The Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program (Naval ROTC) was established at Southern University in 1971 to provide an opportunity for students to qualify for commissions in the United States Navy or the United States Marine Corps. Over the years, the program has been extended to students from Louisiana State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, and Baton Rouge Community College.
Upon completion of the Naval ROTC Program required courses, students receive a minor in Naval Science. To qualify for a commission, a midshipman must: complete all requirements for a bachelor’s degree in accordance with University rules and regulations; must complete the NROTC Program course curriculum; receive a favorable recommendation from the Professor of Naval Science.
For more information on the Naval ROTC program, contact the Department of Naval Science at Southern University at (225) 771-4370.
General Requirements for the NROTC Program
To participate in the NROTC program, a student must:
- Be a United States citizen
- Be physically qualified by Navy or Marine Corps standards
- Be at least 17 years old by September 1 of the year starting college and no more than 23 on June 30 of that year.
- Possess a high school graduation or equivalency certificate by August 1 of the year of entrance
- Have no moral obligations or personal convictions that prevent conscientious bearing of arms and supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic.
Naval ROTC students must possess a satisfactory record of moral integrity and scholarship, participate in extracurricular activities, and have potential officer characteristics. Students must be accepted for admission as a student at Southern University or one of the cross-enrolled schools.
Naval ROTC students are expected to progress and graduate in the minimum time possible consistent with their abilities and the constraints of program structures and course offerings.
The Naval ROTC Scholarship Program
Naval ROTC Scholarship recipients receive full tuition and associated university fees, a yearly book stipend ($375 per semester), free uniforms and textbooks for Naval ROTC classes, and a monthly subsistence allowance for each month of the academic school year (Freshman: $250; Sophomore: $300; Junior: $350; Senior: $400).
There are several types of scholarships available to students depending on their academic year and which university they attend.
- National Scholarship (Navy or Marine Corps): Scholarship available to high school seniors interested in attending one of the schools affiliated with Southern A&M Universities Naval ROTC program. This scholarship covers 4 years of college tuition, fees, and a stipend. Apply for this nationally competitive scholarship opportunity prior to December 31st of the year they plan on graduating from high school.
- Two or Three Year Naval ROTC Scholarship (Navy or Marine Corps): Freshmen and Sophomores attending one of the schools affiliated with Southern University’s Naval ROTC program are eligible to apply for these nationally competitive scholarships. The scholarship covers the final two or three years of college tuition, fees, and a stipend for the sophomore or junior and senior years. Applications must be submitted prior to March 1st of the sophomore year.
- Minority Serving Institution (Navy only): The MSI Scholarship was established to increase the diversity of Naval Officers by attracting students with academic potential who are either attending or plan to attend Southern University or other HBCUs. Students accepting this scholarship must enroll at Southern University, and the scholarship is non- transferable to other schools. Applications may be submitted as early as high school but no later than prior to beginning the sophomore year at Southern.
- Frederick C Branch Leadership Scholarship (Marine Corps only): In 1945, Frederick C. Branch became the first African-American Marine Officer. This two, three or four year scholarship represents his determination and grit that overcame countless battles to blaze a trail for future generations. The Frederick C Branch scholarship is only available to students attending a HBCU and covers full tuition, fees and includes a stipend.
- College Programmer (Navy or Marine Corps): Non-scholarship students interested in joining the Navy or Marine Corps via NROTC. Will be provided uniforms and a monthly stipend starting Junior year if picked up for Advanced Standing.
Online applications and program details are available at https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/
Chancellor’s Honor Award for Naval ROTC Scholars
Students who receive a Naval ROTC scholarship and are enrolled at Southern University are eligible to receive a room and dining plan exemption (on-campus charges only and with certain limitations), provided all Naval ROTC and academic eligibility requirements are maintained.
Naval ROTC College Program
The Naval ROTC College Program allows motivated students who have not received one of the above listed scholarships to try to guarantee themselves a commission in the Navy or Marine Corps. The purpose of this program is to allow midshipmen with strong leadership abilities and aptitudes the chance to achieve their goal of being a Naval Officer. Students may join the program anytime prior to the end of their sophomore year in college.
During the summer between the student’s sophomore and junior year, a nationally competitive college program board will evaluate the student’s academic grades, physical test score, and leadership aptitude to determine suitability for a commission in the Navy. If the student performs well, he or she will be selected for “Advanced Standing” which guarantees:
- A commission in the Navy upon graduation
- A monthly stipend for the remaining two years of college
- Participation in a summer training evolution during the summer between the student’s junior and senior year.
Commensurate Programs
Naval Science Department courses are approved for substitution for the following University General Education Requirements:
- Naval Science Lab for physical education courses
- Naval Science courses for free electives or non-technical electives in their degree programs
- Naval Science Lab for Freshman Studies (provided student completes the program and receives a commission)
It is important that students participating in the Naval ROTC program communicate with University advisors and department curriculum coordinators to ensure compliance with academic program requirements.
Summer Training
Summer training periods are held annually to furnish Naval ROTC midshipmen the opportunity to gain experience in the practical application of their studies in Naval Science. Scholarship students and midshipmen who have been given advanced standing status are required to participate. These training periods are normally four to eight weeks in length with travel to various locations around the world. Students are paid approximately $600 during their training sessions and the Department of the Navy pays for cost associated with travel, food, and lodging.
Naval Science
| Year |
Course |
Navy |
Marine Corp |
Freshmen
|
Introduction to Naval Science |
Yes |
Yes |
| Sea Power and Maritime Affairs |
Yes |
Yes |
Sophomore
|
Leadership and Management |
Yes |
Yes |
| Navigation |
Yes |
|
Junior
|
Naval Ship Systems II (Weapons) |
Yes |
|
| Naval Ship Systems I (Engineering) |
Yes |
|
| Evolution of Warfare |
|
Yes |
Senior
|
Naval Operations and Seamanship |
Yes |
|
| Leadership and Ethics |
Yes |
Yes |
| Fundamentals of Maneuver Warfare |
|
Yes |
| All Terms |
Naval Lab |
Yes |
Yes |
NOTE: Midshipmen majoring in Nursing are required only to enroll in the following Naval Science Courses: NAVS-100, NAVS-101, NAVS-102, NAVS-103; NAVS-200, NAVS-201, NAVS-203; NAVS-300, NAVS-303; NAVS-400, NAVS-402, NAVS-403.