Understanding Your Military Transcript and ACE Credit

A TrAnsfer

Guide:

Understanding Your

Military Transcript and

ACE Credit Recommendations

American Council on Education

Military Programs

A TrAnsfer

Guide:

Understanding Your

Military Transcript and

ACE Credit Recommendations

American Council on Education

Military Programs

American Council on Education

Military Programs

One Dupont Circle NW

Washington, DC 20036-1193

Telephone: (202) 939-9470

Fax: (202) 833-5692

[email protected]

www.acenet.edu

www.acenet.edu/militaryprograms/transferguide

ACE and the American Council on Education are registered trademarks of the American

Council on Education and may not be used or reproduced without the express written

permission of ACE.

DANTES #2111

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ...............................................................................................................iii

I. Welcome to the Transfer Guide .....................................................................................1

Definition of terms ..........................................................................................................1

II. Transfer Credit and ACE Credit Recommendations ......................................................5

What is transfer credit? ....................................................................................................5

What are ACE credit recommendations? ........................................................................5

How do colleges and universities use ACE credit recommendations? ........................ 6

How do I research and understand transfer policies? ..................................................6

What are the different types of degree requirements? ..................................................7

How much credit can I expect to receive for my military training? ............................7

How do I appeal a transfer decision? ............................................................................7

What are curriculum maps or degree plans? .................................................................8

How do ACE credit recommendations and course descriptions compare? .................8

III. Official Military Transcripts ..........................................................................................11

What is the first step? ....................................................................................................11

How do I get an AARTS transcript? .............................................................................. 11

How do I get a SMART transcript? ............................................................................... 12

How do I get a USCG transcript? .................................................................................13

How do I get a CCAF transcript? .................................................................................. 14

What is the ACE National Guide? ................................................................................. 14

What are ACE National Registry Transcripts?............................................................... 15

IV. An Important Resource: The Military Guide Online .................................................. 17

How do I conduct a course search? ............................................................................. 17

How do I read and interpret a course exhibit? ........................................................... 18

How do I conduct an occupation search? ................................................................... 19

How do I read and interpret an occupation exhibit? .................................................20

V. Transfer Credit Resources ............................................................................................ 21

What is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges? ................................................... 21

What are the GoArmyEd and eArmyU programs? ...................................................... 22

What is the Navy College Program? ............................................................................. 22

What is the Marine Corps SNCO Degree Completion Program? ................................ 23

What is the Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative Program? .......... 23

VI. Transfer Credit Checklist .............................................................................................. 25

VII. Frequently Asked Questions ...................................................................................... 27

VIII. About the American Council on Education ............................................................. 33

Background .................................................................................................................... 33

The Process of Selecting Courses and Occupations for Evaluation ........................... 33

Understanding the Review Process: Courses ............................................................... 34

Understanding the Review Process: Occupations ....................................................... 35

IX. Appendix and Support Materials................................................................................. 37

Appendix A: Sample Transfer Credit Policies .............................................................. 37

Appendix B: Sample Degree Plans .............................................................................. 38

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice ..................................................................... 38

Associate of Applied Science in Business Management ..................................... 39

Appendix C: Interpreting an AARTS Transcript........................................................... 40

Appendix D: Interpreting a SMART Transcript ............................................................ 43

Appendix E: Interpreting a USCG Transcript ..............................................................48

Appendix F: Interpreting a CCAF Transcript ............................................................... 50

Appendix G: Quick Links and Tools for Service Members ........................................ 51

X. References ...................................................................................................................... 53

American Council on Education

iii

Acknowledgments

guide such as this cannot be produced by one or two people

working alone. On the contrary, this publication required the

cumulative work of many generous and dedicated colleagues who

believe that this information is vital to the service member and higher

education.

The development of this Transfer Guide involved the cooperation of a number

of key players. We appreciate the leadership of James Selbe, assistant vice president,

Center for Lifelong Learning, at the American Council on Education (ACE). He provided

the balance and perspective indicative of ACE’s strong commitment to veterans and

military service members. We especially thank him for the leadership, support, and

“lively” discussions that challenged us to see the issues from all sides.

Ms. Jolene Passut, senior manager, Transfer Credit, QA and Training, American

Military University, contributed many long hours, developing content for frequently

asked questions and sharing feedback to ensure contextual accuracy and readability.

Her firsthand experiences with service members continued to validate that we were on

the right track.

Serving above and beyond with high energy and enthusiasm, our colleagues Kathy

Snead, president, Servicemembers Opportunity College; Mary Beth Lakin, associate

director, Special Programs, Center for Lifelong Learning, ACE; Denise Myers, center

director, Center for Information Dominance; and James “Mike” Hepburn, Training and

Education Command G-3, U.S. Marine Corps, took extraordinary time to review drafts

and assist in the final framework of the document.

We extend a special thank you to the service members who provided important,

detailed comments. They each responded to a number of key questions and identified

gaps, strengths and weaknesses, and made key content recommendations. As the target

audience of the publication, their feedback was critical and their input enhanced the

final version of the guide.

Samuel Andrews, MGySgt, USMC

Jose Guerra, Sgt, USMC

Rusty Huyck, CWO4, USCG

Tammy Robel, SMSgt, USAF

Heidi Robinson, CTN1, USN

Dave Schuster, CWO4, USCG

Christopher Westbook, CTT2, USN

Christine Winslow, SFC, USA

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

The combined efforts of these individuals were tireless and resulted in what we trust

is a publication that affords comprehensive guidance to service members. We are

honored to have pioneered such a challenging project and to have brought the vision

of this guide to fruition. We are proud to serve those who serve.

Cynthia Bruce, Director Michele S. Spires, Assistant Director

Military Evaluations Military Programs

American Council on Education American Council on Education

American Council on Education

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Before you start to read this guide,

here are some key terms to assist you

in understanding the language and

terminology of academic institutions.

Academic hours (SH and QH)

Academic course credits are measured

and listed in either semester hours (SH)

or quarter hours (QH). These measure-

ments are formulated on the basis of the

Carnegie unit.

Admissions

The admissions department of an

academic institution is responsible for the

application process. Once the admissions

department has received and reviewed

all documents required to complete a

student’s file, he or she is granted an

admission status to the institution.

Adviser

An adviser directs a student to select

the correct courses to fulfill the require-

ments for his or her selected degree path

and helps the student with any academic

issues that may arise.

his guide is based on the

simple principle that if you

have a clear understanding

of your military transcript

and basic information about

transfer policies and issues, you can more

successfully navigate your way through

the process of transfer credit for military

training and experience. This publication

will serve as your resource for under-

standing military credit recommendations,

transcripts, and their use when you wish

to transfer to an academic institution.

The topics are presented in a straight-

forward, non-technical manner that

allows you to quickly understand the

American Council on Education (ACE)

credit recommendations and transfer

credit policies. After the main topic of

each section, we provide you with exam-

ples of the “how” and “what” of mili-

tary transcripts, transfer credit, transfer

practices, and online resources. You also

will find a friendly transfer credit check-

list and a section that answers frequently

asked questions.

We hope that you will find this

Transfer Guide informative as you make

your transition into higher education.

Welcome to the Transfer Guide

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

Catalog/Bulletin

College catalogs (or bulletins) provide

institutional history, philosophy, policies,

accreditation information, degree plans,

and schedules. Each catalog applies

to a particular academic year, and is

considered the official policy source and

contract between the student and the

academic institution.

Course description

The course description is a basic

overview and explanation of the college-

level course. Course descriptions can be

found in the catalog/bulletin and on the

institution’s web site.

Curriculum or degree plan

The curriculum plan (or degree plan)

is the outline of expectations for a stu-

dent’s degree requirements. This will

include core courses (general educa-

tion requirements), departmental courses,

electives, and any special requirements

such as internships. The registrar uses

this as a checklist to determine the stu-

dent’s progress in meeting the program

requirements.

Dean

The dean is the person in charge of

an academic department or division

for a college or university. A dean’s

responsibilities typically include manag-

ing and overseeing curriculum, policy

requirements, accreditation issues, faculty

support, and student services.

Electives

In addition to taking the expected

courses required to complete a degree,

students may also choose courses of

interest to them. These elective courses

may or may not apply to the total

number of credits required to fulfill a

specific degree.

General education requirements

General education requirements are the

core courses all students must take in

order to graduate. These courses typically

fall under such disciplines as English,

history, humanities, science, math, social

science, political science, and literature.

Grade point average (GPA)

The average percentage grade the

student earns for the semester or term.

Major

The courses required in a student’s

primary selected degree path or area of

study that focus on a specific subject area.

Minor

Some students chose a secondary

discipline to study. This is called a minor

and has fewer required courses than

the major but has very narrow course

options due to the specific program

requirements.

Registrar’s Office

The registrar’s office maintains all

academic records, information on class

enrollments, student enrollment, honor

roll, retention, and special programs

eligibility. Transcripts are also issued by

the registrar’s office.

