Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Program
The Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program provides qualified students the opportunity to obtain a commission as an officer in the United States Army, including the U.S. Army Reserve and the National Guard. The program offers the option of completing either a four-year or a two-year program in military science while pursuing a baccalaureate or graduate degree in one of the disciplines offered by UTSA. Participation in first and second-year military science courses is open to all students and does not require a service commitment with the United States Army. Students enrolling in third- and fourth-year military science classes are expected to be contracted in order to obtain their commission upon graduation.
The Army ROTC program offers competitive scholarships for up to four years to select students. These scholarships provide tuition, fees, book allowance, and a monthly subsistence allowance. In addition, students enrolled in Army ROTC courses are furnished, free of charge, complete uniforms, texts, and necessary equipment. For more information, contact the Army ROTC office at 210-458-5628. Walk-ins are also welcome on the first floor of the Graduate School/Research Building (GSR), Room 1.220.
First- and second-year ROTC classes encourage enrolled students to participate in scheduled physical fitness training, with participation required of third- and fourth-year cadets. All cadets will take the Army Combat Fitness Test each semester. Contracted cadets will be issued uniforms and equipment. All cadets will also participate in leadership laboratories, where they will learn basic land navigation, fieldcraft, small unit tactics, and basic rifle marksmanship. Cadets will also be expected to attend one field training exercise each semester, which will take place over a weekend at Camp Bullis.
Credit for military science courses may be applied toward a baccalaureate degree, primarily as free electives. There is no maximum number of semester credit hours of military science that may be applied to the degree requirements for each major.
Four-Year Program
This program consists of 31 semester credit hours of military science courses. Registration is accomplished at the same time and in the same manner as for other UTSA courses. Freshmen cadets will enroll in MSC 1013 and MSC 1023, while sophomore cadets will enroll in MSC 2013, and MSC 2023. These courses are designed to introduce students to the mission and culture of the United States Army, allowing them to participate in military science without incurring a military commitment.
Students may compress the Basic Course into one academic year with the approval of the professor of military science. The Basic Course may be waived without credit for students with prior military service on a case-by-case basis.
Two-Year Program
This program consists of 19 semester credit hours of military science courses. Junior cadets will enroll in MSC 3014 and MSC 3024, while senior cadets will enroll in MSC 4014, and MSC 4024. During the two-year program, all cadets will also be required to complete American Military History by enrolling in MSC 3033. To participate in the two-year program, cadets are required to have completed Basic Camp, a 4-week program held at Fort Knox, KY, each summer. Following their junior year, cadets must complete a 5-week paid leadership training course, Advanced Camp, also held at Fort Knox, KY. Courses must be taken in sequence unless otherwise approved by the professor of military science. Contracted cadets receive a stipend each month during the school year.
The program requirements for Army ROTC are as follows:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MSC 1013 | Introduction to the Army | 3 |
| MSC 3033 | American Military History | 3 |
| MSC 1023 | Foundations of Leadership | 3 |
| MSC 2013 | Leadership and Ethics | 3 |
| MSC 2023 | Army Doctrine and Decision Making | 3 |
| MSC 3014 | Training Management and the Warfighting Functions | 4 |
| MSC 3024 | Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations | 4 |
| MSC 4014 | The Army Officer | 4 |
| MSC 4024 | Company Grade Leadership | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours | 31 | |
Minor in Military Management and Leadership
This minor is designed to enhance the military science (Army Reserve Officer Training Corps) curriculum. A Minor in Military Management and Leadership (MSL) will develop a well-rounded perspective of a future Army officer’s role and decision-making ability in political, sociological, historical, and geographical arenas.
All students pursuing the minor must complete 25 semester credit hours.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A. Required Courses: | ||
| MSC 3014 | Training Management and the Warfighting Functions | 4 |
| MSC 3024 | Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations | 4 |
| MSC 4014 | The Army Officer | 4 |
| MSC 4024 | Company Grade Leadership | 4 |
| B. Select 3 of the following: | 9 | |
| Political Geography | ||
| Introduction to Islamic Civilization | ||
| Introduction to East Asian Civilization | ||
| History of Modern Warfare | ||
| History of American Foreign Relations | ||
| Politics and Geographies of Southeast Asia | ||
| Global Governance | ||
| National Security in the Global Context | ||
| Conflict, Law, and Security in Global Affairs | ||
| Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism | ||
| The Intelligence Community in World Affairs | ||
| Intersectional Approaches to Social Justice | ||
| Politics of the Developing World | ||
| Politics of the Middle East | ||
| Force in International Politics | ||
| Current Issues in World Politics | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 25 | |
To declare a Minor in Military Management and Leadership, obtain advice, or seek approval of substitutions for course requirements, students should consult the professor of military science in the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, in conjunction with their assigned academic advisor.
