ROTC programs are offered to SPU students via cross-town agreements with the University of Washington.

Seattle Pacific University accepts 20–24 quarter credits from an approved ROTC program toward the 180 required to graduate — up to 3 credits each from the freshman and sophomore sequences, and up to 9 credits each from the junior and senior sequences. If a student drops out of the program, the ROTC credits do not apply toward graduation. Upon completion of a ROTC program, the student is responsible for requesting official transcripts for the SPU Office of the Registrar.

Veterans’ Benefits

SPU undergraduate and graduate academic programs are approved by the Washington State Approving Agency for enrollment of those eligible for benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, U.S. Code. SPU professional development courses (5000-5999) are not approved by the Washington State Approving Agency for enrollment of those eligible for benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, U.S. Code.

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC)

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is offered to SPU students through an agreement with the University of Washington. All classes are taught at University of Washington.

The Air Force ROTC program is designed to motivate, educate, and commission highly qualified students for active duty as officers in the U.S. Air Force. The curriculum develops the professional knowledge in both theory and application that an Air Force officer needs to be an effective manager and leader in the aerospace environment.

General Program Requirements

The freshman- and sophomore-level classes (general military courses) are open to all students attending any two- or four-year college full time. Any student may enroll in these classes. The junior- and senior-level classes (professional officer courses) are open to qualified students who have been competitively selected for entry.

For more information contact the unit admissions officer at 206-543-2360 or write:

University of Washington
Department of Aerospace Studies
Detachment 910, Box 353830
Seattle, WA 98195-3530

You can also visit the UW AFROTC website.

General Military Courses

The basic general military courses consist of one classroom hour, and approximately 2 hours of physical training and 2 hours of leadership laboratory per week during your freshman and sophomore years.

• Your uniform and textbooks are provided.
• You may enter at the start of Autumn or Winter Quarter.
• A 13-day field training course, completed at Maxwell AFB in Alabama during the summer between your sophomore and junior years, is required for entry into the Professional Officer Course. 

Except for sophomore cadets on AFROTC scholarship, students incur no active-duty service commitment from enrollment in the GMC, and students may drop the courses at any time. 

Professional Officer Course (POC)

If you are selected for enrollment in POC, you are enlisted in the Air Force Reserve and receive a tax-free monthly subsistence pay of $450 for juniors and $500 for seniors.

• You are furnished texts and uniform.
• Your junior- and senior-level classes consist of three hours of academic classes, and approximately 2 hours of physical training and 2 hours of leadership laboratory per week, in addition to a position within the cadet corps.

Course descriptions

AS 101, 102, 103 Aerospace Studies 100 (1,1,1) Survey of Air Force life and ROTC opportunities; U.S. Air Force mission and organization; functions of U.S. aerospace support forces; officership/ professionalism and an introduction to communicative skills.

AS 211, 212, 213 Aerospace Studies 200 (1,1,1) Examines factors contributing to the development of air power from its beginnings to the present and the evolution of air-power concepts and doctrine; history of air-power employment in military and nonmilitary operations in support of national objectives. Assessment of communicative skills.

AS 331 Aerospace Studies 300 (3) Emphasis on basic leadership and management fundamentals, professional knowledge, and communicative skills required of an Air Force officer. Case studies used to examine leadership and management situations. An additional leadership laboratory (mandatory for cadets but not special students) provides leadership experiences, giving students the opportunity to apply learned principles. Offered: Au.

AS 332 Aerospace Studies 300 (3) Emphasis on advanced leadership and management fundamentals, professional knowledge, and communicative skills required of an Air Force officer. Case studies used to examine leadership and management situations. An additional leadership laboratory (mandatory for cadets but not special students) provides leadership experiences, giving students the opportunity to apply learned principles. Offered: Wi.

AS 333 Aerospace Studies 300 (3) Emphasis on leadership ethics, leadership and management fundamentals, professional knowledge, and communicative skills required of an Air Force officer. Case studies used to examine leadership and management situations. An additional leadership laboratory (mandatory for cadets but not special students) provides leadership experiences, giving students the opportunity to apply learned principles. Offered: Sp.

AS 431 Aerospace Studies 400 (3) I&S Needs for national security, evolution of American defense strategy, policy, and organization; methods for managing conflict, alliances and regional security to preserve American interests. Arms control, terrorism, and current military issues; refinement of communicative skills. A one-hour leadership laboratory is also required for cadets, but not special students. Offered: Au.

AS 432 Aerospace Studies 400 (3) I&S World regional-studies emphasis; Europe, East Asia, South Asia, Latin America, Africa, Middle East, and Russia; political, economic, cultural, environmental, and military elements of each region; impacts on world affairs and American interests; refinement of communicative skills. A one-hour leadership laboratory is also required for cadets, but not special students. Offered: Wi.