Residency requirements

Most colleges and universities have an

academic residency requirement, which

obligates a student to earn a specific

number of credits from that institu-

tion in order to be awarded a degree or

credential.

Syllabus

A course syllabus outlines specific dates,

assignments, and policies so that stu-

dents understand what the professor’s

expectations are for successful course

completion.

American Council on Education

Types of Credit

Within a curriculum or degree plan,

course credit is defined by type, based

on the academic rigor and content of

each course. Credit is divided into four

types:

Vocational

This type of coursework is normally

found in yearlong certificate pro-

grams that are designed to provide

students with occupational skills.

Course content is specialized, and

the accompanying training empha-

sizes procedural (hands-on) rather

than analytical skills (theory).

Lower division

This type of course emphasizes

learning basic principles that have

broad judgmental applications.

Coursework at the lower division is

typically found in programs leading

to an associate degree or in the first

two years of a baccalaureate pro-

gram and is commonly numbered

100- or 200-level courses.

Upper division

The content of this type of course

usually involves specialization of

a theoretical or analytical nature

beyond the introductory level.

Coursework at the upper division

is usually found in the last two

years of a baccalaureate program

and is commonly numbered 300- or

400-level courses.

Graduate

This category describes courses with

content found in graduate programs.

These courses require one or more

of the following: independent study,

original research, critical analysis,

and the scholarly or professional

application of the specialized knowl-

edge or discipline. Students enrolled

in such courses normally have

completed a baccalaureate program.

American Council on Education

Transfer Credit and ACE

Credit Recommendations

WHAT ARE ACE CREDIT

RECOMMENDATIONS?

The American Council on Education

(ACE) convenes teams of teaching fac-

ulty who travel to military installations

to evaluate military training courses and

occupation-based skills, knowledge,

and abilities. These evaluations are

conducted to determine the learning

acquired through these experiences.

Team members review training materi-

als for programs of instruction, includ-

ing lesson plans, instructor materials, and

examination materials. The evaluators

also interview service members, their

supervisors, and subject-matter specialists.

Review teams then determine if the

demonstrated learning outcomes are

equivalent, in part or in whole, to the

learning outcomes derived from college-

level coursework. Equivalencies are then

expressed as credit recommendations that

are quantified in terms of semester hours

and qualified in terms of course titles or

academic areas.

For example, an Army soldier took the

Medical Specialist Course (300-91A10) at

the Academy of Health Science in Fort

Sam Houston from May 1988 to July

1988. A team of college faculty members

reviewed the specific training materials

arning college credit can be

accomplished in a number of

ways. Some individuals take

college-level courses directly.

Other students may have

professional training or experience that

is determined to be equivalent to class-

room courses. Based on your military

experiences and training, you may have

college credit recommendations to apply

toward a degree requirement or program

of study.

WHAT IS TRANSFER CREDIT?

Transfer refers to the movement of

students from one college, university, or

other education provider to another, and

to the process by which credits repre-

senting educational experiences, courses,

degrees, or credentials are accepted or

not accepted by a receiving institution

(Joint Statement on the Transfer and

Award of Credit; see www.acenet.edu/

Content/NavigationMenu/Programs

Services/CLLL/Joint.htm).

Acceptance of transfer credit is

determined by the receiving institution.

When the college or university deter-

mines whether and how much credit

to apply to your individual record, that

credit will then appear on your transcript.

Typically, grades are not included with

the transfer process, so they are not

factored in as part of the grade point

average (GPA).

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

for the course, depicted the learning

outcomes, and made the following credit

recommendation:

Learning Outcomes: Upon com-

pletion of the course, the student

will be able to measure and assess

vital signs, complete and maintain

records, perform CPR, adminis-

ter oxygen, manage a patient with

artificial airways, manage wounds,

administer injections and immuniza-

tions, treat chemical injuries, initiate

measures to prevent spread of com-

municable diseases, and perform

basic field sanitation procedures.

Credit Recommendation: In the

lower-division baccalaureate/

associate degree category, 2 semes-

ter hours in physiology, 2 in first

aid, and 1 in nursing care.

The service member that completes

this course will see this training docu-

mented on his AARTS transcript.

HOW DO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

USE ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS?

Transfer decisions are most often made

by academic deans, department chairs, or

chief academic officers (sometimes called

provosts), while the award of credit is

administered by the appropriate office

(i.e., admissions, registrar, transfer center,

etc.). In making these decisions, colleges

consider comparability of credit to be

transferred to the receiving institution and

appropriate applicability of the credit in

relation to the student’s selected program

of study.

In determining comparability, the

receiving institution must have evidence

that the learning acquired through the

student’s military training course or expe-

rience directly relates to the objectives of

the academic courses that the institution

offers. For example, a student with a

credit recommendation for technical

mathematics might be awarded credit for

a similarly titled course, but will not be

awarded credit for college algebra.

The student’s selected program of

study will also have a significant impact

on the amount and type of credit that will

be awarded. A student with several credit

recommendations in a technical area such

as electronics who is enrolled in a Bache-

lor of Science in Psychology program will

find that very few, if any, of these credit

recommendations will result in the award

of transfer credit.

Students should not be discouraged by

the prospect that credit recommendations

may not be comparable or appropriately

applicable. In many cases, these recom-

mendations may result in the award of

free elective credit.

HOW DO I RESEARCH AND

UNDERSTAND TRANSFER POLICIES?

Academic institutions establish their own

transfer credit policies and procedures. It is

recommended that you identify and locate

these policies first to help you understand

the process and set a plan for making the

most of your credit recommendations.

When you research these policies, you

will want to understand the details listed

in the institution’s catalog or bulletin.

Oftentimes, the transfer policies will be

general in nature. As you continue to

research transfer information, look for

more specific requirements for credit

being transferred from another accredited

academic institution, the military, profes-

sional training, or testing.

Many institutions also post their trans-

fer policies on the institutional web site.

You may want to search for keywords

such as transfer credit, military transfer

credit, or transfer policies.

American Council on Education

In some cases, academic divisions or

departments establish supplemental poli-

cies related to transfer. These divisions

still follow the institution’s overarching

policy, but may refine how credit can be

applied, how much credit can be trans-

ferred, and the nature of credit accepted.

To review some sample transfer credit

policies, reference Appendix A.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS?

General education requirements describe

the core courses all students must take

in order to graduate. Courses include but

are not limited to communication, mathe-

matics, problem solving, natural sciences,

social sciences, humanities, and arts.

Degree requirements for the selected

major represent the core courses required

to complete study in the selected field of

concentration.

Electives in the major are courses in the

selected field of study that are required

above and beyond the core requirements

within the selected major.

Free electives include courses outside

the selected major.

HOW MUCH CREDIT CAN I EXPECT TO

RECEIVE FOR MY MILITARY TRAINING?

Students often find that they do not

receive as many credits as expected. This

is especially common when the insti-

tution’s policies are not transparent or

when a student is enrolled in a program

of study that is different from his or her

military occupation.

The type and amount of credit

awarded will first depend on the institu-

tion’s transfer policies. Transfer policies

vary, especially with respect to credit

awarded for military training and expe-

rience. Some colleges will award credit

for military training courses but not for

military occupational specialties (MOS).

Others award credit for all degree require-

ments, while others award credit only

for free electives. Still others will award

credit only for lower-division courses and

yet others restrict transfer credit to those

recommended at the upper division.

The award of credit will also depend

on the appropriateness to your selected

major. The military transcript of a student

with 12 years of military experience as a

computer technician is likely to include

several credit recommendations not only

in the technical area but also for lead-

ership, management, and supervision.

And yet, other students enrolled in what

would appear to be similar areas of con-

centration may not receive the same

credit. This normally occurs when there

is a gap in comparability between a

student’s military training and the aca-

demic courses required for the degree.

For example, a Bachelor of Science in

computer science degree program is

unlikely to require courses in computer

repair and troubleshooting or techni-

cal math. At the same time, these courses

may be part of a degree program in elec-

trical or computer engineering technology.

HOW DO I APPEAL A TRANSFER

DECISION?

Academic institutions have the author-

ity and responsibility to determine the

applicability of university transfer credit

against specific degree requirements. Sep-

arate policies and procedures are gener-

ally maintained by institutions regarding

how to respond to appeals of applicabil-

ity decisions. Obtain a copy of these poli-

cies from your institution.

If you wish to challenge the transfer

credit policy, or if your courses are not

accepted for transfer, you must submit an

appeal in writing. Contact your institution

to determine the proper recipient of this

written correspondence.

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

When you submit an appeal, be

specific and concise. Provide supple-

mental information such as a syllabus,

course description, a letter from a faculty

member, or a text reference that will sup-

port your position and document the

learning and credit recommendation

alignment. In some cases, you may have

to complete an accompanying form or

application.

WHAT ARE CURRICULUM MAPS OR

DEGREE PLANS?

An institution’s catalog typically includes

a curriculum map or degree plan for

each program of study. This tool will

assist you, and your academic adviser, in

mapping out the courses you will need

to complete for your program of study.

