Earn Your Degree Faster Using Your Military Training
If you’ve served in the military, you’ve already gained valuable training and skills that can help you in college. What many service members don’t realize is that military experience can be converted into college credits, allowing you to fast-track your degree and reduce tuition costs.
By maximizing your military education benefits, you can shorten the time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or certification. In this guide, we’ll break down how you can apply your military experience toward college credit and get on the fast track to graduation.
1. How Military Experience Translates into College Credit
Many colleges and universities recognize the value of military training and real-world experience. Through programs like CLEP exams, DSST exams, and military training evaluations, service members can receive college credit for what they already know.
Methods for Earning College Credit from Military Experience:
✔ Joint Services Transcript (JST): A record of military training that many colleges accept for credit.
✔ Community College of the Air Force (CCAF): Automatically grants credit to Air Force members for completed training.
✔ CLEP (College-Level Examination Program): Allows you to earn credit by passing an exam on a subject.
✔ DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests): Similar to CLEP, but designed for military members.
💡 Pro Tip: Many schools accept JST evaluations for college credit, helping you skip unnecessary courses and graduate sooner.
2. Best Degrees for Maximizing Military Credit Transfers
Not all degree programs accept the same amount of military transfer credits. Choosing the right program can save you time and money.
Degrees That Accept the Most Military Transfer Credits:
Business Administration – Great for leadership roles and management positions.
Cybersecurity & IT – Many military members have experience in technical fields that translate well into IT and security programs.
Criminal Justice – Perfect for those transitioning into law enforcement or federal agencies.
Engineering & Technical Fields – Often aligns with military training in mechanical, electrical, or aerospace fields.
Healthcare & Nursing – Many medics and corpsmen can apply their experience toward healthcare degrees.
🔍 Find out if your experience applies to a degree! Visit ACE Military Guide to see how your training aligns with college credits.
3. How to Get Started with Credit Transfers
To apply your military experience toward college credits, follow these three steps:
Step 1: Request Your JST (Joint Services Transcript)
Your JST contains all your military training records, which many colleges evaluate for credit.
📌 Request it here: Joint Services Transcript
Step 2: Choose a College That Accepts Military Credits
Not all schools award credit for military training. When selecting a college, ask:
✅ Does this school accept JST evaluations?
✅ Does this degree program allow transfer credits for military experience?
✅ Can I take CLEP or DSST exams to skip certain courses?
Step 3: Speak to an Academic Advisor
A college academic advisor can evaluate your JST and recommend the best path forward to maximize credit transfers.
📢 Want expert guidance? Fill out the Military Edu Advisors lead form and get matched with a college that recognizes your military training!
4. Additional Ways to Speed Up Your Degree
Besides military transfer credits, there are other ways to fast-track your education:
✔ Take Accelerated Courses: Many colleges offer 8-week or 10-week terms instead of traditional 16-week semesters.
✔ Earn Certifications That Count as College Credit: Some IT and healthcare certifications can be applied toward a degree program.
✔ Use Tuition Assistance (TA) and GI Bill® Benefits: Military funding programs help cover tuition while you complete your degree.
✔ Pass CLEP/DSST Exams: Instead of taking a full course, pass an exam to earn credit immediately.
Get Your Degree Faster – Start Today!
Your military experience has already prepared you for college success. By using JST credits, CLEP exams, and credit transfer programs, you can graduate faster, pay less, and start your next career sooner.
📢 Ready to fast-track your degree? Take the next step by filling out our Military Edu Advisors lead form and get connected with colleges that accept military credits!
