Academics

The United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) provides women and men at Texas Christian University, Texas Wesleyan University, Dallas Baptist University, The University of Texas at Arlington, Weatherford College, and Tarrant County College the education and training necessary to develop the management and leadership skills vital to professional Air Force officers.

Enrollment in the General Military Course (first two years) is voluntary for eligible students and does not obligate non-scholarship students for further military service. The Professional Officer Course (last two years) is also voluntary but competitive. Because the POC leads to a commission in the United States Air Force, those selected to continue training incur military obligation.

Aerospace studies courses are taken concurrently with other degree programs. No degree is offered in aerospace studies, but up to 24 semester hours may be earned in aerospace studies over the four-year period. Some of the classes may be used to meet major elective requirements. See your academic advisor for confirmation. Students who enroll in aerospace studies classes must attend both classroom and leadership laboratory classes at Texas Christian University, 2800 W. Lowden St., Fort Worth, Texas 76109. The laboratory classes give students first hand experience in leadership and organizational skill while preparing them for enrollment in the Professional Officer Course.

Four-Year Program

This program enables students to take advantage of four years of aerospace studies courses. Each semester, for the first two years, cadets take a one-credit hour academic class and a one-credit hour Leadership Laboratory (LLAB). The first two years collectively are referred to as the General Military Course (GMC). Upon successful completion of the GMC and an ensuing four-week Air Force paid field-training course, qualified and selected students may elect to enroll in the final two years referred to as the Professional Officer Course (POC). Each semester in the POC, students will take a three-credit hour academic class and a one-credit hour LLAB. The unit issues AFROTC uniforms and textbooks.

Two-Year Program

This program is commonly known as the Professional Officer Course (POC) and enables eligible graduate and undergraduate students to obtain a commission in the United States Air Force. Formal selection for entering the POC requires completion of a summer field-training course. Students electing this option must apply to the Professor of Aerospace Studies early in their sophomore year or before entering a graduate degree program, pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test, and pass a physical examination prior to attending the six-week field training course. Two-year students enrolled in the POC receive similar benefits and advantages to those enrolled in the four-year program, including the opportunity to apply for various Air Force ROTC college scholarships. All students selected for the POC (two- or four-year program) receive a monthly, non-taxable subsistence allowance.

A student enrolling in AFROTC must:

• Be a full-time student (12 semester hours or more; 9 hours for postgraduate students)
• Be a United States citizen
• Be in good physical condition/health
• Have good moral character
• Be no older than 29 years old (up to 34 years old with waivers) upon commissioning

Scholarships

Air Force ROTC offers 4, 3.5, 3, 2, and 1 year (in some situations) scholarships. Most scholarships pay for tuition, textbooks, and fees plus a monthly, nontaxable stipend during the school year. Scholarships are offered in various majors. In addition to meeting the general qualifications mentioned above, scholarship applicants must be at least 17 years of age when the scholarship is activated and must be under 31 years of age as of December 31 of the calendar year during which commissioning is scheduled. Individuals with previous military experience may obtain a year extension of the maximum age restriction for up to 3 years of prior service. Requirements for each scholarship category may vary; therefore, applicants should contact the Department of Aerospace Studies at (817) 257-7461 for specific details.

High School students may apply for a four-year scholarship no later than Dec. 1 of their high school senior year. Scholarship applications for college students are made through the Aerospace Studies Department in the spring semester. Scholarship applicants are selected using the whole person concept, which includes objective factors (i.e. grade point average and physical fitness test) and subjective factors (i.e. personal evaluations). Students who are enrolled in Air Force ROTC generally improve their scholarship selection opportunity.

Program Benefits

As Air Force ROTC cadets, students are entitled to selective benefits. Social and co-curricular activities, together with leadership and academic training, are all part of Air Force ROTC. Students receive a nontaxable subsistence allowance each month during the school year if they are in the Professional Officer Course or are an AFROTC scholarship recipient. The detachment sponsors a Civil Air Patrol program where cadets can obtain front-seat and back-seat flying time in Cessna aircraft at no charge. Drill team, honor guard, Arnold Air Honor Society, are just a few social outlets for the cadets. Summer opportunities for cadets can include a paid visit to a military installation, Freefall Parachuting and Soaring at the United States Air Force Academy, Combat Survival Training, Flight Nurse shadowing, and cadet training assistant duty at field training.

Receiving Commission

Upon successful completion of the AFROTC program and baccalaureate or graduate degree, a student will be commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Newly commissioned officers can normally expect to be called into active service within 180 days from the date of their commissioning. In certain instances, students continuing in post-baccalaureate degree programs can delay active service.

Course Substitution

Aerospace Studies (AFROTC) courses may be taken for credit toward completion of a college degree. Upper level courses (AS 3000/4000 level) may be applied toward elective requirements. Credit will vary depending upon major.

Additional Information

More detailed information about the Air Force ROTC program is available through the Department of Aerospace Studies. The department is located at 2800 W. Lowden Street on the Texas Christian University campus. Call 817-257-7461 or 1-800-TCU-FROG and ask for Air Force ROTC.

Chair

Lieutenant Colonel Eldridge

Assistant Professors

Cook, Wilson

View Course Descriptions for:

Aerospace Studies (AS)