Physical Education Building 115A
(213) 740-2670

Administration

James B. Watt, Commander

Faculty

Professor: James B. Watt, M.B.A. (Colonel, USAF)

Assistant Professors: Troy E. Dunn, M.A. (Captain, USAF); Azad Y. Keval, M.S. (Captain, USAF); Charles R. Ruhl, Jr., M.A. (Major, USAF)

The Department of Aerospace Studies offers both four-year and two-year programs of instruction leading directly to commissioning as an officer in the United States Air Force. To obtain a commission, qualified students must pass an aptitude test and a physical examination, complete either program of instruction and concurrently receive an undergraduate or graduate degree. Credits earned in aerospace studies courses count as electives in all LAS degree programs. Those students who qualify for and are selected to enter Air Force pilot training will be given flight instruction. Qualified applicants may compete for Air Force scholarships. Scholarships may pay for full tuition, books and associated fees.

Students who accept a scholarship must successfully complete at least one year of college instruction in a major Indo-European or Asian language prior to commissioning. Students on scholarship must successfully complete a course in expository writing within two academic years. Students must also successfully complete a course in mathematical reasoning prior to commissioning.

Program Requirements

Four-Year Program

This program consists of eight semesters of aerospace studies courses (AEST 100ab through 400ab) plus a four-week summer field training course. Students enroll in the first four semesters of aerospace studies (AEST 100ab and 200ab) in the same manner as in any other course of instruction at USC. Application to enroll in the last four semesters (AEST 300ab and 400ab) must be made while enrolled in AEST 200a.

Two-Year Program

This program is available to any student having two academic years remaining at either the graduate or undergraduate level. The program consists of a six-week summer field training course followed by four semesters of aerospace studies courses (AEST 300ab and 400ab). Application to this program should be made in the fall or early spring semester preceding the summer field training course.

Field Training Course

Field training is offered during the summer months at selected Air Force bases throughout the United States. Students in the four-year program participate in four weeks of field training, normally between their sophomore and junior years. Students applying for entry into the two-year program must successfully complete six weeks of field training prior to enrollment in AEST 300.

The major areas of study in the four-week field training course include junior officer training, aircraft and aircrew orientation, career orientation, survival training, base functions and Air Force environment, and physical training.

The major areas of study included in the six-week field training course are the same as those conducted at four-week field training and AEST 100ab and 200ab courses.