Co-Curricular Programs

In this section:

• Education Abroad
• WVU Exchange Programs
• Faculty-Led Programs
• Affiliate Programs
• Additional Information

Education Abroad

In today’s increasingly globalized society, direct international experience is a key component of a complete college education. The WVU Office of Global Affairs manages more than 1,000 exciting and life-enriching programs in over sixty countries all around the world. Education Abroad can be a life-changing cultural experience and supports unique inquiry-based and experiential learning. All WVU students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) are required to register and have program approval with Global Affairs prior to departure when traveling abroad on university-related activities. Education Abroad program coordinators guide the student through the education abroad process, assist in choosing a program based on interest and needs, ensure appropriate credit transfer, offer travel advice, and provide cultural information about living and learning overseas.

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WVU Exchange Programs

WVU exchange programs are managed directly by Global Affairs in conjunction with over 65 select partner institutions around the world. These programs offer WVU students the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or year at a sister institution. Students pay regular WVU tuition and fees, and the host school provides full reciprocal services at a campus abroad. Room and board are paid either to WVU or the exchange institution, depending on the exchange agreement.

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Faculty-Led Programs

Faculty-led programs are education abroad experiences developed and organized by WVU faculty members in conjunction with the Office of Global Affairs. Students study in rigorous but exciting programs where coursework is directly supervised by WVU faculty members. These programs, available throughout the year, are focused on either general education or on specific disciplines.  WVU offers over 50 short term programs annually, in a variety of different subjects and locations.

Contact Education Abroad by visiting the Education Abroad website for a current listing of upcoming programs.

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Affiliate Programs

Affiliate programs are education abroad opportunities available to WVU students through affiliations with various education abroad organizations. Affiliate programs are available during the fall, spring, and summer terms as well as for a complete academic year. Students pay program fees directly to the affiliate organization.

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Additional Information

Students must submit application materials to Education Abroad and complete the mandatory pre-departure orientation process for credit transfer approval. Students may enroll in courses to fulfill major, minor, General Education Foundations (GEF) requirements or elective credit. Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing before acceptance to WVU programs or to affiliate programs abroad. Participation in programs requires a minimum 2.5 grade point average. Financial Aid is available for many programs. WVU Promise Scholarship funds may also be used for certain programs. For more information, visit the Student Financial Support and Services website. 

For more information, please visit the Education Abroad website or visit the office in Purinton House, PO Box 6313, Morgantown, WV 26506.

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In this section:

• About Air Force ROTC
• Time Requirements
• Curriculum

About Air Force ROTC

The U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program is designed to train and commission future officers to become Second Lieutenants in the United States Air Force or Space Force. WVU's program has been in existence since 1948 and is the only AFROTC detachment in West Virginia. The program includes training and education designed to develop leadership, managerial, and interpersonal skills vital to a professional U.S. Air Force or Space Force officer. For more information about the program and how to become a cadet, please visit afrotc.wvu.edu.

You can join AFROTC with no commitment for up to two years! If you have already completed your Freshman year, contact us at AFROTC@mail.wvu.edu to discuss how AFROTC can integrate with the remainder of your degree studies.

Students interested in becoming cadets should enroll in the following courses:

Entering Freshmen:
During Fall Semester, register for USAF 131 and USAF 100
During Spring Semester, register for USAF 132 and USAF 100

Entering Sophomores:
During Fall Semester, register for USAF 131, USAF 251, and USAF 100
During Spring Semester, register for USAF 132, USAF 252, and USAF 100

Once registered, the detachment will send future cadets information on orientation and other program requirements. The most current new cadet guide can also be found on the New Cadets page of the Air Force ROTC webpage.

We highly recommend contacting the detachment at AFROTC@mail.wvu.edu prior to registering to ensure you will be able to complete the program by graduation.

If interested in an Air Force or Space Force scholarship, you may apply as either a High School senior or while in college. Scholarships are awarded based on merit, to include GPA, physical fitness, and leadership performance. Visit the Scholarships page of the Air Force ROTC webpage for more information.

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Time Requirements

On average, freshman and sophomore cadets can spend five to ten hours a week in AFROTC activities.This includes the required one hour in the classroom (such as USAF 131), two hours at Leadership Laboratory (USAF 100), and two hours at physical training sessions. Outside those five hours of academic and AFROTC requirements, cadets often have a strong community that revolves around additional volunteering and skill building, such as Color Guard, drill practice, football game events, etc. 

