Online Colleges and Military Credits

Howdy, everyone. I've been serving in the military for a few years, and I've earned a fair amount of military credits during my service. As I'm thinking about continuing my education, I'm curious if there are online colleges that accept these military credits towards a degree. It would really help to know, so any insights, please?

Hello! Many colleges and universities often award some form of credit for military training and experience, which can indeed reduce time and cost towards earning your degree. Veterans and active duty personnel can often expect anywhere from a few credits to upwards of 30 or 40 credits, depending on the institution and the nature of their military experience.

The ACE (American Council on Education) works closely with the DoD (Department of Defense) to review military training and experiences and recommend them for college credit. The ACE's Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services is the standard reference for recognizing learning acquired in the military. It's always a good idea to check with the schools you're interested in and ask about their policy on military credits.

Remember that every college has its own policy regarding the transfer of credits, so it would be wise to talk to an admissions advisor or a counselor about this at each university you're considering. You'll also need to provide them with your Joint Services Transcript (JST) which documents all your military training and experience and translates it into civilian language and measurable learning outcomes.

Some schools known for accepting military credits include Arizona State University, Excelsior College, University of Maryland Global Campus, and Thomas Edison State University.

Regardless, make sure the online program is accredited by a recognized agency, and is a good fit for your career and academic goals.