How many college credits was your military experience worth?

2018-03-25T18:39:18-04:00

When I got out of the Army, I went directly into my first semester of college without understanding exactly how many credit hours that I was bringing to the table. I eventually had my military experience evaluated when I started attending KWU in the fall of 2017. As a soldier who served as a 19D and only attended one NCO development school (along with a few misc courses) I was granted 13 credit hours for my experience. Many people think about what career path will give them the best leg up after the military, so what path did you take and how much college credit did you receive for your experience?

7 CH - Cavalry Scout MOS (OSUT)
3 CH - Structured Self-Development Level 1
3 CH - Warrior Leader's Course

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Mar 25 at 2018 6:42 PM

2018-03-25T18:42:10-04:00

Diddly squat, unfortunately, as a Combat Engineer.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2018 6:48 PM

2018-03-25T18:48:23-04:00

SGT Joseph Gunderson Zero. I am not sure this would have been an option when I was discharged in 1972.

Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Mar 25 at 2018 6:59 PM

2018-03-25T18:59:10-04:00

I would have to dig it up but it was quite a bit. I also CLEP'd several subjects too.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Mar 25 at 2018 7:13 PM

2018-03-25T19:13:54-04:00

Since I got out in 1968 I don’t think this was an option,sadly for me I wasted the benefits given by the GI education bill,(very bad drinking problem) that said I’m glad these opportunities are now open to current Service members.

Response by SPC Jovani Daviu made Mar 25 at 2018 7:38 PM

2018-03-25T19:38:04-04:00

How can I find out how many credits I earned?

Response by SSG Diane R. made Mar 25 at 2018 8:18 PM

2018-03-25T20:18:25-04:00

I highly recommend everyone go to the joint service transcript website (http://www.jst.mil) and look at your military record online.

I found mine to be quite incomplete and uploaded my DD-214s and copies of training certificates as well as Dante's c l e p transcripts.

When I submitted it to a local College I got 39 semester hour credit.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Mar 25 at 2018 8:28 PM

2018-03-25T20:28:03-04:00

By time I retired I had:
48 credit undergraduate (Lower Level)
15 credits undergraduate (Upper Level)
21 credits (Graduate) ILE + CCC

15 graduate credits came from ILE which I used towards a master's degree with Central Michigan University. MS in Administration. They can also be used with UMUC for a MS in Management.

If you don't know what your military training and education is worth, you can check with VMET "Verification of Military Education & Training" https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/tgps/

Joint Service Transcript is another way to find out. https://jst.doded.mil/smart/dodMandatoryBannerForm/submit.do

Transition GPS

This post-TGPSP evaluation will ask questions specific to each module or track you have completed as well as questions about the overall Transition GPS Program. Some questions are tailored to gauge the knowledge you have gained from specific modules/tracks. There is no negative consequence if you answer incorrectly; this is simply for us to evaluate if the course succeeded in providing the intended information.

Response by SGT Lee Jamison made Mar 25 at 2018 8:28 PM

2018-03-25T20:28:47-04:00

I just finished my final class for my associate degree in general education. I brought credits over for 91B wheeled vehicle mechanic, 91E allied trades specialist, a couple from basic training and SSD1 along with WLC and some random courses. for my degree I only took 24 credit hours through the college and received my degree. I have 98 total credit hours. If I did the math right my military schooling and training granted me roughly 74 credit hours. Not all of those will transfer over to a 4 year university though, I’m not sure how many will yet.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2018 8:29 PM

2018-03-25T20:29:14-04:00

I clepped two courses, physician fitness credit of 3 hours from basic and 12 credits from the classes I took. It was a great start. Most of my credits from tech school were non transferable since they were just made up military classes.

Response by SSG Keith Amacher made Mar 25 at 2018 8:46 PM

2018-03-25T20:46:46-04:00

Hard to answer since I think it sucks how military is conversed to civilian... I was Intel and a Hacker so my skills either hire me or I hack you but not a criminal. Ask COL Burroughs this question...

