Will institutions allow credits from your JST to be applied to your efforts to earn a master's degree?

2021-05-20T15:43:27-04:00

Will institutions allow credits from your JST to be applied to your efforts to earn a master's degree? I'm tracking they will depend on the school and your major for an undergraduate degree. Can't find anything on if it's possible for a graduate degree.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made May 20 at 2021 4:22 PM

2021-05-20T16:22:08-04:00

I'm going to go out on a limb and say there is likely nothing in your JST that would be applicable to most master's programs. For knocking out some gen eds or electives in undergrad, the JST is great, but for the kinds of courses required in a graduate level program, the courses are tailored far more for the discipline you've chosen. Now, this isn't to say it cannot happen, but I don't see any serious graduate program counting anything on a JST toward graduate CHs. Of course, I'm not speaking as some kind of expert, just someone who has been through it. In fact, if you were to go for something like a master's of interdisciplinary studies (and I will withhold my opinion of this particular degree), you may be able to weasel some credits from your JST.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 4:26 PM

2021-05-20T16:26:54-04:00

For my school, there was nothing on JST that would warrant credits beyond a Bachelors, best of luck to you.

Response by 1SG Scott Heise made May 20 at 2021 5:24 PM

2021-05-20T17:24:31-04:00

BLUF: Not likely and fortunate if they do - institution specific and not governed by DoE.

In my experience with Kansas State University, they have very little interest in accepting military experience at any level that does not include a civilian award of course credit. I submitted 30 years of military training and experience that included significant and complex residential courses - nothing. IF credit was accepted by KSU, it is as undergrad elective. NONE of my accepted credits applied to my Masters. Graduate school is usually institution specific and allow few if any transfer or equivalency credits.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 6:31 PM

2021-05-20T18:31:45-04:00

It is unlikely. Some of my more advanced courses in navy cryptology schools counted for higher level maths/computer courses. I mean, it can't ever hurt to submit them. When I went for my Master's, they only asked for the transcripts of my Bachelor's granting institution. Good luck on your educational journey, SFC!

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 20 at 2021 6:35 PM

2021-05-20T18:35:05-04:00

My captains career course counted for 6 graduate credits because Army Sustainment University got several courses externally evaluated. Usually the answer is no, up to the university granting the credit

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2021 7:50 AM

2021-05-21T07:50:11-04:00

Every school evaluates incoming transcripts different. That said, the ACE credit recommendations for enlisted training is seems almost solely for upper credit in undergraduate study.

From my previous research, enlisted training is not evaluated at graduate level, regardless of the complexity. Even the SGM Academy is only evaluated at undergraduate level (for now). On the other side though, the Captain's Career Course, and a number of other Officer professional development schools, count for graduate credits at various colleges.

I believe the SGM Academy's accreditation for Bachelor's degrees was a starting point for the gradual upward movement of all enlisted civilian education.

Response by Jeffrey Hall made May 21 at 2021 8:17 PM

2021-05-21T20:17:08-04:00

Unfortunately I agree with most of the comments here. Working for a university, (Purdue Global) we do review all JSTs and actually do award credit for major requirements (not just gen eds) for under grad degrees. We’re currently reviewing the Sergeant Major Academy course for any articulation into our MS in Management but in most cases, it’s unlikely to get much credit for a grad degree, unless the degree is built specifically around military training.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made May 21 at 2021 8:19 PM

2021-05-21T20:19:59-04:00

It is possible, but not likely in most cases. Just like the undergrad degree, it will depend on the institution, but for most Army courses and experience (most, not all - things like ILE or CGSC may be exceptions), you will have a very hard time demonstrating that these things reach the level of experience/ learning / critical thought / technical application that a typical post-grad course requires.