I was talking to my recruiter and he told me that when you graduate from A school you recieve college credits for the training you recieved. I know some training gives college credits but i'm not sure about A school. Also he said that any college has to accept the college credits. Is that also true? Thank you to anyone who posts.

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Originally posted by 20060258:
I was talking to my recruiter and he told me that when you graduate from A school you recieve college credits for the training you recieved. I know some training gives college credits but i'm not sure about A school. Also he said that any college has to accept the college credits. Is that also true? Thank you to anyone who posts.

Yes, its true on both counts.

No. Your military training is recorded in what is called a SMART transcript, which is evaluated based on American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations for applicability for college credit. While many (I don't know if all) Navy A-school clases meet ACE criteria and are meet the standards for college credit, these are recommendations only. Colleges and Universities are free to accept some, all, or none of these credits. Typically, these credits will only count towards general education (GE) credits (electives) only.

There are schools out there that will accept all your military credits, but just as many or more that won't accept any of them. Your recruiter is not trying to mislead you, he/she is likely just not familiar with the subject.

Most "A" schools provide college credits as RECOMMENDED by the ACE guide -https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/. However, it is up to the college if they will accept these non-traditional credits or not.

I would first like to thank all of you for your service to this country. I would also like to thank all of you for your responses. I just have another question i don't mean to sound like a pest or anything but i was just wondering if it's easy balancing active duty and some college classes. Not full time college but maybe a class or 2 each semester. Again thank you all for your responses.

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Originally posted by 20060258:
i was just wondering if it's easy balancing active duty and some college classes. Not full time college but maybe a class or 2 each semester.

Actually, yes, and the Navy can help you do this and it is encouraged. Many credits you can get while serving, without having to attend a school. The Navy has several options and most bases have a Navy campus where classes can be taken for reduced to no cost. Another program is the PACE (program for afloat college education) where the Navy will pay for a teacher to come aboard the ship and teach a class. The cost is the cost of a textbook. These classes are through accredited colleges and I never had an issue with the credits transferring.

These classes tend to be general education in nature, but I would take full advantage if you can, because when you do decide on a college degree, most of the general education requirements will be taken care of. Another thing to look into is CLEP and DANTES testing, where you basically take a college level test in a subject and if you pass, you get the credits. These also transfer easier to colleges than say the ACE recomendation from military schools.

I took PACE coures on the USS George Washington on my second cruise. I took two history classes (which used the same book, saving me $), and I took a Psychology class as well. I worked directly for a LCDR at the time, no Chiefs or LPOs, and as long as I was on top of my programs he didn't mind me going to class.

I transfered my credits when I started community college back in 2004. The history and psychology classes transferred directly, but the boot camp credits (a school, rating exams, etc.) did fill up my electives. In all they probably shaved about 1 1/2 quarters off my schooling, leaving me with more money and time to focus on my B.A., which I got in 2008. There are people in the Navy that will tell you that they have lots of credits, but it doesn't mean that they can cash those in for a degree. Good luck!