World War II Studies, MA
Atomic Bomb, D-DAY, Greatest Generation, Holocaust, Pearl Harbor, Rosie the Riveter, WW2, WWII, World War II, history
ASU faculty, historians of the National WWII Museum and valuable archival resources provide you with an in-depth understanding of the effects of World War II on current and future world events. This first-of-its-kind online program is a distinct partnership between ASU and the National WWII Museum.
Through advanced interdisciplinary study, students in the Master of Arts program in World War II studies explore the causes and effects of World War II; the global nature of the conflict; the evolution of governance and political systems; and human responses to conflict, violence and genocide. Program coursework also helps students contextualize current events through study of the war's historical, political and cultural legacies.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
30 credit hours including the required capstone course (WWS 597)
Required Core (12 credit hours) Electives or Research (9 credit hours) Other Requirements (6 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information For the Other Requirements courses, students must take either HST 454 or WWS 564. If a student chooses to take HST 454 to fulfill the requirement, they may take WWS 564 as an elective. Likewise, if a student chooses to take WWS 564 to fulfill a requirement, they may take HST 454 as an elective. Other coursework may be used with approval of the academic unit.
WWS 561 Decision Points I (3)
WWS 562 Decision Points II (3)
WWS 563 The Lived Experience of World War II (3)
WWS 566 World War II Today (3)
HST 454 History of Genocide (3) or WWS 564 The Global War (3)
WWS 460 World War II (3) or HST 460 World War II (3)
WWS 597 Capstone (3)
Students should refer to the academic unit for the approved electives and research course list.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) or master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Students from any field who demonstrate potential are considered for admission.
Competitive applicants typically have a 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 credit hours of their undergraduate coursework. Applicants with a lower GPA might still be accepted and should address lower GPAs in their personal statement.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- three letters of recommendation
- letter of intent or written statement
- written responses to unit-developed prompts
- resume
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
An applicant's potential for success is determined by the quality of writing and clarity of thought demonstrated in the letter of intent and responses to the application questions. During the application process, applicants are prompted to write short responses to World War II-related questions. These responses serve to demonstrate to the committee a student's writing ability and potential for thoughtful participation in degree coursework.
Letters of recommendation that point to a student's ability to deliver high-quality academic work and persist to an academic goal receive priority.
An applicant's GPA and academic performance, particularly in humanities coursework, also indicate potential.
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 07/21 | Priority |
| Session B | Online | 09/14 | Priority |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 12/10 | Final |
| Session B | Online | 02/13 | Priority |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:
- Able to analyze the decision-making process within the larger context of the Second World War.
- Able to evaluate the global, social, cultural, economic and political legacy of World War II since 1945, with particular attention to differing narratives.
- Analyzing the causes, course and memory of the genocidal nature of World War II, will be able to compose evidence-based arguments grounded in the analysis of sources.
Graduates have the fundamental training needed for careers in research, teaching, public history, government service and a host of other positions in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
Graduates serve as first-rate historians, highly qualified teachers at the elementary and secondary levels and at community colleges, researchers and consultants, archivists, foreign service officers, management professionals, community organizers, and public servants.
Other career examples include:
- archivist
- college instructor
- editorial and publishing professional
- museum director and staff
- nonprofit director
- research professional
Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch
|
COOR 4595
SHPRSGradInfo@asu.edu
480-965-5778
Program term definitions
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.