Juniors and seniors take two additional hours a week, as the one credit hour academic class becomes a three-credit class (e.g. USAF 371). All other commitments remain the same, but with a focus on leading and training the underclassmen.

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Curriculum

USAF 100 Leadership Laboratory (LLAB)

Leadership Laboratory takes an average of four hours per week (two with the entire corps and two small group physical training), every semester, throughout the student’s enrollment in AFROTC. Instruction is conducted in an organized cadet corps with a progression of experiences designed to develop each student’s leadership potential. LLAB involves a study of Air Force customs and courtesies, drill and ceremonies, physical fitness, career opportunities, and the lifestyle and duties of an Air Force officer. Students develop leadership potential in a practical, supervised training laboratory, which typically includes field trips to Air Force installations.

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USAF 131 and 132: Heritage and Values of the United States Air Force

Survey course that introduces students to the Department of the Air Force (DAF), which includes both the Air Force and Space Force. It provides an overview of the basic characteristics, missions, communications, and organization of the Department of the Air Force. The course includes an overview of AFROTC and AFROTC special programs intended for first-year AFROTC students.

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USAF 251 and 252: Team and Leadership Fundamentals

Designed to provide a fundamental understanding of both leadership and team building. Students will learn methods and perspectives on followership, problem solving, motivation, human relations, stress management, and decision making. The class is intended for second-year AFROTC students preparing for Field Training and leadership roles within the detachment.

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USAF 371 and 372: Leading People and Effective Communication

Designed for third-year AFROTC cadets to build on the leadership fundamentals taught in USAF 251 and 252. Students will learn about leadership, management, professional knowledge, leadership ethics, and communication skills required of an Air Force or Space Force officer. Case studies are used as a means of exercising practical application of concepts. Special emphasis is placed on enhancing communication skills for practicum in USAF 100.

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USAF 481 and 482: National Security Affairs and Preparation for Active Duty

Designed for fourth-year AFROTC cadets to understand their role as military officers and how that role directly ties to the National Security Strategy. Provides an overview of the complex social and political issues facing the military profession and examines the national security process, regional studies, national civilian leadership, military leader decision making, and doctrine.

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Minor Code - U040

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Minimum grade of C in all courses fulfilling minor requirements.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 required.
USAF 251	Air and Space Power 1	1
USAF 252	Air and Space Power 2	1
USAF 371	Leadership Studies 1	3
USAF 372	Leadership Studies 2	3
USAF 481	National Security/Active Duty 1	3
USAF 482	National Security/Active Duty 2	3
Complete 3 credit hours in any HIST, POLS, PE course or USAF 491 (with Department Chair approval).		3
Total Hours		17

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In this section:

• Nature of the Program
• Basic Course
• Advanced Course
• Leadership Laboratory
• Military Science Minor
• Two-Year Program
• Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)
• Judge Advocate General (JAG) Programs
• Graduate Medical Programs
• ROTC Scholarship Program
• Army ROTC Nursing Program
• Army ROTC Nursing Scholarships
• Additional Opportunities

Nature of the Program

The curriculum includes the skills expected of a U.S. Army officer, including how to motivate co-workers, cope with unexpected challenges, organize large, complex tasks, and an introduction to the army’s values-based leadership techniques. Additionally, students learn skills in demand today in the civilian and business worlds such as teamwork, tact, and effective communications. There are two- and four-year ROTC programs. The traditional four-year program is composed of the Basic Course and the Advanced Course.

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The Basic Course

The first two years compose the Basic Course. This includes:

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
MILS 101	Military Science	2
MILS 102	Military Science	2
MILS 201	Military Science	2
MILS 202	Military Science	2
PE 110	Military Physical Conditioning	1

These courses involve classroom studies in such subjects as military history, leadership development, and national defense. Students can enroll in the program for the first two years without incurring any future military obligation. However, students who desire to make a commitment to obtain a U.S. Army commission at graduation can commit as early as their sophomore year, compete for an ROTC contract, and receive a tax-free monthly stipend of $420 per month as a contracted cadet. After successful completion of the Basic Course, students can apply for admission into the Advanced Course.

