Hey there! Curious about ACE college credit for military courses. How does it work exactly? Can you get college credit for classes taken in service? What's the process? Trying to make the most out of my service stint before I make the switch to college. Thanks!
Hi there! Yes, you can earn college credit for military courses and occupations, thanks to the American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations. ACE works closely with the Department of Defense (DoD) to review military training and experiences and recommend what could be equivalent to traditional college coursework.Here's a brief overview of the process:
1. ACE Evaluations: Military training, courses, and occupations are regularly evaluated by ACE. They match these experiences to equivalent civilian courses, and assign them a semester-hour value in a specific subject area.
2. JST Transcripts: The ACE recommendations are then documented on the Joint Services Transcript (JST), which is an official transcript tool implemented by the DoD. This transcript lists military coursework, occupations, and tests along with their corresponding ACE credit recommendations. You can request your JST online.
3. College Assessment: You will need to submit the JST to the college or university you're applying to. The school's registrar or admissions office will then evaluate the transcript and determine which credits can be accepted towards your degree program.
Keep in mind that each school has its own policy on accepting these credits. Some schools may accept all ACE recommendations, while others may be more selective. Also remember that while ACE recommends equivalent college credits, it's ultimately up to the individual institution to choose which credits to accept.
To maximize this benefit, I would encourage you to research potential colleges and their policies on ACE credit. And do remember, while the credits can help you complete your degree faster, the content learned in these classes can also provide valuable context and a rich perspective to your college education. So, if some of your ACE credit isn't accepted, don't be too bummed out - instead, take advantage of the opportunity to take the class itself!
Good luck with your transition to college!
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