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2018 8:56 PM

2018-03-25T20:56:33-04:00

For me my military experience included getting my degree.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Mar 25 at 2018 10:03 PM

2018-03-25T22:03:12-04:00

Zero points in 2005 - 2007. I agree with Ted; rules and changing, so it best to check the Promotion Points Platform.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 26 at 2018 12:12 AM

2018-03-26T00:12:54-04:00

6 Graduate credits for the CLC3
3 undergrad credits for OBC

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made Mar 26 at 2018 4:41 AM

2018-03-26T04:41:56-04:00

I got out in '74 and received 47 credits from Marshal University mostly for physics and engineering. This was based on ET "A" and "B" schools plus one year of Nuclear Power.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Mar 27 at 2018 10:09 AM

2018-03-27T10:09:17-04:00

This is a bit unconventional but when I got back from my deployment I spoke to the chair of the history department and he gave me credits for my work as a CA Team leader. I told him that part of my job was to go out and talk to people and submit cultural reports and assessments for our military leadership as well as implement US policy at the most local levels. I forget how much that earned me but he signed off on it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 10:19 AM

2018-03-27T10:19:20-04:00

I know SLC I just did I got 15 credits for $60 from Cochise College. We get credits for AIT and ALC at Huachuca.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 27 at 2018 1:35 PM

2018-03-27T13:35:33-04:00

Between serving and my Phase I and Phase II schooling for 92Y, about 20 credit hours.

Response by PV2 Tony Morice made May 1 at 2018 1:18 PM

2018-05-01T13:18:10-04:00

I would have to look - but I believe it was around 10.

Response by MSgt Edward Wayne Powell made May 9 at 2018 5:15 PM

2018-05-09T17:15:44-04:00

I was especially fortunate with military credit. Being an infantry rifleman then unit leader, I was not expecting much. However, after getting 12 hours credit through Central Texas College, I got quite a bit... 18 hours. I then took a few CLEP/DSST and got 18 more. It got good after SSgt, when got another 15 for experience's. Long story short, with experience, MCIs, PME, and only 22 on-ground courses, I was able to complete AA and BA from Governors State University before retirement, finishing with 184 semester hours total. I'm now within 3 classes of finishing my MPA degree (42 semester hours). Not bad for a 'dumb grunt'...

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 11:21 PM

2018-05-10T23:21:38-04:00

Between three different Air Force career fields (computer operations, avionics, & crew chief), my military experience added up to 84 credit hours and with the general credits I earned on my own time (44 hours), I received three Associate degrees.

Response by CSM Patrick Durr made May 11 at 2018 2:04 AM

2018-05-11T02:04:54-04:00

Depending on the college and the major you're attempting, about 25-30 elective credits. A few may be directed toward a specific requirement and not be an elective. Keep in mind, my experience included every level of NCOES to include the Sergeants Major Academy. The Academy alone gave quite a few.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2018 3:25 PM

2018-05-11T15:25:27-04:00

I received 31 credits for a 3.9 years of service

Response by PO1 Clifford Haczynski made May 16 at 2018 7:55 PM

2018-05-16T19:55:28-04:00

My military training was evaluated to be 55 lower division credits and 6 upper division credits.

Response by SPC Michael Swann made May 17 at 2018 10:40 PM

2018-05-17T22:40:32-04:00

I got like 30 for my combat medic training. But then again i never needed it since i didnt go to paramedic school. All i got for nursinf school was a thank you for your service. For infantry school i was offered a lot of criminal justice credits like 40 i think. Anyway i didnt go that route either.

Response by SSgt James Atkinson made May 30 at 2018 1:29 PM

2018-05-30T13:29:15-04:00

For BMTS I earned 10-12 credits (depending on the college), then 45 credits for my pipeline technical education. Then there way four cr for OJT orientation, four credits more for five levels, another five more for seven levels. Then I was awarded 6 for NCO preparatory school, 12 for NCO Academy, seven credit for three database courses. I also earned then 42 credits for CLEP and DANTES tests taken and passed, so right out of the box, I earned 112 college credits, depending on how one college lined then up versus another.

Then add to that the 208 credits of undergraduate and graduate courses at the college satellite we had on base. So, 112 from the military directly and 208 from the college, so that in my initial enlistment of 6 years I earned 320 college credits on transcripts (or the equivalent of just over 13.3 years of college assuming a standard full time 12 credit course load.

When I was on active duty, the bases had an education office that coordinated outside college having a satellite campus on-base, and coordinated rotating class schedules so that shift workers could attend courses when they were off duty. The college that I was rather fond off ran five semesters per year, with the traditional Fall/Spring/Summer semester format and then the two intersession semesters. Being an aggressive airman, I stacked by classes up for period when they matched my time, and did four-hour courses int he evening, and on the weekend I did 2 four hour classes on Saturday and one of two classes on Sunday. I reserved the other part of my time off for homework and social activities. Once I had my first two degrees (earned at night and weekend), I reduced my classroom hours, and received credit tutoring students and supervising and assisting with labs (and got paid for it).