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The Advanced Course

After successful completion of the Basic Course, students wishing to earn a commission as an officer in the U.S. Army must enter the Advanced Course. It is required for all contracted cadets and students who have received an ROTC scholarship. Classes required are:

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
MILS 301	Military Science	3
MILS 302	Military Science (Military Science)	3
MILS 401	Military Science	3
MILS 402	Military Science	3
PE 110	Military Physical Conditioning	1
Select one of the following:		3
HIST 210	Modern Military History
HIST 256	History of the American Revolution: 1763-1790
HIST 453	Civil War and Reconstruction
HIST 460	World War II in America
Weekly Leadership Lab

During this part of the program, students will put their management and leadership skills to the test while continuing to hone the traits required for commissioning into the U.S. Army. As a cadet in the Advanced Course, you will spend approximately five weeks of the summer between your junior and senior years attending Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. At this course, students receive intensive training in leadership, basic tactics, physical fitness, land navigation, negotiating a confidence obstacle course, and rappelling. They also have the opportunity to lead other cadets through challenging military missions.

While enrolled in the program, ROTC textbooks, uniforms, and essential materials are furnished at no cost. Additionally, Advanced Course students receive a tax-free monthly stipend allowance of $420 per month.

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Leadership Laboratory

Leadership laboratory is conducted two hours per week every Thursday afternoon throughout the student’s enrollment in Army ROTC. Instruction is conducted in an organized cadet corps with a progression of experiences designed to develop each student’s leadership potential.

Leadership laboratory involves the practical application of leadership lessons taught during classroom instruction. The leadership laboratories involve application of field craft, drill and ceremonies, physical fitness, rappelling, rifle marksmanship, team and leadership exercises, and career opportunities. Leadership lab is required for all recipients of an Army ROTC Scholarship and all other contracted cadets.

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Military Science Minor

Minor Code - U041

Students enrolled in the Army ROTC program may receive a military science minor by completing the Advanced Courses listed below. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required in these courses.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
MILS 301	Military Science	3
MILS 302	Military Science	3
MILS 401	Military Science	3
MILS 402	Military Science	3
Select 1 of the following:		3
HIST 210	Modern Military History
HIST 256	History of the American Revolution: 1763-1790
HIST 453	Civil War and Reconstruction
HIST 460	World War II in America
Total Hours		15

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The Two-Year Program

(Sophomores, Junior College Transfers, and Partnership Schools)

If students miss the first two years of Army ROTC, the two-year program offers the opportunity to achieve the same goals and benefits as the four-year program, but at an accelerated pace. This is designed for sophomores who were unable to take the Basic Course or students transferring after attending a junior college or another institution. In this program, students first attend Basic Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in the summer between their sophomore and junior years. This is a fully paid, four-week training camp designed to be an accelerated version of the two years of leadership development training cadets receive during their first two years of Army ROTC. The course is broken into four phases where cadets begin physical training, drill and ceremonies, team development, combat water survival, and land navigation. Upon graduation from Basic Camp, students may compete for two-year, campus-based scholarships if their minimum GPA is a 2.5, and they will graduate within four semesters. Those cadets who successfully complete Basic Camp and contract may be eligible to receive a $5,000 incentive bonus.

Additionally, if a student is currently in the National Guard (Army or Air Force), U.S. Army Reserve, a Veteran from any service, has two years of Senior ROTC (SROTC) experience from another service, or has High School Junior ROTC (JROTC) experience of three years or more, he or she may qualify for entry into the Advanced Course under the two-year program. Students must have a minimum of 59 hours of college credit with a 2.0 (or better) GPA to be eligible for contracting.

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Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)

Students currently in the Army National Guard or U.S. Army Reserve can participate in the Advanced Course as an SMP cadet. Benefits of the SMP include immediate advancement to sergeant (E5) for pay purposes in their current unit, receipt of any Montgomery G.I. Bill, GI Bill-kicker (if negotiated during enlistment), $420 monthly tax-free stipend, and any tuition assistance offered by the service. Currently the West Virginia National Guard pays $7000 towards the in-state tuition rate for either undergraduate or graduate studies. The U.S. Army Reserve offers student loan repayment and $4,800 annually in federal tuition assistance.

Information on these programs may be obtained through the WVU ARMY ROTC webpage, calling (304) 293-7546 or e-mailing armyrotc@mail.wvu.edu.

For a detailed overview of Army ROTC, students can call 1-800-USA-ROTC or view online at ARMY ROTC.

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Judge Advocate General (JAG) Programs

The JAG Corps is the oldest “law firm” in the U.S., dating back to 1775. There are approximately 1,500 active duty (full-time) attorneys and 2,600 Reserve and National Guard (part-time) attorneys. Students in the Advanced Course should take the LSAT prior to the fall of their senior year. They must then request an educational delay and branch JAG. If accepted to the law school of the student’s choice, the educational delay may be granted. While in law school, students may apply for one of 100 summer internships offered by the JAG Corps.

