The Master of Arts in Diplomacy and Military Studies (MA/DMS) combines courses in history, art history, literature, philosophy, anthropology, and political science to acquaint students with different approaches and methods in the study of diplomacy and the military. Unlike other, similar programs which have a focus on the United States and Europe, the MA/DMS integrates a variety of courses in Asia and the Pacific as well as courses of a comparative nature.

The core classes are drawn from the disciplines of history, interdisciplinary humanities, philosophy, and political science and provide students with the historical, ethical, and practical background necessary to fully understand the multifaceted character of the military.

The elective courses in military and diplomatic history allow students to explore the historical circumstances of the military, both as a fighting force and as an instrument of policy. The courses in military history are divided between thematic courses that deal with particular issues in military history and those courses that deal with an individual region or chronological period. The history courses are supported by an array of electives drawn from a variety of fields.

Finally, in the capstone courses, students will apply the pertinent research methodologies and tools which they developed during the program to a research project of their own design. Each student will work with several faculty members and their colleagues when researching and writing a paper on an issue relating to the study of diplomacy or military affairs.