Department of Military Science

The US Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program prepares individuals for careers as professional military officers in the United States Army, US Army Reserves, or the Army National Guard. Students who complete the Army ROTC Program may be awarded a minor in Military Science, or may satisfy a specialization core field in the Bachelor of General Studies.

Freshman and sophomore foundational courses are available to all students who may earn six hours academic credit in Military Science and Leadership. Course work covered includes leadership, ethics, management, physical fitness, and adventure/outdoor skills. In addition to academic studies, all students attend a weekly leadership laboratory. No military obligation is incurred by non-scholarship students who enroll in or complete 1000/2000 courses.

In addition to foundational courses, Northeastern offers two years of advanced instruction in Military Science in cooperation with the U.S. Army. The advance instruction prepares students for the responsibilities and privileges of a commissioned officer. This instruction includes four hours of academic credit per semester (16 hours total) for Army cadets. In addition, all students enrolled in the final two years of ROTC receive a monthly tax-free allowance (see ROTC Office).

Army ROTC cadets attend a paid five-week Leadership Camp between their junior and senior year. Cadets may attend professional development training such as Airborne, Air Assault, British Exchange Program, Northern Warfare, and Mountain Warfare. During summer field training, cadets receive room and board. For students having a minimum of two academic years in school remaining (undergraduate, graduate, or a combination of the two), an alternate two-year program is offered. Students entering the two-year program attend a five-week Leaders Training Course (LTC) during the summer. Rising juniors, seniors, and graduate students, who meet the US Army Cadet Command’s Scholar-Athlete-Leader criteria, and are unable to attend the LTC, may be eligible to participate in an Accelerated Cadet Commission Training (ACCT) program. Students with high-school-level military schooling (ROTC, NDCC, or Military Academy) may qualify for the advanced ROTC program without completing the freshman and sophomore courses. All veterans who have completed basic training and 180 days of service with any component of the U.S. Armed Forces can receive full credit for the freshman and sophomore courses and may enter ROTC at the advanced level, once junior standing has been achieved. To enroll as an advanced-level student, 3000 or 4000 level, you must meet the criteria of the U.S. Army and of the U.S. Army Cadet Command. For questions about these criteria, please visit the ROTC Department in Haskell Hall, or call ext. 3063.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is available to qualified students. Freshman or sophomore students who are not enrolled in Army ROTC may qualify for on-campus two- or three-year scholarships. Juniors, seniors, and graduate students who have at least two full years of college remaining may qualify for on-campus two- or three-year scholarships. Scholarship students receive a monthly tax free allowance, payment of all tuition expenses, textbook payment, and payment of certain other fees. Army ROTC scholarship and advanced course students must agree to successfully complete at least one semester of computer literacy, American military history, and communications prior to commissioning. Army ROTC also offers a financial assistance program available to all non-scholarship Army ROTC Advanced Course students through Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). This program allows a student to be enrolled in Army ROTC while simultaneously serving with a Reserve or National Guard unit. Financial benefits of this program currently provide approximately $600 to $1,200 per month to enrolled students.

A student who successfully completes the Advanced Course in the Army ROTC program and receives a degree may be accepted for a regular or reserve commission in one of the sixteen branches of the Army. All uniforms, equipment, and most textbooks are furnished at no cost to the student.

Military Science courses consist of foundational courses, advanced military science instruction, and optional elective courses. Lower division courses are open to students in all majors. Advanced Standing credit for Foundational Courses is available for students completing Basic Training in any Service Branch (see Military Science Director).