ROTC Programs

Four-Year Program

Open to all freshman students (U.S. citizens) of good moral character. The freshman- and sophomore-level courses do not obligate the student to the ROTC or military service (unless they enter into an ROTC contract). 

Two-Year Program

Available to students who have completed their sophomore year of college or enrolled in their first semester of graduate school. Most students eligible for the two-year program attend a four-week Cadet Basic Camp prior to entering the MSC 301 course. Basic Camp provides placement credit for MSC 101, 102, 201 and 202. For those eligible, six elective credit hours toward graduation can be applied to their transcript.

Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)

Students who are members of the U.S. Army Reserve or National Guard may receive placement credit for MSC 101, 102, 201 and 202. Provided they meet all other conditions for enrollment, they can enroll in MSC 301. SMP students remain with their Reserve or Guard unit and are paid at the rate of an E-5, Sergeant from their unit while simultaneously participating in ROTC. SMPs may be eligible for state or federal tuition assistance (see unit clerk). These students may also be eligible for the Montgomery G.I. Bill & Kicker. Non-scholarship students may participate in the SMP once accepted for enlistment in the Army Reserve or National Guard and attaining sophomore academic status.

Veterans

Military veterans may be allowed placement credit for MSC 101, 102, 201 and 202. Provided they meet all other conditions for enrollment, they can enroll in MSC 301.

Credit for Military Schools

Credit for military schools will be granted according to the recommendations of the American Council on Education. Individuals must present official documents before an evaluation will be made.

Lincoln University awards credit for military training and experience based on American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendations. ACE has a National Guide to College Credit for Workforce Training and the ACE Military Guide: expert evaluators review workplace training, military experiences and national exams for potential college credit matches.

There is no limit to the number of credits Lincoln University will award; however, a maximum of 30 non-traditional credits can be applied towards an associate’s degree program and 90 applied towards a bachelor’s degree.

Military credit evaluation

• The Joint Services Transcript (JST) is required for current and former Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Coast Guard students.
• The Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript is required for current and former Air Force students.

Military equivalencies

Military equivalencies are determined using ACE credit recommendations. To find out our equivalencies, please contact the Registrar’s Office.

Course Descriptions

Listed courses may not be taught every semester or every year. The department head and departmental advisors have information about projected course offerings for a semester/year.

MSC 101 FUNDAMENTALS OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT: Focuses on introduction to the Army and basic Soldier skills. It introduces Cadets to the Army and the Profession of Arms. Students will examine the Army Profession and what it means to be a professional in the U.S. Army. The overall focus is on developing basic knowledge and comprehension of the Army Leadership Requirements Model while gaining a complete understanding of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program, its purpose in the Army, and its advantages for the student. Cadets also begin learning map reading and land navigation. Students will have initial classes on fieldcraft, first aid, individual/team movement techniques that will include a weekly lab facilitated by MS III Cadets and supervised by MS IV's and cadre.

MSC 102 MILITARY SKILLS: Introduces Cadets to the personal challenges and competencies that are critical for effective leadership. Cadets learn how the personal development of life skills such as critical thinking, time management, goal setting, and communication. Cadets learn the basics of the communications process and the importance for leader's to develop the essential skills to effectively communicate in the Army.  Cadets will begin learning the basics of squad level tactics that will be reinforced during a weekly lab facilitated by MS III Cadets, supervised by MS IVs and cadre.

MSC 106 LEADERSHIP LABORATORY (1 credit) Development of tactical skills, military planning, drill and ceremonies, and land navigation.

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in MSC 101 or 102 and approval of the Professor of Military Science.

MSC 201 ADVANCED INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP SUBJECTS: Focuses on leadership and ethics. The course adds depth to the Cadets knowledge of the different leadership styles. Cadets will conduct a leadership analysis of famous leaders and self-assessment of their own leadership style. The Army Profession is also stressed through understanding values, ethics and how to apply both to different situations they may encounter as a leader. Army Values and Ethics and their relationship to the Law of Land Warfare and philosophy of military service are also stressed. Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on performance-oriented environment during a weekly lab facilitated by MS III Cadets, supervised by MS IV's and cadre.

