Military Education to College Credits: How do I convert my military education to college credits?

If I get education or training while serving in the military, can these be converted to college credits? If so, how does that conversion process work? Are there colleges that are more accommodating for such conversions than others?

Absolutely, your military education and training can often be converted into college credits. The American Council on Education (ACE) works closely with the Department of Defense (DoD) to translate your military training into college credits.

Here's a simple step-by-step guide on how to go about it:

1. Get Your JST: Start by requesting a Joint Services Transcript (JST), which includes a record of your military coursework and occupational experiences. The JST is accepted by over 2,300 colleges and universities.

2. Request an ACE Review: With your JST in hand, you can request an ACE review. ACE will evaluate your military training and occupational experience, and recommend appropriate college credit.

3. Submit for Evaluation: After getting your ACE recommendations, submit them to the college or university you plan to attend. The institution's admissions or registrar's office will determine how many credits you may receive based on those recommendations.

4. Enroll: Once you have your credits, you can enroll at the institution, often starting your studies at an advanced level.

Remember, every college and university has its own policies for granting credit for military training, so you may want to reach out to several different institutions to gauge how accommodating they may be.

It's also worth noting that many institutions, particularly those with large veteran populations or those that participate in the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) consortium, are typically more receptive to transferring military training into college credits.

In general, the process is fairly straightforward and designed to help those who've served in the military get credit for the valuable training they've completed. Good luck with your educational journey!