What is an Associate of Arts in Military Studies?

An online associate degree in Military Studies combines a broad general education curriculum with focused studies on the military, security, and leadership in the modern world. Gain a comprehensive understanding of global security challenges, military affairs, and leadership principles while developing critical thinking and analytical skills when you pursue your associate degree at UAGC.

Accelerated 5 week courses
Transfer approved college credits toward your associate program at UAGC
1 course at a time
$0 Application Fee

Degree Completion Journey

Begin your journey in Military Studies and build a strong foundation for success with an Associate of Arts degree. Your coursework will explore various aspects of military history, leadership, ethics, and the role of the armed forces in the United States and abroad.

1

Freshman Year

  • In this foundational course, students explore the principles necessary for achieving personal and career success. GEN 101 serves as a road map, guiding students as they begin their academic journey. Through self-discovery, surveying available resources, connecting with UAGC groups, and engaging with Career Services, students learn the essential skills of planning and goal setting. Students apply their personal strengths, skills, and lifelong learning strategies to develop essential career competencies. By making these meaningful connections students gain a deeper understanding of how their education relates to their desired career path.  Congratulations on embarking on this college journey filled with growth, exploration, and endless possibilities! This course is not available for non-degree seeking students.

  • This course offers an overview of digital fluency as it applies to personal, academic, financial, and professional success. Students will analyze the impact of digital technology on personal, social, and diversity issues and will develop digital skills that will assist in achieving academic, personal, and career goals. An overview of digital media is introduced with practical strategies for application in personal and professional life.

  • ENG 121 is designed to introduce students to the standards of writing in both academic and professional settings. The class will operate by first introducing, and then allowing students to practice, several written communication skills. Throughout, we will work to understand writing as a process, one that is strengthened through critical thinking, deepened by research, and built on a foundation of professional standards. As part of this process, students will also consider how emerging technologies influence contemporary writing environments and the ways writers make informed, ethical choices about their use. Students will articulate a sense of their own skills and goals and engage in collaborative conversations with peers and their instructor so as to be able to express their ideas more effectively. During the course, students will use the writing process to scrutinize their own perspectives while challenging them to embrace a wider conversation.

  • Learn and use key, practical skills that are applicable at home, at work, and in all UAGC courses! As UAGC students progress in their academic journey, strategies for personal, professional, and academic success continue to develop. This introductory course takes a two-pronged approach to setting students on a path to success. It merges fundamental informational literacy concepts with essential resources and skills that prepare students for college and career. Students learn how to identify, locate, evaluate, apply, and acknowledge information obtained through UAGC Library databases and internet search engines. By applying the research process, students sharpen critical thinking skills and learn to use information ethically. The final project is a practical and relevant opportunity for students to apply their learning in personally, professionally, and academically meaningful ways.

  • In this course, students will develop and expand their research and writing skills to communicate ideas in informed, ethical, and persuasive written documents intended for a range of audiences across a range of situations and contexts. Students will receive instruction and practice in synthesis and analysis, bolstering their written communication skills with a thorough understanding of academic research while honing critical thinking skills and effective work habits. Through writing well-structured, logical, and effective academic essays, students will explore tools and develop topics in a way that is meaningful to academic and professional lives. Prerequisite: Successful completion of ENG 121 or equivalent with a grade of “C-” or better.

  • This course is designed to aid students in understanding the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. Verbal and nonverbal communication patterns among people in personal, social, academic, and professional settings will be examined, within and between cultures, including both face-to-face and technologically mediated channels.  The nature of these interactions will be evaluated using contemporary communication theory. The course will enable students to identify their interpersonal communication skills and behaviors and to more critically evaluate their own oral communication and that of others. The primary goals of the course are to improve the quality of students’ communication in their personal and professional relationships, to enhance students’ experience and. confidence with oral communication, and increase awareness of the importance of interpersonal communication that is inclusive and equitable.

  • This course is a study of correct and incorrect reasoning involved in everyday activities. The fundamentals of language and argument, deductive and inductive reasoning and other aspects of practical reasoning are examined. 

  • This course is an introduction to the field of political science. It explores the political theories that have shaped modern governments and compares how governments are organized, focusing on their legislatures, executives, and judicial systems. It examines international relations theories and analyzes how power is distributed in the modern world.

  • This course is a study of the origins and development of world civilizations from their beginnings through the 16th century. Emphasis is placed on the salient social, economic, cultural, political, and religious characteristics of individual societies and patterns of interaction among them. Recommended prerequisite: ENG 122.

     

  • This course serves as a general survey of U.S. government and political institutions within social, historical, and contemporary context. Students will discuss the basic principles of constitutional democracy within the United States with regard to founding documents, political institutions, the separation of powers, federalism, civil liberties, civil rights, and political participation. Students will also evaluate how the history of the United States shapes contemporary U.S. society and political debates.

