Military Science (MS) (ARMY ROTC)

Eligibility

All University students are eligible for enrollment in the basic courses (MS I, MS II). Students who are 18 years of age, who are American citizens or intend to become naturalized, and who are physically qualified are eligible for enrollment in the advanced courses of the military science department. Any student may audit basic courses in the department with the approval of the chair and appropriate institutional authorities.

Scholarships

The Department of the Army annually awards three-year and four-year Advanced Designee scholarships on a competitive basis to high school applicants nationwide. Winners are announced throughout the spring semester. College students can also apply for a campus-based Army scholarship throughout the year for either undergraduate or graduate studies. These scholarships may be awarded throughout the academic year. In order to apply for any of these scholarships, applicants must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher, as well as a minimum SAT score of 920 or ACT score of 19; pass the Army medical physical; meet the physical fitness requirements; and interview with the department chair. Two-year scholarships are also available to graduating seniors who will be attending graduate school.

All scholarships cover full tuition at the University. John Carroll currently waives standard room and board fees for scholarship cadets. Scholarships also include all required lab fees, the graduation fee, a book allowance of $1,200 per year, and a $450-$500 per month subsistence during the school year.

Partnership Institutions and Cross-Registration

John Carroll University maintains partnership agreements with Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, Notre Dame College of Ohio, Baldwin-Wallace University, Ursuline College, and Hiram College. Students from these institutions may enroll in John Carroll’s military science classes with the approval of the academic registrar from their own college. Satisfactory completion of the military science curriculum and the baccalaureate degree from their own college leads to a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the same manner as for John Carroll students.

Students from partner institutions must submit the appropriate Cross-Registration paperwork to the Military Science Office at John Carroll. Paperwork should be submitted as early as possible but no later than the end of the first week of the semester. Students who do not submit the appropriate paperwork will not be registered, will not be able to attend classes, and will not receive credit. For registration deadlines, please see the Registrar's Calendar.

Programs

Basic Program (MS I, MS II)

Students normally take the basic courses during their first and sophomore years. Students taking any or all of the basic courses incur no military obligation and are not members of the armed forces. Completion of the basic courses is one means of meeting the prerequisite for acceptance into the advanced courses. Prior active military service, prior or current Reserve or National Guard service, or attendance at the summer ROTC Cadet Initial Entry Training may also fulfill the basic course requirements. In the case of prior active military service or prior/current Reserve or Guard status where the service member received an honorable discharge or continues to serve honorably, basic course requirements are waived and academic credit may be granted for these particular substitutes. A total of 6 credit hours may be awarded for equivalency credit for MS 101, MS 102, MS 201, and MS 202 with the approval of the department chair and the dean. These credits may be awarded to any veteran student, even if they are not a participating or contracted ROTC cadet.

Advanced Program (MS III, MS IV)

Students normally take the advanced courses during their junior and senior years. These heavily involve tactics, leadership, and management instruction to prepare students for the leadership role of an Army officer at the rank of Second Lieutenant. Students must be accepted by the chair of the military science department before they can enroll in the advanced courses.

The Boler College of Business will also grant management credit by petition to ROTC Advanced Program students who are majoring in management.

Once accepted, each student enters into a contract with the Army to complete the courses and to accept a commission as an Army officer. While taking the advanced courses, each student is paid a subsistence allowance of $450-$500 a month during the school year.

All students enrolled in the advanced courses are required to attend a Cadet Leadership Course of four weeks’ duration. Students are paid at one-half the pay of a Second Lieutenant and normally attend this camp during the summer between their junior and senior years.

Upon satisfactory completion of the advanced courses and conferral of the baccalaureate degree, students are commissioned Second Lieutenants and serve out a military obligation, depending on their active duty or reserve force assignment. Students may request either Active Duty or Reserve Force Duty (Army Reserve/National Guard). Under certain conditions, students who have completed the baccalaureate program and their military science studies may request delayed entry into the active Army in order to pursue graduate study in a variety of areas, including medical and law school. Other options available to students in military science are opportunities to attend Airborne, Air Assault, Northern Warfare, and Mountain Warfare training courses, and Troop Leadership Time, spending a few weeks working with a Lieutenant in an active Army unit.

Professional Military Educational (PME) Requirements

The professional military education component consist of two essential parts – a baccalaureate degree, and at least one undergraduate course from each of the following designated fields of study: 1) written and oral communication skills; 2) U.S. military history. Students are encouraged to take a course in national security affairs and management. Students may determine suitable courses to meet these requirements by securing approval in advance of registration from the military science department chair. The Core Curriculum requirements may also apply to the PME requirements. The military science department maintains a list of University courses that may be accepted for the PME requirements.

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