University-level Certificate in Veterans Studies
(If you declared a Departmental Certificate in Veterans Studies prior to Fall 2020 view the old curriculum requirements here)
University-level Certificate in Veterans Studies - 24 Hours
EKU's University-level Certificate in Veterans Studies is the most comprehensive credential available in the field. It represents a deep exploration of veterans' identities, cultures, and experiences. The Certificate complements any field of study and is ideal for students looking to expand their knowledge of veterans beyond a single disciplinary perspective. Program-approved alternatives can be substituted for some requirements. These courses will be listed on the VTS website each semester. However, if you see a course offering that you think would better suit your professional or educational needs, you are invited to petition for a substitution. Please contact us at any point if you have questions.
Core Requirements – 6 Hours
VTS 200 lays the groundwork for critical examinations of veterans’ identities, cultures, and experiences. Students combine all they learn in either a capstone seminar (VTS 400) or a mentored-project (VTS 401). Alternatively, students may petition for a capstone course taught within their Major.
Core Course (3 Hours)
- VTS 200 – Introduction to Veterans Studies
Capstone Requirement (Pick One, 3 Hours)
- VTS 400 – Veterans Studies Capstone (Course)
- VTS 401 – Veterans Studies Capstone (Mentored Project)
- Program-approved Capstone in Student’s Major
Cultural Competency Electives - 3 Hours
Cultural Competency courses focus on current and historical forces shaping veterans’ lives. Approved alternatives vary from semester to semester and will focus heavily on military/veteran identities, cultures, or experiences. (Pick One)
- ENG 386W – War and Peace in Lit Since 1900
- PLS 375 – Terrorism / Counterterrorism
- MSL 303 – American Military History
- VTS 300 – Veterans in Society
- VTS 350 – Special Topics in Veterans Studies
- Program-approved courses (e.g., HIS 300A: War and American Society, WGS 300: Gender and War)
Applied Electives – 3 Hours
Applied electives are courses that teach students how to put what they learn about veterans into action. Program-approved electives will come from the student’s major discipline. (Pick One)
- NSC 442 – Complex Health Systems
- MGT 300 or MGT 301 (Non-Business Majors) – Principles of Management
- PSY 405 – Intro to Interviewing / Therapy
- SWK 365 – Crisis Intervention
- VTS 349 – Cooperative Study
- Program-approved Electives
Theoretical Perspectives – 3 Hours
Theoretical Persectives courses teach interdisciplinary thinking and provide students with ways to examine veterans’ identities, cultures, and experiences critically. (Pick One)
- CMS 205W – Advocacy and Opposition
- POL 325 – Global Security
- PSY 300 – Social Psychology
- SOC 131 – Introductory Sociology
- SWK 201 – Introduction to Social Work
Intersectionality Requirement – 3 Hours
The Intersectionality Requirement provides knowledge about diverse social groups, helping students better understand how membership in these groups impacts veterans' experiences. (Pick One)
- AFA 202 – The African-American Experience
- ANT 330 – American Indians
- CDF 424 – Diversity Awareness for Professional Practice
- WGS 201 – Intro to Women and Gender Studies
Additional Electives – 6 Hours
The remaining elective requirements provide students with opportunities to narrow their focus and dive deeper into veterans' issues or theotetical perspectives to be applied in the capstone. (Pick Two)
- HLS 400 – Evolution of the U.S. Intelligence Community
- HUM 300 – Humanity in the Postmodern Age
- PHI 130 – Beginning Ethics
- POL 357 – American Political Thought
- PSY 308 – Abnormal Psychology
- PSY 314 – Adolescent and Adult Development
- PSY 476 – Psychology of Trauma
- SWK 310 – Social Welfare Policy History
- SWK 335 – Human Behavior / Social Environment
- Program-approved Electives
Students wishing to add a VTS Minor or University-level Certificate must complete the Change of Major form and submit it to their advisor or the Program Director for signature.
