Bachelor of Arts in Military Science

About

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Military Science will help prepare you for a military career. In the program, you’ll study communication, social science research, political science, the history of war and society, and a variety of military skills and tactics. You will also have the opportunity to choose from a variety of concentrations, minors and certificates, including leadership, cultural awareness, U.S. government and policy, modern U.S. military history, geographic information systems, and health services management.

Curriculum & Requirements

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Military Science Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Although not required for completion of the basic course or the advanced course, the department does offer both a major and a minor in Military Science with permission only. The major in Military Science is designed to give the student interested in a military career a broad background in various academic areas.

Major Information:

  • Many courses must be repeated.
  • Many of the listed courses require prerequisites, check the course description.
  • The major will require more than 12 terms (or four years) to complete at an average of 15 credits per term.

World Language Requirement: Two years of a single high school world language or one year of a single college-level world language is required.

Required Courses
CMST 200INTRODUCTION TO SPEECH COMMUNICATION4
CMST 342GLOBAL COMMUNICATION5
CMST 439TOPICS IN LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION5
CSBS 320STATISTICS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES5
MLSC 101BASIC MILITARY SKILLS I1
MLSC 102BASIC MILITARY SKILLS II1
MLSC 103BASIC MILITARY SKILLS III1
MLSC 104BASIC MILITARY SKILLS LAB (must be repeated)3
MLSC 201BASIC MILITARY TEAM BUILDING I2
MLSC 202BASIC MILITARY TEAMBUILDING II2
MLSC 203BASIC MILITARY TEAM III2
MLSC 204BASIC MILITARY TEAM BUILDING LAB (must be repeated)3
MLSC 301MILITARY SCIENCE & TACTICS I3
MLSC 302MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS II3
MLSC 303MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS III3
MLSC 304MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS LAB (must be repeated)6
MLSC 307LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT8
MLSC 401MILITARY SCIENCE AND OFFICERSHIP I3
MLSC 402MILITARY SCIENCE AND OFFICERSHIP II3
MLSC 403MILITARY SCIENCE AND OFFICERSHIP III3
MLSC 404MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS IV LAB (must be repeated)6
POLI 204INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL POLITICS5
POLI 323U.S. FOREIGN POLICY5
TCOM 205INTRODUCTION TO TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION5
Senior Capstone5-6
MILITARY LEADERSHIP SENIOR CAPSTONE
PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP
Senior Capstone Note: MLSC 490 (5) for Cadets not currently in Guard or Reserve units or MLSC 495 (6) requires 2 credit per quarter for three quarters (for Cadets that are currently members of Guard or Reserves). With advisor approval, MLSC 495 may substitute for the required capstone.
Students must complete one of the following specialty areas20
The Application of Leadership
INTRODUCTION TO STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
NEGOTIATION SKILLS AND STRATEGIES
Choose two of the following
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT SKILLS
COMMUNICATION IN ORGANIZATIONS
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
SCIENCE OF STRESS AND COPING
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
U.S. Government and Policy
PUBLIC FINANCE AND PUBLIC POLICY
Choose two of the following
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
THE U.S. PRESIDENCY
U.S. CONGRESS
Choose one of the following
ECONOMIC HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Geographic Information Systems Courses
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I: SPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I: SPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS II
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS III
GIS PORTFOLIO
Electives - choose one course from the GIS elective list
Healthcare Administration Courses
HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP
HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION BEHAVIOR
HEALTHCARE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
HEALTHCARE LAW, REGULATIONS & ETHICS
Journalism Courses
MEDIA WRITING
PRINCIPLES OF JOURNALISM
NEWS WRITING
NEWSROOM EXPERIENCE
Total Credits112-113

Students who earn a BA in Military Science from EWU should be able to:

  • critically analyze the current Operational Environment in which our Armed Forces are deployed to better prepare to serve as a Platoon Leader;
  • know and apply a basic understanding of Army operations, training management, safety, risk management, counseling and communications as a member of the Cadet Battalion Chain-of-Command;
  • know and apply basic individual and unit military skills and leadership while functioning in a tactical environment as a member of a squad or platoon;
  • know and apply time management skills and troop leading procedures to develop and articulate a complete five paragraph Operations Order.

Sample Courses

MLSC 201. BASIC MILITARY TEAM BUILDING I. 2 Credits.

Pre-requisites: permission of the department chair.
MLSC 201 explores the dimensions of creative and innovative tactical leadership strategies and styles by examining team dynamics and two historical leadership theories that form the basis of the Army leadership framework (trait and behavior theories). Students practice aspects of personal motivation and team building in the context of planning, executing and assessing team exercises. Focus is on continued development of the knowledge of leadership attributes and core leader competencies through an understanding of Army rank, structure, duties and basic aspects of land navigation and squad tactics. Case studies provide tangible context for learning the Soldier’s Creed and Warrior Ethos as they apply in the contemporary operating environment (COE).

