06/30/2025
Comparing Career Preparation in Military and General History Degree Programs
For students with a strong interest in the past, choosing the right degree program is an important first step. A history degree offers the chance to build a firm foundation in research, writing, and critical thinking. However, there are different ways to approach historical study depending on your interests and goals.
Two of the most common options include a broad history degree or a more focused military history degree. Both programs explore key historical events such as the Civil War, World War II, and the Cold War, but their emphasis and career applications may differ.
What Is a Military History Degree?
A military history degree centers on the study of warfare, military institutions, and the impact of armed conflict on societies. Students in these programs examine how armed forces operate, how tactics evolve, and how wars shape governments and cultures.
The study of military history often includes courses in military leadership, strategic decision-making, and the consequences of conflict. Through this lens, students may develop the ability to analyze historical military actions and apply those insights to modern defense concerns.
Topics Covered in a Military History Degree
Military history includes topics like battlefield tactics, military strategy, and the organization of armies and navies throughout history. It goes beyond dates and battles to examine how wars influence politics, culture, and international relations.
Students study both the leaders who directed campaigns and the broader social changes that followed. Programs also emphasize the historical development of military technologies and institutions, providing a comprehensive understanding of how conflict has evolved over time.
Typical Courses in a Military History Degree
Military history programs often include specialized courses such as:
- American military history
- History of military technology
- Global conflict and warfare
- Military leadership and ethics
These courses explore tactical decision-making, analyze specific conflicts, and study how military actions shape long-term developments. The following requirements may also include peace studies, foreign relations, and comparative warfare courses.
Focusing on American Military History
American military history is a core area of study within many programs. It explores the development of the U.S. armed forces and their role in conflicts such as the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Cold War.
This focus allows students to understand how military institutions intersect with national identity, diplomacy, and public policy. Studying American military history also sheds light on the social and political outcomes of key conflicts.
What You Learn in a History Degree Program
In contrast, a general history degree covers a wide variety of topics, including economic movements, cultural transformations, and political revolutions. The coursework may include the study of ancient civilizations, modern revolutions, and everything in between.
These programs are typically housed within a university’s history department and emphasize flexibility. Students often choose concentrations such as U.S. history, world history, or thematic areas like gender studies or migration.
The Breadth of a History Degree
A history degree typically emphasizes diversity in topics and historical methods. Students may explore social movements, intellectual traditions, economic change, or revolutions across different regions and eras.
This breadth may help students develop a well-rounded perspective that could be applicable in diverse academic or professional settings. By comparing different societies and time periods, students learn to draw meaningful connections and analyze complex developments.
Degree Requirements: Core Curriculum and Credit Hours
Both degree paths usually require students to complete 120–130 credit hours, with required and elective courses, though this may vary by institution. In a military history degree, a significant portion of these credit hours focus on warfare, strategy, and military thought.
General history programs distribute credit hours more broadly across geographic areas and time periods. This structure may allow students to explore various aspects of human history while tailoring their academic experience to individual interests.
Developing Research and Analysis Skills in Both Degrees
While the focus areas differ, both military history and general history degrees emphasize strong research and analytical skills. Students learn to evaluate sources, craft arguments, and present their findings clearly.
Capstone projects or senior theses often require students to analyze specific conflicts, social movements, or historical trends. These projects demonstrate a student’s ability to synthesize information and produce original scholarship.
Humanities Courses in Military History and History Degrees
Both programs may be offered as part of an arts degree, with coursework in the humanities. Students often study literature, philosophy, or art to deepen their understanding of historical contexts.
Courses in the arts and humanities help students explore the human consequences of war and the cultural transformations that follow major events.
Typical Career Paths with a Military History Degree
A military history degree may support those interested in exploring roles related to defense, intelligence analysis, or military education. The study of military history may develop analytical skills that are relevant to understanding defense-related historical contexts.
Graduates may also pursue roles in museums, archives, or public history, helping interpret and preserve military heritage.
Career Opportunities with a History Degree
Students who study history may explore opportunities in areas such as education, public service, publishing, or legal studies. Some choose to pursue roles in research, writing, or archival work, while others consider graduate education in fields like law, museum studies, or public policy.
These areas often draw on skills such as analysis, communication, and critical thinking—competencies that are emphasized in many history programs.
What Military Historians Do
Military historians often work in specialized settings such as:
- Military academies or war colleges
- Defense-related think tanks
- Historical consulting for media or museums
Their role is to provide insight into historical military operations, helping shape education and public understanding of warfare.
How to Choose Between a Military History and History Degree
When comparing a military history degree vs history degree, your interests should guide the decision. If you’re drawn to military strategy, historical conflicts, or the role of the armed forces in global affairs, military history may be the better fit.
If your interest lies in social change, cultural history, or broad historical trends, a general history degree provides more flexibility.
Curriculum Structure: Military History vs History
The curriculum structure varies between the two options. Military history programs tend to have more required courses in tactical and strategic areas, while general history offers wider elective choices.
Students interested in specific conflicts may find the narrower focus of military history more engaging, while others may prefer the freedom to explore diverse topics.
Why Historical Education Matters
Whether pursuing military or general history, students contribute to the broader field of historical education. This includes preserving knowledge, teaching others, and applying historical perspectives to contemporary challenges.
History remains a vital part of understanding how the present came to be and how informed decisions are made about the future.
Military History Degree or History Degree: Which Path Is Right for You?
Both degrees offer valuable academic experiences. Ultimately, your choice between a military or general history degree depends on whether you prefer a focused study of military strategy or a broader exploration of historical themes.
Whatever you choose, a history degree may support your ability to analyze historical events, engage with current issues, and explore complex questions from multiple perspectives.