Program Description
The Air Force ROTC program trains qualified young men and women for service as commissioned officers in the United States Air Force and United States Space Force.
The program is offered at the University Park campus and by special arrangement as follows:
- students attending Penn State Altoona may complete freshman and sophomore requirements at the University Park campus
- students attending Penn State Scranton, Penn State Hazleton, or Penn State Wilkes-Barre may complete freshman and sophomore requirements at Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, PA
- students attending Penn State Abington or Penn State Brandywine may complete freshman and sophomore requirements at St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA
- students attending Penn State Greater Alleghany or Penn State New Kensington may complete freshman and sophomore requirements at The University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
The junior and senior requirements may then be completed upon relocation to University Park campus.
Four-year (High School Scholarship Program), three-year, and two-year, In College scholarships are available to selected applicants. These scholarships provide tuition and fees benefits, a monthly stipend, and textbook allowance.
Also, all cadets in the junior and senior courses not already on scholarship are paid at the rate of $400 to $500 per month (tax free), respectively, and are eligible to receive the Charles McGee Leadership Award a tuition or housing assistance scholarship. Uniforms and ROTC textbooks are provided for free by the Air Force.
What is the Air Force ROTC?
Air Force ROTC is a 4-year program that inspires, develops, and trains future officers of the United States Air Force and the United States Space Force. AFROTC is a pathway to grow mentally and physically as you acquire leadership skills. The opportunity to pay for school is available through scholarships. Plus, you'll have a position waiting for you after graduation at one of the world's top high-tech organizations- the under the Department of the U.S. Air Force.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE AIR FORCE ROTC
You Might Like This Program If...
- You are of good moral character.
- You are an undergraduate student with three or more years remaining of college.
- You are physically fit or willing to be.
- You are in good academic standing.
- You are ready for a challenge.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHY STUDENTS CHOOSE THE AIR FORCE ROTC
Program Requirements
The instruction consists of a General Military Course (freshmen and sophomores) and a Professional Officer Course (juniors and seniors) of four semesters each. Subjects and credits appear under course descriptions (ROTC) in this bulletin. Students have an opportunity to visit Air Force bases throughout the school year and summer months, where they may receive instruction on parachuting, flying gliders, and other Air Force and Space Force-related activities.
Completion of eight semesters, completion of one two-week summer training period and medical qualification confers eligibility for a commission in the Air Force Reserve and assignment to active duty in the USAF or USSF with the rank of second lieutenant.
Registering for Courses
Air Force ROTC students attending Penn State Altoona should visit the Air Force ROTC website for instructions on registering for AFROTC courses.
Academic Advising
University Park
Beth Neumann
Air Force ROTC Administrative Assistant
109 Wagner Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-5453
airforce@psu.edu
Career Paths
AFROTC commissions Penn State graduates as Second Lieutenants for every Air Force and Space Force officer career field in every part of the world.
Careers
- Aircraft: pilot, navigator, maintenance
- Space and Missiles: operations, maintenance, ground support
- Intelligence: Office of Special Investigations, Foreign Area Officer
- Engineering: research, development or technical management in virtually all fields of engineering
- Scientific: mathematics, nuclear physics, meteorology, chemistry
- Computer Science: cyberwarfare operations, development, programming systems analysis
- Management: personnel, intelligence, communications and electronics, public relations, logistics, finance, security forces, information, munitions, air traffic control
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
If you already have your bachelor's degree and are interested in participating in the AFROTC program, you are welcome to apply. To join, you must have six semesters* as a full-time student (9 credits hours of combined master and AFROTC courses), a 2.0 cumulative GPA, passing fitness and medical standards, and good character.
- *
Summer semesters do not count.
Contact
University Park and Altoona
AIR FORCE ROTC
109 Wagner Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-5453
airforce@psu.edu