Aerospace Studies Minor
Build leadership skills, explore aerospace and national defense, and prepare for what’s next.
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Minor at a Glance
Complete eight Aerospace Studies courses and one approved History elective.
Explore military structure, leadership, aerospace studies, and national defense.
Build skills in teamwork, decision-making, problem-solving, communication, and leadership.
You must be enrolled in the Air Force ROTC Program while completing your commissioning requirements.
What You’ll Learn
Build your knowledge of the Air Force and Space Force while developing the leadership, communication, and decision-making skills needed to work effectively in teams and lead others.
Build Your Foundation
You’ll begin by learning about:
- The structure and roles of the Air Force and Space Force
- How pay grades and systems work
- Teamwork, followership, and how to be a strong team member
Develop Advanced Skills
As you go further, you’ll explore more advanced topics like:
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- Planning missions and leading small teams
- Understanding different cultures and leading with professionalism
- How military operations have shaped U.S. and world history
Hands-On Leadership Experience
In your third and fourth years, you can take on real leadership roles. These experiences help you build skills in:
- Planning and organizing tasks
- Communicating clearly
- Setting goals and managing change
- Giving feedback and helping others grow
You’ll also take part in physical fitness training and leadership labs, which may happen on weekends. These are required for Air Force ROTC students planning to become an officer in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force after graduation.
Admission & Graduation Requirements
The Aerospace Studies Minor is closely connected to participation in Air Force ROTC. Students must meet the following requirements to enter and remain in the minor and to have it recorded on their official transcript.
To Enter and Remain in the Minor
Students must:
- Be enrolled in the Air Force ROTC Program.
- Meet and maintain all contractual obligations associated with participation in Air Force ROTC.
- Maintain a minimum semester GPA of 2.00 to remain eligible for commissioning into the United States Air Force or United States Space Force.
- Earn a passing grade in each course within the Aerospace Studies Minor to fulfill the academic requirements for the minor.
Before You Graduate
Students must officially declare their minor with their Aerospace Studies Adviser prior to applying for graduation in order for the minor to be noted on their official transcript.
Important: Be sure your minor is officially declared before you submit your graduation application.
Courses
In order to complete the minor, you will take the courses as outlined below.
Core Courses: 16 Credits
You will take all 8 Aerospace Studies courses for a total of 16 credits.
AFROTC 0001 – Heritage and Values of the United States Air Force 1
AFROTC 0002 – Heritage and Values of the United States Air Force 2
AFROTC 0004 – Team and Leadership 2
AFROTC 0007 – Team and Leadership 1
AFROTC 1013 – Leading People and Effective Communication 1
AFROTC 1014 – Leading and Communications 2
AFROTC 1015 – National Security Affairs/Preparation for Active Duty
AFROTC 1016 – National Security Forces
Electives: 3 Credits
Choose one course from the list of approved History electives.
HIST 0187 – World War II: Europe
HIST 0601 – United States 1865–Present
HIST 1040 – The Great War: A Cultural History
HIST 1157 – History of Maps and Spatial Representation
HIST 1620 – The Vietnam War
HIST 1653 – Cold War America in the World
HIST 1687 – U.S. Foreign Policy in Africa
Your Support Team
The Aerospace Studies Minor is led by a dedicated team here to help you succeed.
Air Force ROTC Instructors
Learn from highly qualified Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Officers from both the Active Duty and Reserve components of the U.S. Air Force. Instructors bring real-world experience in fields such as flying, cyber, intelligence, medical, engineering, and more.
Program Coordinator
Your Program Coordinator will serve as your academic advisor and guide you through the minor, helping you navigate your coursework and requirements.
Together, they’ll support you every step of the way—both in and out of the classroom.
Learn more about Air Force ROTC Detachment 730 | Division of Student Affairs.
Questions About the Minor?
Air Force ROTC Detachment 730
Office Location: 4200 Fifth Avenue, 2917 CL
Phone: (412) 624-6031