Military Experience

Clark College meets the requirements of Washington State Law (RCW 28B.10.057) by awarding academic credit for military training. The academic credit awarded for prior military training is granted only for training that is applicable to the student’s degree or certificate requirements. Credits will be awarded based on American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendations, in consultation with academic departments.  Students should consult with the Veteran’s Affairs Office to discuss funding implications related to applying military credits to their degree or certificate.

To be awarded credit for prior military experience, students must be enrolled in Clark College and have successfully completed any military training course or program that is:

    1. Recommended for credit by a national higher education association that provides credit recommendations for military training programs;
    2. Included in the student's military transcript issued by any branch of the armed services;
    3. Documented military training or experience that is substantially equivalent to any course or program offered by Clark College.

Procedure

Clark College enrolled students who are veterans of any branch of the United States armed services who wish to receive transfer credit must provide an official Joint Services Transcript (JST) through the armed services in which he/she served, from the Community College of the Air Force, or any other college/university attended.

Upon receipt of the official transcript the following actions will occur:

    1. Within 10 business days of transcript receipt, Credentials Evaluations will evaluate the transcript for reading, English and mathematics placement and any general education credits earned, posting to the student's transcript as applicable.

    2. Technical classes that require further review to determine a direct equivalency will be forwarded to appropriate department faculty, along with the course description and the accompanying ACE course recommendation.

    3. Military credit recommendations that are direct equivalents to Clark course offerings may be posted as that specific course. If direct course equivalents do not exist, elective credit will be awarded when possible. All credit awarded must be applicable toward the student's program of study.

    4. Credential Evaluations will post the credit to the student's transcript and notify the student of credits accepted, with directions on how to access their Academic Advisement Report so that they may view credit applicability to their program of study.

    5. In the case of a change of program, the student must notify Credential Evaluations so that the transfer credit may be re-evaluated and applied to the student record as applicable.

    6. Per the Veteran’s Administration (VA), all veteran student transfer credit must be evaluated within two quarters of program start. After the third quarter, if the student does not submit all transcripts, they may be de-certified for the use of VA education benefits.

    7. Veteran students using education benefits are not permitted to opt out of transfer credit evaluation.
Note:

Military credit will not be granted for:

Transcripts

Send an official copy of your transcripts to enroll@clark.edu or by postal mail to:

Clark College
Attn: Enrollment Services
1933 Fort Vancouver Way
Vancouver, WA  98663

For more information about credit for military experience, contact us at 360-992-2805 or credeval@clark.edu.