It’s also a useful reference in identifying

potential courses for transfer.

Your transfer coursework must be

evaluated and deemed acceptable based

on its content and comparability relative

to the institution’s curricula and alignment

to degree plans. The comparability of

course descriptions is not usually a sole

determinant of which credit is transferred.

However, it is a valuable reference in the

process.

Many academic departments want

to review transfer coursework on a

case-by-case basis, so they instruct the

transfer credit evaluator or designee to

award general credit. College offices

may advise students who receive general

credits to have the coursework further

evaluated to determine a specific course

equivalency, if possible. This action helps

students avoid registering for courses that

may duplicate previous coursework.

Some degree plans are compartmen-

talized by lower- and upper- division

requirements. Others are divided by

general education requirements, major

requirements, and then electives. Review

your curriculum plan and do not hesi-

tate to ask questions. You will find some

sample degree plans in Appendix B.

HOW DO ACE CREDIT

RECOMMENDATIONS AND COURSE

DESCRIPTIONS COMPARE?

Transferring courses involves determining

the direct alignment of specific subject

matter to the courses that are part of a

detailed curriculum plan. Therefore, a

computer applications course will not

meet the foreign language requirement

of a degree plan. An engineering credit

recommendation may not meet the

specific requirements of a mathematics

course, though math is included with the

engineering recommendation.

On the next page are some sample

ACE credit recommendations from mili-

tary training courses. Review the ACE

description and then consider the sample

academic course comparisons from vari-

ous academic institutions. How are the

course descriptions similar? Are theory

and analytical components aligned?

American Council on Education

ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATION SAMPLE COURSE COMPARISON

3 SH in Aircraft Systems

Fundamentals (lower division)

Topics include communication systems,

electrical systems, fire detection

and protection, hydraulic systems,

instrument systems, mechanical systems,

navigation systems, oxygen systems,

pneumatic systems, pressurization

systems, and utility systems.

Landing Gear, Hydraulic, and Fuel Systems

Advanced concepts of commercial fuel and hydraulic

systems, landing gear, pneumatic systems, and safety.

Basic Aviation Maintenance

Knowledge of basic theory and mechanical skills required

for entry-level training on specific aircraft; includes selection

and use of hand tools, aircraft hardware, manufacturer’s

technical publications, ground handling, operational

theory of aircraft systems, care and use of ground support

equipment scheduled inspections, corrosion identification,

and control and safety.

3 SH in Computer Applications

(lower division)

Topics include basic computer skills;

business-oriented problem solving;

data entry; inventory software;

presentation development; and software

applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, and

PowerPoint).

Business Computer Applications

Computer terminology, hardware, software, operating

systems, and information systems relating to the business

environment. The main focus of this course is on business

applications of software, including word processing,

spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics, and

business-oriented utilization of the Internet.

Computer Concepts and Applications

Computer Concepts and Applications provides an overview

of computers, focusing on historical development; hardware;

application software; communications; Internet use; how

to purchase, install, and maintain a computer; information

systems; system analysis and design; programming; careers

in the computer field; security, ethics, and privacy issues;

and multimedia. The “laboratory” portion of the course

features the use of Microsoft Office and Windows.

3 SH in Principles of Management

(upper division)

Topics include academic advisement,

career counseling, controlling,

coordinating, handling extraordinary

issues, leading, mentoring, organizing,

staffing in a complex, multifaceted

environment, volunteer and community

relations, and work teams.

Principles of Management

Survey of the principles of management. Familiarity with the

history and evolution of the field and with modern principles

and their application.

Principles of Management

This course is a study of fundamental management theories,

examining the manager’s role in today’s global business

world. Among the topics explored are the role of managers

in the environment, strategies for planning and decision

making, organization and controls, leadership, motivation

and staffing, and managing change.

(

This example demonstrates how titles of the

subject areas are exactly the same, but content

of the descriptions really do not match.

)

American Council on Education

Official Military Transcripts

A service member’s military transcript

can also be viewed as his or her per-

sonal education portfolio. It’s important

to monitor and maintain the transcript

by conducting periodic audits to ensure

accuracy.

HOW DO I GET AN AARTS

TRANSCRIPT?

The Army/American Council on

Education Registry Transcript System

(AARTS) transcripts have been in exis-

tence since 1987 and are convenient,

computer- generated documents that

carefully track a soldier’s or Army vet-

eran’s military training and coursework.

AARTS transcripts are available to Army

personnel who are:

Regular Army: those who have been ★

enlisted with the Regular Army.

Army National Guard, to include ★

Army Guard Reserve (AGR) mem-

bers of the Army National Guard:

those who are or have been enlisted

with the Army National Guard.

U.S. Army Reserve, to include AGR ★

members of the Army Reserve:

those who are or have been enlisted

with the Army Reserve.

Officers/Warrant Officers with prior ★

enlisted service that meets any of

the above criteria.

ilitary transcripts are an

important component to

your education and training

portfolio. These official

transcripts:

Provide a description of military ★

schooling and work history in

civilian language.

Serve as a counseling tool for ★

academic and career counselors in

advising soldiers and veterans.

Serve as an aid in preparing resumes ★

and explaining military work

experience to civilian employers.

WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP?

The first step to reviewing and using your

credit recommendations is to request a

transcript from your military service. Each

service provides unofficial personal copies

that are accessible online. Each service

branch has its own system for recording

military education and experience credits.

The use of military credit recommenda-

tions spans a broad scope of applicability.

For example, official military transcripts

are beneficial to support goals related to:

Degree completion ★

Training and certification verification ★

Employment ★

Job advancement ★

Skills documentation ★

Advanced college placement ★

Courses in certificate programs ★

State credentials verification ★

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

HOW DO I GET A SMART TRANSCRIPT?

Eligible service members for the Sailor/

Marine/ACE Registry Transcript (SMART)

include active duty and Reserve Sailors

and Marines, Navy veterans who sepa-

rated or retired after January 1975, and

Marines who separated or retired on or

after June 1999. More historical data are

becoming available for service members

with service periods prior to these dates.

These individuals are advised to seek fur-

ther information by calling the SMART

Transcript Operations Center at (877)

253-7122 to determine if they are eligible.

SMART Contacts

ACE does not generate any military

transcripts. The Sailor/Marine/ACE

Registry Transcript (SMART) is a product

of the Navy and Marine Corps and must

be ordered from:

SMART Operations Center

NETPDTC, N2

6490 Saufley Field Road

Pensacola, FL 32509

Phone: (877) 253-7122 (toll-free)

Web Site: https://smart.navy.mil

E-mail: [email protected]

For more details in reviewing a

SMART, reference Appendix D.

AARTS transcripts are available to all

soldiers and veterans with a Basic Active

Service Date (BASD) of 1 October 1981

or later. Transcripts can be requested

from the web site at aarts.army.mil.

Soldiers with a BASD before 1 October

1981 should use their DD214, DD295, or

request a Verification of Military Expe-

rience and Training (VMET) transcript

at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/

vmet/.

AARTS Contacts

ACE does not generate military tran-

scripts. The AARTS transcript is a product

of the Army and must be ordered from:

AARTS Operations Center

298 Grant Avenue

Ft. Leavenworth, KS 66027-1254

Fax: (913) 684-9497

Web Site: aarts.army.mil

E-mail: [email protected]

For more details on reviewing an

AARTS transcript, reference Appendix C.

American Council on Education

The transcript documents the service

member’s military learning experiences

and is compiled from ACE credit recom-

mendations based on: (1) rate

history, (2) military training history,

(3) military correspondence course

history, (4) college course completion

history, (5) examination testing history,

and (6) certifications history.

The information on the transcript

is extracted from documentation

provided by:

The student ★

Personnel management information ★

system

Official documents ★

Coast Guard Institute database of ★

nonresident courses

CGI Contacts

ACE does not generate any military tran-

scripts. The Coast Guard Institute tran-

script is a product of the Coast Guard

and must be ordered from:

U.S. Coast Guard Institute

5900 SW 64th Street

Oklahoma City, OK 73169-6990

Phone: (405) 954-0072

Web Site:

www.uscg.mil/hq/cg1/cgi/default.asp

E-mail: [email protected]

For more details on reviewing a Coast

Guard transcript, reference Appendix E.

HOW DO I GET A USCG TRANSCRIPT?

The Coast Guard Institute’s (CGI) mission

is to champion Team Coast Guard Career

Learning by developing, implementing,

managing, and supporting programs and

policies that promote excellence in train-

ing and education. The Institute provides

training and education services, informa-

tion, and guidance for all CG members.

Coast Guard Education Services Offi-

cers (ESO) assist members in pursuing

advancement, qualifications, and volun-

tary education by conducting an assess-

ment of training. An ESO is assigned to

most, if not all, units in the Coast Guard.

This assessment must be completed prior

to requesting an Official Transcript, as

it forms the basis for the transcript.

