SE Valley Times

Arizona State University offers a unique Online Master of Arts in World War II Studies program, described on its webpage as ideal for those interested in the diplomatic, cultural, social, and economic impacts of World War II. The program is noted for being the first of its kind in the nation. Jacob Flaws, an assistant teaching professor involved with the program, summarized it succinctly: "It's really cool."

The program has gained attention amid the dwindling number of living World War II veterans. A 2023 report from the Department of Veterans Affairs notes that only 119,550 of the 16.1 million Americans who fought in the war are still alive. Flaws emphasized the importance of preserving firsthand accounts and studying history to understand past events and their tendency to repeat.

ASU's program partners with the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, a collaboration initiated about five years ago by ASU President Michael Crow and the museum's CEO. This partnership enriches the curriculum by providing access to a vast database of video testimonies from veterans collected by the museum's oral history team.

The interdisciplinary nature of the program attracts a diverse student body worldwide. Students bring various perspectives to classes, enhancing discussions on topics ranging from culture and society to mythology and monuments related to World War II.

A significant portion of students are teachers who incorporate their learning into their teaching practices. Others include recent history graduates pursuing advanced degrees and individuals seeking personal enrichment.

The program also addresses misinformation about World War II and events like the Holocaust. It plans to launch a Holocaust and genocide studies certificate at the graduate level this fall.

Reflecting on D-Day's upcoming 80th anniversary, Flaws highlighted its significance as "the most important day in World War II from the Western perspective," marking a pivotal moment when U.S. forces began liberating Europe from Nazi oppression.