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Military Studies

Bachelor of Arts in Military Studies

Engage your education with your Bachelor of Arts in Military Studies earned online from Ashford University. This degree will guide you in developing the historical, ethical, and foundational skills to advance your career as a leader in the military or in the private sector.

Degree Focus
The Bachelor of Arts in Military Studies provides you with a foundation of historical and political knowledge to understand the role of the military as an institution. You will analyze the role of the military within its chronological and geographical contexts. And you will learn the importance of the US military as both a fighting and a peacekeeping force.

Career Opportunities
Professionals with a Bachelor of Arts in Military Studies may choose to enter a number of careers in which critical thinking skills are a must. This degree also provides a well-rounded foundation for continued studies at the graduate level. Among the many career fields in which your degree could be relevant:

  • US Army
  • US Navy
  • US Air Force
  • US Marine Corps
  • US Coast Guard
  • Department of Defense
  • Department of Veterans Affairs
Special Terms and Conditions
Successful completion of this program by itself does not lead to licensure or certification in any state, regardless of concentration or specialization. Further, Ashford University does not guarantee that any professional organization will accept a graduate's application to sit for any exam for the purpose of professional certification. Students seeking licensure or certification in a particular profession are strongly encouraged to carefully research the requirements prior to enrollment. Requirements may vary by state. Further, a criminal record may prevent an applicant from obtaining licensure, certification, or employment in this field of study. 

This program is not a Military Science (ROTC) program and does not lead to a commission.

If this program fits your personal and professional goals, contact Ashford University at 866.711.1700 to learn more, or request additional information.

Bachelor of Arts in Military Studies

Program Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the Bachelor of Arts in Military Studies degree program will be able to:

  • Apply the methodologies and approaches characteristic of a range of liberal arts disciplines (e.g., anthropology, history, literature, political science, philosophy, and international relations) in a military context;
  • Analyze the issues concerning the role of the military within their chronological and geographical context;
  • Demonstrate the ability to conduct effective research by creating a final summative research project;
  • Assess the moral and ethical concerns raised through the study of the relationship of the military to society;
  • Analyze the importance of the military as an instrument for the preservation of peace rather than the waging of war; and
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the character traits necessary for becoming a responsible, moral leader.

Program Requirements

  • Total number of credits required: 120 credits
  • General Education Requirements: 52 credits*
  • Major Course Requirements: 36 credits*
  • Electives: 44 credits

You must complete 30 upper-division credits, of which 18 credits must be from the major program. A total of 30 credits must be completed at Ashford University to meet the residency requirement.

*In this program, 12 credits from the major may also satisfy General Education requirements.

Program Disclosures
Federal regulations published in October, 2010 require institutions to report certain information about students who enrolled in Title IV eligible educational programs that lead to gainful employment in a recognized occupation (GE programs). These required disclosures include a program’s 1) program costs; 2) on-time completion rates; 3) median loan debt; 4) links to O*NET SOC descriptions; and 5) placement rates. Please find all of the required information at this link: Program Disclosures.

Admission Requirements 

  • Have a regular high-school diploma earned through college preparatory or regular high school courses or GED equivalency recognized by the Department of Education of the state in which it was earned, completed secondary school through home schooling as defined by state law, or earned an equivalent to a US high school diploma at an international high school. An earned IEP or Special Education Diploma or Certificate of Completion based upon IEP goals does not meet the regular high school diploma requirement for admission to Ashford University. If no high school degree was earned, applicants may be admitted with a minimum of 60 transferable credits from an appropriately accredited postsecondary institution as defined by Ashford University transfer credit policies. 
  • Be 22 years of age or older, or a graduate of Ashford University's Associate of Arts in Business degree program, or receive documented approval from the Registrar's Office via the "Under 22 Appeal" process. 
  • English Language Requirement. 
  • Successful completion of Student Success Orientation for students who indicate that they have fewer than twenty-four (24) traditional college-level transferable credits at the time of application.

Technology Requirements

Competencies

Students must possess the following online competencies: 

  •  Ability to access course and program material on the Internet; 
  •  Ability to correspond with University staff, students, and faculty using email and the Internet; and 
  •  Ability to use appropriate antivirus utilities so that files transmitted and received are virus free.

