Welcome to the best leadership development program of its kind in the world, one that produces graduates who go immediately into demanding positions where they can develop their skills even further.

The Department of Military Science offers courses applicable to all branches of the United States Army and through which a student can earn an academic minor. These courses give students a broad knowledge of Army leadership, management, and technical skills, thereby preparing them for an Army commission and subsequent entrance to an officer's basic branch course at one of the Army service schools. The objectives of producing officers through the ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) program are to:

1. Provide officers a broad educational base;
2. Provide a basic military education for students; 
3. Teach basic fundamentals and techniques of leadership and management; 
4. Develop, in conjunction with other academic disciplines, individual character and attributes required of an officer in the U.S. Army.

Military Science Curriculum

Military Science courses are designed to fulfill the educational and training requirements for commissioning in the U.S. Army (Regular Army, U.S. Army Reserve, or Army National Guard). The curriculum consists of a basic course (first two years) and an advanced course (final two years). The basic course is open to all MTSU students without incurring any military service obligation. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Air Force basic training graduates can be placed directly into the advanced course. Advanced placement may also be earned by attending the four-week Leader Training Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, normally between the sophomore and junior years. The advanced course is offered during the last four semesters of Military Science and includes a five-week Leadership Development and Assessment Course(LDAC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Upon successful completion of the advanced course and upon graduation from the University, the student will be commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army.

FRESHMAN (Basic)* SOPHOMORE (Basic)*
MS 1010 2 MS 2010 2
MS 1020 2 MS 2020 2
MS 3080 2
MS 3000* 6

JUNIOR (Advanced) SENIOR (Advanced)
MS 3110 3 MS 4110 3
MS 3120 3 MS 4120 3
MS 3130 6

*MS 3000 is only for students who have not had freshman or sophomore ROTC class or have not been to basic training.
NOTE: Students may also enroll in MS 1000 to participate in physical training, color guard, or Ranger Challenge. 

Minor in Military Science

A minor in Military Science consists of 20 semester hours and is available to those students who complete all advanced level requirements. The following courses are required of all students: MS 3110 (3 hrs.), 3120 (3 hrs.), 3130 (6 hrs.), 4110 (3 hrs.), 4120 (3 hrs.); and MS 3080 (2 hrs.).

Army ROTC Scholarship Program

Students enrolled at MTSU are eligible to apply for two- and three-year Army ROTC scholarships which pay for tuition, fees, and a book allowance, plus a monthly stipend per year. High school seniors are eligible to apply for a four-year scholarship during the senior year. Additionally, there are National Guard and Army Reserve scholarships available.

ROTC Nurse Summer Training program

This three-week clinical leadership experience is open only to nursing students who have completed one clinical nursing course and MS 3130. The student receives pay; in addition, travel, lodging, and most meal costs are defrayed by the U.S. Army. There is a 120-hour clinical assignment with an Army Nurse Corps preceptor at an Army hospital in the U.S. or overseas. Nursing students receive 3 semester hours of credit for NURS 4035 Special Topics in Nursing.

Uniforms and Pay

Students enrolled in the basic course do not wear uniforms and are not required to have a particular haircut. Textbooks are provided free of charge.

Advance course students, juniors and seniors, are provided uniforms and textbooks free of charge. They must sign a contract with the U.S. government and complete the advanced course, resulting in an active Army, National Guard, or Army Reserve commission as a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation. While enrolled in the advanced course, the student receives $4,000-$5,000 per year and approximately $1,000 plus travel costs for LDAC attendance.