Military Science

Return to: USC Price School of Public Policy  

Physical Education Building 110
(213) 740-1854

Administration

Eric Polk (Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army)

Faculty

Professor/Commander: Eric Polk (Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army)

The Department of Military Science provides professional training for students leading to a commission, upon graduation, in the Active Army, Army Reserve or the Army National Guard. Through the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program (AROTC), scholarship benefits include full tuition, fees and book stipends. Scholarships are also available for Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty. Military science instruction is focused on hands-on leadership development and the practical application of military skills needed to produce America’s future leaders. Additionally, military science courses count as electives in many degree programs. MS 101  and MS 102  are open to students who are not enrolled in the program, but have an interest in leadership, management, military history or military training. Enrollment in the Army ROTC program is open to qualified full-time students.

Scholarship Program

The majority of Army ROTC cadets attend USC on Army scholarships. All Army scholarships are merit-based and are not dependent on individual financial need. Scholarships are available for both Active Duty and Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty. Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to qualified applicants for two-, three- or four-year periods depending on the applicant’s academic level and program of study. Scholarship cadets receive benefits that cover full tuition, fees and a book stipend, and are available to all majors. See the Tuition and Fees  page for additional scholarship information.

Enrolled Cadets

Contracted scholarship and non-scholarship cadets can receive a monthly stipend. Contracted scholarship cadets receive an annual book allowance. All enrolled scholarship and non-scholarship cadets receive uniforms and military science textbooks from the department.

Four-Year Program

The four-year military science curriculum is designed to be part of the student’s undergraduate degree program. During the freshman and sophomore years, students receive introductory instruction in the theory of warfare, military history, military leadership and basic military skills. During the junior and senior years, cadets participate in a professional development program with instruction in leadership, management, military justice and advanced military skills.

Three-Year Program

The three-year program is available to qualified sophomore undergraduate students. Students may compress the first two years of the ROTC program by attending two ROTC classes per semester during their sophomore year. Scholarships are available, on a competitive basis, for students with three years remaining toward the completion of their undergraduate degree. Transfer students who meet the same criteria are also eligible for scholarships. Upon acceptance, students then follow the military science program described for the four-year program.

Two-Year Program

The two-year program is available to qualified junior and senior undergraduate students and graduate students who have two years of academic work remaining. Veterans who have achieved junior academic status and meet enrollment criteria are also eligible for this program. Students may receive credit for the first two years of the ROTC program by attending the Army ROTC Basic Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, or by previous participation in Junior ROTC (JROTC). Transfer students who meet the same criteria are also eligible for scholarships. Upon acceptance, students then follow the military science program described for junior and senior cadets in the four-year program.

Field Training

Besides the classroom instruction, cadets will have ample opportunity to demonstrate their military and leadership skills during practical application in a field environment throughout the academic year and during the summer, as required. Cadets will hone their fitness skills during designated morning fitness training sessions, participate in one leader laboratory per week, and attend one tactical training exercise per semester at a local military installation. Additionally, qualified cadets will attend a 35-day paid Army ROTC Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, the summer after their junior year.   

Adventure Training

Qualified candidates may also receive training in Airborne school, Air Assault school (rappelling from helicopters), Cadet Troop Leadership Training (training in Army units around the world), Northern Warfare school (Arctic survival), Combat Diver school and Mountain Warfare school.