College Credit for Military Training & Experiences (2024)

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Put your Military Learning to Work!

College Credit for Military Training & Experiences (1)

Believe it or not, building a foundation for military learning started on the first day you took the oath of enlistment and boarded that strangely uncomfortable bus to basic training. Since then, you have been exposed to a myriad of formal training and learned many new skills on the job. All these experiences have helped to build the foundation which will assist you succeeding in a post-secondary environment.

Many service members are eligible for college course credit at academic institutions based on knowledge already gained during military service. Through DANTES' Military Training Evaluation Program (MTEP), a service member's learning from military training, education, and occupational experiences is evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE) and documented on the Joint Services Transcript (JST). Your JST is an official academic record that contains college credit recommendations based on your military experience, academic exam scores (e.g. CLEP, DSST, etc.), and academic courses completed while in the military.Visit the JST websiteto LOG IN and request anofficial copy of your military transcript.

Program Eligibility

Enlisted, warrant officers, officers and veterans from all Military Services, including National Guard and Reserve components and U.S. Coast Guard are eligible.Air Force personnel should contact CCAF for academic credit related to their military training and experience.

Air Force personnel, who attended Defense or joint training offered by another Service, should email the Joint Service Transcript (JST) Operations at

jst@doded.mil to have a JSTcreated.

Program Benefits

  • Provides a head start: Helps members begin their educational journey with college credit; meaning fewer courses needed to complete your degree/credentialing requirements

  • Reduces costs: Reduced number of college courses equals lower expenses for tuition, books, and fees

  • Helps in career planning: Provides a competitive advantage in career programs (advancement, commissioning programs, transition) and in your resume portfolio

  • Creates competitive options: More than 2,500 colleges/universities accept ACE credit recommendations helping you find the right institution to meet your needs and goals

Transfer Credits

As you begin exploring degree and certificate options, it is important that you research and identify an academic institution that meets your individual needs. Academic institutions establish their own transfer credit policies and procedures. It is recommended that you immediately identify and locate these policies to help you understand the process and set a plan for making the most of your credit recommendations

Each college or university evaluates the college credit recommendations on your JST to determine the amount of transfer credit you will receive. The credit may be applied to meet degree requirements in the area of the degree major, general education, or electives.Each academic institution establishes its own credit transfer, acceptance policies and procedures. You are strongly encouraged to contact your prospective school’s admissions office for specific information about transferring credits.

ACE Military Guide

​The ACE Military Guide supportsacademic institutions in awarding college credit to military-connected learners based on their military training and ​​occupations.​Through a Departm​​ent of Defense (DoD​​) contract for the U.S. Armed Services, ACE is the sole source of information for courses and occupations evaluated for the military. The ACE Military Guide isa trusted technology platform containing courses and occupations evaluated from 1954 to present.

The Military Guide includes:​​​

  • A public Joint Services Transcript (JST) upload feature for service members and veterans ​

  • A streamlined format for course and occupation summaries​

  • Detailed information for all military courses and occupations evaluated by ACE

  • Multiple ways to search for courses and occu​pations—​by service, date, ACE ID or military course number, and course or occupation title

  • Evaluationsconducted by college and university faculty members who are actively teaching in the areas they review​​

Get Your Transcript

Like standard college transcripts, theJoint Services Transcript(JST) lists all courses and occupations completed by you as a professional military learner. Many of the occupations and training courses have been evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE), to include descriptions, academic subjects, and the corresponding number of recommended college credits in semester hours. It’s important that you audit your military transcripts for accuracy and understand the details of this specialized tool.


Visit the JST website to request anofficial copy of your military transcript.

Click to Download

Need Help?

Army Access Issues:

All Army veterans, active duty, and ANG personnel should login to JST and fill out an INQUIRY for the Army to review.

Army Login Issues:

Email:usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.tagd-jst@army.mil

JST Technical Issues:

Email:jst@doded.mil

DANTES Questions:
Submit aHELP ticket.

College Credit for Military Training & Experiences (2024)

FAQs

How to get college credit for military experience? ›

Military Service Transcripts

The Joint Services Transcript (JST) is an academically accepted document used to validate an Army, Coast Guard, Marines, or Navy service member's military experience and training with the corresponding college credit recommendations.