Catalog Listing

MLSC 301. MILITARY SCIENCE & TACTICS I. 3 Credits.

Notes: Students are required to be enrolled in the ROTC program. The required MLSC 101, MLSC 102, MLSC 103 and MLSC 201, MLSC 202, MLSC 203 series must be completed before enrolling in the 300- 400-level series.
Pre-requisites: permission from the department chair is required.
This course challenges students to study, practice and apply the fundamentals of Army leadership, officership, Army values and ethics, personal development and small unit tactics at the team and squad levels. Each student, by the end of the course, will be capable of planning, coordinating, navigating, motivating and leading a team or squad in the execution of a tactical in a field environment. In addition, MS III students rotate through a variety of leadership positions in ROTC activities.

Catalog Listing

MLSC 307. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT. 8 Credits.

Pre-requisites: permission of the department chair.
The summer following their junior year, cadets attend the Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC), a five-week Course at Ft. Lewis, WA. It is designed to evaluate a cadet’s leadership abilities while providing additional leadership and individual skills instruction.

Catalog Listing

MLSC 401. MILITARY SCIENCE AND OFFICERSHIP I. 3 Credits.

Notes: required MLSC 301, MLSC 302, MLSC 303 series completed.
Pre-requisites: permission of instructor is required.
This course focuses on development of the Army Officer. It is an academically challenging course were you will develop knowledge, skills and abilities to plan, resource and assess training at the small unit level. They accomplish this through the use of the US Army’s 8 Step Training Model and Unit Training Management techniques. You will also learn about Army programs that support counseling subordinates and evaluating performance, values and ethics, career planning and legal responsibilities.

Catalog Listing

Career Possibilities

  • U.S. Army Officer 
  • U.S. Navy Officer 
  • U.S. Air Force Officer 
  • U.S. Marine Corps Officer 

  • Defense Analyst 
  • Homeland Security Officer 
  • Counterterrorism Specialist 
  • National Security Consultant 
  • Intelligence Analyst 
  • National Defense Strategy Analyst 
  • Cybersecurity Officer (Defense Focus) 
  • Weapons Systems Analyst 

  • State and Local Police Officer 
  • Federal Law Enforcement Officer (FBI, DEA, etc.) 
  • U.S. Border Patrol Agent 
  • Border Security Specialist 
  • Emergency Management Specialist 
  • Public Safety Director (focused on military or defense) 
  • Crisis Management Coordinator

  • Military Operations Planner 
  • Logistics Officer 
  • Combat Engineer 
  • Tactical Operations Officer

  • Defense Contractor 
  • Military Procurement Specialist 
  • Defense Systems Engineer 
  • Military Training Consultant 
  • Private Military Contractor 
  • Security Consultant 
  • Researcher in Military Technology 
  • Supply Chain Manager (Military Focus)
  • Military Defense Consultant 
  • Weapons and Systems Specialist

  • Veterans Service Officer 
  • Military Benefits Specialist 
  • Military Reemployment Specialist 
  • Mental Health Counselor for Veterans
  • Military Program Coordinator

  • Military Liaison for International Relations
  • Peacekeeping Officer 
  • International Defense Attaché 
  • United Nations Peacekeeper 
  • Foreign Affairs Analyst 
  • Military Advisor for International Development

  • Defense Policy Analyst 
  • Military Policy Advisor 
  • Public Policy Researcher 
  • Congressional Staffer
  • Military Lobbyist 
  • Legislative Assistant

  • Military Pilot 
  • Aerospace Engineer 
  • Air Traffic Controller 
  • Drone Pilot 
  • Aviation Safety Specialist

  • Military Medical Officer 
  • Military Surgeon 
  • Nurse 
  • Military doctor of any specialty, from pediatrics to oncology
  • Military Family’s primary care doctor 
  • Military Psychologist 
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 
  • Military Healthcare Administrator 
  • Medical Logistics 
  • Military Working Animals Veterinarian 
  • Military Family’s Domestic Animals Veterinarian

  • Military Science Instructor 
  • Military Leadership Coach 
  • Military Training Specialist 
  • Tactical Instructor 
  • Simulation and War Game Facilitator 
  • Leadership Development Consultant

As a Military Science major, you’ll develop leadership, strategic thinking, and tactical skills that prepare you for a career in the military or related civilian fields.

Your studies will cover military leadership, operations, history, and ethics. You’ll also gain real-world experience managing teams, making decisions under pressure, and understanding how military organizations work.

Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to step into officer roles in the armed forces. You may also pursue careers in defense contracting, homeland security, law enforcement, or public policy.

Explore the various careers in Military Science: