ACE Credit Evaluation for Military Courses

Hi and thanks in advance! I've heard from some of my fellow service members about getting ACE credits for our military training and courses. Does anyone know how colleges evaluate these credits? Also, are there any limitations on which colleges accept these credits?

The process of college credit evaluation for military courses is primarily managed through the American Council on Education (ACE) which works closely with the Department of Defense (DoD) to review military training and experiences and recommend them for the award of college credits.

ACE gives a credit recommendation for each military course, which is listed on your JST (Joint Services Transcript). That gives a generalized idea of what kind of college coursework that training might be equivalent to. For example, an ACE review might recommend that a certain military training merits credit for a particular number of lower or upper-division courses in a certain subject area. The ultimate authority to award such credit lies with the individual college you'll be attending, though.

When you enroll in a college, you'll submit your JST to the institution's registrar or admission's office. The school will evaluate your ACE recommendations in the context of their credit transfer policies and your degree requirements and decide what credits, if any, to grant you. How much credit you'll get and how it will apply to your degree (e.g., as a general elective, as a course requirement, etc.) really varies by institution.It's also important to note that not all colleges accept ACE credits. Many traditional four-year institutions may not offer or may limit credit for military training. Community colleges and many online universities are more likely to recognize and award ACE credits.

If you're considering a specific school, it would be beneficial to reach out directly to their admissions office or a transfer counselor who could guide you on the best steps to take based on your specific military training and ACE credit recommendations. It might also be useful to look for colleges that are part of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) network, as these schools are committed to flexible academic residency requirements and credit transfer policies beneficial to military members and veterans.