MSC 202 INTRODUCTION TO TACTICS AND OPERATIONS: Focuses on Army doctrine and decision making. The course begins with analytical techniques, creative thinking skills and the Army problem solving process as related to situations faced by leaders when making decisions. TLPs and OPORD will lead Cadets to an understanding of Army Doctrine and Symbology.  Squad tactics will be covered in classes on Unified Land Operations, Offensive Operations and Defensive Operations. Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on performance-oriented environment during a weekly lab facilitated by MS III Cadets and supervised by cadre.

MSC 203* LEADERSHIP EQUIVALENCY (6 credits) Completion of Cadet Basic Camp or equivalent. Basic Camp is a four-week summer field training program designed to evaluate students' abilities to handle themselves and others in new and demanding situations. Subjects include fundamentals of soldiering, including physical training, marksmanship, tactical operation, map reading and orienteering.

Prerequisite: Approval of the Professor of Military Science.

MSC 204 LEADERSHIP LABORATORY (1 credit) Development of tactical skills, military planning, drill and ceremonies, and land navigation.

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in MSC 201 or 202 and approval of the Professor of Military Science.

MSC 301 LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT I: Focuses on training management and the warfighting functions. It is an academically challenging course where you will study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of Training Management and how the Army operates through the Warfighting functions. At the conclusion of this course, you will be capable of planning, preparing, and executing training for a squad conducting small unit tactics. Includes a lab per week using peer facilitation overseen by MS IVs, supervised by ROTC Cadre.

Prerequisites: MSC 101, 102, 201, 202, or their equivalent or approval of the Professor of Military Science.

MSC 302 ADVANCED TACTICS: Focuses on applied leadership in small unit operations. It is an academically challenging course where you will study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of direct level leadership and small unit tactics at the platoon level.  At the conclusion of this course, you will be capable of planning, coordinating, navigating, motivating and leading a platoon in the execution of a mission. Includes a lab per week using peer facilitation overseen by MS IVs, supervised by ROTC Cadre. Successful completion of this course will help prepare you for the Cadet Summer Training Advance Camp, which you will attend in the summer at Fort Knox, KY.

Prerequisite: MSC 301 or approval of the Professor of Military Science.

MSC 303 LEADERSHIP LABORATORY:(1 credit) Development of tactical skills, military planning, drill and ceremonies, and land navigation.

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in MSC 301 or 302.

MSC 401 LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT II: Focuses on development of the Army Officer. It is an academically challenging course where you will develop knowledge, skills, and abilities to plan, resource, and assess training at the small unit level. You will also learn about Army programs that support counseling subordinates and evaluating performance, values and ethics, career planning, and legal responsibilities. At the conclusion of this course, you will be familiar with how to plan, prepare, execute, and continuously assess the conduct of training at the company level. Includes a lab per week overseeing MS III lesson facilitation and supervised by ROTC Cadre.

Prerequisites: MSC 301 and 302 or approval of the Professor of Military Science.

MSC 402 FUNDAMENTALS AND DYNAMICS OF THE MILITARY TEAM: An academically challenging course where you will develop knowledge, skills, and abilities required of junior officers pertaining to the Army in Unified Land Operations and Company Grade Officer roles and responsibilities. This course includes reading assignments, homework assignments, small group assignments, briefings, case studies, practical exercises, a mid-term exam, and an Oral Practicum as the final exam. Successful completion of this course will assist in preparing you for your BOLC B course and is a mandatory requirement for commissioning. Includes a lab per week overseeing MS III lesson facilitation and supervised by ROTC Cadre.

Prerequisite: MSC 301 and 302 or approval of the Professor of Military Science.

MSC 403 MILITARY WRITING (3 credits) Improves student's ability to prepare effective staff studies, research papers and briefings.

Prerequisite: Approval of the Professor of Military Science. (For BLS purposes, course is considered CAPSTONE.)

Credit hours: 3 credits

MSC 404 LEADERSHIP LABORATORY (1 credit) Development of tactical skills, military planning, drill and ceremonies, and land navigation.

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in MSC 401 or 402.

*To enroll in MSC 203, the student must 1) be a U.S. citizen; 2) have a minimum of 2 years of academic undergraduate or graduate work remaining; and 3) have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.