rogue regimes, and clashes of culture between regions
Concentration Requirements
Complete five courses on the list below. (15 semester hours)
NS504 / NSS 504 - International Security
MS674 / INR 600 - Strategic Geography and Geopolitics
MS641 / INR 605 - Comparative Defense Policies
LW501 / MIL 600 - Great Military Leaders
LC505 / MIL 620 - Studies in Future War Choose one of the following: (3 semester hours)
LC513 / MIL 582 - Insurgency and Revolution
DM525 / MIL 607 - Law of Armed Conflict
MS673 / NSS 615 - Politics and War
MS680 / MIL 680 - Special Topic - this course, when offered, may be applied to fulfill major course requirements or elective requirements with permission of the Department Chair.
MS691 / MIL 690 - Independent Study - this course may be applied to fulfill major course requirements or elective requirements with permission of the Department Chair.
Graduate Electives (6 semester hours)
Select from graduate level Military History or Military Studies courses that have not been used to fulfill core or concentration requirements.
MS710 / MIL 700 - Separate Comprehensive Exam- Military Studies
Taken once all other degree requirements have been met.
Total Hours: 36 semester hours |
