10/30/2026
At first glance, choosing between military history and history might seem like a question of specialization. One focuses on war, while the other gives you a broader view of the past. In practice, there is quite a bit of overlap.
Both fields involve researching primary and secondary sources, examining competing interpretations, and building arguments around historical evidence. The biggest difference is where they apply those skills.
A military history degree concentrates heavily on armed conflict, military institutions, leadership, strategy, and the effects of warfare. A general history degree gives students room to explore a wider mix of political, social, economic, and cultural history across different regions and time periods.
Here is how the two degree paths compare.
Military History Degree vs. History Degree: What Is the Main Difference?
The simplest distinction is the scope of study. Military history examines warfare as part of the wider human experience. Students might investigate why wars began, how military thought changed, the influence of technology on conflict, or how relationships between military institutions and civilian populations evolved.
A history degree casts a wider net. Depending on the program, students could move between ancient civilizations, cultural history, politics, social movements, world history, economic change, and major conflicts.
Neither approach removes warfare or politics from the picture. A history student could still study the Civil War, World War I, World War II, or the Cold War, for example. The difference is how central those subjects are to the degree.
What Do You Study in a Military History Degree?
A military history degree places armed conflict at the center of historical study.
At American Military University (AMU), the online Bachelor of Arts in Military History examines five main perspectives:
- Philosophies and strategies of war
- Military leadership and management
- Major battles and their historical influence
- Technological developments in warfare
- The ways military conflict has contributed to societal change
Students also work directly with primary and secondary sources and complete independent historical research.
The subject is broader than studying battles one after another. Questions about politics, society, leadership, technology, and culture all become part of understanding why conflicts happened and what followed them.
American Military History and Other Focus Areas
Students can also narrow their studies. AMU's 120-credit bachelor's program offers concentrations in American Military History and General Military History. At the graduate level, its Master of Arts in Military History currently offers concentrations in American Military History, American Revolution, Civil War, World War II, and War Since 1945.
That level of specialization allows students to focus their coursework on warfare and military institutions.
What Do You Study in a History Degree?
A general history program gives students a wider historical canvas.
AMU's online Bachelor of Arts in History currently begins with world civilizations and research methods before allowing students to explore particular regions and periods. Topics can include Ancient Greece and Rome, Medieval Europe, the Renaissance, Middle Eastern history, Colonial America, World War I, and World War II.
Students choose from General, American History, Global History, or European History concentrations. The broader structure also includes opportunities to study major conflicts alongside the political, cultural, and social forces surrounding them.
Comparing the Two Degree Programs
At AMU, both bachelor's degrees require 120 credit hours and allow up to 90 eligible transfer credits. Both are delivered online, with courses starting monthly and lasting 8 to 16 weeks.
The curriculum structure is where the paths separate.
Military History Degree | History Degree |
|---|---|
Centers study on armed conflict and warfare | Covers a broader range of human history |
Examines military strategy and institutions | Explores political, social, cultural, and other historical themes |
Includes American Military History or General concentrations | Includes General, American, Global, and European History concentrations |
21 major-required credits at AMU | 9 major-required credits at AMU |
30 concentration credits at AMU | 39 concentration credits at AMU |
Both programs also include a six-credit final program requirement.
Research and Critical Thinking Across Both Degrees
Whichever route a student takes, history involves working out what the evidence actually supports.
Primary sources can contradict one another. Historians can interpret the same event differently. A document might tell you as much about the person who created it as the event it describes.
Students work with sources by placing evidence in its historical context, comparing interpretations, and constructing arguments grounded in research.
In military history, this research approach focuses heavily on warfare, military leadership, institutions, and strategy. In general history, the same research methods could be applied to a much wider set of complex questions about politics, culture, society, and the experiences of people across different eras.
Career Paths for History and Military History Graduates
There is no single profession attached to either degree.
Students interested in these fields may find military history coursework relevant to areas such as museums, archives, historical research, government, public history, and military or defense-related research. Requirements for specific positions vary and may include additional education, experience, credentials, security clearances, or specialized training.
Students studying general history may also be interested in fields such as museums, archives, government, education, research, and public history. The broader curriculum allows students to explore several areas of human history rather than focusing on one particular field.
Graduate education is another option for either route. Students interested in careers as professional historians or postsecondary educators should research the education, experience, and other qualifications required for the specific roles they are considering, as requirements vary by employer and position.
Interested in studying military history as a profession? Explore "How To Become A Military Historian" to learn more about the education, research skills, and experience involved in pursuing this specialized field.
Military History or General History: Which Degree Fits Your Interests?
Think about the historical questions that keep pulling you back in. A military history degree places those subjects at the center of the curriculum.
If your interests move freely between politics, culture, ancient civilizations, social history, wars, and different parts of the world, a general history degree provides a wider field to explore.
It is also worth comparing the actual courses, concentration options, transfer-credit policies, research requirements, and final projects offered by individual universities. The title of the degree tells you part of the story; the curriculum shows you what you will actually spend your time studying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Military History a Good Degree?
A military history degree can suit students with a strong interest in warfare, military institutions, strategy, leadership, and historical research. Coursework in military history involves research, writing, source analysis, and critical thinking while examining the history of armed conflict.
Is It Useful for Military Officers to Study Military History?
Military history coursework examines leadership, strategy, institutions, and past conflicts in their historical context. However, a military history degree does not qualify someone for a commission or specific military position. Eligibility and training requirements depend on the service branch and role.
Is a History Degree Worth It?
The answer depends on what a student wants from the degree. History programs involve research, analysis, and communication while allowing students to study how societies and institutions developed over time. Students should compare the curriculum with their academic interests and check the requirements for any careers they hope to pursue.
What Is the Difference Between a Military Historian and a Historian?
A military historian specializes in the history of warfare, military organizations, strategy, people, or conflicts. Historians can specialize in many other areas, including political, social, economic, cultural, regional, or public history. Military history is therefore one specialized field within the wider discipline of history.