I was scheduled to transition from the enlisted side of the USAF to the officer side, but there was an on-base accident that left me permanently disabled. The unfortunate part about it is that when the accident happened, I already had my orders to attend OTS on the 6th anniversary of my original entry to BMTS. I planned to earn my MBA and a second Master Degree before I went to OTS. I was able to convince my commanding officer that I should be allowed to finish graduate school before going to OTS, so he delayed my orders, and had those orders not been delayed, I would have attended USAF OTS instead of getting crippled. My original plan was to do my 20 years on active duty (six years enlisted, then fourteen years as an officer), then decide at the 20-year point to retire or to push on for the 44-year golden ring.

Once I semi-recovered from the accident, I was given an honorable discharge and DD-214 and granted a contract to teach military students as a civilian instructor which I continued to do for over twenty years.

When I obtained my Honorable Discharge, I not only started teaching specialized courses on military bases (in a specialized are of technical counterintelligence), but I continued my college classes and shifted from college to college as I completed the degrees or course I sought from each. Even when working full time I managed to complete 360 additional college credits.

Once I completed my 20 years of teaching on contract; I started back to traditional colleges on a double full-time schedule, for eight years, and took 24 credits per semester, three semesters per year, non-stop and earned another 576 credits.

When my kids went in the military, I ensured they had some college courses already under their belt (usually 15 to 30 credits, plus a full battery of CLEP tests). As soon as their OJT period was completed, they each went to night school on base, and all earned their bachelor's degree while still an E-3/E-4, then enrolled in a graduate program, got a PCS delay issued to complete a graduate degree and then off they each went to become an officer. Some of them stayed to make it a career, and others left the military at the end of their contract and moved back to civilian life and continued to attend college on a part-time or full-time basis.

I ended up earning a tad over 90 credits with my military technical schools, PME, boot camp, and leader courses. Then I learned about CLEP/Dates test and earned close to 50 more credits. Then for 4 years, I was in class every night of the week, 4 hours a night, and then on the weekend I took 6 courses (three classes per day), often ripping through 24-30 credits every semester, four semesters per year, four years non-stop. explain what I wanted to go to the dean, so they transferred in all the military school for similar college courses, brought in my DLI courses, and my CLEP/DANTES, and then I ripped through 380 something actual courses in 4 years, and found it was a great way to meet girls and "study" (ahem, cough-cough) and help them maintain a good GPA.

My primary goal was not to earn a degree, but rather to aggressively take every single STEMI course the school offered, every history course, every literature courses, all business and management course. I, of course, did earn a couple of degrees, certificates, and awards, but the degree was a secondary priority, but getting a few hundred entries o my transcripts was my primary goal. Then when I left the military, I transferred the maximum number of credits from one college to the next of both undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate credits. Earned more transcripts and focused on more courses, and less so on the degrees.

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Jun 8 at 2018 7:59 AM

2018-06-08T07:59:36-04:00

There was an aviation college I was used and was able to get 39 college credits. Unfortunately, I forgot the name of the school. This was back in 2000.

Response by MSG Richard Johns made Jun 9 at 2018 11:32 AM

2018-06-09T11:32:28-04:00

70 credits. had enough for an Associates Degree in Gen. Subjects but you can't just show up at a Community College, take the basic Introduction and sign up for Graduation next Semester. 24 years in the Army, three MOS's, Two DLI Language Courses and a chunk of CLEP tests, still took me a year and a half to complete the School's requirements for that degree.

Response by PO1 Jack Howell made Jun 14 at 2018 2:11 PM

2018-06-14T14:11:45-04:00

It depends on what college you go to. Even the veteran-friendly colleges, such as Texas A&M, may not accept very many military credits. When I applied there, I found out that 3 credits were accepted for physical fitness training. I earned the rest through community college. The best bet is to contact the veteran’s office at the community college or university of your choice to see how many credits they’re likely to accept.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jun 21 at 2018 4:30 PM

2018-06-21T16:30:23-04:00

I ended up with Park University granting and accepting 90 credit hours after 30 years of service. I was a vertical construction, 51H series Engineer, which then transitioned to 21H series in the late 90s.

