Aerospace Studies Minor

Program Coordinator/Contact

Lt Col Erin Tedesco, Department Head
AFROTC / Aerospace Studies
DePuy Military Hall Room 100, Box 2236
605-688-6106

Program Information

Satisfactory completion of the four-year Air Force ROTC program, 18 credits, constitutes a minor in Aerospace Studies in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Course Delivery Format

The Aerospace Studies curriculum is divided into two courses of instruction. The General Military Course (GMC) is open to all students and consists of a one-credit academic course and laboratory taken each semester during the freshman and sophomore years. At the end of the GMC, students compete to enter the Professional Officer Course (POC). The POC includes a three-credit academic course and laboratory taken each semester during the junior and senior years in addition to various duties and responsibilities within the Cadet Wing organization. Additional curriculum options are available to accommodate freshman students pursuing undergraduate degrees that normally require five years to complete and to accommodate undergraduate students who have three years remaining to complete their degrees.

The laboratory includes a mandatory physical fitness program in which all students must have a physical exam certified by competent medical authority. These physicals are available through SDSU Student Health for a nominal fee. All students pursuing a commission will also attend field training at a designated Air Force base during a summer, normally between their sophomore and junior years.

Commission

Upon graduation and completion of the AFROTC curriculum, each student is commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force or Space Force to serve on active duty. The initial Air Force assignment options for Second Lieutenants include the following:

1. Enter the Air Force or Space Force and complete the designated technical training prerequisite to the lieutenant’s assigned specialty; e.g., flight training, research and development, management, support functions, etc.
2. Apply for an Air Force-sponsored graduate study program while serving with full pay as a commissioned officer.

Upon entering the Air Force or Space Force, newly commissioned second lieutenants incur an active duty commitment of four years. After initial aviation training, those competing and selected for navigator and air battle management specialties incur a six year commitment; those selected for pilot training incur a ten year commitment.