Military Leadership Minor

Effective Fall 2026

Military Leadership Minor

Open to all undergraduates, the Military Leadership Minor is anchored by leadership theory and development courses in the Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications (ALEC) Program and includes pathways for all four branches of the U.S. military through the campus ROTC curriculum.

Developed with and housed in the College of ACES. ROTC students wishing to add the minor need to complete the two required LEAD courses and submit a request to declare the minor with their academic advisor.

Required Coursework

CourseTitleHours
LEAD 260Foundations of Leadership View Schedule 3
LEAD 425Leading Teams View Schedule 3

Elective Coursework — Choose One Branch

Cadets select one of the four military branches below to complete the elective portion of the minor (12–14 hours, depending on branch).

Army

Select 13 hours from the following
MILS 201Leadership and EthicsView Schedule
MILS 202Leadership and TeamworkView Schedule
MILS 301Training Management and the Warfighting FunctionsView Schedule
MILS 302Leadership and EthicsView Schedule
MILS 341Leadership and ManagementView Schedule
MILS 342OfficershipView Schedule

Air Force

All courses required · 14 hours
AFAS 221Team and Leadership Fundamentals IView Schedule
AFAS 222Team and Leadership Fundamentals IIView Schedule
AFAS 331Leading People and Effective Communication IView Schedule
AFAS 332Leading People and Effective Communication IIView Schedule
AFAS 341Nat Sec Afrs/Prep Actv Duty IView Schedule
AFAS 342Nat Sec Afrs/Prep Actv Duty IIView Schedule

Navy

All courses required · 12 hours
NS 204Navigation/Naval Operations IView Schedule
NS 303Leadership and ManagementView Schedule
NS 307Navigation/Naval Operations IIView Schedule
NS 308Leadership and EthicsView Schedule

Marines

All courses required · 12 hours
NS 303Leadership and ManagementView Schedule
NS 308Leadership and EthicsView Schedule
NS 321Evolution of WarfareView Schedule
NS 323Maneuver Warfare FundamentalsView Schedule
Total Required Hours for Army Military Leadership Minor 19

How to Declare the Minor

  1. Complete the two required LEAD courses (LEAD 260 and LEAD 425) and confirm your branch elective pathway with your academic advisor.
  2. Submit the Statement of Intent to Pursue a Campus-Approved Minor to your college of enrollment prior to the last day to add a class in the semester you intend to graduate.
  3. Complete the online Minor Declaration Form. Forms route to the ALEC Minor Coordinator for approval.
  4. Any variance from the required courses must be approved on the Modification of Minor form by the sponsoring unit and submitted to your college office.
  5. To cancel the minor, submit a Cancellation of Minor form to your college.
Minor Declaration Form Academic Catalog Listing

Points of Contact

Army ROTC Point of Contact

Questions from cadets about the Military Leadership Minor should be directed here first.


Mr. Alex Cowan

Enrollment Eligibility Officer
Department of Military Science
Fighting Illini Army ROTC Batallion.


amcowan@illinois.edu · 217-244-1407

ACES / ALEC Point of Contact

Questions about the Minor in Leadership Studies, including minor requirements, course planning, and ACES/ALEC-related matters, should be directed here.


Jenn Smist, Ph.D.

Coordinator, Minor in Leadership Studies

Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications Program

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences


jsmist@illinois.edu · 217-244-9701

Fighting Illini Army ROTC Battalion
505 E. Armory, Room #113
Champaign, Illinois 61820
217-244-1407
Department of Military Science
Join Army ROTC (link opens in new window)