Program Overview

Yale College Programs of Study 2025–2026

The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program educates young men and women for service as commissioned officers in the United States Navy or Marine Corps. NROTC develops future officers morally, mentally, and physically, and instills in them the highest ideals of duty and loyalty and the core values of honor, courage, and commitment.

Overview of the Naval Science Program

The Naval Science program prepares students to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship, and government. The program includes courses on topics such as Navy and Marine Corps organization, at-sea navigation, leadership, naval history, amphibious warfare, engineering, weapons systems, and ethics.

Academic Requirements

• The Naval Science curriculum emphasizes development of professional knowledge and leadership skills, which are placed in the context of military service immediately following graduation from Yale College.
• Students in the NROTC program enroll in one Naval Science course per term.
• Most Naval Science courses count for enrollment credit only; they do not count toward the thirty-six course credits required for the Yale bachelor's degree.
• NAVY 2110 and NAVY 4120 do count toward graduation credit.
• Some courses are required for both Navy and Marine option students, while others are specific to the branch of service.
• All NROTC students must also enroll in the Naval Science Laboratory each term.

Navy-Option Requirements

• Navy-option students must complete eight core curriculum courses offered by Yale College:
  • Two term courses in calculus to be completed by the sophomore year
  • Two term courses in calculus-based physics (with laboratory) to be completed by the junior year
  • Two term courses in English or equivalent writing courses
  • One term course in history or national security policy
  • One term course in world culture or regional studies
• The usual sequence of Naval Science courses for Navy students is:
  • First-Year: Introduction to Naval Science, Navigation
  • Sophomore: Seapower & Maritime Affairs, Leadership & Management
  • Junior: Naval Engineering, Naval Systems
  • Senior: Naval Operations & Seamanship, Ethics and the Profession of Arms

Marine-Option Requirements

• Marine-option students must complete three core curriculum courses offered by Yale College:
  • Two term courses in English or equivalent writing courses
  • One term course in history or national security policy
• The usual sequence of Naval Science courses for Marine Corps students is:
  • First-Year: Introduction to Naval Science, Elective
  • Sophomore: Seapower & Maritime Affairs, Leadership & Management
  • Junior: Elective, Fundamentals of Maneuver Warfare
  • Senior: Evolution of Warfare, Ethics and the Profession of Arms

Advising and Application to the Program

• Application to the National Scholarship Program: Eligible applicants must use the online application to complete and submit all the required information to apply for the NROTC scholarship.
• Application to the College Program: Students without a scholarship who are in their first or second year may apply for enrollment in the College Program and compete for two- or three-year scholarships.

First-Year Students

• Yale NROTC midshipmen are required to complete the course of study prescribed by their Yale degree program and enroll in one Naval Science course each term in addition to other NROTC-specific academic requirements.
• Midshipmen must enroll in Naval Science Laboratory (NAVY 1000), where they are exposed to formal drill, military science presentations, guest lecturers, and practical sessions in Naval Science coursework.
• Participating in the NROTC program does not preclude involvement in other campus or community organizations, sports, or activities.

Faculty of the Naval Science Program

• Professor: Captain William Johnson, USN
• Lecturers:
  • Commander Sean Cooper, USN
  • Captain Sumer Johnson, USMC
  • Lieutenant Nicholas Gioia, USN
  • Lieutenant Paige Miles, USN

Credit/D/Fail Policy

• No course taken Credit/D/Fail may be counted toward the program in Naval Science.