Department of Military Science - Army ROTC
Undergraduate Programs of Study
- Military Science (minor)
Department Description
The Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (Army ROTC) program is conducted by the Department of Military Science. Army ROTC gives students the opportunity to become involved in a unique program that adds the leadership dimension to their college education. It also provides several financial assistance options. Students, regardless of their majors, are eligible to participate in this program. The primary objective of the program is to provide the knowledge and skills required for men and women to serve as commissioned officers in the active Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard. NDSU’s Military Science Department is seeking students who have leadership potential, particularly those who are scholars, athletes, and leaders.
The Army ROTC program is a multi-year program of instruction in the military sciences taken in conjunction with an academic program curriculum. Advanced placement credit may be received for previous or current military service. The program requires a minimum of 19 credit hours and leads to a minor in Military Science. The program is divided into two parts: the basic course and the advanced course.
The basic course is normally taken during the freshman and sophomore years. Students participating in the basic course incur no military obligation or commitment. Instruction offered in the basic course includes: physical fitness class, military leadership and management, land navigation, U.S. military history, first aid, tactics, and drill and ceremonies. Military skills laboratories also are offered. These include adventure activities such as rappelling, rope bridging, tactics, military equipment use, drill and ceremony, survival techniques, and a leadership reaction course.
Students entering the advanced course must have a minimum of two years of academic work remaining in a curriculum leading to either a baccalaureate or graduate degree. Students may qualify for entry into the advanced course by one of the following: completing the basic course, completing basic training, attending the 29-day Basic Camp, or having prior military service in any of the armed forces of the United States. Members of the Army National Guard or Army Reserve may qualify for direct entry into the advanced course and can maintain membership in their Guard/Reserve Unit by enrolling in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) option.
Advanced course students receive instruction in advanced leadership and management and are afforded the opportunity to apply their acquired knowledge to practical situations. Military skills laboratories also are offered. In addition to the listed military science curriculum, advanced course students must complete an approved course in written communication skills, military history, and computer literacy.
Most basic students attend a 29-day Basic Camp between the first and second year of the basic course. Advanced Cadets attend a 29-day Advanced Camp between the first and second year of the advanced course. Both of these courses are held at Ft. Knox, Kentucky (near Louisville). The Advanced Camp is designed to develop and evaluate a student’s judgment and decision-making abilities, build physical endurance and self-confidence, and allow a student to apply leadership skills. Leadership positions are rotated among the students so that each person experiences firsthand what it takes to apply leadership skills and develop an organization. Students are also able to apply for internships and trips abroad.
Four-, three-, and two-year Army ROTC scholarships are available, which provide for payment of tuition and fees. Students receive $600 per semester for books and equipment, and an allowance of $350 to $500 per month for each year the scholarship is in effect. Generally, four-year scholarships are awarded to high school students who wish to compete during their senior year for a scholarship, but college freshmen also have been awarded this highly desirable scholarship.
Students who do not qualify for the ROTC program or who do not wish to pursue an officer's commission may audit courses in the advanced ROTC program and if they have enough credits can receive a Military Science Minor, if approved by the professor of military science. Auditing student's participation is limited to the classroom and they are not eligible for monetary allowances.
For detailed information on the Army ROTC program, contact the Department of Military Science, 1-800-798-7575 or 231-7575, Room 103 Bentson/Bunker Fieldhouse or visit the department web site at www.ndsuarmyrotc.com.