Once the service member has chosen

a college or university to attend, the next

step is to complete an Official USCG

Transcript Request Form, CGI-1564

(www.uscg.mil/hq/cgi/downloads/

forms/cg_form_1564.pdf).

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

CCAF Contacts

Service members are encouraged to

obtain transcripts directly from the

web site.

CCAF/RRR

130 West Maxwell Boulevard

Maxwell Air Force Base, AL 36112-6613

Phone: (800) 646-1858

Web Site: www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/

E-mail: [email protected]

The transcripts are free. Official tran-

scripts will be mailed only to institutions.

For more details on reviewing a CCAF

transcript, reference Appendix F.

WHAT IS THE ACE NATIONAL GUIDE?

Service members who attended training

provided by a corporation or other non-

military governmental agency also may

receive college credit for those courses,

provided they have been reviewed by

the American Council on Education.

Some examples of participating compa-

nies include New Horizons Computer

Learning Centers, Business Management

Research Associates (BMRA), the Office

of Personnel Management (OPM), and

Education Direct. To find out if a course

has been reviewed by ACE, visit the web

site of ACE’s National Guide to College

Credit for Workforce Training at

https://www.acenet.edu/NationalGuide/

(See Figure 1.)

HOW DO I GET A CCAF TRANSCRIPT?

The Community College of the Air Force

(CCAF) was established April 1972 at

Randolph AFB, Texas. The program

model combined the technical educa-

tion offered by Air Force schools, a core

of general education from regionally

accredited civilian institutions of higher

education, and management education

from Air Force or civilian sources.

The Community College of the Air

Force is regionally accredited by the

Commission on Colleges, which accred-

ited the college in December 1980 and

reaffirmed its accreditation in 1986;

accreditation was reaffirmed again in

1997 by the Commission on Colleges of

the Southern Association of Colleges and

Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur,

Georgia 30033-4097, telephone number

(404) 679-4501).

Service members who started an Air

Force course after April 1972 can obtain

a Community College of the Air Force

(CCAF) transcript at www.au.af.mil/au/

ccaf/transcripts.asp

The transcript may be used to request

transfer of credit to another academic

institution or to otherwise document

college-level learning.

ACE evaluates a number of Air Force

officer courses sponsored by approved

military schools. These courses can be

viewed in the Military Guide Online (see

page 17).

American Council on Education

Figure 1

Figure 2

WHAT ARE ACE NATIONAL REGISTRY

TRANSCRIPTS?

Service members who would like their

corporate training credit accepted by a

college or university must first request an

official transcript from the ACE Credit Ser-

vice. Service members should inform ACE

of their military affiliation status when

requesting the transcript, and must first

www.acenet.edu/transcripts/register/)

and select the courses attended from the

ACE database. ACE will confirm the infor-

mation with the original source and then

send the official transcript. (See Figure 2.)

ACE Contacts

For further information, contact the ACE

Lifelong Learning Resource Center.

Phone: (202) 939-9434

Toll-Free: (866) 205-6267

Transcript Web Site: https://www.acenet.edu/

transcripts/

National Guide Online: https://www.acenet.

edu/NationalGuide/

E-mail: [email protected]

American Council on Education

An Important Resource:

The Military Guide Online

HOW DO I CONDUCT A COURSE

SEARCH?

When searching for military training

courses in the Military Guide Online, the

Search Courses page contains six fields

for entering search criteria:

Service ★

Keywords ★

Course Number ★

School/Location ★

Date ★

ACE ID ★

or more than a half century,

the Guide to the Evaluation

of Educational Experiences in

the Armed Services has been

the standard reference work

for recognizing learning acquired in the

military. Presented now in online for-

mat, the Guide Online contains ACE

recommendations for formal courses and

occupations offered by the services as

individual exhibits. (See Figure 3.)

New military training courses and

occupations are continually being

evaluated by ACE, and these entries

are added daily to the online guide.

All course and occupation exhibits

from the 1954–89 archived edition of

the Guide have been integrated into the

online version, making the online infor-

mation up-to-date at all times.

The Guide to the Evaluation of

Educational Experiences in the Armed

Services helps all users identify, evaluate,

and award college credit for military

training.

Log on to find the Military Guide

Online at www.militaryguides.acenet.edu.

Figure 3

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

A detailed explanation of how each

field is used in the search can be found

by clicking the question mark (?) icon

next to the field. (See Figure 4.)

Some search considerations:

Keep the search simple. The more ★

data you enter into the search fields,

the higher the chance for an error.

Make sure the information you enter ★

into this section relates to military

training courses.

If you enter multiple keywords, use ★

AND to string them together.

If you want to enter similar ★

keywords separately, use OR.

The search engine is not case ★

sensitive.

Be careful not to put the ACE ID ★

(ex: AR-1406-0228) in the COURSE

NUMBER box, and vice versa.

HOW DO I READ AND INTERPRET A

COURSE EXHIBIT?

There is certain information contained in

the exhibit that is provided from the offi-

cial program of instruction (POI) sub-

mitted. The course title, course number,

location, length, and exhibit date are

transcribed directly from the approved

POI and can only be updated or changed

if another POI is submitted.

When reading a course exhibit, con-

sider not only the credit recommendation

section, but also the learning outcomes

and instruction sections. These portions

of the exhibit outline the course con-

tent and scope and also provide essen-

tial information about the nature of the

course. (See Figure 5.)

Credit is sometimes recommended

in more than one category. One reason

for multiple category recommendations

is that the scope of a given course or

occupation often reflects learning in sev-

eral subject fields at different levels of

complexity.

Figure 4

Figure 5

American Council on Education

A detailed explanation of how each

field is used in the search can be found

by clicking the question mark (?) icon

next to the field. (See Figure 6.)

Some search considerations:

Keep the search simple. The more ★

data you enter into the search fields,

the higher the chance for an error.

Make sure the information you enter ★

in this section relates to military

occupational specialties.

If you enter multiple keywords, use ★

AND to string them together.

If you want to enter similar ★

keywords separately, use OR.

The search engine is not case ★

sensitive.

Two dates (month and year) appear at

the end of each credit recommendation.

The first date represents when the course

or occupation was last evaluated by a

team of faculty members. This informa-

tion is particularly useful in subject areas

in which state-of-the-art knowledge is

important in determining the applicabil-

ity of credit. The second date represents

when the course was last reviewed by

ACE Military Programs staff. These dates

are provided for reference.

HOW DO I CONDUCT AN OCCUPATION

SEARCH?

When searching for occupations in the

Military Guide Online, the Search Occu-

pations page contains five fields for

entering search criteria:

Occupation ★

Keywords ★

Occupation Designator ★

Date ★

ACE ID ★

Figure 6

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

HOW DO I READ AND INTERPRET AN

OCCUPATION EXHIBIT?

When reading an occupation exhibit,

consider not only the credit recommen-

dation section, but also the description

section. The description section reflects

job duties and responsibilities. Compar-

ing the description section with a depic-

tion of the course or program of study

will help you determine how much of

the recommended credit applies to the

course or program of study at your insti-

tution. (See Figure 7.)

Note that when a service member has

applied for credit from more than one

military learning experience, the aca-

demic institution may reduce the total

amount of credit recommended to avoid

granting duplicate credit.

Figure 7

American Council on Education

Transfer Credit Resources

here are a number of pro-

grams and services available

to you as you are identifying

opportunities to pursue and

complete your degree path-

ways. For some additional quick links and

resources, reference Appendix G.

WHAT IS THE SERVICEMEMBERS

OPPORTUNITY COLLEGES?

Recognizing the problems faced by mili-

tary students whose jobs require frequent

moves, Servicemembers Opportunities

Colleges (SOC) member institutions ease

the path to obtaining a college degree

rather than just accumulating course

credit by:

Limiting the amount of coursework ★

students must take at a single col-

lege to no more than 25 percent of

degree requirements (30 percent for

degrees offered 100 percent online).

Designing transfer practices to ★

minimize loss of credit and avoid

duplication of coursework.

Awarding credit for military training ★

experiences; most also award credit

for occupation specialty experiences.

Awarding credit for nationally ★

recognized tests such as CLEP, ECE,

and DSST.

Active-duty service members in

the Army (SOCAD), Navy (SOCNAV),

Marine Corps (SOCMAR), and Coast

Guard (SOCCOAST) and their adult

family members benefit by participat-

ing in the SOC Degree Network System

(DNS). SOCAD, SOCNAV, SOCMAR, and

SOCCOAST DNS member colleges and

universities provide associate and bache-

lor’s degrees and agree to:

Guarantee transfer of courses (with ★

SOC DNS Course Category Codes)

from one another within designated

curriculum areas such as business,

management, computer studies,

health-care management, psychology,

and other subject areas.

Award credit for military service ★

schools and occupation experiences.

Act as “home colleges” and issue ★

Student Agreements that serve as

pre-negotiated degree plans for

enrolled students. When a student

transfers to a new duty station, the

Student Agreement acts as a con-

tract-for-degree so that courses, tests,

and military experiences that are part

of the degree plan are transferred

back to the home college. When all

degree requirements set out in the

Student Agreement have been satis-

fied, the home college awards the

associate or bachelor’s degree.

