Converting Military Service into College Credit Hours

What's the process like for converting the time I spend in the military into college credit hours? Is it a widespread practice or does it vary by institution?

Understanding how to convert military experience into college credit hours can be a valuable way to save time and resources when pursuing higher education. It's fairly common for institutions to grant credit for military service, but the specifics can vary by institution.

In general, the process often begins with documenting your military training and experiences. This is done through the Joint Services Transcript (JST), a transcript service used by the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard. The Air Force uses a similar service called the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript. These documents outline your military coursework and occupations and, in many cases, translate them into civilian language and potential college credits.

Institutional policies on accepting these credits, and how they apply them within a program of study, can vary widely. Some colleges might award elective credits, while others may apply the credits towards major or general education requirements. Some schools have a limit to the number of credits that can be transferred from non-traditional sources.

Following obtaining your JST or CCAF transcript, you'll typically submit it alongside your college application or once enrolled to the institution's registrar or admissions office for evaluation.

Additionally, you can further enhance your chances of acquiring credit by taking College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests or Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) Subject Standardized Tests (DSST). Both of these allow military service members to earn college credit for knowledge gained through their service experience.

So, while the process and end result may vary by school, it's decidedly beneficial to explore converting your military service into college credit hours. Utilize the resources available and speak with the admissions or registrar's department at the schools you're considering to get detailed information on their specific policies.