Students are accepted into the Professional Officer Course on a competitive basis. To enter the POC, students must normally have at least two years of full-time undergraduate coursework remaining. Performance in the GMC and at Field Training are among the factors considered for POC selection.
The POC consists of four 3-credit courses completed over a two-year period. The AS 300-level course, Leading People and Effective Communication, develops advanced knowledge and skills in leadership, management, and communication. Cadets apply these concepts in supervised leadership positions within the cadet corps.
The AS 400-level course, National Security Affairs/Preparation for Active Duty, is designed for senior cadets preparing to commission. The course examines the role of military officers in American society and addresses complex social, political, and professional issues facing the military. The final semester provides practical preparation for entry onto active duty.
Students who successfully complete the POC and their degree programs commission as Second Lieutenants in the United States Air Force or United States Space Force and normally enter active duty within one year. Delayed entry to active duty may be authorized for selected officers pursuing graduate or professional education. Career opportunities include, but are not limited to, pilot, space operations, missile operations, cyberspace operations, engineering, medical, and nursing career fields.