Hello everyone! I've had extensive training within the military and I was wondering if it's feasible to have it converted into college credits. Has anyone here gone through that process? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
Absolutely, it's quite common for veterans and active duty military personnel to apply their military training towards college credits. This is a great opportunity to accelerate your academic journey while leveraging the invaluable experience you've gained in the military.
The process usually involves matching your military training courses and occupations to corresponding college courses. The American Council on Education (ACE) works closely with the Department of Defense (DoD) to evaluate military training and experiences for academic credit. They provide credit recommendations which are generally recognized by colleges and universities all over the U.S.
When you're ready to transfer your military training into college credits, follow these steps:
1. Request your military transcript. Each branch of the military provides its own transcript service:
- Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard: Use the Joint Services Transcript (JST).
- Air Force: Use the Community College of Air Force (CCAF) transcript.
2. Submit this transcript to prospective colleges. Most institutions will have a process for evaluating military transcripts for credit. It'll likely go to your school's admissions or registrar's office.
3. Review the transcript evaluation. Once evaluated, the institution will determine what credits they can accept and how these factor into your intended degree program.
Bear in mind that acceptance of military training for college credits can vary from one college to the next. Therefore, it's a good strategy to research and select a college that's friendly to military credit transfer. Consider reaching out to admissions offices of your prospective colleges to see how they typically handle this type of transfer.
The process can sometimes require patience, but it can significantly shorten the time to your degree and reduce the cost of your education.
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