Does military training count as college credit? ›

Many service members are eligible for college course credit at academic institutions based on knowledge already gained during military service.

How many credits is my military training worth? ›

Credit for Military Training
MOSLevelCredit Hours
13B – Cannon Crewmember4022
13Z – Field Artillery Senior Sergeant50-6016
18C – Special Forces Engineer Sergeant30-4017
18F – Special Forces Assistant Operations and Intelligence Sergeant4017
17 more rows

What school gives the most credit for military experience? ›

Earning Credits for Military Training

Thomas Edison State University is a leader in recognizing your military service and awards maximum credit for your training and experience.

What is the military test for college credit? ›

CLEP exams test your knowledge level gained through previous experiences and your military training. CLEP exams are comparable to final undergraduate college course exams. Taking and passing these exams can enable test examinees to gain college credit* that can be applied to meet their degree requirements.

How to get 15 college credits for the military? ›

If you have a GED and want to become a Tier 1 recruit, you need to earn 15 college credits. These credits do not have to be at a large university or state-run school, but can be earned from vocational, community, or business colleges.

How to find military credits? ›

How do I get college credits for my military service?
  1. For the Army, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard, submit a request on the Joint Services Transcript (JST) website. ...
  2. For the Air Force or Space Force, submit a request on the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) website.
Aug 16, 2023

How do I get my military training record? ›

Option 2: Fill out the National Archive's request form (to mail or fax) Fill out a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form 180). Mail or fax your completed form to the appropriate address or fax number listed on the last page of the form.

How many college credits for military rank? ›

You may earn an initial enlistment rank of E-1, E-2 or E-3 with 20 or more semester hours of credit from a degree-granting college or university. You may opt to earn a college degree first, then join as an officer.

How fast can you get 60 college credits? ›

Associate degrees are usually 60 credits or around 20 courses. This degree usually takes two years to complete if you're a full-time student. You can also take classes part-time, if your financial aid allows, which will extend the time it takes to graduate.

How many promotion points do you get per college credit Army? ›

The Army accepts college coursework on a one-for-one basis. One college credit = one promotion point. The nature of your courses may determine whether or not they are acceptable for promotion points.

Does the Army look at your credit? ›

Your Finances Will Be Reviewed

No matter which branch you choose, there will be some review of your financial history to look for potential problems. The review could include a full credit check and an analysis of your debt-to-income ratio.

Is military experience better than college degree? ›

Employers should consider military experience at least equal to a four-year degree. Veterans gain an unbeatable education through their military service, and their skills and experience will give your organization a competitive edge in today's job market.

How can military experience provide college credit? ›

When you convert your military experience into civilian college credit, you save time and money on your education. The Joint Services Transcript provides documented evidence to colleges and universities of professional military education, training and occupation experiences achieved by service members and veterans.

What college degree is best for military? ›

Some of the best degrees for veterans include, but are not limited to:
  • Business. Stewardship, teamwork, and communication skills combine to create effective leaders and innovators in the business space. ...
  • Computer Science. ...
  • Criminal Justice. ...
  • Social Work. ...
  • Healthcare.

Does military experience help with college admissions? ›

However, military experience can also be an asset to college applicants. Regardless of which branch you have served, your military background can help to distinguish and strengthen your application. In fact, not only can military experience help you get into college — it may also allow you to graduate faster.

Does military time count for college credits? ›

Your experiences in Basic Training, professional military development, and more could all qualify as college credit, depending on the school and the nature of your training. The key is to provide documentation to the school for your training, professional schools, etc.

Do you get credit for military service? ›

Credit for Military Service

As a general rule, military service in the Armed Forces of the United States is creditable for retirement purposes if it was active service terminated under honorable conditions, and performed prior to your separation from civilian service for retirement.

How to get free college from the military? ›

Military.com highlights, “Not only does the military pay up to 100 percent of college tuition while you serve on active duty,” but it “also offers the GI Bill (about $36,000) to use for college up to 10 years after leaving the service.” The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing, up to ...

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