System requirements

The following minimum system configuration and software are required: 

  •  Platforms: Mac OS X 10.2 or higher or Windows XP or higher; 
  •  Hardware: 256 Mb RAM, CD-ROM, and 1 Gb free disk space; 
  •  Productivity Software: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel 2003 or higher; Adobe Reader 8.0 or higher; Adobe Flash 10 or higher (Constellation users); 
  •  Web Browser: Firefox 3.0 or higher, Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher, Safari 4.0 or higher, or Chrome; 
  •  Networking: 56k dialup modem, DSL, or Cable modem; 
  •  Email: Outlook, Outlook Express, Mac Mail, Eudora, Entourage, or Yahoo/Hotmail/Gmail.

Recommended for optimal performance 

  •  Productivity Software: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel 2007 or higher; 
  •  Networking: Broadband Internet connection (DSL, cable, or other); 
  •  Constellation users: Windows Media Player 7 or higher, sound card and speakers.

Transferability
Put your college credits to work at Ashford! You can transfer up to 90 semester credits (135 quarter credits) to help fulfill your degree requirements.* That means all your past hard work will not be wasted.

If you enter the program with fewer than twenty-four (24) transferable traditional semester credits, you will be required to successfully complete an online orientation prior to enrolling in credit-bearing coursework. Following successful completion of orientation, you will be required to successfully complete EXP 105 Personal Dimensions of Education as your first course. EXP 105 is required if you have little or no previous college experience and is not recommended if you have high transfer credit. EXP 105 applies toward elective credit requirements so enrollment in EXP 105 may result in the reduction of three (3) potential transfer credits in the Elective category. If you take EXP 105, you are required to take PSY 202 as your second course.

If you enter the program with twenty-four (24) or more transferable traditional semester credits, you will be required to successfully complete PSY 202 Adult Development and Life Assessment as your first course. PSY 202 is designed to help you acclimate to the online college environment, though you already have some college experience. If you have been out of school for a long time or feel that you need additional support to enter the online environment, you may appeal to enroll in EXP 105 as your first course, followed by PSY 202 as your second course. Unsuccessful completion of either EXP 105 or PSY 202 will result in the rescheduling of the course and revision of the future course sequence. See the Courses tab for descriptions of each course.

* The transferability of credits is subject to Ashford University’s transfer credit policies, and requires the submission of official transcripts. The official transcripts will be evaluated to determine the credits that will officially apply toward an Ashford University degree program.

Online Format
You will take your courses one at a time for 5 weeks each, accelerating your path to graduation. Your course content is delivered in a high-tech format, and you can complete your weekly assignments when and where it's convenient for you thanks to the asynchronous online environment.

Cost*
Your tuition rates are among the lowest available online at $402 per credit. You will also be responsible for fees to enroll. View complete cost of attendance. Call today to learn more at 866.711.1700.

* Tuition costs subject to change without notice.

Payment Options

  • Cash Plan – 100% of tuition and fees paid on or before each course start date. 
  • Tuition Reimbursement – If your employer offers a tuition reimbursement plan, we'll work with you to apply this great benefit toward your education. 
  • Financial Aid – You may be eligible for financial aid. Talk to an Admissions Counselor to find out if you meet the requirements to qualify. 
  • Direct (Employer) Billing – If you work for a company approved for direct billing, you may qualify for this payment option. 
  • Military Tuition Assistance – Includes active-duty service and Veterans Affairs Benefits, such as GI Bill and Vocational Rehab, if you qualify. Learn more about military benefits.
If this program fits your personal and professional goals, contact Ashford University at 866.711.1700 to learn more, or request additional information.

Bachelor of Arts in Military Studies

Engage your education with your Bachelor of Arts in Military Studies. Your courses combine important military topics with broad studies in history, politics, philosophy, and international affairs.

Introductory Courses


Depending on the number of credits transferred in, you may be required to take one or both of Ashford University's introductory courses: EXP 105 Personal Dimensions of Education and PSY 202 Adult Development and Life Assessment. If you enter the program with fewer than twenty-four (24) transferable traditional semester credits, you will be required to successfully complete EXP 105 as your first course, followed by PSY 202 as your second course. If you enter the program with twenty-four (24) or more transferable traditional semester credits, you will be required to successfully complete PSY 202 as your first course.

EXP 105 Personal Dimensions of Education
This course is designed to help adult learners beginning their university studies to achieve academic success. Students will explore learning theories, communication strategies, and personal management skills. Adult learners will develop strategies for achieving success in school and work. Students will also be introduced to the University's institutional outcomes and learning resources.

