Did you know that certain types of military training can be the equivalent of college coursework? Yes, that’s right! The skills and competencies learned through military training can help you skip parts of your degree program to help get you that diploma a lot quicker.
Military transcripts, similar to how high school transcripts are set up, are used to look at what you have learned and accomplished during your time in the military. These transcripts are also available for every wing of the services, which can include training and special occupational status. The process for requesting these transcripts may require some different forms, but most schools have dedicated military specialists to help you figure out the entire procedure.
Once you have identified a couple schools that might be good for your education, it’s a good idea to reach out to the military admissions or enrollment team to find out exactly what your options may be. Depending on the institution, financial aid and credit transfers may be different. Many colleges will also help you develop a portfolio of your military experience, which oftentimes will take place in a class that will get you some credits.
Testing for Credit
If you find it difficult to use your military experience to receive credits, you also have the option to take certain tests that will allow you to opt out of certain requirements. The College-Level Examination Program, or the CLEP, offers tests on many different subjects that are recognized by schools all across the country. These tests cover common subjects like science, math, and history. The Defense Activity for Non Traditional Education Support, or DANTES, funds these tests so that they are completely free for military students who take them. If you took AP exams in high school and did well enough, those can also be used to help you get some more credits if needed!
Choosing the Right College
When looking for colleges, it’s obviously most important to find schools that are military friendly. Schools that are accommodating to deployment needs, and will help you along the way get you where you need to go in your degree program. If you plan on taking lots of absences throughout school, it might be the best option to center your searches in on online schools.
Online Colleges
Take a look at some of the best online colleges to get you one step closer to that diploma.
Ohio University
As mentioned previously, Ohio University is one of those schools that give you credits for a course designed to develop your portfolio. The course is 3 credits, and almost 90% of all credits that are requested get granted. The school also has a phenomenal veteran military student services center designed to help support military students through the educational process and transitioning back into civilian life.
The online programs at Ohio University have eight start dates per year, with a variety of different programs.
- Bachelor’s degrees subjects include: psychology, management, communications, RN-BSN, criminal justice, customer service leadership, and technical operations management.
- Graduate degrees in education: coaching, reading, instructional design, and early childhood.
- Business school: Accountancy and MBA programs along with two degrees for athletic management.
- Arts & sciences subjects: Finance, teaching English as a foreign language, English, social studies.
- Two master’s programs in the college of communication: Organizational communications and information/telecommunications systems.
- Master’s degrees in engineering: Civil, electrical, or management.
- Graduate degrees: Nursing, public health, and health administration.
In total, Ohio University offers 5 associate degrees, 9 bachelor degrees, 29 master degrees, 1 doctorate, and 12 certificates.
University of Maryland
The University of Maryland currently offers almost 100 degrees and specialties online. The school also has a special Associate of Arts degree program for military veterans, members of the national guard, and even spouses. The University does an excellent job at making the online programs as easy to navigate and complete as possible, which include graphics, women’s studies, homeland security management, accounting, and communications. The school also has staff on military bases throughout the entire country, giving military and veteran students much easier access to education.
It’s also important to note that this school values affordability, and the rates for military and family members are lower than the in-state tuition at just half the price of the out-of-state tuition.
Credit transfers:
- Military training and education can transfer as credit towards an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree program.
- Up to 90 credits can transfer towards a bachelor’s degree and 6 towards a master’s degree.
Overall, The transfer policy at the University of Maryland is one of the most flexible across the entire country and designed to give students the fastest route to obtaining that degree. In total, the University of Maryland offers 32 bachelor degrees, 18 master degrees, and 2 doctorate degrees.
Capella University
Capella University has online programs that are very flexible overall. Students have a wide variety of self paced options, which is especially convenient for those deployed in the military who travel a bit more frequently. The education at Capella University is designed to help with your own specific career goals.
- Capella has online degrees in: business, education, health and nursing, public service, IT, and psychology.
- Capella has been designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense (CAE IA/CD).
- Students get the opportunity to take one week of trial classes to try out the program that interests them most.
- Because Capella University is a for-profit school, they have extensive experience working with distance learners.
Capella also offers its students with great financial aid options. Military students get a 15% tuition discount for bachelor’s degree programs, and 10% for master’s doctoral/ certificate programs. Capella is also a Yellow Ribbon Program school that has an admissions team set up to help students with education benefits associated with the military. team of admissions counselors who can help connect students to military education benefits.
University of Central Florida
Ranked as one of the top schools for those in the military and veterans by the U.S. News and World Report, the University of Central Florida, or UCF is another great option to attend school. The online coaches for UCF have worked with countless military and veteran students with the goal of making their transition as easy as possible. Each student will have the opportunity to get connected with a coach, where you can discuss an application plan and what will work best. Like most other online schools, UCF is very open to taking in students from outside of the country. This is because you won’t have to travel to the UCF campus, so no visa is required.
- This military-friendly college provides military benefits through GI Bill programs, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment services.
- UCF also offers tuition assistance, military scholarships, and free tuition for Florida National Guard members.
Average costs per credit:
- Undergrad, in-state: $179
- Undergrad, out of state: $716
- Graduate, in-state: $327
- Graduate, out of state: $1,152
Overall, there are lots of options available to those in the military who are looking to further their education. Some might be cheaper than others, and some offer different kinds of aid and training than others. Either way, you are destined to find a fit that’s perfect for you and your interests!
