Hey all, I've been considering joining the military after graduation and I've heard that there's a way to earn college credits while in service. How does this process work? Are there certain courses or programs that I should look into? How might this impact my college journey later on?
Yes, it's definitely possible to earn college credit for your military service. There are a few different paths that you might consider.
For one, you can take advantage of the military's education programs, usually referred to as "military service schools." These are essentially training courses that you take as part of your duties, and many are recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE). ACE reviews these courses and recommends how many college credits they should be worth. You can then take that recommendation to a college or university, which will decide whether to grant you the suggested credits.
Another option is the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), which is a group of standardized tests that measure your knowledge in certain subject areas. The military will often pay for these exams, and passing scores can be turned into college credits.
In addition, there's the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) program. They work to provide educational opportunities for military personnel, including distance learning programs and college-level competency exams.
Regarding how this might impact your college journey later on, it has the potential to reduce the time and money required to earn a degree. Do keep in mind, though, that each college has its own policies about awarding credit for military service or CLEP exams, so it's a good idea to confirm with any potential schools their policy on accepting these credits.
Lastly, consider creating a Joint Services Transcript (JST). This is an academically accepted document approved by the American Council on Education (ACE) to validate your military occupational experience and training along with the corresponding ACE college credit recommendations.
Hope this provides a nice overview for you, and wishing you all the best in your decision!
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