General Catalog 2026-2027
Aerospace Studies
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About the Program
Lt Col John Conway, Program Chair
North Gym, Room 148
559.278.6201
FAX: 559.278.5245
chhs.fresnostate.edu/air-force/
Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) was established with the passage of the National Defense Act of 1916. The first Air Force ROTC units were established between 1920 and 1923 at the University of California at Berkeley, Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Illinois, the University of Washington, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College. After World War II, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Chief of Staff of the War Department, signed General Order No. 124, establishing Air Force ROTC units at 78 colleges and universities throughout the nation.
The mission of AFROTC is to “Develop Air and Space Force leaders of character whom we expect to fight and win our nation’s wars.” AFROTC is the oldest and largest active-duty line commissioning source, with 145 detachments and 1,200 cross-town universities represented in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The curriculum taught in AFROTC at California State University, Fresno is the exact same curriculum that is taught to the cadets at the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs. More importantly, this program is available to all students at CSUF with or without a desire to seek a commission in the USAF after graduation through the Aerospace Studies minor program. Regardless of the path a student takes after graduation, the skills they will learn while earning a minor is Aerospace studies will pay huge dividends for them by making them better leaders, decision makers, problem solvers, public speakers, team builders, writers and enhancing their physical, emotional, mental health and resiliency.
Students also have the opportunity (on a voluntary basis) to participate in our physical fitness program designed by the kinesiology department and put their leadership skills to the test at the weekly leadership laboratory class.
Several routes for an Air Force or Space Force commission are available to college students in Air Force ROTC if they desire to serve on active duty as an officer after they graduate. Entering students may enroll in the four-year program, while students with at least three years remaining in college may apply for a compressed option. For instance, students who enter the program with 3 or 3.5 years remaining to graduation can commission on-time, provided they accomplish program requirements. Contact the detachment faculty and staff for more information on these various options.
The Air Force ROTC curriculum is built to instill warrior ethos in our students and prepare them to lead as Air Force or Space Force officers. In order to receive a commission, an Air Force ROTC cadet must complete all requirements for a degree in accordance with university guidelines as well as complete certain courses specified by the Air Force
Air Force ROTC courses are taken for academic credit as part of a student’s electives.. In the Aerospace Studies program, ROTC books, supplies, and uniforms are furnished at no cost to the student.
Air Force ROTC scholarships are available to qualified applicants. Each scholarship provides full tuition, laboratory and incidental fees, and a $450 per semester allowance for curriculum-required textbooks. In addition, scholarship cadets receive a nontaxable $300-$500 subsistence payment each month during the school year.
Other scholarship programs are available to fill critical Air Force requirements. Additional money through express programs is available. Contact the Recruiting Officer for the latest information.
ProgramsCoursesAerospace Studies
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