MILITARY SCIENCE (ROTC) PROGRAM
Army ROTC
Become an Army leader through Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), which teaches valuable skills and covers your college education. Get the college experience and graduate as a second lieutenant in the Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.


Financial Incentives and Scholarships
You may be eligible for:
- 100% tuition & fees or room & board scholarships
- $420/month stipend
- $1200/yr. Book Allowance

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!
- Gain experience, leadership and teamwork skills
- Network and build relationships that last a lifetime
- Have fun attending ROTC classes and events

Get the Career You Want!
- Army ROTC will give you a competitive edge and help boost your resume
- Learn leadership, management and job skills that will set you above your peers
- Part time Reserve / National Guard and Active duty career options
Program Overview
The Golden Griffin Battalion’s Army ROTC Program at Canisius University through D’Youville University is among the Nation’s best leadership programs. U.S. Army Cadet Command partners with universities to recruit, educate, develop, and inspire. Army ROTC is a Military Science & Leadership (MLS) elective program. The program is open to D’Youville University undergraduate and graduate full-time students with at least 4 semesters remaining designed to develop individual leadership skills for Cadets in order to commission officers of character for the Army. Army ROTC gives you a wide range of experiences while you work toward your college degree. You'll combine classroom instruction with hands-on training. There is no obligation for freshman or sophomore students.
Course Information
The traditional Military Science & Leadership (MLS) Program is four years: a two-year Basic Course (six credit hours/year), and a two-year Advanced Course (six credit hours/year).
Basic Course (incurring no military obligation)
The Basic Course refers to the first and second year of the MSL curriculum and designed for students who want to improve their leadership abilities. The Basic Course normally involves one elective class and lab each semester, along with the required physical training and field training exercises.
Freshman students are encouraged to enroll in MLS 101 and MLS 111 in the fall and MLS 102 and MLS 112 in the spring. Sophomores are encouraged to enroll in MLS 201 and MLS 211 in the fall and MLS 202 and MLS 212 in the spring. The Basic Course is required for all students that want to qualify for entry into the Advanced Course. Students with prior military service may be eligible to directly enter the Advanced Course with approval from the Professor of Military Science. Students who have not completed the 100- and 200-level MLS courses/labs and are seeking to enter the Advanced Course may be eligible to take Basic Camp.
Basic Camp
MLS 210 Basic Camp is a 32-day intensive training event and accelerated alternative to the Basic Course that qualifies you for enrollment in the Advanced Course at Ft. Knox, KY. Students must meet all contracting criteria to attend; attendance may occur between either the freshman and sophomore year or sophomore and junior year. Students may receive 3 credits for completing MLS 210 Basic Camp.
Advanced Course (incurring military obligation)
The Advanced Course refers to the third and fourth year of the MSL curriculum that prepares Cadets for Advanced Camp. Advanced Course enrollment requires completion of the Basic Course or Basic Camp. Advanced Course is comprised of MLS 301 & MLS 311, MLS 302 & MLS 312, MLS 401 & MLS 411, MLS 402 & MLS 412, and MLS 480. Cadets that complete the Advanced Course and Cadet Summer Training Upon will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the Army, Army National Guard, or Army Reserve. Based on the students’ area of study, Military Science 300- and 400- level courses continue to bear free elective credit that may be used toward a student's 120 hours needed to graduate.
Advanced Camp (Cadet Summer Training)
MLS 310 Advanced Camp is a 35-day rigorous field training event during summer between their junior and senior year summer at Ft. Knox, KY. Advanced Camp is mandatory for all Advanced Course ROTC Cadets which you must pass to qualify as an Army Officer. Juniors can receive credit for attending MLS 310 Advanced Camp.
How to Sign Up and Apply
D’Youville University Students
D’Youville University students taking MLS courses will be cross-registered through Canisius University. D’Youville University students must be full-time students with at least 12 credit hours at D’Youville University in order to participate.
Contact rotc1@canisius.edu or call (716) 888-3239 and consult with your Academic Advisor to start the cross-registration process today.
Army ROTC Scholarships
Pay for college with the Army’s help and get a scholarship with Army ROTC.
Cover your college education while gaining valuable leadership skills in Army ROTC with financial support from the Army.

Reach your financial goals and get tuition and fees covered
- Army ROTC offers two-, three-, and four-year scholarship options based on the time remaining to complete your degree.
- Army ROTC has specialized scholarships; Army Nursing Scholarships, Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Scholarships and Green-to-Gold Scholarships.
- Get money for expenses and books: Receive monthly help to offset living and book costs. All ROTC scholarships include an extra $420 each month throughout the school year for expenses like housing, along with $1,200 each year to spend on books.
U.S. Army ROTC Nursing Program at D’Youville University
If you’re considering an undergraduate nursing degree, enrolling in Army ROTC can enhance your leadership skills and critical-thinking abilities while providing financial support to help make your professional goals a reality. Being a Nurse in the Army provides you with opportunities not found in the civilian world. As an Army Nurse and Officer, you will have the respect of your peers and coworkers as well as opportunities to train and serve in a variety of specialties.
“Buffalo’s Own” Army ROTC provides an opportunity for college nursing students to receive practical, hands-on leadership experience. You may be able to participate in the Army ROTC Nursing program through the D’Youville University’s nursing program. The courses provide a chance for students to develop management, communication and decision-making skills in a non-threatening environment.
Army ROTC Corps Opportunities & incentives
- Two, Three, and Four year full-tuition and fees scholarships are available to nursing students
- Contracted Cadets receive $600/ semester for books and a $420 monthly stipend (10-months during academic year)
- $650 one-time clinical equipment fee reimbursement (scholarship cadets only)
- Up to $500 for an NCLEX review course (all Senior nurse cadets)
- $200 reimbursement for NCLEX fee (scholarship cadets only)
- Semester one-on-one meetings with an Army nurse mentor
- Nurse Summer Training Program- Nursing cadets may elect to attend the Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP) clinical elective. This program provides nursing students an opportunity to further develop and practice leadership and clinical skills typically between their junior and senior year of nursing. The three-week program is voluntary, although highly recommended. Nursing cadets will work at various Military hospitals throughout the country and overseas. Students will be assigned an Army Nurse Corps officer as their preceptor/instructor to guide them through the nursing process for three weeks.
Post ROTC Army Nurse Corps Opportunities & incentives
- The Army Nurse Corps has 6 clinical specialty training courses. These specialty courses are offered as 12-16 week fully funded courses in the following areas: Intensive Care, Emergency, OB/GYN, Psychiatric, Community Health, and Peri-operative Care.
- Dedicated 12-week orientation/ preceptorship at first duty station
- Opportunity to attend specialty training after 12 months of Medical-Surgical experience
- Army provides specialized training for ER, ICU, perioperative, labor & delivery, public health, and psychiatric nurses
- Safe nurse-to-patient ratios (1:5 max on med-surg)
- Quicker progression to leadership roles (Charge nurse, head nurse of a unit, etc)
- Ability to move between clinical and non-clinical areas
- Free training opportunities (ACLS, PALS, ALS, Combat Casualty Care Course, TNCC, etc)
- Tuition Assistance to attend graduate school part-time
- Full-time graduate school options
- Bonuses up to $35,000/ year (vary by specialty)
How to Apply as a High School Student
To get started on your ROTC scholarship application, create an account and log in to the Scholarship Application. From there, you’ll locate and contact the Recruiting Operations Officer at the school you plan to attend. Most of them have served before and understand the process you’re going through.
For more information, Connect with Us!
Mr. Mark Stetzko
Recruiting & Scholarship Officer
716-888-3239
rotc1@canisius.edu