Military Science (MSC) Courses
MSC 1013. Introduction to the Army. (2-3) 3 Credit Hours.
Freshman course for Army ROTC (fall semester). Students are introduced to Army culture and customs, in addition to skills such as critical thinking, time management, goal setting, and stress management. Students are also introduced to comprehensive physical fitness, with an opportunity to attend Army physical fitness training. Students will attend leadership laboratories in order to learn fieldcraft and small-unit tactics. Course Fee: LRRT $24.50.
MSC 1023. Foundations of Leadership. (2-3) 3 Credit Hours.
Freshman course for Army ROTC (spring semester). Students will continue to learn critical thinking skills, applied through required persuasive argument briefs. They will be introduced to squad-level battle drills and tactics, along with basic movement techniques. Students will attend leadership laboratories in order to learn fieldcraft and small-unit tactics. Course Fee: LRRT $37.50.
MSC 2013. Leadership and Ethics. (2-3) 3 Credit Hours.
Sophomore course for Army ROTC (fall semester). Students are introduced to the fundamentals of leadership, learning through self-assessments and historical case studies. They will refine their public presentation skills by developing briefings for their class using standard U.S. Army formats. Students will also receive classes on the law of armed conflict and discuss morals and ethical decision-making. Students will attend leadership laboratories in order to learn fieldcraft and small-unit tactics. Course Fee: LRRT $24.50.
MSC 2023. Army Doctrine and Decision Making. (2-3) 3 Credit Hours.
Sophomore class for Army ROTC (spring semester). Students are introduced to the Army's troop-leading procedures while also exploring critical thinking and developing analytical skills. They will learn basic Army doctrine in addition to studying the principles of war and joint operations. Students will attend leadership laboratories in order to learn fieldcraft and small-unit tactics. Course Fee: LRRT $37.50.
MSC 3014. Training Management and the Warfighting Functions. (3-3) 4 Credit Hours.
Junior course for Army ROTC (fall semester). This course is intended for students who have contracted to pursue their commissions as U.S. Army officers. Students will learn advanced land navigation techniques in addition to studying the warfighting functions. They will learn about the different Army branches and continue refinement of small unit leadership skills. Students will attend leadership laboratories in order to learn fieldcraft and small-unit tactics. Course Fee: LRRT $37.50.
MSC 3024. Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations. (3-3) 4 Credit Hours.
Junior course for Army ROTC (spring semester). This course is intended for students who have contracted to pursue their commissions as U.S. Army officers. Following successful completion of this course and MSC 3014, students will be required to attend 5 weeks of paid training at Fort Knox, KY. This course continues to prepare students for their summer training by teaching platoon-level operations. Students will attend leadership laboratories in order to learn fieldcraft and small-unit tactics. Course Fee: LRRT $50.
MSC 3033. American Military History. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Required course for all Army ROTC cadets pursuing commissions. A comprehensive account of the US Army from past to present. Integrates the basic knowledge of American military history into the future officer’s education. Employs American military history as a tool for studying military professionalism and applying critical-thinking skills and decision-making skills to military problems. Analyzes the definition of military history, the theory and practice of war, and the American military system as an intellectual framework for applying critical-thinking skills and problem-solving skills to the study of historical military problems. Course Fee: LRRT $37.50.
MSC 4014. The Army Officer. (3-3) 4 Credit Hours.
Senior course for Army ROTC (fall semester). This course is intended for students who have contracted to pursue their commission as U.S. Army officers and who have successfully completed Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, KY. The course will further prepare students to become officers and platoon leaders. Subjects covered include counseling and evaluating subordinates, training and leader development, civil-military relations, and officer career planning. Students will attend leadership laboratories in order to learn fieldcraft and small-unit tactics. Course Fee: LRRT $37.50.
MSC 4024. Company Grade Leadership. (3-3) 4 Credit Hours.
Senior course for Army ROTC (spring semester). This course is intended for students who have contracted to pursue their commission as U.S. Army officers and who have successfully completed Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, KY. Students will study multidomain operations and develop presentations to learn about various combatant commands. Students will also prepare for assignments as platoon leaders through multiple case studies and classroom discussions. Students will attend leadership laboratories in order to learn fieldcraft and small-unit tactics. Course Fee: LRRT $50.
MSC 4033. Practical Leadership. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of all required Military Science courses. Army ROTC Military Science V course. Students will meet with the Professor of Military Science and propose an independent study on military-related books or topics to be presented to the PMS at the end of the semester. Course will further develop students in preparation for their commissioning as officers in the U.S. Army. Course Fee: LRRT $37.50.