Response by SSG Norbert Johnson made Dec 22 at 2018 11:09 AM

2018-12-22T11:09:37-05:00

I never thought of getting my Military Training and Experience JST Transcript for college because that program did not exist in 1971 for the college I started in. So after reading posts regarding the Credit I could have used if I started today, I was amassed on the number of credits recommended. I have a JST transcript indicating 137 College Credits with one MOS left to the receiving college to determine additional credits to be awarded. I highly recommend that every Veteran and those currently serving have their JST transcript forwarded to their College/University for Credit Transfer. With the average price per credit being about $350, that JST Transcript I received could be a savings of $47,950 PLUS.

I had my JST transcript sent to Charter Oak State College. It appears that they will accept a total of 116 of the credits toward a Bachelor in Health Care Administration with a Capstone Requirement of 3 credits and a few upper division courses to meet the Core Requirements. It is not too late for you to boost your credentialing with another Degree or Certificate by using the JST Transcript.

Response by PFC Garry Tarvin made Feb 28 at 2019 10:29 AM

2019-02-28T10:29:32-05:00

12-15 can't remember

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2019 3:28 PM

2019-06-12T15:28:17-04:00

I had a break in service and by the time I got back in I already had a masters degree.

Response by Cpl Ray Fernandez made Nov 4 at 2019 12:42 AM

2019-11-04T00:42:03-05:00

Mine was worth 69 credits, I spent roughly 11 months of my enlistment in Marine Corps Communications and Electronics School learning to be a Ground Radio Repairman. It took care of my freshman, sophomore and most of my Junior years. It took me 13 months to finish my bachelors. My advice is to get a transcript of your military service which for Marines and sailors is known as a SMART transcript, and have that sent to the place of learning you are planning to attend. Also go to your base education and see if there is an apprenticeship program for your MOS, you can have hours spent working in your MOS applied towards an apprenticeship in your job field. I had several thousand hours applied towards an apprenticeship as a Radio Mechanic. There are many ways to document your experience that will help you no matter which direction you plan to go after you leave military service.

Response by PV2 Ross Bryan made Jan 19 at 2020 10:43 PM

2020-01-19T22:43:27-05:00

IN 1967 I WAS IN US ARMY RESERVES, AND ONE DAY A NEWLY MINTED LT TRIED HIS DAMDEST TO CON ME INTO QUITTING MY RAILROAD JOB AND GET SOME SUPER JOB TRAINING AS A REGULAR ARMY GUY!!
HE TOLD ME I WAS ON A PATH TO FAILURE IN LIFE!!
I LET HIM KNOW I WAS BAILING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
3 MONTHS AFTER I GOT OUT I NAILED DOWN A 4 YEAR LOCOMOTIVE MACHINISTS APPRENTICESHIP!! FINISHED THE APPRENTICESHIP, HAD A GREAT 30 YR CARREER! MILITARY WAS NO HELP HERE!

Response by PO3 John Fahrer made Jan 20 at 2020 3:50 PM

2020-01-20T15:50:43-05:00

Fifteen years after my discharge form the Navy as an E-4 "PO3" I entered college and got 4 credit hours for my service/ Thanks to my GI BILL I did my BA degree. which gave me the courage to get two Master degrees.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jan 20 at 2020 7:16 PM

2020-01-20T19:16:35-05:00

I had 162 credits when I started my undergrad. 3 of those were for actual college - I took an English 101 course at the local Community college at Fort Huachuca. I also took a college math CLEP for 6 more credits. Everything else was based on military experience / classes.

I also went to more than a couple schools, though... 11B OSUT, 96H (which became 35H before being fused with 35G) AIT, 35M AIT, PLDC (now BLC), 96H BNCOC (now 35G ALC), MI ANCOC (now ALC) AIT PSG, MRT, HAZ 12, Field San, 1SG Pre-Command, Commander's Safety, Master Driver, UPL, AASLT, and a bunch of FEMA certs. Additionally, allnof my courses at Huachuca (both AITs, BNCOC, and ANCOC) let you pay the local CC to take your course for college credit. Your courae instructor was also your college professor and graded you. Each course was evaluated and accredited by the CC for specific credits. I took full advantage.

