If you love learning about history through a military lens, you could consider military history degrees for your undergrad studies.
These bachelors programs dive into a variety of topics centered around military histories, such as research, American military history, leadership, and more.
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Students may use these degrees as a stepping stone to pursuing a masters or doctorate degree. A bachelor’s degree in military history may also help graduates work toward careers as historians, teachers, curators, political scientists, and more.
Online Bachelors in Military History Degrees
Bachelors programs with an emphasis on military history teach students to look at warfare from a variety of perspectives. They may delve into specific wars, significant wartime leaders, military theories, the causes and effects of war, and more.
While enrolled in an online bachelors in military history program, you will likely study some of the following topics:
- Evolution of warfare
- Causes of war
- Military leadership
- Modern warfare
- European history
- Military doctrine
- Ancient weaponry
- Political reasoning
- World War II
Typically, students in a bachelors program have already received a high school diploma or GED. Curriculums for bachelors degrees typically include general education classes outside of your major. These gen ed requirements may include courses like English, math, and science.
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Military history programs may give students the opportunity to participate in a capstone project, in which they can demonstrate their ability to conduct research and present their findings. Some programs also offer pathways to internships.
Graduates may choose to pursue entry-level roles related to military histories, such as library technician or assistant, research assistant, and military analyst. You could also work toward obtaining your masters or doctoral degree in history, which could be helpful for pursuing a career as a historian or history professor.
Depending on your chosen career path, it might be beneficial to join a military history professional organization, such as the Society for Military History or the US Commission on Military History.
Military History Careers and Salaries
With a degree in military history, there are a few common career paths where graduates try to put their education to use.
One of the most popular paths is to become a historian. These professionals gather, analyze, and present information from various historical sources. While most historians hold a masters or doctoral degree, some entry-level positions may be available to those with a bachelors.
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, below are a few careers associated with military history. Some of these careers may require additional education and training beyond a military history bachelors degree.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Information Security Analysts | $102,600 |
| Writers and Authors | $69,510 |
| Historians | $63,940 |
| High School Teachers | $61,820 |
| Curators | $60,110 |
| Archivists | $60,050 |
| Social Science Research Assistants | $49,720 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,370 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $47,630 |
| Library Technicians | $36,970 |
Another option for graduates is to work toward becoming an analyst. Information security analysts and computer systems analysts may work for the government or partnering agencies to understand security threats. A military history degree online or on campus could help create a foundation for information analysis training.
Military History Bachelor’s Curriculum & Courses
Your coursework with a military history major can vary, but here are examples of classes you may come across:
- Methods of Military Analysis: You’ll learn how to conduct research for analysis in the military field.
- History of American Entrepreneurship: This course covers how the American economy grew from the 1700s onwards and how it has affected businesses today.
- The American Revolution: You’ll learn about strategies and war tactics used in the American Revolution and how the war affected the modern-day US.
- World War II: This class studies the military campaigns and central conflict of World War II as well as the aftermath of the war.
- Research in Military Doctrine: You’ll learn about the historic and modern-day general guidelines for military strategies, operations, and campaigns.
- Medieval Warfare: This course dives into how war was conducted in medieval times, including its purpose and the technologies used.
- War, Culture, and Society: You’ll learn about philosophical perspectives on warfare and how different cultures have made sense of war.
- Military Thought II: This class examines different military theories and shows students how to form their own opinions around this subject.
- Readings in Military Leadership: You’ll read historical materials to learn about how ancient and modern leaders have approached war.
- Military Leaders and Leadership: This course shows you how to analyze historical military leaders in order to learn more about your own leadership style.
In addition to classes like these, your bachelor’s degree in military history may include a capstone project. These projects are usually completed near the end of bachelor’s programs.
Admissions Requirements
The admissions requirements for a military history bachelors degree may vary, but these are a few you’ll commonly see:
- High school diploma or GED certificate
- High school transcripts
- Personal essay
Many schools request high school transcripts so they can verify your high school completion and GPA if they have a minimum GPA requirement. Some schools may also accept a certain number of credit hours from an associate’s program in place of a high school degree.
Accreditation for Degrees in Military History
When choosing a school for your degree, it’s strategic to make sure the schools you’re considering are regionally accredited. This status means that a third party has verified that the school meets certain standards for academic quality.
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Some employers want to see that you have attended a regionally accredited school. It’s also necessary to go to a regionally accredited school if you’d like to apply for federal financial aid. To find out if the college or university you’re interested in is regionally accredited, you can visit the US Department of Education’s website.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
If you’re looking for assistance with paying for a military history bachelors degree, the US Department of Education has a variety of options for qualifying students. The different ways you can apply for government aid are listed on the Federal Student Aid website.
Undergraduate students may be able to apply for Direct Subsidized Loans. Students applying for this type of loan are required to demonstrate financial need, and their school will determine how much money they can receive if they qualify.
Other aid options include grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. Different organizations can offer opportunities for scholarships based on different criteria, like academic merit or area of study.
