Academic Major Tier System
The Navy is preparing our officer corps of the future to meet the dynamic challenges in the next generation of technology and leadership. In structuring our academic programs to meet these challenges, undergraduate academic majors for NROTC Navy option midshipmen are divided into three categories or tiers: Tier 1 – engineering programs of Navy interest, Tier 2 – other engineering, math and science programs, Tier 3 – Foreign language and remaining academic programs. In order to keep pace in this high tech and diverse environment, approximately 85% of Navy Option NROTC scholarships offers will be awarded to students interested in completing a Tier 1 or Tier 2 academic major. The NROTC scholarship provides full tuition and fees at 159 of our nation’s most elite and prestigious colleges and universities.
Tier 1 Academic Majors
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, Astronautical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Naval Architecture & Marine/Naval Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Ocean Engineering
- Systems Engineering
Tier 2 Academic Majors
We realize that some of the academic majors listed above may not match word-for-word the majors offered at each of the more than 150 colleges and universities partnered with NROTC. If you have questions about how a major at a particular school fits into our NROTC academic major tier categories or our language program, please contact the NROTC unit located at that school. Or, you can contact the NROTC scholarship office at pnsc_nrotc.scholarship@navy.mil.
Tier 3 Academic Majors
Students interested in pursuing Tier 3 academic majors (all other academic majors not listed in Tier 1 or Tier 2) should examine the opportunities available in the Navy’s Language Skills, Regional Expertise, and Cultural Awareness (LREC) Program. Annually, the Navy will offer this program to 20 – 30 students. Attainment of a specific level of language proficiency is not required by the NROTC LREC program.
LREC – TIER 3
Regions/cultural areas and languages available for study are listed below. Selected languages and regional/cultural areas must be related.
Regional/Cultural Areas
Foreign Languages