Members of the military service earn significant opportunities to advance their careers both while enlisted as well as when discharged. By volunteering for military service, members choose a calling that makes exceptional demands on them and their families: extensive deployment, dangerous conditions and little control over family time. They earn considerable benefits for their service; those benefits should be thoroughly understood and utilized. Education assistance for spouses and children is also available for certain military branches.
Why should military members choose online education?
The utilization of online college programs provides many advantages for military members. Some benefits include:
- Flexibility: Military members may be engaged in overseas deployments, field training or are at sea and cannot participate in traditional classrooms. Onilne degrees can be earned without a student ever stepping foot in a classroom.
- Variety of courses: Online schools provide members of the military the opportunity to study whatever interests them.
- Online learning is effective: A 2009 study released by the U.S. Department of Education found that on average, students performed better through online courses than in traditional, “face to face” classrooms.
What kinds of online degrees are available to military members?
Many online colleges design unique curriculum to attract both active military members and veterans. Degree descriptions range from Child Development and Accounting to classes that benefit specific military responsibilities, such as Military Program Acquisition. Common online college degree programs include:
Online Certificate Programs
Online certificate programs vary in their scope and subject matter. Some may directly benefit a military career, while others give the graduate more breadth of experience for post-military opportunities. Common online certificate programs pursued by the military include Strategic Leadership, IT Project Management, European History, Joint Warfare and Criminal Justice.
Online Bachelor’s Degrees
Earning an online bachelor’s degree provides students with extensive career and educational opportunities; some military promotions are dependent on completion of a bachelor’s degree. Some online bachelor’s degrees may directly benefit a military career, while others provide knowledge in an area of interest or for post-military career prospects. Common online bachelor’s degrees pursued by military personnel include Business Administration, Sociology, Intelligence Studies, English and Computer Science.
Online Master’s Degrees
Online master’s degrees can directly benefit a career in the military or be obtained with future career opportunities in mind. Common master’s degree programs include Master of Science in Public Health, Master of Arts in National Security Studies, Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management, and Master of Arts in Criminal Justice.
How do online education financial benefits for military members work?
All branches of the military service offer some form of education benefits for members and, in some cases, for their families as well. The most famous benefit is the “GI Bill”, yet many others exist as well.
Comprehensive Education Benefits Programs (all branches)
- Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES): This program offers credit for military training while in the field.
- GI Bill: The GI Bill has helped veteran service members earn their college degrees, both online and in traditional classrooms, for over 65 years. The Bill also assists with home ownership and starting small businesses. Two versions of the GI Bill exist:
- Post 9/11 GI Bill: Service members who have been in active duty for at least 90 days since September 11, 2001 qualify for this benefit. It is available to pay all tuition and fees for approved undergraduate and graduate programs. The amount a veteran receives is dependent on length of service; some may receive 100% of tuition and fees, plus housing and book stipends. The Post 9/11 GI Bill also provides some benefits to spouses and dependents.
- Montgomery GI Bill: The MGIB is offered to active or veteran service members who have served for at least 3 years since June 30, 1985 and have had contributed $100 toward the benefit for at least one year. This comprehensive benefit includes a maximum of $1321 per month for 36 months to use toward tuition and fees, job training, flight training, licensing tests and small business training. The program offers the option to “Buy Up” in which an active member can increase their contribution, to earn a maximum of $5400 per month toward approved education expenses.
- Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): For enlisted service members pursuing an online degree, the Army may provide 100% tuition coverage.
- All branches offer some form of tuition assistance and scholarships for spouses and dependents.
Education Benefits Available By Military Branch
U.S. Army
- College Loan Repayment Programs: $35-$40K in college loan repayment.
U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps
- Loan Repayment Program: The Navy offers up to $65,000 in loan repayment, while the Marines Corps offers up to $35,000 in loan repayment.
U.S. Coast Guard
- Coast Guard Foundation Education Grant: A yearly education grant for members at specific grade levels. Grant money can be used toward online college programs.
- Vander Putten Education Grant: Members receiving the Coast Guard Foundation Education Grant can further their educations by applying for an additional grant through the Van Putten Education Grant.
U.S. Air Force
- College Loan Repayment Program: Graduates of online college degree programs can expect the Air Force to repay up to $10,000 in student loans.
How to do online colleges specialize in working with the military?
Online colleges recognize the need for fast, effective delivery of college programs to military service members at every level. These institutions strive to provide specialized education in the following ways:
- Life experience: Some accredited online colleges count life experience working in the field toward credits earned at college. For example, a military career in communications may count toward credits in English courses. Students should contact their program of choice to discuss the process of life experience credits as they vary greatly by institution.
