How many points do you get for completing a degree?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 04:28:40 -0400

Soldier completed a degree Spring of 2018 (recently) while overseas. Soldier is being told she only recieves 20 points for completing the degree and not the max 135 (semester hours equal 161 x 2= 322). I read at 600-8-19 just seeking further clarification. Which calculation is correct?

Response by SFC Benjamin Gentry made Jul 5 at 2018 7:10 AM

SFC Benjamin Gentry — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 07:10:38 -0400

Question are you Guard, Reserve or Active? I remember while working in the J1 Shop, it was 50 points for a 4 year degree, let me check my references.

Response by SFC Benjamin Gentry made Jul 5 at 2018 7:40 AM

SFC Benjamin Gentry — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 07:40:24 -0400

Good morning, you may want to look at para 7-55 of the AR 600-8-19, it states for 1-60 semester hours, 1 point per hour, AS degree is awarded 60 points, and a BA or higher is awarded 75 points. I hope this help you out

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2018 7:54 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 07:54:01 -0400

The Soldier would get points for both degree completion - 20 (AR 600-8-19, para 3-19c, since it was completed since enlisting) and for each semester hour - 2 per hour (AR 600-8-19 para 6-19a) up to the limit of 135 points for civ-ed.
In your example, the Soldier would earn 342 points, capped at 135.

Once that same Soldier is boarding for SSG, they would no longer get the degree completion points since they got the degree before earning the rank of SGT. But they would still max points with 161 semester hours.

As a business practice, I always put degree completion points on the DA 3355 to ensure the board saw that, whether the Soldier needed the points or not.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jul 5 at 2018 11:07 AM

SGT Tony Clifford — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 11:07:06 -0400

If you have a BA or BS, you should be or close to max on civilian education. I'm not sure if you get 322. I thought the maximum amount of points for civilian education is 300, but I could be mistaken. I didn't receive my degree until after I left the army. 20 points is definitely too low.

Response by GySgt Jerome Mason made Aug 13 at 2018 4:07 PM

GySgt Jerome Mason — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 16:07:08 -0400

Recommend you connect the Education Center near your duty station.