Navy Officer Education Program
Students enrolled as midshipmen in the Navy Officer Education Program (Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, or NROTC) who receive a scholarship or College Program Advanced Standing placement, successfully complete required courses and receive a degree from either the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) or Eastern Michigan University will be commissioned as officers in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the program have a wide range of job and career opportunities. Navy officers may be assigned to the surface, aviation, submarine, special warfare, expulsive ordinance disposal, medical, or nursing communities. A small number of opportunities are available in other communities. Marine Corps officers may be assigned to most specialties within the Marine Corps. After graduation, all commissioned officers receive additional training in their prospective fields.
Program Length
The program normally includes eight terms of course work. A military obligation is incurred at the beginning of the sophomore year for four-year scholarship students. Non-scholarship students may enroll in the College Program Basic and take NROTC courses without incurring a military obligation. College Program Basic students may be considered for scholarship in their first- or second- year in the program. Students must first be nominated by their respective NROTC advisor, endorsed by the Professor of Naval Science, and approved by Naval Service Training Command. All scholarships are funding-dependent, and are based upon academic performance and athletic performance, and military aptitude, and the competition is with the other NROTC units nationwide. If not selected for a scholarship or College Program Advanced Standing by the end of the second-year in the program, students must be disenrolled from the NROTC program.
Financial Benefits and Scholarships
Scholarships cover tuition, lab fees, a book allowance, uniforms, and provide a monthly stipend. There is also a room and board option of up to $11,500 per year in lieu of tuition, fees, and the book allowance. For a more detailed description of the available financial benefits and scholarships consult the University of Michigan Naval ROTC website and the Naval Science Training Command website. Most students who enter the program as freshmen have received four-year scholarships based on national competition. As mentioned above, any other student may join the program through the College Program. These students will participate in the same way as the scholarship students. The only exception will be the absence of financial benefits in the College Program Basic. Additionally, the Navy offers several other scholarship opportunities. A limited number of immediate 3.5- or 2.5- year scholarships may be awarded by the program chair to top-performing College Program Basic students. College Program Basic students may also earn 3- or 2- year scholarships through the Naval Service Training Command annual selection boards. Applications for these boards are typically due in June prior to a student’s sophomore or junior year. Criteria for eligibility vary based upon program; details are available from the program chair.
Course of Study
Students enroll in Naval Science (NavSci) courses during each term of participation in the program. Additionally, all Navy-option students are required to complete course work in calculus, calculus-based physics and other required courses. Students also participate in a four to six-week summer training exercises during periods between academic years.
Military Obligation
Newly commissioned officers incur a minimum of five years of active duty service obligation. Aviation officers incur minimum active duty of up to 10 years.
Navy Officer Education Course Listings
(Subject = NAVSCI)
Course descriptions are found on the College of Engineering website and at the LSA Course Guide.
Note: The courses listed herein are offered primarily for the students participating in the program; however, they are open to, and may be taken by, any University – enrolled student. Not all of them are accredited.