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

WHAT IS THE NAVY COLLEGE

PROGRAM?

The Navy College Program (NCP) pro-

vides opportunities to sailors to earn

college degrees by providing academic

credit for Navy training, work experi-

ence, and off-duty education. The NCP

mission is to enable sailors to obtain

a college degree while on active duty.

In support of the four R’s—recruiting,

readiness, retention, and respect—the

NCP signals Navy’s commitment to edu-

cation by improving enlistment appeal,

demonstrating that Navy service and

achieving a college degree are compat-

ible, helping sailors apply themselves to

new situations and challenges and better

preparing them for advancement, build-

ing up sailors’ self-image, and producing

higher quality sailors. The Navy College

Program integrates all components of

Voluntary Education. While the NCP is

primarily geared toward enlisted sailors,

some NCP components are also available

to officers.

Web site: https://www.navycollege.

navy.mil

Students who are unable to attend

courses in brick-and-mortar classroom

settings also may take courses by dis-

tance learning, which may occur via

the Internet, CD-ROM, correspondence,

or other distance learning modalities

that can be taken anywhere. A few col-

leges don’t require that students take any

courses from their physical institutions—

they use a learning assessment approach

in which they evaluate previous learn-

ing experiences for credit, manage the

degree program, and award the degree

when the requirements are met.

SOC Consortium colleges and univer-

sities collectively confer the full range

of associate, bachelor’s, and graduate

degrees. A list of current SOC Consortium

member institutions can be found on the

SOC web site at http://www.soc.aascu.

org.

WHAT ARE THE GoArmyEd AND

eArmyU PROGRAMS?

GoArmyEd is the virtual gateway for

soldiers on active duty to request tuition

assistance online, anytime for classroom,

distance learning, and eArmyU online

college courses.

eArmyU provides soldiers access

to over 100 degree plans at region-

ally accredited colleges and universi-

ties. Through eArmyU, eligible soldiers

have the opportunity to earn a certifi-

cate or an associate, bachelor’s, or mas-

ter’s degree from a home college while

taking courses from multiple colleges.

Web-based courses allow soldiers to

study at times that are most convenient

for them—even as their responsibilities,

schedules, and duty assignments change.

Web site: www.earmyu.com

American Council on Education

WHAT IS THE MARINE CORPS SNCO

DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAM?

The Marine Corps Staff Noncommis-

sioned Officers (SNCO) Degree

Completion Program provides for the

opportunity to complete a baccalaure-

ate degree within a designated academic

discipline. This program is offered to

selected individuals between the ranks of

Staff Sergeants and Master Sergeants.

For more details, review Marine Corps

Order 1560.21D at usmc.mil/news/

publications/Documents/MCO%20

1560.21D.pdf.

Web site for USMC Training and

Education Command: www.tecom.

usmc.mil

WHAT IS THE AIR UNIVERSITY

ASSOCIATE-TO-BACCALAUREATE

COOPERATIVE PROGRAM?

The Air University Associate-to-

Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC)

program, initiated in June 2007, is a

cooperative effort between the Air Force

and civilian higher education institutions

to help airmen find educational opportu-

nities that accept credits from the Com-

munity College of the Air Force (CCAF).

CCAF degrees are directly related to each

airman’s Air Force Specialty Code (career

field). When airmen enter the Air Force

Virtual Education Center (AFVEC), they

enter their specialty code and request a

list of schools and bachelor degree pro-

grams that best align with their CCAF

degree.

Participating school’s baccalaure-

ate programs are linked to one or more

of the following CCAF AAS categories:

Aircraft and Missile Maintenance, Allied

Health, Electronics and Telecommunica-

tions, Logistics and Resources, and Public

and Support Services.

Web site: www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf

American Council on Education

Transfer Credit Checklist

s you’ve learned, a number of factors affect transfer of military

credit, such as institutional policy, alignment with appropriate courses,

procedures, requirements, and transfer application deadlines. Here’s

a quick checklist to help you facilitate your transfer credit

experience:

Research and identify an academic institution that meets your needs as an individual and as a ✔

learner. You may want to select an institution and academic programs that have policies to max-

imize your nontraditional learning (military credit, CLEP, DANTES, etc).

Learn, understand, and know your academic institution’s policies and procedures regarding ✔

transfer of credit. These practices are established by each institution and will vary.

Audit and review your military transcripts periodically (every six months if on active duty) for ✔

updates and modifications.

Start the transcript and transfer review process early, with your application to the institution. ✔

Have all of your official transcripts from previous colleges and service branches sent to your new

school for evaluation before you start taking any classes. Official copies must bear the appropri-

ate institutional signatures, seal, and date of issuance.

Speak with your academic adviser. He or she should be able to help you avoid taking classes for ✔

which you may receive transfer credit until an official evaluation is completed. Many students

waste valuable time and money taking classes that are unnecessary duplications of previous

courses, because they signed up before their military and prior college transcripts were com-

pletely evaluated.

In preparation for meeting or speaking with your academic adviser, consider these steps: ✔

• Review your degree plan and identify potential academic courses for transfer.

• Considerthelevelofthecreditrecommendationandanalyzetheappropriatenesstothe

degree plan.

• Identifythecomparabilityofthecourseintermsofthecreditrecommendation.Forexam-

ple, how does the content of the institution’s academic course compare to the ACE exhibit

in terms of the learning outcomes and topics?

Take ownership during the transfer process by following up with the transfer, registrar, or admis- ✔

sions department.

Monitor your curriculum plan, transfer approvals, and documentation within formal university ✔

systems (degree audit).

American Council on Education

Is there any way to get an idea of 4.

how many credits I will receive

before I enroll?

Students should first research an

institution’s transfer credit policies.

Theses policies are usually available

in the current college catalog, which

can often be found on the college’s

web site. Students should also exam-

ine the course requirements for their

selected area of concentration in

order to determine the appropriate-

ness of their credit recommendations

to their desired program of study.

Many colleges will provide an

unofficial evaluation of a student’s

military training before formal admis-

sion. In most cases, the college will

require a copy of the student’s mil-

itary transcript. Students should

check with the college admissions

or student advising office to find

out if the institution offers unofficial

evaluations.

Students interested in degrees

in areas similar to military occu-

pations can explore the possibility

for guaranteed transfer through the

SOC Degree Network System. For

additional information and details,

visit the SOC web site at www.soc.

aascu.org/socad/CredSuplA.html.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be on active duty to 1.

have my military training and experi-

ence applied toward transfer credit?

No. A university will evaluate all of

your military training and experience

for consideration of possible transfer

credit whether you are on active duty,

inactive, retired, or separated from

any branch of service, including the

National Guard and Reserves.

How do I find out how much credit 2.

I will receive for my military experi-

ence?

Most colleges and universities will not

make an official decision on transfer

credit until after a student is enrolled

and, in many cases, not until the stu-

dent has completed a minimum num-

bers of courses. Even so, students

should research transfer policy and

explore degree requirements before

seeking enrollment, in order to be

better informed and less likely to be

disappointed.

How many credit hours can I expect 3.

to get for my military training and

experience?

It will vary. Each military person will

have varying amounts of transferable

credit based on the degree plan, years

of service, and specific training.

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

I submitted a military transcript to 8.

my college. Why didn’t the institution

accept any of my ACE credit recom-

mendations from my military training

courses or my military occupational

specialty (MOS)?

Each college and university estab-

lishes policies and procedures for

accepting transfer credit. Not all

academic institutions accept nontradi-

tional credit, such as CLEP, DSST, and

ACE credit recommendations. The

credit also may not be applicable

toward the degree.

What is the difference between 9.

CLEP/DSST examinations and military

ACE credit recommendations?

CLEP/DSST exams are college-level

equivalency exams. The intentions

of these exams are to help college-

bound students document and dem-

onstrate their knowledge in a specific

subject area by a formal assessment.

Military ACE credit recommenda-

tions are the result of an evaluation

process to validate formal military

training and occupation experiences.

Who decides which courses should 10.

be evaluated?

Each service is represented by a

main point of contact (POC), des-

ignated by the Chief for Voluntary

Education to work with ACE Military

Programs. This POC is required to

submit a proposed schedule of instal-

lations/schoolhouses to visit as well

as a list of occupations to review

each July. It is the joint decision of

the POC and the schoolhouse repre-

sentative to determine what will be

submitted for review by ACE Military

Programs. Individual service mem-

bers cannot submit or request an

individual course or occupation to be

Why didn’t I get any credit for my 5.

correspondence courses that are on

my SMART or AARTS transcript?

AARTS: Army correspondence

courses are not being evaluated by

ACE Military Programs at this time.

The correspondence courses offered

by the Army currently do not meet

the criteria of having a firm identifica-

tion of the student and a rigid control

of test conditions.

