Step-by-Step Strategy Guide to Getting an Associate's Degree After Going Through Boot Camp — For Free
Most sailors don't know they already have 9 or more college credits just from graduating boot camp. Based on your rate, you may have more. You can earn an associate's degree in 12-30 months without spending a dime.
Step-by-Step: Boot Camp to Associate's Degree
Follow this timeline to earn your degree while active duty — for free.
You earn 9 college credits just by graduating boot camp. These appear automatically on your Joint Services Transcript (JST) and cover Physical Conditioning, Basic Seamanship, Marine Safety, and Physical Fitness.
Your A-school training earns additional ACE-recommended credits that vary by rate — anywhere from 6 to 55+ credits for nuclear rates. These also appear automatically on your JST.
Your Joint Services Transcript is your official military college transcript. It lists all ACE-recommended credits from boot camp, A-school, and any additional military training.
Request JST →CLEP and DSST exams are FREE for active duty (first attempt funded by DANTES). Each exam is worth 3-12 credits. Focus on subjects you already know — Introductory Sociology, College Composition, American Government, US History, and College Algebra have the highest pass rates. A motivated sailor can earn 15-30 credits this way.
Find a Test Center →Pick a regionally accredited school that accepts military credits generously. The USNCC (U.S. Naval Community College) is completely FREE and does not use your TA or GI Bill. Other top options include Thomas Edison State, Excelsior, AMU, and UMGC — all accept JST credits and charge $250/credit or less (covered by TA).
Visit USNCC →Navy TA covers $4,500/year at $250/credit hour (12 credits/year max). Apply through MyNavy Education portal. You must complete two online trainings first (TA Policy + Virtual Counseling 101), get your degree plan approved by NCVEC, and have command approval 14+ days before the term starts.
MyNavy Education →Take 1-2 courses per term (most are 8-week online sessions). At 12 credits per year via TA, you can complete your remaining coursework in 1-3 years depending on how many credits you transferred in. Online courses let you study between watches and during downtime.
Walk away with an associate's degree — often at $0 out-of-pocket cost. This gives you a foundation for a bachelor's degree (using your GI Bill after separation), makes you more competitive for E-5/E-6 advancement, and demonstrates initiative to civilian employers.
Step-by-Step: Boot Camp to Associate's Degree
Follow this timeline to earn your degree while active duty — for free.
You earn 9 college credits just by graduating boot camp. These appear automatically on your Joint Services Transcript (JST) and cover Physical Conditioning, Basic Seamanship, Marine Safety, and Physical Fitness.
Your A-school training earns additional ACE-recommended credits that vary by rate — anywhere from 6 to 55+ credits for nuclear rates. These also appear automatically on your JST.
Your Joint Services Transcript is your official military college transcript. It lists all ACE-recommended credits from boot camp, A-school, and any additional military training.
Request JST →CLEP and DSST exams are FREE for active duty (first attempt funded by DANTES). Each exam is worth 3-12 credits. Focus on subjects you already know — Introductory Sociology, College Composition, American Government, US History, and College Algebra have the highest pass rates. A motivated sailor can earn 15-30 credits this way.
Find a Test Center →Pick a regionally accredited school that accepts military credits generously. The USNCC (U.S. Naval Community College) is completely FREE and does not use your TA or GI Bill. Other top options include Thomas Edison State, Excelsior, AMU, and UMGC — all accept JST credits and charge $250/credit or less (covered by TA).
Visit USNCC →Navy TA covers $4,500/year at $250/credit hour (12 credits/year max). Apply through MyNavy Education portal. You must complete two online trainings first (TA Policy + Virtual Counseling 101), get your degree plan approved by NCVEC, and have command approval 14+ days before the term starts.
MyNavy Education →Take 1-2 courses per term (most are 8-week online sessions). At 12 credits per year via TA, you can complete your remaining coursework in 1-3 years depending on how many credits you transferred in. Online courses let you study between watches and during downtime.
Walk away with an associate's degree — often at $0 out-of-pocket cost. This gives you a foundation for a bachelor's degree (using your GI Bill after separation), makes you more competitive for E-5/E-6 advancement, and demonstrates initiative to civilian employers.
Associate's Degree Credit Calculator
See how many credits you may already have toward an associate's degree. See A-School and C-School training college credits.
Personal Conditioning — 3 credits
Basic Seamanship — 2 credits
Marine Safety — 2 credits
Physical Fitness — 2 credits
Course details hidden
Course details hidden
Course details hidden
More Free College Credits — CLEP & DSST Exams Using Free Courses Strategy — Links Provided
1. Modern States offers FREE online prep courses for every CLEP exam — complete the course and they also pay for your exam fee, making the entire process $0.
• FreePrepCLEP.com is an alternative free resource originally built for military personnel at Guantanamo Bay. It offers free study guides and practice tests for CLEP and DSST exams.
2. The CLEP exam is FREE for the first attempt for active duty, funded by DANTES. Available at 500+ military installations. Each exam takes 90-120 minutes.
