Can a 4 year NROTC scholarship be used for graduate program classes?

KP1990

KP1990

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My DS has been awarded a 4 year NROTC scholarship and has been accepted to his 1st choice school. By the end of this year, he will have either 32 or 34 credits from AP classes that the school will accept towards his undergrad degree. Since that basically knocks almost a year off, can he take graduate level classes and use them towards a masters degree? The scholarship is for 4 years and I dont think it's his plan to try and graduate a year early. I was just thinking it would be great if he could take some classes towards an advanced degree while under the NROTC scholarship.

Does anyone know anything or has anyone read anything about this? I'm sure my DS is not the first kid with an NROTC scholarship who could finish his bachelor's degree early. Thanks.
 
I suppose that as long as he hasn't completed the requirements for his BA first then he could take some grad level courses. They will only pay for the BA, so if he finishes his BA then he's done, although he probably will not have completed the Naval Science courses he needs to commission. In any case he has a lot of time to get to that bridge and will have opportunities to discuss it with his advisers in the unit.
 
"The length of scholarship benefits is predicated upon the student's degree plan. Students will receive scholarship benefits only for the time required to receive their Baccalaureate Degree or four years, whichever comes first. Students entering the NROTC program who have already earned college credit are expected to maximize the use of those earned credits towards their degree plans and strive to complete the program and commission in the shortest time possible." NSTC M-1533.2C CH-1 SEPTEMBER 2018
 
Go Dores! said:
"The length of scholarship benefits is predicated upon the student's degree plan. Students will receive scholarship benefits only for the time required to receive their Baccalaureate Degree or four years, whichever comes first. Students entering the NROTC program who have already earned college credit are expected to maximize the use of those earned credits towards their degree plans and strive to complete the program and commission in the shortest time possible." NSTC M-1533.2C CH-1 SEPTEMBER 2018
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No doubt that's true, but they still expect you to be there for 4 years, or at least that's how the program is structured. One could finish academics early but you must do the first class cruise too.
 
Yes, NROTC is structured as a four year program as most students entering don't have the credits the OP is talking about. No, there is not an expectation to stay 4 years if you can complete (the undergraduate degree) in less time. The program has a minimum credit hour per semester requirement to keep the train moving. The Navy will ensure the NROTC specific requirements get complete. I have not personally seen a 3 year completion, but I know of plenty who have finished in 3 1/2 years.

Whether or not the OPs DS can take graduate classes while an undergraduate will depend on the academic policies at their intended school. If graduate level classes are not allowed until undergraduate degree is complete, then DS will graduate, commission and head off to first assignment.

In addition, while AP credits may satisfy university requirements, Navy sets their own. For example, Navy option midshipmen must complete six semester hours of physics and calculus. AP credits can only count for half of this requirement.
 
Yeah, I can see where 3 1/2 years works. I've seen folks do it and they still do their first class cruise since they haven't graduated by then. So how would first class cruise work for someone completing in 3 years? Would they need to complete the first class cruise prior to commissioning? Just trying to understand.
 
kinnem said:
Yeah, I can see where 3 1/2 years works. I've seen folks do it and they still do their first class cruise since they haven't graduated by then. So how would first class cruise work for someone completing in 3 years? Would they need to complete the first class cruise prior to commissioning? Just trying to understand.
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After this year, they're also implementing a mandatory 2/C Cruise that's also mandatory called "Sea Trials". A 1/C Warfare Community cruise is still mandatory for commissioning.

There's also that will send new Ensigns to NPS to get a masters before they go to API/BDOC/PowerSchool (if interested).

I've had friends who have come in with max AP Credit who are planning to graduate in 4 years, I haven't heard of anyone (at my unit) graduate early because of it. I preferred to keep it simple and not have any AP Credit at all (not by my own choice) :) .

For the OP, it's probably best for the to be MIDN to reach out to the PNS or one of the Officer Staff at that Consortium.

Congratulations on being accepted and congratulations on NROTC!
 
Thanks BarryD and kinnem.

I try my best to keep my posts to what I know as current policy within the NROTC program. Given a policy, individual NROTC units and their midshipmen create degree completion plans that best balance needs of the midshipman and interests of the government. And you have both provided the most accurate advice that I routinely see on this forum - contact the unit/staff for guidance on how they do it at that unit.
 
You can start grad, minor, or double major work, but the key is that once you complete the requirements for your main degree, you're done. Just mix the extra classes in with the required ones and he should be good to go.
 
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