AS 433 Aerospace Studies 400 (3) I&S Preparation for active duty in the U.S. Air Force. The military as a profession, officership, the military justice system, current military issues; Air Force policies, procedures, and regulations; refinement of communicative skills. A one-hour leadership laboratory is also required for cadets, but not special students. Offered: Sp.

Commissioning Requirements

Once you have successfully completed the AFROTC program and have received an academic degree from SPU, you are offered a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. You will serve at least four years in the military, depending on your awarded Air Force Specialty Code/job.

Financial Assistance

The Air Force offers three- and four-year scholarships to students with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Students awarded scholarships from the Air Force ROTC Scholarship Board are eligible for a supplemental room grant. To take advantage of these scholarships, you should apply directly to AFROTC UW (address noted under General Program Requirements, above).

In addition to this, you may apply for an SPU ROTC Academic Achievement Award. For consideration, you must be a recipient of a three or four-year scholarship from Army or Air Force ROTC. Please contact Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Army ROTC

Army ROTC is offered to SPU students through an agreement with the University of Washington. Classes are taught at on the University of Washington’s Seattle Campus.

The Army ROTC program is designed to train, develop, educate, and commission highly qualified students with character for active duty or the reserve component as officers in the U.S. Army.

General Program Requirements

The freshman- and sophomore-level classes (basic military science courses) are open to all students attending any two- or four-year college full time. Any student may enroll in these classes. The junior- and senior-level classes (advance military science courses) are open to qualified students who have been competitively selected for entry.

Military Science and Leadership Basic Courses

Students just taking the courses do not incur any military service obligation and may drop the courses at any time.

• Two classes per week (Each class meets for 50 minutes twice per week.)
• (Optional) Leadership development training comprised of physical fitness training, leadership labs, and off-campus quarterly training exercise.
• Your uniform and textbooks are provided.
• You may enter at the start of each quarter.

Basic Course Descriptions

MSCI 101, Military Science and Leadership Development (3) Introduction to challenges and competences critical for effective leadership. Examines how critical thinking, goal setting, time management, and stress relate to leadership. Develops knowledge and comprehension of leadership dimensions. Lessons include history and mission of the Army and leadership, personal development, values and ethics, and tactics and techniques discussions. Offered: Au.

MSCI 102 Military Science and Introduction to Tactical Leadership (3) Overview of leadership fundamentals of problem solving, listening skills, briefings, providing feedback, and effective writing. Explores dimensions of leadership values, attributes, skills, and actions in the context of practical, hands-on, and interactive exercises. Introduction of effective oral communication. Develops skills in map reading, land navigation, and tactical maneuvering at team levels. Offered: Wi.

MSCI 103, Military Science and Introduction to Applied Basic Leadership (3) Final introductory series on leadership. Applies leadership fundamentals emphasizing attributes, skills, and actions. Students assess capabilities simultaneously, considering their personal leadership. Lessons apply leadership to military tasks of map reading, navigation, and tactics. Offered: Sp.

MSCI 201, Military Science and Innovative Team Leadership (3) Explores dimensions of innovative tactical leadership strategies and styles. Practices personal motivation and team building through planning, preparing, and executing group exercises. Develops knowledge of leadership values and attributes through an understanding of Army leadership examples. Lessons include leadership, personal development, values and ethics, officership, and tactics and techniques. Offered: Au.

MSCI 202, Military Science and Foundations of Tactical Leadership (3) Explores creative and innovative tactical leadership strategies and styles by examining team dynamics and leadership theories. Examines challenges of leading teams in complex contemporary environments. Practical exercises focus on dimensions of terrain analysis, patrolling, operation orders, and cultural awareness. Lessons include fundamentals of leadership, personal development, and tactics and techniques. Offered: Wi.

MSCI 203, Military Science and Transformational Leadership (3) Continues study of the theoretical basis of Army leadership and framework and dynamics of transformational leadership in the context of military operations. Develops greater self-awareness by assessing leadership styles and practices oral and written communication skills. Enables progress to applied and advanced tactical leadership study. Offered: Sp.

Financial Aid

Army ROTC Cadets can receive the following financial incentives and benefits:

• Two-, three-, and four-year scholarships are awarded annually to cover school expenses. The scholarships pay full tuition or $10,000 for housing per year, provide a $400 quarterly book allowance, and a $420 monthly allowance.
• Assistance of a $420 per month allowance to all non-scholarship cadets enrolled in the advanced course.

In addition to this, you may apply for an SPU ROTC Academic Achievement Award. For consideration, you must be a recipient of a three or four-year scholarship from Army or Air Force ROTC. Please contact Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Commissioning Requirements

To be commissioned in the U.S. Army, you must graduate with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and have completed the military science curriculum, including successful completion of the four-week advanced camp during the summer prior to your senior year.

For more information, visit their website, or contact the program advisor at 206-685-6236 or by email.