Paid Amazon study guides are also listed for those who prefer a book. Studying 10-20 hours per exam is typical for subjects you have some background in.
3. Choose CLEP Exams in Recommended Order by Difficulty and Average Pass Rate Percentages to Focus Your Study
| Exam | Credits | Pass Rate | Difficulty | Free Study Guide | Paid Study Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Language | 6 | 88% | Easy | Modern States | Amazon |
| Introductory Sociology | 3 | 81% | Easy | Modern States | Amazon |
| Introductory Business Law | 3 | 81% | Easy | Modern States | Amazon |
| Introductory Psychology | 3 | 79% | Easy | Modern States | Amazon |
| College Composition | 6 | 78% | Easy | Modern States | Amazon |
| American Government | 3 | 76% | Easy | Modern States | Amazon |
| Analyzing & Interpreting Literature | 6 | 74% | Easy | Modern States | Amazon |
| Information Systems | 3 | 73% | Easy | Modern States | Amazon |
| US History I | 3 | 72% | Moderate | Modern States | Amazon |
| US History II | 3 | 70% | Moderate | Modern States | Amazon |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 | 68% | Moderate | Modern States | Amazon |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 3 | 67% | Moderate | Modern States | Amazon |
| College Algebra | 3 | 65% | Moderate | Modern States | Amazon |
| Biology | 6 | 62% | Hard | Modern States | Amazon |
DSST Exams (Also Free)
| Exam | Credits | Pass Rate | Difficulty | Free Study Guide | Paid Study Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethics in America | 3 | 87% | Easy | Free-CLEP-Prep | Amazon |
| Personal Finance | 3 | 76% | Easy | Khan Academy | Amazon |
| Introduction to World Religions | 3 | 75% | Moderate | Free-CLEP-Prep | Amazon |
| Criminal Justice | 3 | 72% | Moderate | Free-CLEP-Prep | Amazon |
| Fundamentals of Cybersecurity | 3 | 70% | Moderate | Coursera (free audit) | Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate, myNavyRates earns from qualifying purchases.
Getting Funding From Navy Tuition Assistance (TA)
TA covers your remaining coursework at $0 out-of-pocket when using approved military-rate schools.
Annual Cap
$4,500
Per Credit
$250
Credits/Year
12 max
Lifetime Cap
120 credits
Step-by-Step How to Apply (MyNavy Education Portal)
- Talk to your command's career counselor about the rank and time-on-station requirements to apply for TA. Some local commands will require you to obtain your PQS (Personnel Qualification Standards) first and/or be at a certain rank level in order to apply. Every command has different requirements.
- Complete two one-time online trainings: TA Policy + Virtual Counseling 101
- Upload your degree plan to the MyNavy Education portal
- Contact NCVEC (Navy College Virtual Education Center) for degree plan review
- Submit TA application at least 14 days before term starts
- Get command approval
- Print authorization voucher after NCVEC approval
Submit All Paperwork and Track Everything Through Military-Friendly Colleges
All regionally accredited. All accept military credits. All offer 100% online degrees.
Completely free — does not use TA or GI Bill. 40+ degree programs.
Must complete 12 credits at TESU. Extremely military-friendly.
One of the most military-credit-friendly schools in the country.
Founded specifically for military. No book fees.
USNCC partner. On-base classrooms worldwide.
Resource fees waived for military. Free course materials.
200+ programs. 30% military discount.
A.S. in Military Studies available. Free textbooks.
California community college — very affordable for CA residents.
Classrooms on many military bases nationwide.
Success! You've earned your free associate's degree and may even have additional credits towards a bachelor's degree and can apply to be an officer!
Click here to see the How to Become an Officer Guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Do all schools accept military credits?
Regionally accredited schools are required to evaluate your JST, but each school decides how many credits to accept and where they apply. The schools listed above are known for accepting military credits generously.
Can I use TA and GI Bill together while active duty?
You can use TA while active duty and save your GI Bill for a bachelor's or master's degree after separation. You cannot use both for the same course at the same time.
What if I deploy mid-semester?
Most military-friendly schools offer deployment accommodations — incomplete grades, course withdrawals without penalty, or deferred completion. Always notify your school immediately when deployment orders come in.
Is the USNCC really free?
Yes. The U.S. Naval Community College is funded by the Department of Defense. It does not use your TA, GI Bill, or any personal funds. It offers associate's degrees through a consortium of 8 partner institutions.
How do I find a CLEP/DSST test center?
Visit dantes.mil to find testing centers near your base. Most major installations have a Navy College Office or base education center that administers CLEP and DSST exams.
What is the JST and how do I get it?
The Joint Services Transcript (JST) at jst.doded.mil is your official military college transcript. Log in with your CAC or DS Logon, and you can send it directly to any college for free.
Does an associate's degree help with Navy advancement?
Education points contribute to your advancement composite score. An associate's degree demonstrates initiative and can be the edge you need in a competitive advancement cycle.
Sources & References