Schools will use the SMART/AARTS credits differently. Most have limits on the number of credits each will accept. You also must have declared your major or course of study for your school to conduct the evaluation.
Daniel Murphy, a sergeant in the Army, saved nearly $1,000 transferring in four credits to the University of Maryland University College three years ago. He had attended college for two years at Kent State before leaving to become an engineer diver. About a year after enlisting in 2004, he began the process of returning to the classroom while on active duty. By taking two courses per semester, he’ll finish his degree within one year of leaving the Army, rather than three years if he had waited until his separation to enroll. Murphy was pleased to find out some of his military experience would transfer to UMUC for credit.
“UMUC has a military-friendly atmosphere,” he said. “When I’m driving across the country or working 16 hour days, they work with me.”
UMUC has served military students for nearly 60 years and has more than 50,000 among its total enrollment. It is one of 11 institutions in the University of Maryland system and has streamlined a process for military students that may be different from other University of Maryland institutions. Its audit team evaluates SMART/AARTS transcripts and decides whether or not to accept ACE’s recommendations.
“Depending on what major they select, our degree audit team will review the transcript and place it into their degree plan,” explained Andrew Wilson, assistant director of military advising at UMUC.
When you’re ready to enroll, make that transcript request a priority. “We can’t do a credit evaluation without the transcripts,” Wilson said.
Military students who use the SMART/AARTS transcripts at Servicemember Opportunity Colleges benefit even more because SOC schools guarantee to accept certain ACE recommendations.
Park University is a SOC member and has supported military education since the 1970s. Its main campus is in Parkville, Mo., but it also has campuses on military bases around the country and distance learning opportunities.
“We are a degree completion school,” said Eileen West, registrar at Park University. “When they bring their SMART and AARTS credits to Park, we guarantee a two-year completion time if they can stay with us long enough.”
Park University will accept the transfer up to 90 qualifying credits, but students must complete at least 30 credit hours at Park.
Wilson urges military students to plan out their degree on their own and stay the course. “Be dedicated,” Wilson said. “A lot of our students make the extra effort to complete their education, and our military advising and UMUC are proud to help them reach their education goals.”