How can I earn a college degree as a active duty PSYOP Specialist in the Army?

Elijah Sevilla — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 15:01:02 -0400

Im looking at the possibility of joining the army as a 37F though i want to complete my undergrad degree as early as I can so that if I do decide to leave the army I have college out the way. Any advise?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2019 3:09 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 15:09:16 -0400

There are education centers on active duty bases where you can take college classes. There are also online colleges that you can enroll in to get your classes done

Response by Elijah Sevilla made Jul 10 at 2019 3:11 PM

Elijah Sevilla — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 15:11:30 -0400

*an active duty...

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Jul 10 at 2019 3:28 PM

SGT Javier Silva — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 15:28:15 -0400

Elijah Sevilla Trying to finish school while in the military can be difficult. TA is only authorized at $250/h up to $4000 per fiscal year. With that you can get some schooling out of the way, but not enough for the degree. I know personnel who have done it in eight years, with just TA. Plus, going to school is also mission dependent.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jul 10 at 2019 3:47 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 15:47:30 -0400

If you take off-duty college courses, avoid for-profit schools. They love to recruit veterans for GI Bill and active duty for tuition assistance. For-profit schools often have higher tuition, weaker reputation and non-transferable credits compared to traditional schools.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/why-these-veterans-regret-their-for-profit-college-degrees-and-debt

Why these veterans regret their for-profit college degrees -- and debt

A new documentary illuminates how veterans have been particularly vulnerable to abuses by the for-profit college industry.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2019 3:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 15:51:43 -0400

Psychological operations has a Servicemembers opportunity colleges (SOC) degree program in place for 37F. Where being in the MOS already grants you X amount of college credits towards an Associates Degree in General Education from the Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC). All you would have to do is finish less than a handful of classes towards completing that associates degree. You can then transfer over to a 4 year college of your choice to pursue your bachelors degree. Civil affairs, Special Forces, and Psychological Operations (Special operations) all have the same type of degree program completion agreement in place. Several other things may be tacked on towards your degree completion such as your language scores from a defense language proficiency test (DLPT) or oral proficiency interview (OPI) granting you college credits in advanced language training. Although a lot of colleges and universities are working a whole lot better with service members across a wide list of MOS’s, this is what I’ve been tracking lately for the special operations a community. There may be more benefits that I unaware of at this time, but you would have to do some research and get in contact with the local education center at your military installation to get the best information and guidance for what you’re trying to achieve. I would personally suggest that you take things one step at a time. Don’t just straight into a bachelors degree and get your associates knocked out first then jump into a 4 year. Balancing work and school can be a struggle for some. Army wants you to take advantage of benefits being provided to you but at the end of the day, the Army mission comes first. I know for a fact that I got my associates degree knocked out through FTCC and I only took 5 online classes total. My military experience and just being the MOS 37F filled in the rest for me. I am now at Excelsior College for a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts (BSLA) with a focus in Management with less than 40 credits to go til completion. Good luck on your future endeavors.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 11 at 2019 1:07 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 13:07:12 -0400

Try to go OCS.

Response by SSG Dale London made Jul 11 at 2019 10:32 PM

SSG Dale London — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 22:32:59 -0400

I did my computing degree while serving. Back then I got 75% relief on tuition and had to cover the books myself but it was worth it. Go to the ed center and ask. they'll hook you up.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2019 10:13 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 10:13:39 -0400

If you choose to remain at your current school, wait until you finish the PSYOP qualification course, I earned roughly 48 credits going through the course that was directly transferable. Otherwise at SWCS they will have a "college day" while you're there and you can talk directly with representatives from different schools to see how your MOS will transfer over and how many credits you could possibly earn. Other than that it would be difficult to complete your degree while in the course, afterwards once you make it to a detachment, you should have no issues finishing whatsoever. Let me know if I can help you with anything else.
Source: Current 37F