War and Strategy, MA
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?''
Quick facts
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
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.
You are educated in the reciprocity of war and strategy, warfighting and interagency or coalition-level strategic decision-making. You 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.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
32 credit hours including the required capstone course (CEL 571)
Required Core (18 credit hours) Electives (12 credit hours) Culminating Experience (2 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information 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.
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)
CEL 571 Capstone Course War and Strategy Staff Ride (2)
Elective courses include CEL, GSC and IAL coursework. Students should consult their academic advisor for a complete list of elective courses.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
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: Additional Application Information 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.
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.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling* |
*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.
Explore expanded study opportunities
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.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer 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
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Civic & Economic Thought and Leadership
|
COOR 6611
scetladvising@asu.edu
480-965-0155
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
