Academic Levels at Military Colleges

Hey all, this may be a basic question, but are military colleges typically undergraduate institutions? Like, do they focus on bachelor's degrees or do they offer a wide range of degree levels from associate's to doctoral degrees?

Yes, military colleges typically offer a range of degrees, much like traditional colleges and universities. Several military institutions, such as the United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Naval Academy, primarily offer undergraduate degrees (bachelor's) with a prime focus on preparing students for their respective military service. Their rigorous programs combine academics, physical fitness training, leadership development, and military discipline.

However, some military colleges do also have graduate school offerings. Examples include the Air Force Institute of Technology, Navy Postgraduate School, and the Army's Command and General Staff College. These institutions offer master's and doctoral-level degrees in a variety of fields catered toward military personnel and their careers.

You can also find associate degrees being offered at some military community colleges like the Community College of the Air Force.

Those not interested in full-time military service might consider a Senior Military College, such as Virginia Tech or Texas A&M, which combine traditional undergraduate and graduate education with military training. Here, students can pursue military education while the majority of students are non-cadets.

Remember, though, whether undergraduate or graduate, the academic experience at military institutions is quite different from conventional colleges for being intimately tied to military training and discipline development. Be sure to keep that in mind as you consider this path.