Has anyone managed to get a significant amount of college credit for their military training? Which colleges are good at converting this training into academic credit?
Many colleges and universities recognize the value of military training and are committed to providing academic credit for this experience. In general, more established, traditional universities tend to offer fewer credits for military training, while newer, often online, universities may have more generous credit conversion policies.
One university that stands out in this regard is American Military University (AMU), which was created specifically to meet the needs of military personnel. This university offers a robust crediting system designed to convert military training into academic credit, potentially saving time and money for students.
The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is another institution well-known for its support of military students. They offer an array of services from academic advising to financial aid assistance and provide credit transfer evaluations for military training based on recommendations by the American Council on Education (ACE).
In addition, schools like Excelsior College and Thomas Edison State University are known to have generous credit transfer policies for military and vocational training.
Also, keep in mind that all accredited colleges and universities are supposed to take into consideration ACE (American Council on Education) credits, which include most military training courses and occupational rankings. ACE analyzes military training and occupations and gives recommendations for equivalent college credits.
However, the amount of credit given can vary significantly from one institution to another. Therefore, it's crucial to contact the schools you're interested in and ask about their policies regarding credit for military training.
While transfer credit can significantly reduce the amount of time you spend on a degree, make sure to also consider the quality of the education you'll be receiving and whether the program aligns with your career goals. Convenience and speed should not overshadow these essential factors. It might be beneficial in some cases to take certain courses even if you could have gotten credit for them, just to ensure you have a solid foundation in that subject area. You'll have to weigh these considerations carefully.
Lastly, don't forget to use your GI Bill benefits, if applicable, which can assist in covering tuition costs, book fees, and even provide a housing allowance. Keep in touch with Veteran offices at potential colleges as they often have resources to assist you in navigating these processes.
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