FEMA credits once you've already graduated

[studyhard]

Recently a friend suggested looking into FEMA credits just because they're free, you might learn something, and it could be useful on a resume someday. I am reasonably interested in the idea.

Now, here's my question (and yes I already ran a search in the forums first ). I already have my bachelor's from TESC and am working on a master's from AMU/APUS. What do I "do" with FEMA credits, since I'm not trying to transfer them to a degree program? Does FEMA give you a transcript that you just, um, stick in your back pocket? How long is the transcript good for (you know, like CLEP will keep your scores for 20 years, etc.)? Would it make more sense to try to bank the credits through a college, even if you're not in a degree program? Would you have to be enrolled in a college to be able to do that?

In other words, once I pass the FEMA tests, then what?

[marianne202]

I have the same question, as the school I'm enrolled in for my MHA will accept them raw, but I don't know if they will apply them since they are not graduate level credit or required for the degree. I want to do them because like you I'm interested in the subject and it will serve me in the future. If anyone has done this please let us know.

[cookderosa]

I've thought about this as well. I can't wrap my brain around the cost of credit banking just to house loose FEMA credits, that's a very very expensive option. On thing I've considered, but not investigated, is to complete one of the FEMA series' that award you with a certificate. Not sure if they completely jive with what TESC awards credit for, but at least it would be a piece of paper (and free!)

If anyone has completed a series/certificate, maybe they could share some insight?


One word of caution, having loose credits leads to the disease of "wellyamightaswell jusgetta nutha degree." I had it once, it's hard to get rid of

[brothert69]

I've thought about this as well. I can't wrap my brain around the cost of credit banking just to house loose FEMA credits, that's a very very expensive option. On thing I've considered, but not investigated, is to complete one of the FEMA series' that award you with a certificate. Not sure if they completely jive with what TESC awards credit for, but at least it would be a piece of paper (and free!)

If anyone has completed a series/certificate, maybe they could share some insight?


One word of caution, having loose credits leads to the disease of "wellyamightaswell jusgetta nutha degree." I had it once, it's hard to get rid of

I started a thread about the PDS certificate (with pics) here.
http://www.degreeforum.net/off-topic/141...icate.html

It's very nice for a freebie although I've yet to figure out how to list it on my resume when I finally update it.

[alleycat]

I started a thread about the PDS certificate (with pics) here.
http://www.degreeforum.net/off-topic/141...icate.html

It's very nice for a freebie although I've yet to figure out how to list it on my resume when I finally update it.

I have that cet. I just list it under education as FEMA Prof Dev Series Cert. I have at least 30 FEMA credits to my name.

[studyhard]

I started a thread about the PDS certificate (with pics) here.
http://www.degreeforum.net/off-topic/141...icate.html

It's very nice for a freebie although I've yet to figure out how to list it on my resume when I finally update it.

Can you tell me more about the certificate stuff? Like, is this an ofishul credentshul or sumpthing? LOL!

[cookderosa]

I started a thread about the PDS certificate (with pics) here.
http://www.degreeforum.net/off-topic/141...icate.html

It's very nice for a freebie although I've yet to figure out how to list it on my resume when I finally update it.

Hummm, I might put that on my "to do" list!

[studyhard]

And what I'm still hoping someone knows is how long FEMA credits remain "banked" (or whatever) with FEMA. Like, if I decide to go for another degree in fifteen years, can I still use 'em as college credit?

*iz hopelessly confuzed*

[dcan]

Oh yes, there are other things you can do with it...

How about becoming a certified Military Emergency Management Specialist through the State Guard Association of the United States?

State Guard Association of the United States

Details are in the "Handbook" link. For the practicum I believe you can use CERT training through your local county EMA. My wife and I took CERT a few months ago, 2 hours once a week for a couple of months, it was actually a lot of fun and we got yet another official certification out of it -- along with useful training and a hook into the local EM scene for callups in the event of a disaster, etc. There's a multi-county major disaster exercise coming in a couple of months that we may take part in, too.

I'm pretty sure you only have to be a member of SGAUS itself (cheap!), not an actual state guard member, to get this cert. But you can only get the basic level cert this way, because the next two levels require you to participate in things like state-level EOC work, etc.

But you do get a badge to wear on your (nonexistent) uniform. :coolgleam: