Veterans’ Studies

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Planning is underway for the next program offering. Join our waitlist to stay informed.

The Veterans’ Studies Certificate is a multidisciplinary certificate designed to deepen understanding of the diverse experiences of U.S. military veterans and to prepare students—veteran and non-veteran alike—to engage, serve, and work more effectively with veteran populations. The certificate comprises three core courses: Veterans in History and Society, Veterans’ Voices, and Veterans’ Transitions. Learners may take any or all of the program courses, but completion of all three grants the certificate.

Who Should Enroll

The Veterans’ Studies Certificate is designed for learners of all backgrounds who seek a deeper understanding of the multifaceted experiences, perspectives and challenges faced by veterans of all identities and backgrounds, past and present. The program particularly benefits learners pursuing careers in public service, social work, education, health care, counseling, law, policy, and nonprofit leadership, where interaction with veteran populations is common and cultural competence is essential.

Program Benefits

Students who complete this program will:

Gain a nuanced understanding of the veteran experience. Develop a deep, historically grounded understanding of U.S. military veterans that goes beyond stereotypes—examining identity, service, transition, and civic life across generations and conflicts.
Strengthen your ability to support veteran transitions. Explore the social, educational, employment, health, and family challenges veterans face when transitioning from military to civilian life, with attention to contemporary veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Learn from faculty with veteran and military connections. Courses are taught by faculty with direct experience and expertise in veteran studies, offering informed, engaged, and thoughtful perspectives rooted in both scholarship and lived connection.
Stand out to employers and graduate programs. The certificate signals specialized training and commitment to veteran issues, helping distinguish you in applications to employers, graduate schools, and service organizations.
Flexible pathway designed for working learners. Complete the certificate online during Summer Session—allowing you to balance learning with professional and personal commitments.

How to Enroll in Individual Courses

Learners should enroll through UC Irvine Summer Session. Please scroll down to the program courses section and enroll directly in individual Summer Session courses.

Fees/Expenses

For Summer course costs, please see the prices listed on the UC Irvine Summer Session Fees page
Declaration of Candidacy Fee $125
Possible additional costs not included in course fees are parking and textbooks

Dates & Deadlines

Plans are underway for the next program offering. Join the waitlist to stay informed about upcoming dates and enrollment information

Eligibility and Requirements

A candidate in the program is awarded a certificate upon the successful completion of three (3) required courses totaling 12 units, each with a letter grade of “C” or better. Find candidacy details for all certificate programs.

Certificate

Approximate Tuition

$3,288

Format

Online

Duration

4 months

Total Units

Get notified when enrollment opens and additional program details are available.

Courses

Courses are offered through UC Irvine Summer Session

UC Irvine Summer Session

Veterans in History and Society

SOC SCI 132 (4 units)

Typically offered: Summer quarter

In this seminar-style class, students gain a deep understanding of the wide range of historical experiences, changing social roles, and the unique cultures, identities, and worldviews of the diverse community of U.S. military veterans, as well as to the meanings that have been attributed by others to veterans and their service. Students will compare the experiences of veterans from a wide range of backgrounds, identifying the historical, political, economic and sociocultural factors, including race, class, gender, sexuality and national origin, that have differently (and inequitably) structured their experiences of military service from the early republic to the present day. They will analyze the different ways that diverse groups of veterans have made sense of their military service and how it has shaped their varied interactions with one another, their families, communities, and the nation, over time. They will also trace shifting perceptions of diverse veterans and their roles in civilian society during different moments in U.S. history.

Veterans’ Voices

SOC SCI 134W (4 units)

Typically offered: Summer quarter

Students in this upper division ‘W’ (writing) course use the medium of academic writing to develop a broad understanding of the wide range of worldviews, priorities and values embodied in the creative production and activism of diverse U.S. military veterans. Students explore how veterans have made their voices heard as authors and artists; as individual political actors and leaders/participants in social movements; through powerful veterans’ and “patriotic” societies like the VFW, the G.I. Forum, AMVETS, and the American Legion; and through veteran-activism in activities like the Bonus March, the founding of the VA, the building of the Vietnam Memorial, as well as anti-war and international de-mining campaigns. While exploring the changing political and social contexts that have informed varied forms of expressions across different historical moments, students will also consider how veterans’ complex and multifaceted intersectional identities, including their race, class, gender, sexuality, national origin and citizenship status, political ideologies and spiritual beliefs, have shaped the ways they have used their voices.

Veterans’ Transitions

SOC SCI 133 (4 units)

Typically offered: Summer quarter

This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the complex and multi-faceted transition from active military service into civilian life. Emphasizing the generational and conflict-specific contexts of veterans’ transitions, and recognizing the ways that factors including race, class, gender, sexuality and national origin have shaped these processes, the class consider how diverse veterans have negotiated the employment, educational, familial and interpersonal, as well as mental and physical health-related transitions that are part of adapting to life after military service. Focused primarily on the experiences of veterans from the Vietnam era to present day, the course pays special attention to “present-day” veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan, and other current theaters of military operations.

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Corporate Education

Partner with UC Irvine Continuing Education to bring this program to your team. Our Corporate Education team can help your employees gain the skills that matter most to your organization.

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