Academic Classes & Leadership Labs

The Department of Air and Space Studies offers both three- and four-year Air Force ROTC programs for students interested in leadership, military service, government and national security studies.

The curriculum is divided into two core components:

Academic Classes: Cadets complete coursework alongside their peer group based on academic standing. Lower-division courses are one credit hour, while upper-division courses are three credit hours. Topics include leadership development, communication, national security, military operations, ethics and Air Force history.

Leadership Laboratory (LLAB): Leadership Lab brings cadets from all class years together to practice leadership, teamwork, drill and ceremonies, physical fitness and professional development. Each LLAB course is one credit hour.

Students interested in military leadership or national security are encouraged to enroll in academic classes. Cadets pursuing a commission in the United States Air Force or United States Space Force are required to participate in both academic coursework and Leadership Lab.

Academic Classes

100-Level Courses

• DAAS 101 / 111: Heritage and Values (1 credit hour)
  Introduction to the United States Air Force, Air Force culture, leadership fundamentals, customs and courtesies, communication skills and the history and organization of the Air Force.

200-Level Courses

• DAAS 201 / 211: Team and Leadership Fundamentals (1 credit hour)
  Focuses on leadership development, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, accountability, resiliency and preparation for field training.

300-Level Courses

• DAAS 301 / 311: Leading People and Effective Communication (3 credit hours)
  Advanced leadership instruction emphasizing communication, supervision, ethics, diversity, organizational leadership and professional development.

400-Level Courses

• DAAS 401 / 411: National Security and Commissioning Preparation (3 credit hours)
  Senior-level study of national security strategy, military operations, leadership responsibilities, military law and preparation for commissioning as an Air Force or Space Force officer.

Leadership Labs (LLAB)

Leadership Lab courses are offered each semester for first-, second-, third- and fourth-year cadets.

• DAAS 102 / 112: Leadership Lab 100
• DAAS 202 / 212: Leadership Lab 200
• DAAS 302 / 312: Leadership Lab 300
• DAAS 402 / 412: Leadership Lab 400

Leadership Labs are designed to complement classroom instruction by developing the managerial, supervisory and leadership skills required of future Air Force and Space Force officers. Labs also include extensive physical fitness training and applied leadership exercises.