Military & Strategic Studies
A major in Military and Strategic Studies prepares you to lead and operate across the spectrum of conflict throughout the world. This program explores the uniquely demanding context of the military profession—morality and the human face of war, the future of the Air Force profession, comparative air forces, hybrid threats, societal and technical innovation, operational concepts, intelligence and military strategies for joint, coalition and interagency operations across diverse cultures.
The MSS major strengthens problem-solving and decision-making skills and directly prepares cadets to excel at the Air Force mission and beyond. MSS majors learn to think as strategists, framing the battle space, and evaluating theories, models and perspectives for the artful future application of military and strategic power.
During their third-class (or sophomore) year, cadets select a research topic in our research methods course. With the help of an advisor, they design what will become their senior thesis or final Cadet Battle Laboratory project. During their first-class (or senior) year, cadets author their capstone project with guidance from a faculty advisor and have an opportunity to publish their findings in a peer-reviewed journal, including our Airman-Scholar Journal.
MSS majors have a variety of summer research programs and internships available to them—cadets have worked at Arizona State University, the Air Force Special Operations School, the Naval Postgraduate School and White Sands Missile Range.
Whether officers make the Air Force a career, pursue other public service, or enter the private sector, this versatile major has direct relevance for any chosen profession and will help develop the capabilities and mindset to compete successfully in a changing and challenging world. Officers’ ability to think strategically and creatively when faced with the complex operational challenges of the 21st-century security environment determines the effectiveness of that Air Force leader, and this ability to ‘think strategically’ transfers to a life after the Air Force.
Potential Job Assignments
Within the Air Force
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Outside the Air Force
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SAMPLE COURSES
- Weapons, Warfare, and Mass Disruption
- Wargaming Airpower
- Special Operations in Eurasia
- Space as an Element of National Power
- Irregular Warfare in Africa and the Middle East
SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCE
4-DEGREE (FRESHMAN) | 3-DEGREE (SOPHOMORE) | 2-DEGREE (JUNIOR) | FIRSTIE (SENIOR) |
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Beh Sci 110 Chem 100 Com Sci 110 English 111 Engr 101 For Lang 1 For Lang 2 History 100 Math 141 Math 142 Physics 110 |
Chem 200 Econ 201 English 211 Engr Mech 220 History 300 Law 220 MSS 251 MSS 298 MSS Strategy 1 Physics 215 Pol Sci 211 Philos 310 |
Aero Engr 315 BehSci 310 Biology 315 ECE 315 Math 300 SocSci 311 MSS 490/491 MSS Specialization 1 MSS Strategy 2 Philos 311 MSS Specialization 2 Sys Opt Geo 310 |
AstroEngr310 Academy Opt English 411 Mgt 400 MSS 498 MSS Elective MSS Elective MSS Elective MSS Strategy 3 Soc Sci 412 |
For full program requirements and course descriptions, download the current Course of Instruction Handbook
CONTACT US
Dr. John Farquhar
Chief, Academic Administration
John.Farquhar@afacademy.af.edu
(719) 333-9435