 

PSY 202 Adult Development & Life Assessment
This course presents adult development theory and links theoretical concepts of life and learning through a process of psychometric assessment and reflection. Both classical and contemporary adult development theories are examined. These theories then provide the paradigm for self-analysis and life learning, including a plan for personal, professional and academic learning.

Major Course Requirements


(36 credits, all courses are 3 credits. Courses are listed in the recommended sequence.)

MIL 275 Military Ethics
Ethical issues faced in the modern world will be examined including the ethics of leadership, just war theory, and the moral status of the rules of war. Students will use critical thinking to determine the ethical implications and solutions for complex issues that are relevant to the current day military. The course will make use of case studies to illustrate moral and ethical dilemmas.

ANT 307 Anthropology of War
An examination of the nature of war, primarily as it occurs in pre-industrial societies, and a survey of the anthropological explanations regarding this phenomenon. Emphasis is on understanding the complexity, variability, and cultural embeddedness of war as it occurs around the world.

MIL 310 American Military History I
United States military operations from colonial times through World War I. The course draws material from selected disciplines of the humanities, exploring how and why America has gone to war beginning with the American Revolution to the post-World War I period. This course examines how war has shaped national strategy and how conflict affected peacetime society.

MIL 311 American Military History II
United States military operations from the end of World War I to The Gulf Wars. The course draws material from selected disciplines of the humanities, exploring how and why America has gone to war beginning with World War II, through the Cold War period, and, finally, the Gulf Wars. This course examines how war has shaped national strategy and how conflict affected peacetime society.

MIL 322 The Literature of War
The course will provide an overview of the literary content, social values and military significance found in selected works of military literature. Students will gain a contextual, cultural, and humanitarian understanding of the historical influences in military literature.

ENG 325 Intermediate Composition
Intermediate Composition is designed for students who have some experience with college-level writing but want to develop their ability to write. The goal of this course is to help students learn techniques for writing effective narrative, reflective, analytical, and research essays. These techniques include the effective use of specific details to engage and persuade readers, methods of organization that enable readers to follow a line of thinking, and strategies for editing sentences for clarity and conciseness.

HIS 306 Twentieth-Century Europe
The history of Europe since 1900. Emphasis is placed on the changing nature of European society, the confrontation between totalitarianism and democracy, the origins and consequences of the two world wars, and Europe's evolving role in world affairs.

POL 355 International Relations
The course in international relations is the study of relations between different nations of the world with an emphasis on understanding the political implications of international security matters and the international political economy. The topical emphasis on nationalism, diplomacy, conflict, international organizations and actors, human rights, political economy, and key global issues offers insights into the principles of identity, cooperation, and the use of power in an international context.

HIS 303 The American Constitution
This course is a study of the Constitution of the United States and its role in American history and government. The course covers the drafting and ratification of the Constitution, its subsequent amendment and interpretation, and its contemporary role in American politics and government.

LIB 318 Peacemaking: A Study of Conflict Resolution
An interdisciplinary study of peacemaking with a focus on conflict resolution. Highlighting this course are guest presentations and discussions led by Ashford University faculty from diverse subject areas. Students examine thinking and behavior in response to social conflict such as aggression, threats, prejudice, avoidance, withdrawal, conformity, and obedience. Students study various strategies of peacemaking and negotiation and then apply these methods in class role-playing activities.

MIL 350 Studies in Military Leadership
A close examination of how and what made specific American military leaders successful by studying their leadership techniques and military careers. The American Revolution to present day leaders will be examined. This course is designed to inspire an interest in the principles and practices of military leadership and to explore how these high-impact principles and practices may be professionally applied in the workplace.

MIL 497 Military Studies Capstone
Students will demonstrate their mastery of the learning outcomes of the Military Studies major by demonstrating the ability to conduct historical research using primary and secondary sources and by creating a final research paper requiring comprehensive critical analysis of an approved topic in the areas of military leadership, conflicts, peace-making, peace-keeping, and humanitarian efforts.

If this program fits your personal and professional goals, contact Ashford University at 866.711.1700 to learn more, or request additional information.

Ashford University Program Disclosures


Federal regulations published in October, 2010 require institutions to report certain information about students who enrolled in Title IV eligible educational programs that lead to gainful employment in a recognized occupation (GE programs). These required disclosures include a program’s 1) program costs; 2) on-time completion rates; 3) median loan debt; 4) links to O*NET SOC descriptions; and 5) placement rates. Please find all of the required information contained below.

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Military Studies