Army ROTC is an elective curriculum a student takes along with their college classes. ROTC prepares a student with the tools, training, and experience that will help the student succeed in any competitive environment. A student can join ROTC anytime through the University of Houston in their Freshmen, Sophomore, and Junior year by signing up for military science classes in the University of Houston’s course catalog. Further program and enrollment information can be found here.

Statutory Authority

General statutory authority for establishment and operation of the ROTC program, including the scholarship program, is contained in Title 10, United States Code, Chapter 103 (Sec. 2102-2111). Specific rules and procedures are found in U.S. Army Regulation 145-1.

Course Credit

ROTC classes may be taken for elective credit toward any degree plan at the University of Houston. Freshman and sophomore level classes are open to all students, regardless of age or physical condition. No military obligation is incurred as a result of enrollment in these courses. Junior and senior level courses are more restrictive and do require a military obligation. ROTC scholarship students also incur a military obligation.

Four-Year Program

The four-year program is divided into two courses: the basic course, which is normally attended by students during their freshman and sophomore years, and the advanced course attended during the junior and senior years. Advanced course students also attend a six-week advanced training camp at Fort Lewis, Washington between their junior and senior years.

Basic Course

The basic course consists of four semesters of military science, which includes MSCI 1210, 1220, 2210, and 2220. These freshman and sophomore level classes are open to all students without military obligation.

Advanced Course

Students entering the advanced course must enter into a contract to pursue and accept a commission in the active Army, Army Reserve, or National Guard. To be considered for contracting into the advanced course, the student must be a full-time student in a course of instruction that leads to a degree in a recognized academic field; have a minimum of two years of academic work remaining in a curriculum leading to a baccalaureate or advanced degree; be under age 30 when commissioned; and pass a physical examination.

Two-Year Program

The two-year program is designed for students who did not take the basic course but are otherwise eligible to enroll in the advanced course. This program allows students completing their sophomore year to attend a four-week internship during June and July at Fort Knox, Kentucky in lieu of taking the first two years of ROTC. There is no military obligation for attending Basic Camp. The Army provides transportation, room, and board. Students are paid approximately $900 for the four-week period.

Laboratory Requirements

A military science laboratory is required for students enrolling in MSCI 1210, 1220, 2210, 2220, 3310, 3320, 4310, or 4320. This laboratory provides opportunities for marksmanship training, rappelling, drill and ceremonies, communications training, and other activities.

Veterans

Veterans who have served on active duty or in the Army Reserve/National Guard are also eligible for the ROTC program. Although veterans are not required to take the basic course, they are encouraged to do so. All students, including veterans, must have a minimum of 54 credit hours prior to enrolling in the advanced course.

National Guard and Army Reserve Members

Students enrolled in ROTC may also be a member of the Army Reserve or National Guard. Through the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP), those students enrolled in the advanced course will be assigned in a leadership position as a cadet and receive pay and entitlements from the Guard or Reserve at the pay grade of Sergeant (E-5).

Scholarships

The United States Army offers on a competitive nationwide basis various four-, three-, and two- year scholarships. The scholarships will cover up to $20,000 of tuition. Recipients will also receive benefits for educational fees (to include lab fees), a book allowance of $450 per semester, and a subsistence allowance of $300-$500 per month. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and must be under age 27 on the anticipated graduation date. Applications are available from the military science department. Veteran applicants can extend the age limit up to a maximum of 3 years, based on prior active duty service.

Other Financial Aid

All students enrolled in the advanced course will receive a subsistence allowance of $300-$500 per month. For more information contact the Military Science Department. GI Bill® recipients still retain benefits. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.

Tuition

Members of the Army or the National Guard, Texas State Guard, or other reserve forces may be exempted from the nonresident tuition fee and other fees and charges.

Special Training

Basic and advanced course students may volunteer for and attend the U.S. Army Airborne and air assault courses during June, July and August. Cadet Troop Leadership training positions are also available to advanced course cadets during the summer months.

Miscellaneous

Military textbooks and uniforms are furnished to all cadets. The Corps of Cadets sponsors an annual military ball in addition to other social events throughout the school year. The Department of Military Science sponsors extracurricular activities such as the University of Houston Color Guard and the Ranger Challenge Team.

Minor in Military Science

To qualify for a minor in military science, students must complete a minimum of 18 semester hours of course work, of which 12 must be advanced. Nine semester hours must be completed in residence, of which six must be advanced. Students must also attend advanced camp. Students must attain a 2.00 grade point average or higher in Military Science courses attempted at the University. Students may receive credit for 1000 and 2000-level courses based on prior military training, completion, of ROTC Basic Camp, completion of JROTC training, or completion of one year at a service academy.

First Year
MSCI 1125:1126: Physical Readiness Training Cr. 1. (0-3)Open to all students. Utilizes Army fitness techniques; develops strength, flexibility and endurance; develops self-confidence through leadership training and physical activities.
MSCI 1131: Advance Physical Fitness Course Prerequisite: Must be ROTC cadet, physically demanding, develops skills through team competition, and land navigation, assembly/ disassembly of weapon, tactics, and assembly of one-man rope bridge. Students are also required to attend fitness training five times a week. Participants compete for Ranger Challenge slots. Selected cadets compete against other teams at the annual Ranger Challenge competition.
MSCI 1210 Introduction to ROTC
Learn fundamental concepts of leadership in both classroom and outdoor laboratory environments. Increase self-confidence through team study and activities in basic drill, physical fitness, rappelling, first aid, and basic marksmanship. Develop communication skills to improve individual performance and group interaction. Attend a one-hour classroom session and a required lab. No military commitment is required for attending this course.
MSCI 1220: Introduction to Leadership
Learn and apply principles of effective leadership. Reinforce self-confidence through participation in physically and mentally challenging training with upper division ROTC students. Develop communication skills to improve individual performance and group interaction. Relate ethical values to the effectiveness of a leader. Includes training on survival skills and self- defense, and a one-hour class- room session and a required lab. No military commitment is required for attending this course.

Second Year
2210:2220: Military Leadership Development Cr. 2. (2-2) Characteristics of leadership, problem analysis, decision making, oral presentations, first aid, small unit tactics, land navigation, basic radio communication, marksmanship, fitness training, and rappelling. Fitness training required two times per week in addition to class and lab. No military commitment is required for attending this course.
2810: Basic Camp (formerly 2410) Cr. 8.
Student will not receive credit for both basic course work and basic camp. Prerequisite: Approval of the department chair. No military obligation is associated with this course. This course is a six-week off-campus field training practicum to introduce students to the Army and leadership.

Third Year
3198:3298:3398: Special Problems Cr. 1-3 per semester
Prerequisite: junior standing and consent of department chair.
3310:3320: Advanced Military Science Cr. 3. (3-2) Prerequisite: MSCI 2220 or consent of the chair. The students are given the concepts of leadership; preparing combat orders; military instruction principles; small unit tactics; tactical communications; and fitness training. Class is designed to prepare students for advanced camp. Fitness training required three times per week in addition to class and lab.
3491: Summer Field Training Cr. 4.
Prerequisite: MSCI 3320 or consent of the chair. This course provides off-campus field training practicum
stressing application of leadership management with emphasis on tactical and special military skills.
Provides experience by placing students in demanding and stressful leadership situations.

Fourth Year
4310:4320: Advanced Military Science Cr. 3. (3-2).
Prerequisite: MSCI 3320 or consent of the chair. Students are given the concepts of leadership and
command; military law; administration/staff operations and procedures; dynamics of the military team;
training management; ethics and professionalism. Fitness training required three times per week in
addition to class and lab.