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.
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 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 →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 →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 →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 →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.
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.
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.
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
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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 →| 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 |
| 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 |
As an Amazon Associate, myNavyRates earns from qualifying purchases.
| Criminal Justice | 3 | 72% | Moderate | Free-CLEP-Prep | Amazon |
| Fundamentals of Cybersecurity | 3 | 70% | Moderate | Coursera (free audit) | Amazon |