Lieutenant General (ret.) Ken Keen (right), Veterans Studies Certificate student Hannah Woods (center), and ROTC Cadet Andrew Rogers (left) in Spring 2022.
Core Courses in the Veterans Studies Program
If you are on this page you likely want to know more about courses offered in Veterans Studies. To get the most out of the program, and in addition to electives, students progress through three core courses:
- VTS 200 Intro to Veterans Studies
- VTS 300 Veterans in Society
- VTS 500 Veteran Identity Theory
VTS 200 Intro to Veterans Studies
Multidisciplinary study of military/veteran issues and perceptions of veterans. Explores impact of training/service on reintegration into civilian life and relationships. First course in VTS minor. Designed for non-veterans and veterans.
Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Formats: In-person (16-week), Asynchronous Online (8-week), Extended Campus (16-week)
Credit Hours: 3
General Education Credit: Yes
Workload: Oral history recording, advocacy letter, weekly readings, videos and discussions
Preview: Introduction to the course with Dr. Travis Martin
VTS 300 Veterans in Society
Concentrated study of veteran subgroups, veterans’ contributions to society, and the ways societal perceptions of military service influence homecoming experiences.
Offered: Usually in the spring
Formats: In-person (16-week), Synchronous Online (16-week), Extended Campus (online students may take this course by registering for one of the extended campus sections, but please note that it is not an 8-weeks course and requires real-time attendance via Zoom. Coming Soon: Asynchronous Online)
Credit Hours: 3
General Education Credit: Yes
Workload: Scaffolded research paper, advocacy letter, weekly readings, videos and discussions
Preview: Veterans Studies Professor Peter Berres interviews EKU Philosophy and Religions Studies Professor Mike Austin about just war theory and civic responsibility.
VTS 500/700 Veteran Identity Theory
Designed for students in all areas. Advanced study and application of interdisciplinary theories and perspectives to the topic of veteran identity. Credit will not be awarded for both VTS 500 and 700.
Offered: Fall
Formats: Asynchronous Online (8-weeks)
Credit Hours: 3
General Education Credit: No
Workload: Scaffolded research paper, advocacy letter, weekly readings, videos and discussions
Preview: In addition to being an upper-division elective and graduate-level course, VTS 500 is the course students take for a capstone in the program. This advanced study of veteran identity will allow you to apply the skills, theories and perspectives from your home discipline to social issues impacting veterans in the present. You also work with classmates in other disciplines and learn the skills they use to think about the same issues.
Professor Travis Martin teaching a Veterans Studies class
Are You Considering the Minor or University-level Certificate?
With proper planning and communication with your advisor, there’s no reason you can’t graduate on-time and walk away with one of our unique credentials. Read about the electives available and the specific requirements for the minor and university-level certificate. Contact the program director if you have follow-up questions or need to petition for substitutions.