Army ROTC - Program Overview
The Basic Course Curriculum
The Basic Course consists of a four-semester block of instruction taken during the freshman and sophomore years. Successful completion of all four semesters satisfies the military science requirements for progression to the Advanced Course. These courses provide a foundation in basic military subjects such as customs and traditions, history, leadership, and map reading. They round out a student's academic life, provide a challenge, foster confidence, and facilitate personal growth and development.
Courses are offered during fall and spring semesters with 3 credit hours awarded for each freshman and sophomore course and four credit hours for each junior and senior course. Four hours of basic ROTC courses may be applied as elective credits toward degree requirements at the school. Courses normally meet two hours a week. A one-hour leadership laboratory and participation in physical conditioning training are also required for contracted cadets.
Students in the Basic Course do not incur military obligation unless they have received an ROTC scholarship. Scholarship cadets are required to participate in a field training exercise twice per school year. They are issued uniforms and may participate in other ROTC-related events and training, such as Airborne School, Air Assault School, and Northern Warfare Training.
The Basic Course consists of the following:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| MSL 1001 | Leadership and Personal Development | 3 |
| MSL 1002 | Introduction to Tactical Leadership | 3 |
| Second Year | ||
| MSL 2001 | Innovative Team Leadership | 3 |
| MSL 2002 | Foundations of Tactical Leadership | 3 |
The Advanced Course Curriculum
The Advanced Course is designed to fully develop a cadet's leadership and management potential, physical stamina, and self-confidence, as well as those Army values required of an Army officer. The objective is to produce the highest caliber junior officers fully capable of discharging a wide spectrum of command and management responsibilities in the modern Army and in the business world.
The Advanced Course consists of four semesters of instruction normally taken during the junior and senior years. Successful completion of the four courses fulfills the military science academic requirements for award of an officer's commission. Each student must also participate in a regular physical conditioning program and successfully pass the Army Physical Fitness Test. All Advanced Course students must participate in field training exercises twice a school year. twelve credit hours are earned, six of which may be applied as elective credits toward any degree at the Institute. Advanced Course students receive a subsistence allowance up to $500 a month. Service veterans and service academy cadets may qualify for direct entry into the Advanced Course. Certain Advanced Course students are eligible to participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program with the Army Reserve or Army National Guard. Students in this program affiliate with an Army unit as officer trainees.
Students enrolled in the Advanced Course are also required to complete a five-week Advanced Camp at Fort Lewis, Washington, to become eligible for commissioning. Attendance at Advanced Camp normally occurs during the summer between the junior and senior years. Students may also participate in additional voluntary training, such as Airborne School or Cadet Troop Leader Training. In addition to completing the military science academic requirements of both the Basic and Advanced Courses, the student must complete at least one undergraduate course from each of five designated fields of study:
- Written Communications: Select any course offered by the Institute in English composition or creative writing.
- Human Behavior: Select any course offered by the Institute in psychology, sociology, anthropology, or ethics.
- Military History/National Security Studies: Select course approved by the Professor of Military Science.
- Computer Literacy: Select any course offered by the College of Computing except CS 1000 (Information and Society).
- Mathematics Reasoning: Select any course offered by the School of Mathematics.
Students who successfully complete the Army ROTC curriculum and earn a bachelor's degree can be commissioned as second lieutenants. Subsequent military service may be on active duty or with the Army Reserve or Army National Guard. The following courses constitute the Advanced Course:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Third Year | ||
| MSL 3001 | Adaptive Tactical Leadership | 4 |
| MSL 3002 | Leadership in Changing Environments | 4 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| MSL 4001 | Developing Adaptive Leaders | 4 |
| MSL 4002 | Leadership in a Complex World | 4 |
| MSL 4901 | Special Problems (restricted) | 4 |