SMART: The Marine Corps

Institute (MCI) selects and submits

courses to be evaluated by ACE Mili-

tary Programs. If there is no credit

recommendation, MCI has not sub-

mitted the course for review.

My military transcript says I have 6.

credit recommendation for 13 semes-

ter hours (SH) of military studies.

Why did the institution apply only six

SH?

Credit is awarded only once for

duplicate recommendations, usually

defaulting to the highest amount. If

you have military studies for three,

four, and six semester hours, you

would not receive the full 13 SH

but the highest amount (or six SH).

Bear in mind also that you may not

receive all six; it all depends on the

institution’s transfer credit policies.

I submitted an academic and mili-7.

tary transcript and the college used

only eight SH of my military credits

toward my degree plan.

Traditional academic credit typically

takes priority over nontraditional aca-

demic courses or training, even with

ACE credit recommendations.

American Council on Education

I am a Warrant or Commissioned 13.

Officer. Can I get an AARTS

transcript?

Yes! If your BASD is 1 October 1981

or later, you may have an AARTS

record that can be used to create

an AARTS transcript. Please refer to

Officer Alternatives (aarts.army.

mil/Alternatives.htm) to find out

how to receive credit for your com-

missioned officer/warrant officer

training and experience. Other eligi-

bility requirements for Army National

Guard and Army Reserve members

can be found on the AARTS Tran-

script Eligibility page (aarts.army.

mil/eligibility.htm).

How often should I request a military 14.

transcript?

We recommend that you review your

AARTS/SMART/CGI transcript at least

once a year unless you have recently

experienced some type of change

(promotion, course completion, etc.),

in which case you should wait two

months from the date of change

and then request an updated tran-

script. You can also review your tran-

script online as often as you like for

updates and accuracy.

Will my military transfer credit hours 15.

count toward my grade point average

(GPA)?

No. Because military training involves

a pass/fail model, credit transferred

to a college or university will not be

factored in as part of your GPA.

evaluated. This request must come

from the designated POC or school-

house representative.

If an applicant has served in more 11.

than one branch of the Armed Ser-

vices, can all the information be con-

solidated into one transcript?

No. However, service members who

have served in more than one branch

of the military may be eligible for

more than one transcript. Military

transcripts are products of the indi-

vidual services and must be ordered

separately. They are available at no

charge to the service member or the

institution. Please remember that the

services maintain their own train-

ing and service records, with vary-

ing dates of eligibility. Thus, service

members are advised to check with

their respective Operations Center to

confirm their eligibility to receive a

transcript.

My BASD/PEBD is before October 1, 12.

1981. Can I get an AARTS transcript?

Maybe. A transcript can easily be

prepared for an active soldier or vet-

eran with a BASD on or after 1 Octo-

ber 1981. If your BASD is before that

date, you may no longer be in the

system and would therefore have to

go to the National Personnel Records

Center web site at http://vetrecs.

archives.gov to request that the

AARTS Operations Center send an

original copy of your DD Form 214

with a raised seal on it, along with

a certified copy of your ERB/PQR/

ORB (depending on active or Guard/

Reserve status).

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

Why didn’t I get the same amount of 18.

transfer credit as the summary page

of my SMART transcript states?

The summary page includes all

ACE credit recommendations listed

throughout the entire transcript. The

summary does not take into consid-

eration that there may be stipulations

on receiving the potential credit. For

example, one of your courses may

carry a stipulation to receive credit.

That stipulation would be listed in

the course completion section, below

the ACE credit recommendation.

Why does the summary page include 19.

SOC Category Codes next to some

credit recommendations but not all?

The SOC Course Category Codes

found on the SMART summary page

are academic credit guidelines identi-

fying the most appropriate placement

for the application of ACE Guide-

recommended credit toward SOC

Degree Network degree programs.

College counselors and evaluators of

institutions participating in the SOC

Degree Network System will consider

the connection between these credit

sources for military training and

occupational specialty experiences

and SOCAD, SOCNAV, SOCMAR, and

SOCCOAST degree program require-

ments by using the SOC Course Cat-

egory Codes mapped to each credit

source.

Not all subject area terms con-

tained in service school and occupa-

tional exhibits in the ACE Guide have

corresponding SOC Course Category

codes; only subject terms that match

to specific SOC Course Categories

and elective areas will include a SOC

Code on the SMART summary page.

What does it mean when the credit 16.

recommendation states, “Credit will

be granted based on an individual

assessment”?

In 1991, the Army suspended the

Skill Qualification Test (SQT) and in

1995 discontinued administering the

Skill Development Test (SDT). Thus,

ACE Military Programs no longer

awards credit at skill levels 10 and

20. If a college or university wants

to award credit at skill levels 10 and

20, it has the option of providing the

student with a portfolio assessment

or any other experiential learning

options that are open to all students

to earn academic credit for related

work experience.

Why don’t I get the same credit for 17.

Version 2 as recommended for Ver-

sion 1?

Each version of a credit recommen-

dation is based on a separate evalu-

ation. If the learning outcomes or

curriculum have changed, it is likely

that the ACE credit recommenda-

tions have changed as well. Let’s say

you take a course for 18 weeks in

2008 and the same course offered in

2009 has been reduced to only 12

weeks. The shortened course will

probably have a change in learning

outcomes and curriculum covered,

which will change the ACE credit

recommendations.

American Council on Education

numbered 500 and above). If your

degree requires a 300-level course

and the credit recommendation for

the course you completed was for a

lower level, those credits cannot be

applied to your area of concentra-

tion. Lower-level courses often aren’t

acceptable because they are basic or

introductory in nature.

Why did I not receive credit for my 22.

vocational credit recommendations?

Many higher education institutions do

not accept vocational credit.

I sent the same SMART transcript to 20.

two institutions. Why did one college

accept more transfer credit than the

other?

Institutions have different policies on

accepting and documenting trans-

fer credit. For example, some institu-

tions total all the military ACE credit

recommendations on the individual’s

transcript. This creates banking of the

credit. Other institutions only tran-

scribe the exact military credit that

will be applied to your degree plan

and will not list or bank the non-

acceptable or non-applicable credits.

Even though I’ve been working the 21.

same MOS for years and it has been

evaluated for ACE credit recommen-

dations, why did those credits go to

my elective area and not my area of

concentration?

Each institution has an established

policy regarding the acceptance of

occupational credit recommenda-

tions. In some cases, academic insti-

tutions will not accept any credit

from your ACE occupation credit

recommendations. In other cases,

credits from an occupation credit

recommendation may only be

permitted as electives, per policy.

Another potential reason your

credits may not have been accepted

for your area of concentration could

be related to the nature of the credit

recommendation itself. For example,

ACE credit recommendations have

four categories for the level of credit:

vocational certificate, lower-division

baccalaureate/ associate degree

(courses numbered 100-200, fresh-

man and sophomore level), upper-

division baccalaureate (courses

numbered 300-400, junior and

senior level), and graduate (courses

American Council on Education

About the American Council

on Education

BACKGROUND

he American Council on Edu-

cation (ACE) was founded

in 1918 to coordinate higher

education’s response to the

entrance of veterans into

higher education. As the unifying voice

for higher education, ACE aims to foster

greater collaboration and new partner-

ships within and outside the higher edu-

cation community to help colleges and

universities anticipate and address the

challenges of the 21st century and con-

tribute to a stronger nation and a better

world.

From its first programs for returning

World War II veterans, ACE’s Center for

Lifelong Learning (CLLL), which includes

Military Programs, has led the national

movement to recognize and promote

adult learner programs in higher educa-

tion. A national leader in shaping poli-

cies, practices, and perceptions about

continuous learning, the Center’s commit-

ment to adult learners includes programs,

services, tools, and research to help

bridge the gaps in serving diverse learn-

ers, alleviating workforce shortages, and

meeting professional education demands

in order to support access to and success

in postsecondary education.

ACE’s Joint Statement on the Transfer

and Award of Credit provides a frame-

work to revisit increasingly complex

transferability issues. The intent of the

statement is not to be prescriptive but to

provide guidelines based on the current

work and policies of academic institutions

and respective associations, encouraging

both institutional autonomy and equity

and access for all learners. To review the

statement further, see www.acenet.edu/

Content/NavigationMenu/

ProgramsServices/CLLL/Joint.htm.

ACE also provides services that support

colleges, universities, and other higher

education and adult learner organizations

in their efforts to serve students and soci-

ety. ACE’s four areas of focus are access,

success, equity, and diversity; institutional

effectiveness; lifelong learning; and

internationalization.

THE PROCESS OF SELECTING COURSES

AND OCCUPATIONS FOR EVALUATION

Courses listed in the Military Guide

Online are service school courses

approved by a central authority within

each service and listed by the service

in its catalog. These courses are con-

ducted for a specified period of time with

a prescribed course of instruction, in a

structured learning situation, and with

qualified instructors. The ratings, MOSs,

warrants, and NECs are the official occu-

pations listed for each service.

