Skip Navigation
 
School of Arts, Humanities & Education

World War II Studies

Online Graduate Certificate in World War II Studies

Apply Now Request Info
Program Requirements Related Programs Admission Requirements Paying for School

Save @ APU

$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation

0 Entrance Exams
No GRE/GMAT Required

About This Program

Develop your understanding of the politics, leadership, and diplomacy that enabled the rise of the Axis and Allied powers before, during, and after World War II with a graduate certificate in World War II studies from American Public University (APU).

APU’s six-course WWII certificate program probes the strategy, tactics, leaders, and lessons learned from the blitzkrieg into France, the Balkans, and the Soviet Union. It also examines the campaigns in North Africa and Italy as well as the battles famously fought in the Pacific.

The program’s coursework includes an examination of the Allied victory in Europe and the Pacific that evaluates the leadership and decision making involving amphibious, airdrop, and river crossing operations.

What You Will Do

  1. Assess the strategies, tactics, leaders, and lessons learned during the fighting in Asia, the Pacific, the Balkans, Soviet Union, North Africa, and the blitzkriegs into France
  2. Explain the Allied victory in Europe including decisions concerning the amphibious invasions, airdrops, and the crossing of the Rhine
  3. Discuss the politics, leadership, and diplomacy in Germany, Japan, and Italy that enabled the rise of the Axis leadership during World War II
  4. Understand the political leadership that defined the Allied powers of the U.S., Great Britain, and Russia

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
18
Transfer up to 9 credits1
Cost Per Credit
$455 | $250*
$386.75** | $409.50***
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
***with APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

  • Want to Learn More?

    Contact student support if you're a current student and need assistance.

    Ready to apply? Start your application today.

    We value your privacy.

    By submitting this form by clicking “Learn More”, you are providing your signature and your express written consent, and hereby agree to receive information via electronic means, which may include a telephone system, an automated dialing system, text or media messaging, voice messages, and/or email about upcoming courses, recruitment events, newsletters, and other resources from American Public University System, Inc., which includes American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU), American Public Education, Inc., and Zeta Global, a third-party contractor on behalf of American Public University System, Inc. This consent is not a condition of enrollment or purchase.

    "Military Spouse" and "Military Dependent" applies to the spouses and dependents of active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members and Reservists. If you are an extended family member of a currently serving military member or veteran, please select "Military Extended Family" or "Veteran Family Member" respectively. Extended family is defined as parents, legal partners or siblings. Military affiliation is subject to validation at the university's discretion.

    You may withdraw your consent at any time. Please refer to our privacy policy, terms, or contact us for more details.

Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 3277

|
This course is a global history of the Second World War. Emphasis is on the theaters of war and related events in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast and Southwest Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America in relation to their impact on the national and military objectives. In this context, students compare and contrast the economies, industry, society, and culture of the United States, Great Britain, Japan, and Germany as major participants during the war. The role of diplomacy and strategy, the impact of war upon society, and the fighting on land, at sea, and in the air are also examined in terms of modern warfare.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
05/26/25 - 10/31/25 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 Fall 2025 Session I 8 Week session
06/30/25 - 11/28/25 12/01/25 - 01/25/26 Fall 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3252

|
This course examines the military heritage of the United States from the colonial period to the present time. Through an in-depth study of the extensive literature in American military history, students assess the key individuals, military policies, postures, organizations, strategies, campaigns, tactics, and battles that define the American military experience.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session
05/26/25 - 10/31/25 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 Fall 2025 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 3417

|
This course examines the Allied victory in Europe in World War II. Students assess how the American Army, trained for speed and mobility, performed during campaigns in Italy, France and Germany. The focus is on Eisenhower's generals and their decisions concerning amphibious invasions (e.g., Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and Omaha Beach), airdrops (e.g., Italy and Holland), the race across France and slogging through Italy (e.g., the Gothic siege line and the Huertgen Forest), as well as counter strokes such as Monte Cassino and the Ardennes Bulge.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 3254

|
This course is a comprehensive analysis of the fighting during World War II in the China-Burma-India Theater, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, the Aleutians, and the Philippines. Students assess the amphibious campaigns in the central Pacific theatre and evaluate the impact of one of the most massive movements of men and arms in history. Primary focus is on land warfare, its strategies, tactics, leaders and lessons learned.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
04/28/25 - 10/03/25 10/06/25 - 11/30/25 Fall 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 4493

|
This course is an in-depth study of the politics, political leadership, and diplomacy that defined the Axis and Allied Powers during World War II. Topics address the factors that facilitated their rise to power; the key political structures, relations, and personalities; the inter-Axis relations among political elites versus the Allied powers; and the diplomatic efforts employed by the Axis powers as they postured against the Allies and the rest of the world during the war.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session
05/26/25 - 10/31/25 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 Fall 2025 Session I 8 Week session
06/30/25 - 11/28/25 12/01/25 - 01/25/26 Fall 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4513

|
This course is an analysis of the German-Soviet campaign during World War II. Students will examine the three major phases of this conflict that begins with the Wehrmacht invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, urban warfare in Stalingrad in the fall of 1942, and history’s largest tank battle at Prohorovka in 1943. Finally, this course will detail the Soviet counterattack across the Vistula and Oder Rivers that ended with the die Gotterdammerung in Berlin.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
05/26/25 - 10/31/25 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 Fall 2025 Session I 8 Week session
06/30/25 - 11/28/25 12/01/25 - 01/25/26 Fall 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Aug 4
Register by Aug 1
Apply Now Request Info

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

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 representative at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

Quality Education Should Be Affordable

So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

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.