Transferring Military Credits
By Melody GoughQuestion
I have an abundance of credits from the military as well as some from a technical school. Is there any way to turn all my work into a degree?
Answer
You must find out which credits are transferable before deciding on your next step. Keep in mind that some schools may accept the majority of your credits, and some may accept very few. No universal policy exists regarding the transfer of credits. Contact an academic advisor at the college of your choice and set up an appointment. Prior to this appointment, contact schools you've previously attended and request official copies of your transcripts. These are records of all classes you've taken, along with final grades. Take these transcripts to your meeting so the advisor can assess the situation. Schools use their own discretion as far as what credits they will accept from another institution.
After determining your number of transferable credits, the advisor can offer suggestions as to your possible degree options. Don't overlook online learning programs. Online degrees may offer the flexibility you need to finish your education. You can get the remaining credits you need for an associate's or bachelor's degree and study when it's convenient for you.
You've taken all of these classes, so take your time now and do the research. Figure out what type of degree best fits with the majority of your coursework. Write down your goals. Where do you hope to be with your career in five years? What are your interests and strengths? In other words, make a plan for your future.
University of Nevada Reno professor Melody Gough is here to answer your questions every week. Professor Gough has taught poetry in both online and community college classrooms for almost a decade and has also taught English composition at the local university for the past five years. In addition to advising her students and inspiring them with witty classroom exercises, Professor Gough writes both poetry and memoir. Her Master of Arts in Teaching English is from the University of Nevada, Reno.