Now.. I didn't have the RIGHT 162 credits, so I still had to do a full year of courses to get my BS, but 1 year of (mostly) 100 level courses to get a degree ain't too bad.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Apr 21 at 2020 5:09 PM

2020-04-21T17:09:53-04:00

I also got 13 semester credit hours for my seven years and two MOS courses in radar / electronics.

Response by Cpl James Mayo made Jun 18 at 2020 4:42 PM

2020-06-18T16:42:11-04:00

32 undergraduate credits. Almost all in information technology.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 11:50 PM

2020-07-14T23:50:13-04:00

This was all the credits I had that transferred over to my degree with AMU.
They are from Marine correspondence courses, MOS schools, and leadership schools. Believe it or not, ALC was woth ZERO college credits. But for some reason WLC (now BLC) was worth three.

Update: ALC Common Core is now worth 3 credit hours. Not sure when this started

Attached are all the stuff that was worth college credits and which ones AMU used towards my degree.

Response by SSG Norbert Johnson made Jul 15 at 2020 1:47 AM

2020-07-15T01:47:42-04:00

SGT Gunderson, I am probably an exception to the rule. My JST presents an evaluation of 136 recommended semester hours from my Military Training and Experience. Liberty University granted me full credit for 100 Semester hours. I started my adventure headed for Combat Arms 11B series but was also adept for Personnel and my Short time on Active Duty discharged me as Personnel Manager. I returned to NG only to be restored to 11C and later 11B Team Leader. Before I left the NG I had retrained for Behavioral Science Specialist and Recruiting and Retention (00E40/79D30), So when Honorably Discharged I decided to Join the USAF which promised me Aerospace Ground Equipment Maintenance (I wanted a Skill not just a position). That worked well for a Moment until they found I had a background as Behavioral Science Specialist.. so immediately I received cross training into Drug and Alcohol Control. After that Discharge I returned to the NG, placed back into INF-Team Leader until I went to Saudi Arabia for a job, then transferred to the Reserves in which I was immediately retrained for Duty in TAMS PLL, then returned to my INF roots. My final tour started in 1986 upon return to USA where I was assigned, and then trained for Combat Medical Specialist, with Duty as Patient Care Specialist receiving training for that as well. When I left the last Active duty I would perform I had a Primary, Secondary, and Third MOS which essentially is reflected on the JST Transcript as having training and experience equal to 136 College Semester Hours. I feel I had more practical education in the Military than in Civilian Life.

Forgot to mention that the JST Lists Vocational, Lower, Upper Division, and Graduate Level credits. My graduate level was earned at EOU (formerly EOSC) under the Auspices of the US Army Academy of Health Sciences. That was 39 Hours of graduate work previously transcripted and therefor a duplication of credit according to JST.

SO what I am saying is that your MOS has a great deal to do with your College Credit on the JST. I understand now they rate you for Primary, Secondary, and Duty MOS, and as I was told, there is a minimum of 12 months in a position as documented in your personnel file.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Jul 15 at 2020 5:23 PM

2020-07-15T17:23:21-04:00

I got out in time to start at U C Denver in 1983, and didn't even think about credits for military training, but when I later went to Arapahoe Community College I applied for credits. After completing one semester of classes they then awarded me 13 semester hours for (electronics, radar maintenance and operation, digital theory) plus they gave me transfer credits for my time at UCD.

Response by SSgt James Atkinson made Mar 18 at 2021 12:05 AM

2021-03-18T00:05:39-04:00

I found the optimal results were to sit down with the transfer coordinator, who is the person who takes the military and DANTES transcripts and other things completed during military service, and walk through the course that the college you are sitting down with equate to on your incoming records. It also helps for you to get the initial transfer, and then once you are in your first semester to sit down with the department head or program chair and have them review your records and place recommendations for additional transferable credit. In an optimal situation, you should be able to transfer in half to three-fourths of your degree requirements. But, this varies greatly from one school to the rest. There are a few schools that permit zero credits to be transferred until the third year, or they accept zero credits at any time.

For boot camp, you can get most colleges to agree for 9 credits of physical education, or 3 phys ed, and 6 military science. Leadership training of 60 classroom houses typically earned 2 to 3 credits with civilian colleges. Other military training of interest to colleges will be pure technical training, and in many cases, it can reduce the length of your program considerably. But it is up to the school, and to the administrative person who handles the transfers and then to the department head to bring in more.