Each service is represented by a main

point of contact (POC) designated by the

Chief for Voluntary Education to work

with ACE Military Programs. This POC

is required to submit a proposed sched-

ule of installations/schoolhouses to visit,

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

syllabus, and if available, the instructor’s

guide/manual, student texts, handouts,

assessment instruments, and other per-

tinent materials. The team also consults

with instructors and course managers

should additional information be needed.

The decision to recommend credit is

based on the team’s consensus. The team

draws its consensus by reviewing the fol-

lowing evaluative criteria: course content,

learning outcomes, depth and breadth

of material, level of difficulty, applica-

bility to a range of postsecondary pro-

grams, evaluative instruments appropriate

to measure the participant’s learning, and

outside assignments.

Evaluators use these criteria to

complete their two major tasks for

each course: the formulation of a credit

recommendation and the preparation of

the course’s description. The credit rec-

ommendation consists of the category

of credit (vocational certificate, lower-

division baccalaureate, upper-division

baccalaureate, and graduate credit), the

number of semester hours recommended,

and the appropriate subject area. Evalua-

tors phrase the course description (which

appears in the Guide exhibits under the

headings Learning Outcomes or Objec-

tives and Instruction) in terms meaningful

to civilian educators. The course descrip-

tion supplements the credit recommen-

dations by summarizing the nature of a

given course.

Credit recommendations are updated

when POCs submit an updated program

of instructions and the new course mate-

rial is reviewed by a team of subject

matter specialists. ACE administrators do

not do these updates.

as well as a list of occupations to review

each July. It is the joint decision of the

POC and the schoolhouse representa-

tive to determine what will be submitted

for review by Military Programs. Indi-

vidual service members cannot submit

or request an individual course or occu-

pation to be evaluated. This request

must come from the designated POC or

schoolhouse representative. Upcoming

reviews can be viewed at www.acenet.

edu/militaryprograms/reviews.

UNDERSTANDING THE REVIEW

PROCESS: COURSES

Courses are evaluated by teams of at

least three subject matter specialists (col-

lege and university professors, deans, and

other academicians). The evaluation team

and an ACE field coordinator travel to the

schoolhouse to review the course mate-

rial. The team members review relevant

material provided, such as the course

outline, program of instruction (POI),

Dr. Derrek Dunn, North Carolina A&T State University and Mr. William “Bill” Maxwell

(U.S. Navy, Ret.), Nashville State Community College reviewing Army courses at Fort Bliss.

American Council on Education

Marine CorpsIII. —The official Marine

Corps MOS manual that describes

the duties and qualifications for each

MOS, individual training standards

manuals, and the Maintenance Train-

ing Management and Evaluation Pro-

gram (MATMEP) task list. Credit

awarded for E6-E9.

Coast GuardIV. —The official Coast

Guard manuals that describe the

duties and qualifications for each

occupation; rate training manu-

als and other publications used by

Coast Guard enlisted service mem-

bers in the day-to-day performance

of their duties and to prepare for

their advancement examinations; and

the advancement examination, if not

classified. Credit awarded for E4-E9.

UNDERSTANDING THE REVIEW

PROCESS: OCCUPATIONS

The evaluation process for occupations

consists of an interview that validates

the skills, competencies, and knowledge

associated with a given occupation spe-

cialty. The evaluations are based on a

comparison of learning outcomes and

an emphasis on translating the learning

demonstrated through occupational pro-

ficiency. The materials relevant to the

evaluation are made available to ACE

staff members and evaluators by the

military services. Materials include:

ArmyI. —The official Army MOS

manual, which describes the duties

and qualifications for each MOS;

technical manuals, field manuals, and

other publications used by enlisted

soldiers and warrant officers in the

day-to-day performance of their

duties. Credit awarded for E6-E9.

NavyII. —The official Navy manuals that

describe the duties and qualifications

for each occupation; the Bibliography

for Advancement Study, rate training

manuals, and other publications used

by Navy enlisted sailors in the day-

to-day performance of their duties

and to prepare for their advancement

examinations; and the advancement

examination if not classified. Credit

awarded for E4-E9.

Mr. Bobby Anderson, formerly of Columbia Union College, Dr. Larry Davis, Texas A&M

University-Texarkana, and Dr. George Boulware, Lipscomb University conducting a Marine Corps

occupation review at Camp Lejeune.

American Council on Education

Sample 2

The College honors some military

transfer credits. This includes military

classes, including basic training, as well

as other formal training. If the soldier’s

or sailor’s MOS directly matches one of

the College degrees, additional cred-

its can be accepted and life experience

credits may be granted as well. These

will be reviewed on an individual basis

and must receive approval from the

department chairperson.

The College accepts Defense

Activity for Non-Traditional Education

Support (DANTES) test scores based

on ACE (American Council on Educa-

tion) recommendations. Credits earned

through military experience and regis-

tered through the American Council on

Education will be evaluated for possible

transfer credit.

Sample 3

The University is very conservative in

awarding credit for learning experi-

ences from military schools and train-

ing. In order for credit to be granted, the

material covered in the military school

must be like the material we teach in

a course on our main campus. The

amount and level of credit given is deter-

mined by the faculty in the appropriate

University department. Credit is rarely

granted, and no credit is awarded for

vocational- technical recommendations,

Basic Training, or Military Occupational

Specialty (MOS).

Appendix and Support Materials

APPENDIX A: SAMPLE TRANSFER

CREDIT POLICIES

elow are some sample trans-

fer policies. These examples

illustrate the complexities of

the policies and approaches

of academic institutions.

Sample 1

The university accepts many forms of

Professional Military Education (non-

academic experience and training) that

have been evaluated by the American

Council on Education (ACE) as academic

credit. Credit can only be transferred if

it is applicable to the student’s chosen

degree program requirements.

Where ACE guidelines allow:

College-level credit can be applied ★

to corresponding areas of the stu-

dent’s program requirements at our

university.

College credit can be accepted for ★

study completed in service schools

and in Military Occupations (see

Guide to the Evaluation of Educa-

tional Experiences in the Armed

Services).

Military credit will only be evaluated

after the academic documents have

been reviewed. ACE recommendations

for vocational or technical credit are not

accepted as transfer credit.

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

APPENDIX B: SAMPLE DEGREE PLANS

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

Institutional Requirements (3 Semester Hours)

Foundations of Online Learning (3 SH)

General Education (34 Semester Hours)

English (6 SH)

You must select your remaining courses from:

Proficiency in Writing (3 SH)

Humanities (3 SH)

History (6 SH)

Literature (3 SH)

Mathematics (3 SH)

Political Science (3 SH)

Science (4 SH)

Social Science (6 SH)

Core Requirements (30 Semester Hours)

Research Methods of Criminal Justice &

Security (3 SH)

Criminal Justice Administration (3 SH)

U.S. Law Enforcement (3 SH

Criminology (3 SH)

Criminal Legal Process (3 SH)

Criminal Investigation (3 SH)

Ethics in Criminal Justice (3 SH)

Corrections and Incarceration (3 SH)

Constitutional Law (3 SH)

Criminal Law (3 SH)

General Electives (39 Semester Hours)

Select any courses that have not been used to

fulfill core or major requirements. Credits applied

toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field

may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major.

Concentration Requirements (15 Semester

Hours)

You must select courses from the following in this

section:

Introduction to Law Enforcement (3 SH)

Evidence and Procedures (3 SH)

Introduction to Federal Law Enforcement

Agencies (3 SH)

Police and Society (3 SH)

Patrol Methodologies & Community

Policing (3 SH)

The Pathology of Death Investigations (3 SH)

Judicial Process (3 SH)

Drug Dynamics in Criminal Justice (3 SH)

Stress Management in Law Enforcement (3 SH)

Contemporary Criminal Justice Issues (3 SH)

Probation and Parole (3 SH)

Global Terrorism (3 SH)

Law Enforcement (3 SH)

Intelligence Applications (3 SH)

Crime and the Family (3 SH)

The History of Organized Crime (3 SH)

Gang Theory, Practice, & Suppression (3 SH)

Criminal Profiling (3 SH)

Crime Analysis (3 SH)

Criminalistics (3 SH)

Rape and Sexual Violence (3 SH)

Principles and Theory of Security Issues (3 SH)

Independent Study: Criminal Justice (3 SH)

Juvenile Delinquency (3 SH)

TOTAL = 121 SEMESTER HOURS

American Council on Education

Associate of Applied Science in Business

Management

First Year

First Semester (Semester Hours)

Human Relations (3 SH)

English Composition I (3 SH)

Integrated Software Applications I (4 SH) OR

Business Computer Applications (3 SH)

Business Principles (3 SH)

Speech (3 SH)

Physical Activity Course (1 SH)

Second Semester (Semester Hours)

Office Management (3 SH)

Principles of Management (3 SH)

Principles of Marketing (3 SH)

Elective (Business / Business Management /

Marketing) (3 SH)

Elective (Business / Business Management /

Marketing) (3 SH)

Physical Activity Course (1 SH)

Second Year

First Semester (Semester Hours)

Math (3 SH)

Principles of Financial Accounting (3 SH)

Elective (Business / Business Management /

Marketing) (3 SH)

Human Resource Management (3 SH)

Business Law and Contracts (3 SH) or Business

Law (3 SH)

Economics (3 SH)

Second Semester (Semester Hours)

Small Business Management (3 SH)

Principles of Managerial Accounting (3 SH)

Elective (Humanities/Fine Arts Selection) (3 SH)

Supervision (3 SH)

Elective (3 SH)

Elective (Business / Business Management /

Marketing) (3 SH)

TOTAL: 69-72 SEMESTER HOURS

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

APPENDIX C: INTERPRETING AN AARTS TRANSCRIPT

The transcript is divided into separate sections that include:

Personal service member data1.