2

Sophomore Year

  • This course explores the complex relationship between human societies and natural systems. Students will learn about ecology, natural resources, climate change, energy, sustainable technologies, and environmental justice while investigating sustainable challenges and solutions through an interdisciplinary lens.  Students will research and propose solutions to environmental challenges at both a local and global scale with a focus on applications across multiple economic sectors, careers, and geographic regions.

  • This course is designed to engage students in complex and realistic situations involving the mathematical phenomena of quantity, change and relationship. Emphasis is placed on authentic contexts which will introduce the concepts of numeracy, proportional reasoning, dimensional analysis, rates of growth, personal finance, consumer statistics, and mathematics for citizenship. Upon completion, students should be able to utilize quantitative information as consumers and to make personal, professional, and civic decisions by decoding, interpreting, using, and communicating quantitative information found in modern media and encountered in everyday life.
  • This course introduces the fundamental principles of leadership, leadership theories, and skill development, beginning with the distinction between management and leadership. Students will learn and apply leadership theories through self-assessment and self-reflection on their own leadership styles while applying them to organizations on a wide range of topics. The importance of  diversity and inclusion, along with factors directly related to ethical leadership will be examined. Cultural dynamics,  organizational politics, and managing change in crisis as part of strategic leadership and high-performing organizations will be explored and evaluated.
     

  • This course examines the elements of exceptional military leadership used to effectively navigate the intersection of security, economic, and geopolitical factors that shape contemporary societies. Students will be introduced to high-impact, ethics-driven military leaders who have exhibited excellence in performance in military and civilian life. Students will also utilize performance improvement tools and strategies to drive success on and off the field.

  • This course explores the moral and ethical challenges in modern warfare through the lens of key philosophical frameworks. Students will critically analyze topics such as Just War Theory, humanitarian intervention, conscientious objection, the use of private military contractors, counterterrorism tactics, and emerging technologies in warfare, including the ethical use of artificial intelligence. Case studies will provide real-world context to evaluate the ethical dilemmas faced by states, soldiers, and civilians. The course encourages students to engage in thoughtful discussions, tackle complex ethical questions, and develop nuanced perspectives on the intersection of morality, policy, and military action.

  • HSM201 Homeland Security Missions and Current Issues takes a broad approach to examining the scope of threats to the safety and security of the United States, both natural and man-made, as well as current issues through the lens of the mission and various goals of the Department of Homeland Security.

  • This course introduces key theories and concepts within international relations in addition to exploring the roles of state and non-state actors in global politics. Students will analyze a mixture of historical and contemporary issues such as conflict, cooperation, and globalization, as well as some of the emerging challenges within the global system, including technology with the rise of artificial intelligence as well as cybersecurity threats.

  • Elective requirements vary by program. Review the Program Requirements section for details about elective credits and degree completion requirements. Elective courses may also provide opportunities to pursue an Emphasis that complements your major and supports your academic or career goals.

Take the next step

Learn more about how to get started in your degree program.

Program Requirements
Credit Breakdowns
General Education
33*
Credits
Major Credit Requirements
21*
Credits
Electives
16
Credits
Total Credits
64
Credits

To earn your associate degree in military studies at the University of Arizona Global Campus, you must complete 64 credits. A total of 18 credits must be completed at UAGC to meet the residency requirement. You may be able to transfer approved credits from community colleges, other previous college coursework, or other life experiences such as military service or job training toward your degree.

Upon completion of your associate degree at UAGC, you can transfer your credits toward any one of the bachelor’s degree programs at UAGC.

*In this program, 6 credits from the major may also satisfy Global Campus Foundations Requirements.

Licensure and Certification Terms and Conditions

Licensure and Certification Terms and Conditions: This program is not designed to meet the state educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification in any state. Students seeking licensure or certification in a particular profession shall carefully research the requirements prior to enrollment and regularly review the requirements as they are subject to change. Requirements vary by state. The University of Arizona Global Campus does not guarantee that any professional organization will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any exam for the purpose of professional certification. Further, a criminal record may prevent an applicant from obtaining licensure, certification, or employment in their field of study. This program is not a Military Science (ROTC) program and does not lead to a commission.

This program is not designed to qualify a student for employment with a federal, state or local law enforcement agency. State and local police agencies may require training and certification specified by the individual state’s law enforcement board and may be provided post-hire at a police academy. Other federal, state, and local agencies as well as private entities may have individualized requirements. Students shall contact individual agencies and states’ law enforcement boards for additional information relating to these requirements.

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The Online Learner Support Certification recognizes programs that provide all the critical student and academic services needed for learner success and use learner feedback to continuously improve those services.

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You’ll find degree programs that suit a variety of interests and may enhance a wide scope of career opportunities at UAGC. Explore similar programs to find the right path for you.

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Are you currently a licensed RN?

This program requires you to be a current licensed registered nurse. Please check out other programs to reach your education goals such as the BA in Health and Wellness.

Are you a member of the military?

We are currently not accepting new enrollments in the state of North Carolina.