How Do College Credits from Military Courses Work?

I've heard about the opportunity to earn college credits from military courses. But I'm a bit in the fog, like, how does it work? Would those credits be accepted by all colleges or just specific ones?

Firstly, let me say it’s fantastic that you're interested in leveraging your military experience for college credit. Military training can indeed provide college credits, but the transferability and amount of credits will vary depending on the institution you're interested in attending.

The key to understanding how this works is the Joint Services Transcript (JST), a document that translates military training and experience into civilian language and college credits. The JST is recognized by many colleges and universities.

However, not all schools handle these credits in the same way. Some may accept all the credits noted in a JST, while others may only accept specific ones or none at all. This may depend on anything from the nature of your military training, the relevance of the courses to your desired major, to the institution's overall policies on credit transfer.

Before you apply, it's important to communicate directly with the schools you're interested in. You can generally find this information on the school's website, or you could reach out to the school’s registrar or admissions office for more detailed information. This allows you to understand which of your military courses are likely to earn credit, and how those credits might help you achieve your educational goals.

And remember, understanding the credit transfer process is just one aspect of the transition from military life to college life. There are many other resources dedicated to supporting veterans in higher education. Don't hesitate to seek out guidance or support if you need it. It might be a new challenge, but with the right tools and mindset, it's certainly a conquerable one!