This field includes data from the service member’s personnel record and the mailing location.

Military course completions2.

These are the military training courses that ACE has evaluated, with full descriptions and credit recommen-

dations shown for each course. The Course Number, Title, Location, and Dates Taken are fields populated

by the service member’s training record. The ACE Guide Number is a database field managed by ACE Mili-

tary Programs.



xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

American Council on Education

Military experience3.

This section includes full descriptions, skill levels, and credit recommendations. Dates are listed only for the

Primary MOS (Military Occupational Specialty).

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

College-level test scores4.

This section includes CLEP, DSSTs, NCPACE, ACT/PEP, and Excelsior Test score data.

Other learning experiences5.

This section lists additional completed military training courses not evaluated by ACE for credit

recommendation.

American Council on Education

APPENDIX D: INTERPRETING A SMART TRANSCRIPT

The SMART transcript is divided into separate sections that include:

Personal service member data1.

This field includes data from the service member’s personnel record and the mailing location.

Military course completions2.

These are the military training courses that ACE has evaluated, with full descriptions and credit recommen-

dations shown for each course. The Course Number, Title, Location, and Dates Taken are fields populated

by the service member’s training record. The ACE Exhibit Number (NV-2202-0014) is a database field

managed by ACE Military Programs.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

Military experience3.

This section includes full descriptions, skill levels, and credit recommendations.

American Council on Education

College-level test scores4.

This section includes CLEP, DSSTs, NCPACE, ACT/PEP, and Excelsior Test score data.

Other learning experiences5.

This section lists additional completed military training courses and military occupations not evaluated by

ACE for college credit.

SMART transcripts also include two addenda (Summary Page and Academic Institution Page), provided for

advisory purposes only and not endorsed or maintained by ACE:

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary page 6.

This page lists all military training courses and military occupations formally evaluated by ACE and

described within the main body of the transcript. Note the Summary page is not an official page of the

transcript.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

American Council on Education

Academic Institution Courses page7.

This page lists all courses completed by the active-duty service member at accredited colleges and univer-

sities and for which the service member received tuition assistance. The service member will still need to

provide “official” college transcripts for admission and/or transfer evaluation decisions.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

APPENDIX E: INTERPRETING A USCG TRANSCRIPT

Student data information1.

This section includes the service member’s name, social security number, and rank.

Military experiential learning credit section (occupation information)2.

This section includes the date held, skill levels, and credit recommendations. A full military occupation

description can be seen in the Military Guide Online using the ACE exhibit number (ex. CGR-YN-003).

xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx

American Council on Education

Formal military training credit section 3.

These are the military training courses that ACE has evaluated, with Course Number, Title, Location, and

Dates Taken populated by the service member’s training record. A full course description can be seen in

the Military Guide Online using the ACE exhibit number (ex. CG-1408-0006).

College credit (traditional and non-traditional) section4.

This page lists all courses completed by the active-duty service member at accredited colleges and univer-

sities and corporate training. The service member will still need to provide “official” college transcripts for

admission and/or transfer evaluation decisions.

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

APPENDIX F: INTERPRETING A CCAF TRANSCRIPT

The CCAF is a regionally accredited academic institution. The transcript is an official college transcript.

xxxxxxxxxx

American Council on Education

APPENDIX G: QUICK LINKS AND TOOLS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS

Accreditation

Accreditation is the major indicator for students, families, and government officials to know that an ★

institution or program provides a quality education.

Web Reference: Council for Higher Education Accreditation at www.chea.org

American Council on Education –

Military Guide Online

Web Reference: ★ www.militaryguides.acenet.edu

American Council on Education –

Military Programs

Web Reference: ★ www.acenet.edu/militaryprograms

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)

The mission of DANTES is to support the off-duty, voluntary education programs of the Department of ★

Defense and to conduct special projects and developmental activities in support of education-related

functions of the department.

Web Reference: www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_web/DantesHome.asp

Diploma Mills

A diploma mill is a business that makes a profit by disguising itself as a legitimate college, university, or ★

school. These businesses make money by providing fraudulent degrees and academic references, as well

as falsified transcripts to individuals who may pay hundreds of dollars for them.

Web Reference: U.S. Department of Education at www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/diplomamills/

diploma-mills.html

Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC)

Web Reference: ★ www.soc.aascu.org

American Council on Education

References

Air University. (2008, July). Community College of the Air Force. Retrieved September 22,

2008, from United States Air Force Air University web site: www.maxwell.af.mil/au/

ccaf/public_affairs/ccaf_info.asp.

Air University. (2005, July). CCAF transcripts. Retrieved September 22, 2008, from United

States Air Force Air University web site: www.maxwell.af.mil/au/ccaf/transcripts.asp.

American Council on Education. (2001). Bridges of opportunity: A history of the Center

for Adult Learning and Educational Credentials. Washington, DC: Author.

American Council on Education. (2001). Joint statement on the transfer and award of

credit. Retrieved October 6, 2008, from American Council on Education web site:

www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ProgramsServices/CLLL/Joint.htm.

College for Texans. (2008). Tips on transferring. Retrieved September 22, 2008, from

College for Texans web site: www.collegefortexans.com/getting/transtips.cfm.

Council for Higher Education Accreditation. (2003). Important questions about diploma

mills and accreditation mills [brochure]. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved October

6, 2008, from Council for Higher Education Accreditation web site: www.chea.org/

pdf/fact_sheet_6_diploma_mills.pdf.

Council for Higher Education Accreditation. (2008). Retrieved October 6, 2008, from

Council for Higher Education Accreditation web site: www.chea.org/default.asp.

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support. (2008). Welcome to DANTES.

Retrieved September 22, 2008, from DANTES web site: www.dantes.doded.mil/

Dantes_web/DANTESHOME.asp.

Distance Education and Training Council. (2001, August). The student’s guide to transfer

of credit [brochure]. Washington, DC: Author.

Johnson, J. E., Robinson, J. A., & Welch, S. R. (2004). Pocket guide to college credits and

degrees: Valuable information for adult learners (3rd ed.). Washington, DC: Ameri-

can Council on Education.

A TRANSFER GUIDE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MILITARY TRANSCRIPT AND ACE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. (2008). MN transfer. Retrieved September 22,

2008, from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities web site:

www.minnesotatransfer.org.

National Military Family Association. (2008). Transferring schools. Retrieved September

22, 2008, from National Military Family Association web site: www.nmfa.org/site/

PageServer?pagename=will_my_credits_transfer.

Office of the Registrar. (2008). Transfer credit policy. Retrieved October 9, 2008, from

Ohio State University Registrar web site: www.ureg.ohio-state.edu/ourweb/Transfer_

Credit/tcpolicy.html.

Southern Regional Education Board’s Electronic Campus for Adult and eLearners.

(2008). Transferring academic credit. Retrieved September 22, 2008, from Electronic

Campus for Adult and e-Learners web site: www.electroniccampus.org/AdultLearner/

attend/transferring_academic_credit.asp.

United States Army. (2008). AARTS home page. Retrieved September 22, 2008, from

Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System web site: aarts.

army.mil.

United States Coast Guard. (2008). Education information. Retrieved September 22,

2008, from Coast Guard Institute web site: www.uscg.mil/hq/cgi/downloads/ed_

update1.pdf.

United States Coast Guard. (2008, September). Coast Guard Institute home page.

Retrieved September 22, 2008, from Coast Guard Institute web site: www.uscg.mil/

hq/cgi.

United States Coast Guard. (2008, September). Official transcripts. Retrieved September

22, 2008, from Coast Guard Institute web site: www.uscg.mil/hq/cgi/ve/official_

transcript.asp .

United States Department of Education. (2008, August). Diploma mills and accredita-

tion. Retrieved October 6, 2008, from United States Department of Education web

site: www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/diplomamills/diploma-mills.html.

United States Navy. (2008). SMART system. Retrieved September 22, 2008, from Sailor/

Marine/American Council on Education Registry Transcript web site: https://smart.

navy.mil/smart/dodMandatoryBannerForm/submit.do

One Dupont Circle NW

Washington, DC 20036-1193

(202) 939-9300

www.acenet.edu

DANTES #2111

American Council on Education

Military Programs