How can my military MOS contribute to college credits?

Hey! I'm currently serving in the military and have been hearing that it's possible to use my MOS training to earn college credits. Does anyone have information on how this works? Which colleges do this?

Certainly, your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) can potentially be translated into college credits, an opportunity that can help you continue your education more smoothly.

Higher education institutions all over the United States recognize the valuable skills and training gained in the armed forces. Several schools, including public universities, community colleges, and some private institutions offer college credits for military training and experience.

This is usually done through an evaluation of your Joint Services Transcript (JST), which is a document that outlines your service record, assignments, MOS status, and any specialized training you have had. It basically represents your military career in a format that civilian educational institutions can understand.

The American Council on Education (ACE), in particular, works closely with the Department of Defense (DoD) to evaluate military training and experiences for academic credit. ACE provides credit recommendations which colleges may choose to accept.

However, it's important to note that the acceptance of these credits can vary widely among universities. Some institutions may grant more liberal credit for military service, while others might only award a few credits. It's a good idea to reach out to the admissions officers or a veterans' liaison at the institutions you're interested in attending to understand how they handle credits from military training.

Make sure to request your Joint Services Transcript and provide it to the institutions you are applying to, they can then use it to evaluate any potential credit you may have earned through your military service.

Just remember, transferring your MOS into college credit can shorten the time it takes to earn your degree, but it may not replace all the requirements—a balance of general education courses and specific major courses are usually still needed for a degree.