Aerospace Studies (Air Force ROTC)
The Department of Aerospace Studies provides a campus education program through which qualified students can simultaneously earn an Air Force commission and a college degree. Faculty members are experienced, active duty Air Force officers with advanced degree.
Requirements
- An academic major in aerospace studies is not offered. However, by successfully completing the Air Force ROTC program, a qualified student may concurrently earn a commission as an active duty Air Force Second Lieutenant while completing requirements for a degree. Students may enroll in some Aerospace Studies courses without joining the Air Force ROTC cadet corps. For more information, call (859) 257-7115.
Note: Entry into the POC years is competitive and is based on
- Air Force Officer Qualifying Test scores
- Grade-point average
- Evaluation by the AFROTC Detachment Commander
- Only physically qualified students in good academic standing may compete for entry into the POC.
- Typically, these courses are for those cadets who have already completed the courses in the GMC, but the courses are open to any UK students.
Field Training
Field training is offered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. Students receive officer training and leadership development with other students. Simultaneously, the Air Force has an opportunity to evaluate each student as a potential member of its officer corps. Field training courses include cadet orientation, survival training, officer training, aircraft and aircrew orientation, physical training, organizational and functional aspects of an Air Force base, career orientation, small arms familiarization, first aid, and other supplemental training.
Scholarships
Students interested in AFROTC scholarships should refer to the Student Financial Aid, Awards, and Benefits section of this Bulletin or call (859) 257-7115. Information is subject to change.
Admission to the Program
- Non-scholarship freshmen and sophomores may register for Air Force Studies (AFS) courses without incurring a military commitment.
- Students with a minimum of five semesters of school remaining in a graduate or undergraduate status may qualify for Air Force ROTC. For more information, call (859) 257-7115.
Program Requirements
AFROTC Curriculum
The AFROTC curriculum consists of both academic classes and leadership laboratory or seminar classes.
- The General Military Course (GMC) is a two-year course normally taken during the freshman and sophomore years.
- The Professional Officer Course (POC) is a two-year course normally taken during the junior and senior years. Along with academic classes each semester, all cadets also take leadership laboratory classes.
In the GMC, there are four academic classes:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Semesters | ||
| AFS 111 | Aerospace Studies I (offered in Fall semesters) | 1 |
| AFS 113 | Aerospace Studies I (offered in Spring semesters) | 1 |
| Sophomore Semesters | ||
| AFS 211 | Aerospace Studies II (offered in Fall semesters) | 1 |
| AFS 213 | Aerospace Studies II (offered in Spring semesters) | 1 |
These cover two main themes – the development of air power and the contemporary Air Force in the context of the U.S. military organization. The GMC academic classes are open to any UK student.
In the POC, there are four academic classes:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Semesters | ||
| AFS 311 | Aerospace Studies III (offered in Fall semesters) | 3 |
| AFS 313 | Aerospace Studies III (offered in Spring semesters) | 3 |
| Senior Semesters | ||
| AFS 411 | Aerospace Studies IV (offered in Fall semesters) | 3 |
| AFS 413 | Aerospace Studies IV (offered in Spring semesters) | 3 |
These cover Air Force management and leadership and national security studies.
Students enrolled as cadets are required to be involved once a week in a 1-credit-hour course in the cadet corps training program designed to simulate a typical Air Force organization and its associated functions. This course is known as Leadership Laboratory. Cadets are required to take all of the Leadership Laboratories each semester (fall and spring only) concurrent with their AFS courses listed above. UK students taking the courses electively are not required to take Leadership Laboratory but are also welcome. If there are questions please refer to 859-257-7115 for further inquiries on the matter.
GMC Years
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Semesters | ||
| AFS 112 | Leadership Seminar (Fall) | 1 |
| AFS 114 | Leadership Seminar (Spring) | 1 |
| Sophomore Semesters | ||
| AFS 212 | Leadership Seminar (Fall) | 1 |
| AFS 214 | Leadership Seminar (Spring) | 1 |
POC Years
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Semesters | ||
| AFS 312 | Aerospace Seminar (Fall) | 1 |
| AFS 314 | Leadership Seminar (Spring) | 1 |
| Senior Semesters | ||
| AFS 412 | Leadership Seminar (Fall) | 1 |
| AFS 414 | Leadership Seminar (Spring) | 1 |
The leadership laboratories are largely cadet-planned and conducted under the concept that they provide leadership training experiences that will improve the cadets’ capabilities as Air Force officers. This also involves three hours of physical training each week. Leadership laboratory is open to students who are members of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps or are eligible to pursue a commission as determined by the Air Force ROTC Detachment Commander.