Online College Credit for Military Experience. How Does It Work?

I've been serving and have heard that my military experience can be converted to college credits. How does this work with online colleges? Are there specific colleges that offer this option?

Military experience being converted into college credit is indeed a common practice. This can be done through evaluation of military training, coursework and occupational specialities. The American Council on Education (ACE) reviews military training (including classroom and correspondence courses offered by the armed forces) and recommends appropriate college credit. They also review specialties (jobs) in the armed forces and recommend equivalent civilian occupations and college credit.

To find out how much credit you may receive, you can use the ACE Military Guide, which lists courses and occupations along with their credit recommendations. This tool can help you better understand what’s recognized and recommended for credit.

It's important to note that each individual institution has the final say on if the credits are accepted. Many online schools, such as Western Governor's University (WGU), American Military University (AMU), and Excelsior College, are known for accepting military experience credits.

However, you should reach out to the admissions offices of the online colleges you're interested in. They can provide more detailed information based on your unique military experience and the program you're considering. Be sure to ask questions specific to your situation, such as how your role in the military may correspond to the degree you're pursuing.

And remember, this is not limited to just coursework. In some cases, colleges may grant credit for military-based exams you've taken, like Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams.

Keep in mind that while converting military experience into college credits can potentially save you time and money, ensure the courses transferred align with your educational and career goals. For example, if you want to study computer science but your credits are mostly in general education, it could be beneficial to take more in-depth courses in your field of study.

In summary, yes, many online colleges do offer the option to convert military experience into credits. However, verify this with any colleges you're considering ahead of time to ensure you're making the most out of your experience and education.