Cryptologic Technician (Technical) (CTT) 1st Class William M. Cockrell, a shipboard operations instructor for the Navy’s CTT ‘A’ school in Pensacola, has followed much the same path in obtaining his college degree. Cockrell points to TA, credit-by-examination and distance learning as his motivating factors.
“Credit-by-examination helped speed up the process of earning my degrees through Excelsior College,” Cockrell said. “Distance Learning allowed me to complete my degrees while working for the Navy full time. I’ve taken and passed 20 credit-by-examinations that included CLEP, DSST and Excelsior exams. TA and credit-by-examination made completing a degree a reality for me. You can't beat the flexibility and the convenience.”
Sailors who are unsure of what direction they need to pursue to obtain a college degree can turn to the Sailor/Marine Online Academic Advisor (SMOLAA), a “Virtual Counseling” tool that has been added to the Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART). SMOLAA also displays and plots rating-relevant degree programs offered through Navy College Program Distance Learning Partnership institutions. This degree-shopping feature allows Sailors and Marines to watch their SMART credits transfer into a degree program offered by 18 accredited colleges that have partnered with the Navy through distance learning.
Another popular program is the Service members Opportunity Colleges - Navy (SOCNAV), which consists of 85 accredited colleges offering specific associate's and bachelor's degrees to Navy members worldwide through resident courses or distance learning. Colleges taking part in each curriculum area guarantee to accept each other's credits for transfer. The "home" college issues an official evaluation of all prior learning on a SOCNAV Agreement. This agreement serves as the student's long-range degree plan.
With the Navy’s emphasis on enhancing promotion through academic achievement, more service members than ever before are enrolling in college courses and using their military experience or taking credit-by-examination to earn college credits. Whether they’re serving aboard ship, overseas or on shore duty, a college education awaits through their nearest Navy College Office.
To learn more about the Navy College Program’s Distance Learning Partnership Program, CLEP testing or SOCNAV, visit www.ncp.navy.mil.
To learn more about DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs), visit www.dantes.doded.mil.
