Military education and training or experience has a possibility to translate into college credits. Every institution has different inbound credit allowances and transfer credit policies, but the process of applying them to an official program is largely universal.
By the time I retired after 24 years in the military, I had earned 69 credits throughout my military career. As I earned good grades — and I’m very proud of getting a 3.8 GPA while serving on active duty — I was motivated to continue on with my studies afterward. Once I got into a routine to take courses, it brought me confidence that helped me to push forward and complete my degree.
In this post, you’ll read about the benefits of using past and current military experience to earn college credit, as well as the eligible areas of service that may count toward a degree.
Tests and Courses for Military and Online Learning
Similar to a college standardized test, the military also has its own entrance exam. If a civilian wants to enlist into the military, they have to take an exam called the ASVAB, an acronym that stands for Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery test. Depending on the branch of service, recruits have to meet a required score on that exam to qualify for enlistment. The ASVAB exam is provided through either a recruiter or a place called the Military Entrance Processing Station, or MEPS, where a recruit can also take the exam. Ultimately, the three steps to take for military entrance are the ASVAB score, a head-to-toe military physical, and a background check.
To acclimate into an online learning environment in the military and otherwise, many institutions have an initiation course that teaches the foundations of online learning. For 100% online schools, that course will help future students acclimate into an academic classroom to set them up for success for all future classes. It can teach everything from how to write papers in a proper format to how to use the library and resources. This can provide a variety of time management skills and advice while working on group projects, and it can help build upon communication and critical thinking.
How Many College Credits Can the Military Provide?
According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, some areas that can count toward college credit include basic training, military courses, and occupations held during active service.
Education obtained through all military programs is evaluated under scoring from The American Council of Education (ACE). ACE evaluations are conducted by college or university faculty members who are actively teaching in the areas they oversee, where they go to military school houses and evaluate the training that service members receive. If those faculty determine the material is at an acceptable collegiate level, they recommend credit upon completion of the training. Those credits appear on the joint services transcript (JST) of Community College of the Air Force transcript, giving the service member college credits that may translate to a traditional or online university.
Military members in a 20+ year service career can expect to receive an estimated 35 to 40 credits throughout all their military education and training, although it is possible to earn more. While the specific grading systems can vary by institution, credits usually fall under two categories:
Electives: Most of the time, elective college credits fall under a general elective heading into a degree plan.
General Education Requirements: While not as common, military experience can also be applied to general education or core major courses. For example, a student on an engineering path will follow an enlisted route in the military. When they complete that training, a skill like trigonometry that is built into that military technical training would satisfy Trigonometry 1. That could then be applied to a general education course that would satisfy the credits under mathematics under general education, which would greatly benefit the service member.
How to Earn Additional Academic Credits
Beyond the standard course transfers, active-duty military can take additional tests for course credit in certain subjects like English, math, humanities, science, history, and more. ACE can recommend facets of general education be applied to a student’s record from tests that include:
- The DSST or Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support (DANTES) subject standardized tests: DSST tests are offered once pro bono for each subject to active military members across more than 37 subjects.
- The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams: CLEP exams cover introductory college course materials, and materials are offered to active military members for free. CLEP exams are funded through the DANTES program.
If military members pass the select CLEP or DANTES exams by meeting the required ACE score, they automatically receive three or four college credits per test. If applicable to their specific degree program, they can be applied as transfer credit and the results are documented on a military member’s joint services transcript or Community College of the Air Force transcript as well.
External Experience for Military College Credit
As a nontraditional path, some schools take professional experience into consideration to count for college credit through the military. If a service member was a civilian police officer prior to enlisting, for example, an institution may allow that individual to put together a package showing certifications and qualifications gained during employment as part of a prior learning assessment (PLA). With proper documentation, this method provides a way to earn transfer credit for real-life experience.
Advantages of Earning Online Course Credits Active Duty
Beyond the educational and professional advantages, there are a number of reasons why earning academic credits through active duty is an advantageous undertaking.
- Accelerated courses: Most degrees at a bachelor's level require between 120 to 128 credits. The time frame can be shorter for degree completion simply by completing the necessary components of military training. That way, military members have more flexibility to possibly separate and return to the workforce in the civilian sector with college credits already completed.
- Cost efficiency: Earning a degree in the military is a cost-saving venture when utilizing military tuition assistance because active service members don't have to utilize their G.I. Bill® benefits for school when they separate from active duty. If a military member can earn their degree while in service, they may have the opportunity to transfer those benefits to a spouse or a dependent child. This also serves as a great retention benefit for the military. For service members, it can also keep more money in their bank accounts.
- Career opportunities: Ultimately, degrees open doors to career enhancement. Candidates build skills and experience from military service, and if they add that degree to their resume, they’re a more well-rounded candidate.
- Confidence: Developing a work ethic and finding success through education is a practice that active military students can adopt into their own routines.
Overview
Discipline is key for service members, whether it be personal or professional, and earning college credit is a reward for exercising that practice. The training and subsequent knowledge instilled by the military is best used to acquire skills like problem solving, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. When a validating exercise like education comes into play, an even stronger foundation is laid for success.
Earning a college education while in the military provides unique challenges, from time management to consistent access to resources. Fortunately, every branch offers the opportunity to earn credits while gaining valuable experience during active duty, simply by fulfilling the requirements of military training and education.
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Dan Allen is the Director of National Guard and Reserve Partnerships at UAGC.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
Use of military-affiliated images does not imply endorsement of Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More
information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government
website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.