Requirements

Students participating in the Naval Science program are required to complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution in four years to receive a commission as an officer in the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps.

Any of the available majors at Holy Cross are permitted, but students are strongly encouraged to pursue some form of technical major.

Those who major in non-technical subjects are still required to take some technical courses (see below) in order to prepare for the highly technical nature of today’s naval service. These courses, even for non-tech majors, should count toward degree requirements as most majors require some math and science coursework. When computing national standings prior to service selection during senior year, the Navy gives additional credit to those pursuing technical degrees.

Requirements for Naval Science Scholarship Students

The following are the academic requirements for participation in the NROTC Program:

  • Calculus (two semesters, Navy only) 
  • Calculus-based Physics (two semesters, Navy only)
  • English (two semesters, Navy and Marine Corps)
  • World Culture and Regional Studies (one semester, Navy only)
  • American History/National Security Policy (one semester, Navy and Marine Corps)

Students must complete calculus and English prior to the start of their junior year and calculus-based physics prior to the start of their senior year.

Naval Science Course Requirements

The following are the required courses for all midshipmen, both Navy and Marine Corps (except where noted). They are taught by the unit’s officers, and often must be taken in addition to a normal collegiate course load.

  • Intro to Naval Science 
  • Sea Power
  • Leadership & Management 
  • Navigation (Navy only)
  • Naval Operations (Navy only)
  • Naval Engineering Systems (Navy only)
  • Naval Weapons Systems (Navy only)
  • Marine Corps Leadership (Marine Corps only)
  • Evolution of Warfare (Marine Corps only)
  • Leadership & Ethics