Military Science
Military Science (Army ROTC) offers opportunities to develop confidence, self-esteem, and leadership and life skills to succeed in college and beyond. It is an academic curriculum that supplements any major and is designed to prepare qualified, high potential students for service as commissioned officers in the United States Army and its Reserve Components (the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard).
The Military Science Program is composed of a two-year Basic Course, a two-year Advanced Course, and a five-week leadership summer program known as Advanced Camp. Non-scholarship students enrolling in only freshman and sophomore level classes incur no obligation to serve in the military after graduation.
Upon completion of the requirements for the baccalaureate degree and Military Science training, students are commissioned as second lieutenants in the United States Army. Further, highly qualified commissionees who desire graduate or professional schooling prior to fulfilling their service obligation may apply for a fully-funded educational delay.
Four-year and two-year programs are offered.
Four-Year Program
The four-year program is divided into two portions, each consisting of four classes normally taken in sequence. The first is the Basic Course, which is usually completed during the freshman and sophomore years. The Basic Course consists of Introduction to Leadership (freshman course) and Basic Leadership (sophomore course). The second portion of the four-year program is called the Advanced Course; it is normally completed during the junior and senior years. The Advanced Course consists of Intermediate Leadership (junior course) and Advanced Leadership (senior course). To enroll in the Advanced Course, a student must successfully complete the Basic Course (or be given equivalent credit by the Professor of Military Science), be of good moral character, have a minimum of two years remaining as a full-time student, have a minimum GPA of 2.0, and be physically qualified. A paid and highly adventurous five-week training session (Advanced Camp) between the junior and senior years is a critically important part of the Advanced Course. All Advanced Course students (both scholarship and non-scholarship ) receive monthly cash allowances while participating (full-time) in on-campus instruction. This allowance can be collected for up to 10 months each year.
Two-Year Program
The two-year program is designed for students who either transfer or elect to begin pursuing a commission in the fall of their junior year. It includes a paid four-week summer training session (Basic Camp) between the sophomore and junior years and the Advanced Course described under the four-year program. Application for the two-year program is normally made during the second semester of the sophomore year. However, the two-year program is also open to juniors and seniors planning attendance at graduate school. The monthly cash allowance for students in the two-year program is the same as for other students in the Advanced Course. Numerous full tuition and fees scholarships are available for qualified two-year program applicants.
Curriculum
The curriculum consists of the Basic Course and the Advanced Course described above under the Four-Year Program and is further described below.
Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit Options
Military Science classes may not be taken on a Pass/Fail or No Credit basis.
Basic Course
The Basic Course should include MILS 1101 Introduction to Leadership I, MILS 1102 Introduction to Leadership II, MILS 2201 Basic Leadership I, and MILS 2202 Basic Leadership II. Leadership Lab is required for all courses listed above.
Graduate Studies
Upon application, Military Science graduates may be granted a delay before entering active duty for a period of two or three years from the date of their commission. Authorized purposes are attending graduate school, medical school, or law school. In some cases, the delay may exceed three years. A number of salaried and fully funded graduate programs are also available to top academic performers and medical school applicants who complete the ROTC curriculum.
Waivers
Part or all of the Basic Course may be waived for veterans with acceptable active duty service. Students transferring from a military academy or military junior college may also receive a waiver for the Basic Course.
Leadership Laboratory
Every Military Science student is required to participate in the weekly leadership lab in addition to the scheduled class periods. The lab meets every Thursday, 3:30-5:20 p.m., during the semester, and provides leadership training, military skills training, tactical training, and drill and ceremonies instruction. Leadership experience is gained by students managing, leading, and teaching other students within the framework of the Cadet Battalion. All leadership positions are filled by upper-class cadets who are responsible for planning and executing each lab period under the guidance of seasoned Army officers and noncommissioned officers.