The Military Science Department’s Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program of instruction qualifies the student for a commission as an officer in the United States Army, Army Reserve, or National Guard. The curriculum complements any undergraduate or graduate course of study that leads to a degree and provides a base for initial entry into the Army’s educational program.

The ROTC program emphasizes leadership and management training. A laboratory provides experience in a range of leadership positions. Practical experience is gained at a summer camp normally attended between the junior and senior years. Men and women undergo the same military training throughout the ROTC program.

Commissioning Programs

The four-year military science curriculum includes a two-year basic course of study and a two-year advanced course of study. Students enter the four-year program as freshmen or sophomores.

The two-year ROTC program is designed for junior college and other non-ROTC college transferees. Four-year students with only two years of school remaining who receive placement credit for the basic course of study may also enroll. Graduate students may qualify for enrollment in the two-year course of study.

Basic Course of Study

The courses which comprise the basic course of study are normally taken as electives in the freshman and sophomore years. These courses prepare students for the advanced course of study by familiarizing them with the organization of the Army, military skills, and military traditions. Students do not incur any military obligation as a result of enrolling in the basic course of study.

To enroll, a student must be physically and morally qualified, a full-time degree-seeking student at the University, and a U.S. citizen.

Advanced Course of Study

The advanced course of study covers leadership and management, the exercise of command, military teaching methods, tactics, logistics, administration, history, and military justice. Leadership experience and command experience are provided by assigning advanced course students as cadet officers and noncommissioned officers.

For entry into the advanced course of study students must satisfy the following:

• Complete a lower-division ROTC basic course of study at a college, university, or a junior ROTC program, or attend and successfully complete the ROTC four-week Basic Camp at Fort Knox, KY, or have prior honorable military service
• Be a U.S. citizen not over 34 years of age at the time of commissioning in the Army (waiverable up to 39 years of age)
• Pass a military medical examination and physical fitness test
• Have two academic years (four semesters) of upper-division coursework remaining with a GPA of 2.0 on all lower-division coursework
• Have no civil convictions with fines of greater than $250, unless waiver is applied for and granted
• Be selected by the Professor of Military Science (PMS).

After all entry requirements are met, the student must execute a written agreement (contract and enlistment) with the U.S. Army to complete the advanced course of study, to attend a summer camp at the time specified, and to accept a commission if tendered unless relieved from contract by proper authority.

Requirements to Receive a Commission in the U.S. Army

Students desiring a commission in the U.S. Army must complete the following requirements:

• Baccalaureate or graduate degree
• 18 semester hours of military science courses including:

  MSL 1001	Introduction to the Army	2
  MSL 1002	Foundations of Agile and Adaptive Leadership	2
  MSL 2101	Leadership and Decision Making	2
  MSL 2102	Army Doctrine and Team Development	2
  MSL 3201C	Training Management & the Warfighting Functions	3
  MSL 3202C	Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations	3
  MSL 4301C	The Army Officer	3
  MSL 4302C	Company Grade Leadership	3

• Students with prior military service, Junior ROTC, ROTC Basic Camp, or equivalent military training can receive placement credit for lower-division courses with departmental approval
• AMH 3540 American Military History
• ROTC Advanced Camp attended between junior and senior years
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0
• Maintain a 2.0 semester and cumulative GPA in military science
• A qualified physical examination, passing score on Army physical-fitness test, and a secret security clearance.

Textbooks and Uniforms

Textbooks and uniforms required for participation in the Army ROTC basic and advanced course are furnished by the Department of Military Science.

Monetary Allowances

Cadets selected for admission into the advanced course and who sign a contract and enlistment qualify for a nontaxable $420 allowance for each month of enrollment during the academic year. Freshman and sophomore cadets with an Army ROTC scholarship receive this allowance also. In addition, students receive approximately $900 for the Basic and Advanced Camp.

Scholarship Program

Financial assistance is available in the form of ROTC four-year, three-year, and two-year scholarships for selected students. Under this program, the Army will pay tuition and fees or a flat rate for room and board, a flat rate per semester for textbooks, and other required expenses. In addition, the student receives the monetary allowance described above.

Most students entering the program by attending Basic Camp are eligible to compete for two-year scholarships while at the camp. Coordination should be made with the ROTC office for application at the beginning of the spring semester prior to enrollment.

Activities

The Military Science Department sponsors several activities throughout the year which are designed to enhance the student’s participation in college activities, develop leadership skills, and provide a solid foundation for commissioning into the Officers’ Corps. Some examples are physical conditioning, rappelling, orienteering, visits to military installations, overnight field training exercises, and a military ball in the spring.

Military Science Minor

The Minor in Military Science assists ROTC students in meeting the criteria for a commission as an Officer in the United States Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard. The courses emphasize leadership and management training while a laboratory provides experience in a range of leadership positions. Practical experience is gained at a summer camp normally attended between the junior and senior years. The minor is only open to ROTC students.

None of the military science hours may be taken online. A grade of "C" or higher is required for all courses in the minor.