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Turning military training into college credit

Stumped about how your military training and education can translate into college credits?

The American Council on Education has published a 51-page transfer guide to help service members and veterans understand transcripts and how their military training is translated into college credit.

ACE officials say they often hear from service members who are frustrated that the amount of college credit they receive for their military training falls short of their expectations.

“We are hopeful this guide will provide information to these men and women who serve our nation so they receive credit, when appropriate, for their military education and training,” said Jim Selbe, ACE assistant vice president for lifelong learning and a 20-year Marine Corps veteran.

Eight service members from the various branches provided input to the guide, helping ACE officials improve the final version.

“A Transfer Guide: Understanding your Military Transcript and ACE Credit Recommendations” includes guidance, definitions of common terms, answers to frequently asked questions, and a transfer credit checklist. It includes information about factors that can affect the transfer of credit and transfer application deadlines, and how to appeal transfer decisions.

It provides details on how to get transcripts from each of the service branches, as well as other links and information about education resources in the military.

The transfer guide encourages service members to research which academic institutions meet their needs, to understand the institution’s transfer policies and procedures, and to start the transcript review process early.

For more than 50 years, another ACE publication, the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Forces, has served as a detailed reference work that helps colleges and universities translate and recognize learning acquired in the military. That guide is now online, and the new transfer guide discusses the importance of that reference for service members and veterans.

The 91-year-old ACE represents more than 1,600 college and university presidents and more than 200 related associations, seeking to “provide leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues and influence public policy through advocacy, research and program initiatives.”