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Joint Base Andrews News

NEWS | Nov. 1, 2006

Andrews tops AMC bases in college degrees

By Margo Turner Capital Flyer staff writer

Active Duty members assigned to An-drews received more college degrees than their counterparts at other bases under the Air Mobility Command during fiscal year 2006, which ended Sept. 30. 

The Andrews Education and Training Services reports 530 college degrees were awarded to Active Duty members here in FY 2006. 

The 530 college degrees also exceeds the number of college degrees Andrews Active Duty members received during the previous two fiscal years, said Valerie S. Halseth, 316th Mission Support Squadron Education and Training Flight chief. In FY 2004, there were 309 college degrees awarded to students here. The number of college degrees increased to 473 the following fiscal year. 

The AETS counts every Active Duty member who has completed a college degree each fiscal year, said Ms. Halseth. 

Ms. Halseth said nearly 2,000 Active Duty members here are taking college courses at institutions of higher learning located at the AETS or at regionally or nationally accredited schools of their choice. Students can also register online for courses offered by prestigious universities. 

Completion of courses enable Active Duty members to earn credits for an associate degree in their chosen field of study from the Community College of the Air Force and other colleges and for a bachelor's degree and a master's degree offered by universities. 

The most popular CCAF degrees include criminal justice, electronic systems technology, information management and information systems technology, she said.
Ms. Halseth said CCAF degrees are awarded according to an individual's Air Force specialty code. 

To help Active Duty students pay for the courses, the Air Force provides tuition assistance up to $250 per semester hour and $4,500 per fiscal year per student, she said. In FY 2006, 1,983 Andrews Active Duty students used more than $3 million dollars to enroll in 4,725 courses. 

"TA will pay for one degree per education level, with some exceptions," said Ms. Halseth. "An individual may receive TA for any course for a CCAF degree, for one certification or license or for teacher certification, regardless of a higher education level earned."
Ms. Halseth said students may also use testing credits toward degree completion requirements. The University of Maryland University College conducts electronic testing on base under a Memorandum of Understanding with the AETS. 

The College Level Examination Program and Dantes Subject Standardized Tests exams are offered free of charge to Active Duty members at the National Test Center within the AETS, she said. Students receive test results immediately. 

In FY 2006, 950 exams for college credit were administered on Andrews, which saved the Air Force more than $620,000 in total TA costs, said Ms. Halseth. The testing center administers other tests, such as the career development courses and officer and enlisted professional military education exams. 

Ms. Halseth said Andrews has an MOU with seven colleges and universities to register students and counseling about courses on base in the evenings and on the weekends. There are also courses available at lunchtime, which are primarily for Active Duty students. Dependents and civilians, including off-base civilians, may attend courses here on a space available basis. In FY 2006, 423 undergraduate and graduate college courses were offered on base. 

"Professional counselors are available to assist students with determining academic goals, advising on courses needed to complete a CCAF degree, as well as assisting with applications for all commissioning programs and the use of Montgomery GI Bill benefits," said Ms. Halseth. 

The AETS is located in bldg. 1413. For more information, call 301-981-6377.