Majors, minors & more
Aerospace Studies
- Offered as:
- Minor
Overview
Washington State University Pullman hosts Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 905. The program offers eligible students the opportunity to become AFROTC cadets, and receive the education and training required to commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.
AFROTC cadets may major in any degree program offered at WSU, while supplementing their degree program with progressive aerospace studies classes that will prepare them for commissioned service in the active duty Air Force.
- Strengths of the program
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- Gain leadership opportunities and learn about Air Force culture in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps.
- The Air Force offers careers that match almost every talent and interest, including aviation, engineering, health care, intelligence, communications, law, public affairs, science, and more.
- Choose a three-year or four-year program track—both of which culminate in commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant.
- Participate in the ROTC while pursuing any major you wish.
- About the program
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The AFROTC program develops quality leaders for the U.S. Air Force by placing an emphasis on academics, fundamental leadership skills, and physical fitness. Aerospace studies classes compose the core of the AFROTC program.
Students may complete their aerospace studies on either a three-year or four-year program track that will culminate in their commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant. Some opportunities exist for those who wish to join the Air Force Reserves or the Air National Guard.
Air Force ROTC program tracks
You can choose either a four-year or three-year AFROTC program track.
- The four-year track consists of a two-year long General Military Course (GMC), a summer capstone event known as Field Training, and the two-year long Professional Officer Course (POC).
- Students in the three-year track complete the GMC program concurrently in a single year and participate in Field Training and the Professional Officer Course like students on the four-year track.
- Special degree majors, to include law or medicine, may qualify for an alternative AFROTC program length.
General military course
This is a course sequence that consists of four one-credit aerospace studies classes that are normally taken during the freshman and sophomore years.
The GMC sequence prepares students for the Field Training capstone exercise and entrance into the POC. All GMC cadets must take the concurrent Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) course with accompanying physical training (PT) sessions.
Professional officer course
This is a course sequence that consists of four, three-credit aerospace studies classes that are normally taken during the junior and senior years.
Entry into the POC is competitive. Students must not only compete for entrance into the POC, but they must also complete Field Training the summer following their GMC curriculum. All POC cadets must take the concurrent Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) course with accompanying physical training (PT) sessions.
Aerospace studies minor
A minor in aerospace studies requires at least 16 credit hours and includes the following courses:
- AERO 101 & 102: The Foundations of the USAF, I & II
- AERO 201 & 202: The Evolution of USAF Air and Space Power, I & II
- AERO 311 & 312: Air Force Leadership Studies, I & II
- AERO 411 & 412: National Security Affairs/Preparation for Active Duty, I & II
Graduation requirements
See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.
- Scholarships and financial aid
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A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs.
For aerospace studies/Air Force ROTC students
Air Force ROTC offers the opportunity for students in the General Military Course military scholarships that pay towards tuition, academic fees, and a book allowance, in addition to a monthly, $300-per-month stipend during both the fall and spring semesters.
All AFROTC students contracted in the POC receive a $350-per-month stipend. Contracted POC students who are not already awarded a scholarship are eligible to compete for a $1,500-per-semester scholarship as long as they maintain minimum academic requirements and standards.
For all students at WSU
To get all the financial help WSU can provide, start by doing these two things:
- Complete the University's general scholarship application so you can be eligible for scholarship consideration.
- Complete the FAFSA(Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so WSU can consider you for aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) based on financial need.