Online Master's in Military Defense

In today’s connected world, cybersecurity is more crucial than ever. Protecting our military defense systems is a key facet in keeping our country safe from attack. To do so, an understanding of past, modern, and future warfare can help to best identify the threats facing our country today—as well as tomorrow.

Those interested in pursuing a master’s in cybersecurity may be interested in leadership roles in the fields of military data analysis, military IT management, military information systems, and defense technologies. Our one-year online master’s program with a concentration in Military Defense is designed to help students work to develop industry-relevant knowledge and skills they may be looking for to help them prepare for the next step in their career path.

The specialized curriculum in our master’s in defense program allows you to study skills needed to evaluate technological aspects of past, current, and future military weapons and systems. This online master’s program also allows you to analyze offensive and defensive weapons, air power, sensors, and communications technologies used by the military and intelligence organizations.

Online Military Defense Master's degree courses can help you learn how to:

• Evaluate how the gunpowder revolution effected a new revolution in the art of war.
• Analyze how the offensive and defensive weapons of the past led to modern warfare.
• Analyze the differences between past and present ground, surface, and subsurface warfare platforms, and technologies.
• Evaluate the current platforms and technology used to project air power.
• Analyze the U.S. military use of modern sensors and communications technologies.
• Evaluate the role of DARPA Net, NIPR Net, SIPR Net, and JWICS have in the dissemination of intelligence information.
• Analyze the structure of the joint service intelligence organizations and their ability to conduct intelligence operations.
• Evaluate technologies used by joint service intelligence organizations to collect, analyze, and share intelligence information.
• Evaluate the techniques used by intelligence organizations to conduct intelligence operations.
• Analyze systems and technologies used by joint service intelligence organizations in the conduct of C4ISR operations.
• Evaluate how directed energy (DE) weapons contribute to military advantages on the battlefield.
• Analyze the military use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance ISR, cyber operations, and autonomous vehicles.
• Analyze the use of the Lethal Autonomous Weapons System (LAWS) to identify threats and employ weapons against targets of the future.
• Evaluate how hypersonic glide vehicles and hypersonic cruise missile technology will impact the future of military operations.
• Analyze the use of quantum technology for improvement in the areas of military communications, encryption, and stealth technology.

These are just among some of the things you can learn in our military defense program. As the field evolves, you may have the chance to study additional topics.

Why should you study military defense?

Military defense is crucial to helping to ensure that our citizenry and military remain safe. Studying in our online master’s program with a concentration in military defense can help you prepare to pursue career paths such as Military Data Analyst, Information Systems Technician, Military Program Analyst, Information Technology Specialist, Operational Data Manager, Information Systems Specialist and more.¹

Download program detail PDF

¹AIU cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. The list of career paths related to this program is based on a subset from the Bureau of Labor Statistics CIP to SOC Crosswalk. Some career paths listed above may require further education or job experience.

While many prospective students may wonder how long it takes to get a degree in Military Defense and how much it may cost, there is no simple answer. Total tuition for our master’s in Military Defense program may vary depending on your educational needs, existing experience and other factors.

Use our Tuition & Graduation Date Calculator to get a tuition estimate and key dates for your MSIT degree.

Estimate your costs, potential savings and graduation date.

In this industry-focused master’s of military defense program, you will have an opportunity to learn how to design, analyze, test, and implement systems. Through our military defense courses, you can also explore software development management, global technology management, enterprise architecture, and technological innovations. You will have the opportunity to learn and apply advanced technical communications throughout the master’s in military defense program. Additionally, military classes in the military defense master’s degree program focus on technical topics as well as legal and ethical issues.

And you can take 100% of your military defense master’s degree courses online. Studying at AIU gives you the chance to study online with experienced professionals with no additional book or tech fees. You’ll also have access to software tools used in the national security industry. With access to, 24/7 tutoring, dedicated advising and proactive faculty support, you can complete your military defense degree in as little as 12 months.

For an Online Military Defense Master's Degree, your classes may include:

Modern Military Technology

This course covers military technology and tactics from 1044 to the modern era. Emphasis is placed on ground, surface, subsurface, and air power transformation. Students will have the opportunity to analyze military technologies to include vehicle, network, aircraft, warship, sensors, and communication.

Joint Service Intelligence Technology

This course covers joint service intelligence organizations and technologies, systems, and techniques they use to conduct intelligence operations. Emphasis is placed on Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) in efforts to analyze, collect, and share information.

Emerging and Future Warfare Technology

This course covers emerging technologies and the future of technological solutions and support for warfare. Featured content can include hypersonic weapons, stealth technology, laser weapon technology, smart artillery, mini-drones, and space technologies.

System Analysis and Design

This course focuses on advanced concepts in systems analysis, modeling, system design, testing, and implementation. Models covered in this course can include dynamic, static, and structural. Students have the opportunity to learn and use Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools.

Global Technology Management

This course focuses on the global nature of technology and the management of technology in the international business environment. Key concepts can include risk management, legal issues, ethical issues, cooperation, and competition.

Innovations and Emerging Media

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn about current information technology innovations and emerging media. Contemporary topics may include artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchains, cryptocurrencies, IoT, autonomous vehicles, and digital media. Specific focus is placed on the resultant ethical, social, legal, and cultural issues such as net neutrality, broadband regulation, privacy, and intellectual property rights.

University Catalog

Course content subject to change.

YouTube Module block