Military
Science (MSC)
For information, please contact
David L. Manville,
Chairperson, 774-3049, Finch 111
Department
Website
Why Study Military
Science?
Military Science at
CMU
Basic Program
Advanced Academic
Program
ROTC Commissioning
Program
Army-Two-Year Program
Military Science Minor
Military Science Minor for Military
Personnel on Active Duty
The Faculty
MSC
Course
Descriptions
Why
Study Military Science?
Military Science enhances a student’s education by
providing unique leadership and management experience and
familiarizing the student with the United States Military.
Military Science courses are designed to provide practical,
“hands-on” leadership experiences which augment other
theoretical academic instruction. The military science
curriculum helps a student develop self discipline, decision
making abilities, physical stamina, and poise.
The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program was
established by Congress to obtain a pool of well-educated
commissioned officers to help meet the Army’s leadership
needs. Men and women completing the program may be
commissioned in the Army, Army Reserve or Army National
Guard.
Military Science at CMU
The Department of Military Science is under the direction of
the Professor of Military Science (PMS), a commissioned
officer of the United States Army. He is assisted by other
commissioned and noncommissioned Army personnel. This staff
operates the ROTC Program.
The Department of Military Science consists of three
programs: the Basic Program, the Advanced Academic Program
and the ROTC Commissioning Program. The Basic Program
classes are normally taken during the freshman and sophomore
years. There is no military obligation on the part of the
student. The Advanced Academic Program is normally taken
during the last two years of undergraduate study. Like the
Basic Program, the Advanced Academic Program requires no
military commitment or obligation on the student’s part.
The ROTC Commissioning Program is designed to allow students
to take one military science class each semester to earn an
officer’s commission while pursuing a baccalaureate
degree. Students entering the ROTC Commissioning Program
pursue dual careers, that of an Army officer (either full or
part time) as well as the civilian career enhanced by the
student’s baccalaureate degree. They receive monetary
compensation after contracting into the ROTC Commissioning
Program and do incur a military obligation.
Each student taking military science classes receives
elective credit hours for all courses successfully
completed. The Military Science Department also offers an
interdepartmental minor in Military Science.
Military
Science courses are open to all students.
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Basic
Program
All Basic Program classes (MSC 100, 101, 120, 121, 201, and
202) are completely voluntary and entail absolutely no
military obligation on the student’s part.
Students enrolled in the Basic Program:
1. Are issued required texts.
2. Are eligible to compete for two- and three-year ROTC
scholarships, which pay for books, tuition, and fees plus a
subsistence allowance of at least $250 per month.
3. Are eligible, when given permission by the Professor of
Military Science, to compress and adjust military science
courses to accommodate special needs of the student.
Successful completion of the Basic Program is a prerequisite
for acceptance into the Advanced Academic Program and the
ROTC Commissioning Program.
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Advanced
Academic Program
All Advanced Academic Program classes (MSC 301, 302, 411,
412) are also completely voluntary and entail absolutely no
military obligation on the student’s part. Participating
students in the
Advanced Academic Program are not members of the cadet
battalion. As such, they do not complete all requirements
necessary to qualify for an Army commission. Individual
course syllabi address specific requirements for both cadets
and students participating in the Advanced Academic Program.
ROTC
Commissioning Program
If a student wishes to enter the ROTC Commissioning Program,
and contract with the U.S. military, then they must meet the
following minimum criteria.
1. Completion of the Basic Program or its equivalent. (The
Basic Program prerequisite may be waived by the Professor of
Military Science for veterans and students with Junior ROTC
training on a case-by-case basis.)
2. Qualifications: To participate in the ROTC Commissioning
Program the individual must meet specific standards based
upon age, weight, medical condition, criminal record, and
drug or alcohol abuse, and other criteria prescribed in
Federal law and Army regulations.
3. U.S. citizenship. (Aliens may participate under
special conditions.)
4. Possess an established college GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Students
completing the above prerequisites and contracting in the
ROTC Commissioning Program:
1. Must sign a contract requiring, unless discharged for the
convenience of the Government, completion of this program
and attendance at an advanced summer camp for five weeks’ duration
(normally between the junior and senior years) and
acceptance of a commission as a second lieutenant in the
U.S. Army Reserve, or Regular Army upon graduation.
2. Receive a nontaxable subsistence allowance of $250 to
$400 per
month not generally to exceed ten months each year during
both years of the Advanced Program. The allowance is in
addition to any allowance authorized under the G.l. Bill of
Rights or the Veterans’ Educational Assistance
Program.
3. Are issued all textbooks and equipment required for the
programs of instruction.
4. Receive appropriate pay and allowances for the five-week
advanced summer camp.
5. May be commissioned as second lieutenants upon successful
completion of the Advanced Academic Program.
6. May have their enrollment in the program canceled if they
fail to maintain required academic standards of 2.0 or
better.
7. Are required to be full time students (12 hours or more;
9 hours for Graduate students) and to supplement the ROTC
curriculum by enrolling in a minimum of three hours of
advanced academic subject matter which leads to a
baccalaureate degree in the social sciences, mathematics and
natural sciences, humanities, or the applied sciences and
professions.
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Army
Two-Year Program
This Program allows students who have not received military
science training during the first two years of college to
obtain a commission in the U.S. Army by completing MSC 203
and the Advanced Program. MSC 203 can be completed by
participating in and graduating from a four-week summer
program,
normally between the student’s sophomore and junior years.
Students will receive appropriate pay and allowances to
include room, board, and travel expenses. Application for the
program must be completed prior to May. Those interested should
contact the Military Science Department, Finch 111, for
additional information and/or application forms.
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Minors
Military
Science Minor
B.A., B.A.A., B.S., B.S. in B.A. degrees
The
Military Science Minor is designed to provide students with
an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the United
States Military. Coursework includes a foundation in
Military Science and Military History with electives
concentrating on constitutional, international, and other
issues. The Minor is open to all students; there is no
military obligation.
Required
Courses (19 hours):
MSC 301 (4) Small Unit Leadership
MSC 302 (4) Small Unit Operations
MSC 411 (4) Military Administration I
MSC 412 (4) Military Administration II
HST 312 (3) American Military Experience
OR, with permission
of the advisor, one of the following:
HST 315 (3) The Vietnam War
HST 515 (3) Civil War and Reconstruction
Electives
(9 hours): Nine hours selected from the following
courses in consultation with minor advisor. Other electives
may be substituted with advisor’s approval.
GEO 121 (3) Cultures of the World
GEO 345 (3) Political Geography
GEO 346 (3) Geography of the Developing World
HST 330 (3) U.S. Constitutional History
JRN 350 (3) Public Relations Principles and Practices
PSC 105 (3) Introduction to American Government and Politics
PSC 151 (3) The U.S. and the World
PSC 351 (3) International Relations
PSC 421 (3) Constitutional Law: Powers of Government
PSC 453 (3) American Foreign Policy
REL 101 (3) World Religions: An Introduction to the Study of
Religion
REL 130 (3) Religion in America
TOTAL:
28 semester hours
Military
Science Minor for Military Personnel on Active Duty
An interdepartmental minor in military science, consisting
of 28 semester hours, is offered for military personnel on
active duty on the B.A. and B.S. degrees. The minor in
military science, together with a major in humanities or
social studies, may be presented in fulfillment of the
requirements leading to the B.A. degree. The minor in
military science together with a major in science leads to
the B.S. degree. Evaluation of credits to apply on a
military science minor and for graduation may be obtained
from the Academic Information Center.
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The
faculty: James P. Blick, Brent A.
Bohl, David Manville, David N. Worley, Daniel M. Maloney
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