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Graduate Medical Programs

The Army offers a variety of graduate programs to ROTC graduates. These include specialties in nursing, dentistry, medicine, psychology, optometry, and veterinary medicine. Interested students must apply for educational delay following graduation and commissioning.

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ROTC Scholarship Program

In addition to world-class leadership training, Army ROTC also offers generous scholarships to qualified students. These scholarships are based solely on the student’s merits, not financial needs. These merit-based scholarships are available for two, two-and-a-half, three, three-and-a-half, and four years and are available for both graduate and undergraduate programs. These scholarships pay full tuition and fees or room and board (up to $5,000/ each semester). They also provide $600 per semester for books and include a $420 per month tax-free stipend, for up to 10-months a year (during the academic school year). Four-year scholarships are normally reserved for applicants who are high school seniors. The application process starts by applying online at the ARMY ROTC website or by calling: 1-800-USA-ROTC to receive an application by mail. The remaining scholarships are considered campus-based scholarships given at the discretion of the professor of military science.

Students must meet the following requirements for a four-year Army ROTC scholarship:

• Be a citizen of the United States
• Be between the ages of 17 and 26
• Have a high school cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5
• Score a minimum of 1000 on the SAT (math/verbal) or 19 on the ACT (excluding the required writing test scores)
• Meet the Army's physical and height/weight standards
• Be of good moral character
• Exhibit a strong desire to become an Army officer
• Possess leadership potential to become an effective leader. These include appearance, personality, academic excellence, extracurricular activities, and physical fitness
• Be medically qualified by passing a Department of Defense Medical Evaluation Board health physical and eye exam
• Must be eligible for a secret security clearance

Students must meet the following requirements for a three-and-a half, three, two-and-a half and two-year scholarships:

• Be a citizen of the United States
• Be between the ages of 17 and 27
• Have a college grade point average of at least 2.5
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Meet the Army's physical and height/weight standards
• Be of good moral character
• Exhibit a strong desire to become an Army officer. Possess leadership potential to become an effective leader. These include appearance, personality, academic excellence, extracurricular activities, and physical fitness
• Be medically qualified by passing a Department of Defense Medical Evaluation Board health physical and eye exam
• Must be eligible for a secret security clearance

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Army ROTC Nursing Program

Being an Army nurse is one of the most rewarding careers imaginable. Army nurses are officers—and as such are highly respected professionals. They have the opportunity to assume leadership positions in a hospital setting far more quickly than those working in the private sector. They also have the personal satisfaction of caring for the men and women who defend our freedom.

The Army ROTC program offers some unique hands-on opportunities for nursing students that are not available anywhere else. With the Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP), Army ROTC nurse cadets have the opportunity for a paid, three-week assignment to army hospitals throughout the United States and Germany. While participating in the program, cadets are introduced to the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) and to the roles and responsibilities of an army nurse corps officer. Cadets gain hands-on experience, under the guidance of an experienced army nurse, allowing them to hone their clinical skills and become comfortable with developing their professional skills as a member of the U.S. Army Healthcare Team. For more information go online to ARMY ROTC Nurse Training & Scholarship Program.

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Army ROTC Nursing Scholarships

Army ROTC offers qualified undergraduate nursing students two-, three-, and four-year scholarships. These scholarships are merit-based and are awarded to those who possess a strong record of academic achievement and who demonstrate that they have the potential to become leaders. These scholarships defray the full cost of tuition and provide a tax-free allowance for books and necessary materials. Additionally, those awarded an Army ROTC nursing scholarship are eligible to receive a tax-free stipend up to $420 per month, to help defray living expenses, for up to ten months of the academic year. The scholarships would pay full in-state or out-of-state tuition and fees. There will also be incentive items given during their junior and senior years. The nursing scholarship will also cover the cost of the NCLEX review course as well as the cost of the NCLEX test.

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Additional Opportunities

Students enrolled in the Army ROTC program can participate in numerous fully funded military training opportunities during their summer breaks. These opportunities include, but are not limited to Airborne School, Air Assault School, Mountain Warfare School, Pentagon Internship Program, Project Global Officer (GO), and the Nurse Summer Training Program. There are also opportunities to study abroad through numerous fellowship programs.

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