Military History Professional Organizations
While pursuing a career in military history, you may find it helpful to be part of a relevant professional organization. You might receive access to exclusive publications and journals and have the chance to connect with other professionals in the field.
Here are a few military history professional organizations to explore:
- AASLH Military History Committee
- Society for Military History (SMH)
- S. Commission on Military History (USCMH)
Membership requirements for these professional organizations can include paying an annual fee and filling out an online application.
What Is a Military History Bachelor Degree?
A military history bachelor degree is a program that teaches students to research and understand historical information through the lens of militaries and warfare. These degree programs may also show students how to apply that knowledge to help shape the future.
Military history students often study topics like wartime leadership, ethics of warfare, military tactics, and more. After graduation, students tend to work in government agencies, museums, schools, or other settings where they can conduct further research and share their knowledge.
What Can You Do with a Military History Degree?
Some students may wonder what you can do with a history degree. After graduating from a military history bachelor’s program, many students tend to pursue careers as curators or archivists.
These professionals verify, preserve, and maintain precious historical documents, and they may also share them with the public. These museum roles often require a masters, but a bachelors may be acceptable for entry-level roles or smaller facilities. There may be entry-level historian roles available for qualified graduates as well.
It may also be worth noting that a growing number of universities offer on-campus and online masters in military history programs for students interested in earning a graduate degree in the field.
Some graduates choose to work toward careers in the analytics field as information security analysts. Military history majors may also enjoy working in the education arena. They might work as high school history teachers or educational coordinators at museums, libraries, and related facilities.
What Degree Is Needed to Become a Military Historian?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, becoming a historian typically requires a masters or doctoral degree. A bachelor’s in military history can act as a solid foundation for graduate studies if you’re interested in becoming a military historian.
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While a bachelor’s curriculum usually includes a variety of general education classes, such as science or math, masters and doctoral programs are typically much more focused on one area of study. Some military historians may also require additional credentials, such as a security clearance.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Degree in Military History?
The timeframe for completing an online military history bachelors degree depends on a few different factors, such as your enrollment status and summer school attendance.
Typically, obtaining a bachelors degree is a 4-year commitment, assuming you’re enrolled in a 16-week semester and take classes full-time. It is possible to finish in less time, though. If you were to enroll in an 8-week long semester and attend school year-round, including during the summer, you might be able to graduate in less time.
Is an Online Military History Degree Worth It?
Yes, an online military history degree is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster-than-average growth for several careers associated with military history. For instance, 12% job growth is projected for archivists, curators, and museum workers over the next ten years. Historians are expected to see steady growth of 4% over the same period.
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With a military history degree, you may be able to pursue jobs in the government, analyzing security risks and helping the military. Professionals may also spend their days preserving historical information and sharing it with others in roles as curators and museum workers.
Universities Offering Online Bachelors in Military History Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
American Public University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Military History with concentrations in General Military Studies and American Military History. Classes are usually taught online, commonly 8 to 16 weeks long, and typically start monthly. The program requires 120 credit hours and accepts up to 90 qualifying credit hours earned at outside institutions.
APUS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Hawaii Pacific University offers a Bachelor of Science in Diplomacy and Military Studies. Potential classes include Themes in American History to 1877, Introduction to Politics, and History of Military Thought. Classes are typically taught online. The 62 required major-specific credits may be completed in 4 years when attending full-time.
Hawai’i Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Liberty University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Science in Military Studies with a specialization in History. Potential classes include Korean and Vietnam Wars, Middle Eastern Warfare, and Methods of Military Analysis. Courses typically span 8 weeks and the 120 required credit hours may be completed in just 3.5 years of full-time attendance.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Norfolk State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in History with a concentration in Naval Science. The program is designed to develop fundamental skills like public speaking, research, and writing. The curriculum consists of 120 credit hours, and the program is typically completed in just 4 years of full-time study. Internships and study-abroad opportunities may also be available.
Norfolk State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Park University offers a Bachelor of Science in Military History. This curriculum aims to help students develop historical, sociological, and political understanding of the military in the US and globally. Classes may be attended online or on campus. Potential courses include Ancient Warfare, War and Technology, and American Military History.
Park University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Southern New Hampshire University offers a Bachelor of Arts in History with a concentration in Military History. The program requires 120 credit hours and internships and study abroad experiences are also typically offered. A thesis written in a senior colloquium is a required part of the program.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Washington State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in History with a concentration in War and Peace. Courses are designed to enhance critical thinking, quantitative and symbolic reasoning, research methods, information literacy, and communication skills.
Classes are typically taught fully online and new terms start in the spring, summer, and fall. Possible further career training offered in the program includes areas like business, law, and politics.
Washington State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Getting Your Military History Degree Online
If you’re a history buff and love studying the ins and outs of warfare, you might consider getting your bachelor’s degree in military history. Historians are an important part of our society, as they can help people learn from the past to shape the future.
Besides working as a historian, military history majors may use their education to pursue jobs in teaching, analytics, library work, museum work, and more. Joining a professional organization in the field of military history may help you grow your network throughout your studies and career.
To get started on your journey toward a military history bachelor’s degree, you can start exploring accredited universities today.
