War and Strategy, MA

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  1. Degree Programs
  2. Graduate Degrees
  3. War and Strategy

Learn to place past, current and proposed strategies, wars and eras of competition into larger contexts, and help leaders answer the unanswerable question: "At what cost and to what end?''

Program Description

Degree Awarded: MA War and Strategy

The Master of Arts program in war and strategy at Arizona State University is designed to serve the Department of Defense's Strategic Thinkers Program, a premier graduate-level initiative that prepares select mid-career officers and civilians for senior leadership in national security and defense strategy. The program immerses military leaders in the evolving trends of war and strategy, with particular emphasis on their impact on effective decision-making and the execution of military operations. The program's joint composition --- drawing from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Space Force --- cultivates an interdisciplinary understanding of war, strategy and policy that directly supports the strategic needs of the U.S. government.

Students are educated in the reciprocity of war and strategy, warfighting and interagency or coalition-level strategic decision-making. They emerge with advanced strategic thinking skills, prepared to excel in demanding leadership roles. These appointments call for the ability to confront unanticipated security challenges, craft innovative approaches, and engage senior leaders on matters of strategy and military operations in the context of national policy objectives.


At a Glance: program details
  • Location:
    WASHD
  • Second Language Requirement: No

Degree Requirements

Curriculum Plan Options

  • 32 credits hours including the required capstone course (CEL 571)

Required Core (18 credit hours)
CEL 521 War and Strategy in Theory and Practice (4)
CEL 522 Foundations of Military Coalitions (4)
CEL 523 War and Strategy in Great Power and Competition (4)
CEL 524 Contemporary Challenges in War and Strategy (4)
CEL 570 War and Strategy Wargames (2)

Electives (12 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (2 credit hours)
CEL 571 Capstone Course War and Strategy Staff Ride (2)

Additional Curriculum Information
Elective courses include CEL, GSC and IAL coursework. Students should consult their academic advisor for a complete list of elective courses.

The capstone includes an on-site historical analysis of battlefields, and combines rigorous historical analysis, strategic reflection and experiential learning through an international staff ride examining a pivotal campaign in modern warfare.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = ''A'') in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = ''A'') in an applicable master's degree program.

Applicants are required to submit:

  1. graduate admissions application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. one letter of recommendation
  4. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency by scoring at least 4 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT)®, or a score of 80 if taken before January 21, 2026 in a testing center; 6.5 on the IELTS; or 105 on the Duolingo English test.

Applicants who are interested in pursuing the MA in war and strategy must submit a letter of recommendation from the Secretary of Defense. Applicants are only eligible for the program if they receive a recommendation and funding from the United States Department of Defense.


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Global Experience

As part of the capstone experience, students participate in a two-week international staff ride that explores a pivotal campaign in modern warfare. Traveling abroad, they analyze strategy, leadership and decision-making in the field --- integrating historical study with hands-on learning. Each year's destination focuses on a different theater of war, offering students a unique global perspective on military operations and strategy.

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Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program are among the most competitive and capable officers in the U.S. military, with most slated for brigade-level command or equivalent key leadership positions. Those not immediately assigned to command can serve as executive assistants or advisors to the nation's most senior general and flag officers or civilian leaders within the Department of Defense, joint staff and combatant commands. The war and strategy program provides the intellectual foundation, analytical rigor and applied experience necessary to equip these future commanders and senior advisors to lead effectively in the complex security environment of today's world.

Some potential career opportunities include:

  • doctrine and concept developer
  • legislative liaison
  • national security council staff
  • professional military education instructor
  • strategic planner at combatant commands or major command headquarters
  • strategic advisor to general or flag officers
  • strategic advisor to senior civilian leadership

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

  • [email protected]
  • 4809650155


Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor's degree in 2.5 or 3 years.

Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.

Accelerated bachelor's degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
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