- CLEP: The CLEP, or College Level Examination Program, are tests designed to help students advance more quickly through a college program. If a student passes one or more of the 33 tests offered, they may earn credit or be waived from a related class.
- Military programs at public colleges: Public institutions tailor online programs to military members. In doing so, they offer discounted tuition, tuition assistance and extra flexibility in completing individual classes and programs.
- On-base programming: Public and private colleges provide instruction on base.
- Accelerated Courses: This model has each course completed in 8 weeks, while maintaining the integrity of the education. This is ideal for military members who live with a high degree of uncertainty.
- Financial Counselors: Institutions may offer financial counselors who are specialized in using military benefits to pay for education.
What are some online colleges that cater to military members?
Many colleges or universities have developed online programs specialized to meet the needs of military members. Some accredited programs include:
- Central Michigan University
- Tuition assistance
- Accelerated courses
- Financial counselors specializing in military benefits
- Offers instruction at 28 bases around the US
- University of Phoenix
- Tuition assistance
- On-base instruction available, including Europe and Asia
- Advisors with military experience
- Accelerated courses
- University of Maryland
- Tuition assistance
- Regional college alliances—students may access materials and resources at 22 state colleges
- Penn State
- Over 70 degree offerings, including those specialized to the military
- Tuition assistance for service members and families
- Colorado Technical College
- Military-friendly deployment policy
- All course materials at no cost
- Tuition assistance
- 5 campuses near military bases
Online institutions are expanding rapidly and understand the needs of military service members.
Where can a service member go to get information?
False information is common on the internet and military members are constantly targeted with spam emails with inauthentic GI Bill requests in order to get personal information. Legitimate sources exist for military members, including:
- Education Services Officers: These individuals are active military members who are trained in advising potential students on the options that best fit a members desire, current degree of education and position within the military.
- Service Members Opportunity Colleges: Institutions working in collaboration with SOC have committed to serving the needs of military members in all areas of education.
- DANTES: This catalog lists all regionally accredited colleges which are covered by both the GI Bill and tuition assistance.
Questions to ask:
Many options exist for online degree programs, which can make it difficult for members of the military to know which are viable. Some questions to ask an academic advisor prior to application include:
- How do military benefits work?
Online colleges typically have military members as advisors or specially trained financial counselors to help you with this process.
- What happens if I am deployed mid-semester?
Have the answer to this in writing to avoid failing grades if a deployment occurs.
- What are your graduation rates?
The more structured and organized the program, the higher the graduation rate typically is.
- How is this institution accredited?
The college should be regionally accredited.
- What kind of support is available?
Are there online tutors, extensive office hours, local base colleges?
- What is the student:teacher ratio?
Beware of online schools with high student:teacher ratios as it will be difficult to receive one-on-one attention.
- What technology do I need to “attend” class?
Typically a computer with a fast internet connection is needed, but some schools require more.
Career Options
College degrees can further an active duty member or veteran in their career paths significantly.
Service members who enter as enlisted members must earn a bachelor’s degree in order to be considered for officer training school. Members may focus their online degree choice in an area in which they would like to further develop their skills during their service, such as Homeland Security or Intelligence. Military officers who would like advancement or a change in their profession could consider a specific online degree, such as Business Administration, National Security or Computer Science. Acquiring skill and expertise in an area of interest will give a graduate a significant advantage when pursuing career change or advancement.
Service members who complete an online college degree hold significant advantages when leaving the military as well. Employers are impressed with students who manage a rigorous career serving their country while also earning a degree in a field they wish to pursue. This shows determination, time management, organization and motivation. In addition, the military itself breeds attributes that attract many employers, including discipline, motivation and a hardworking ethic. A college degree enhances an already desirable candidate.. In addition, graduates can pursue internships or entry-level professions in a field they desire without worrying about paying back significant student loans.
Common careers for veterans of military service who have earned an online college degree opportunities include Computer Programmers, Business Managers, Human Resources Managers, Police Officers, and Educators.
Online distance learning has become increasingly popular in the military; since 202, the number of service members attending an online school grew over 170%. Online college degree programs are vital for rank advancement within the military and employment advancement and career opportunities outside the military. Advanced degrees can be earned in many different formats, yet online programs are the most flexible and technology-focused.
Sources
http://militaryconnection.com/military-education-programs.html
www.collegeboard.com
http://kmimediagroup.com/files/MAE%204-6_TopSchools_FINAL.pdf
http://www.military.com/apps/reg/gi-bill-calc-reg?vlv_redir=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.military.com%2Fgi-bill-calculator%2F
www.militaryhandbooks.com/
http://ezinearticles.com/?Exciting-Expansion-of-Online-College-Courses&id=4002004
