Turning Military Training into College Credits

Hey all, I've got quite a handful of specialized training from my time in the military - everything from leadership programs to technical certifications. I was wondering if and how I can use these towards earning college credits? What's the process usually - do I just present my certificates to an admissions officer? Thanks for the help!

Hi there! You're right on track. Many colleges and universities in the United States do award college credit for military training. The American Council on Education (ACE) works with the Department of Defense (DoD) to evaluate military courses and jobs for academic credit, so you'll want to check out ACE's Military Guide to see the credit recommendations for your training and specialties.

To apply these credits towards a program, you'll first need to obtain your Joint Services Transcript (JST), which is an academically accepted document approved by ACE to validate your military occupational experience and training along with the corresponding ACE college credit recommendations. You can request this online via the JST website. It's essentially your military transcript, and it includes all your work experience and training courses you've completed during your time in service. This includes all your Active Duty, Reserve or National Guard Experience.

Then, during the application or enrollment process, submit your Joint Services Transcript to the college or university you're interested in. The school's registrar or admissions office will review your military training and experience in terms of its possible equivalent coursework and will then determine the number and type of credits you can receive. Colleges vary in their policies with regards to awarding credit for military training, so it may also be a good idea to directly get in touch with your prospective school's admissions or veteran affairs office to discuss your situation and how they can potentially recognize your training.

Keep in mind that while you may receive a significant number of credits, how those credits apply to your program depends on your school and your degree plan. Some credits might count toward your degree as a whole, while others might fulfill specific course requirements. Some might be elective credits.

To make the most of your credits, it's important to choose a degree program and a school that aligns well with your military training. For instance, if you were a computer operations specialist in the military, you might want to consider a degree in computer science or information systems.

I hope that this helps! Remember, every school has their unique credit transfer policy so always try to do your research or reach out to your schools of interest directly to understand how best you can utilize your military training to speed up your college degree program.