Next Step?

[French3591]

I just completed all required courses for my Aviation Maint. Tech CCAF degree. I am just awaiting the last scores to update. I am at a loss for what my next educational step should be. Maybe you can give some input. I am looking into taking it to a BA from embry riddle as it would not take me long. Are these degrees really sought after? Or easily dismissed because it is a technical degree? I am looking to seperate from the USAF in 1.5 years and go PT ANG while I continue my education. Also, will my CCAF degree allow me to go straight to a BA from a school like Embry Riddle? or Will I have to get "their A.A.S in the same field?

Sorry about all of the questions I just am looking for a little direction or personal experience.

Thank you so much.

[Prloko]

French,

First let me say thanks for your service, and good luck in your next career as a student. Second, great on you to take an interest in your own education and well being. Third, have you given your supervisor and education office a chance to assist you? They get paid for this and will have a wealth of information and you can speak face to face (which I prefer at least). Besides, the education office should have a lot more time on their hands as they aren't processing any TA forms.

Unfortunately, TA has been suspended for this FY, so you are sort of limited in your options while still on Active Duty (I'm sure you are trying to save your GI Bill). If you log onto the Air Force Portal and look on the left-hand side, there is a link for AFVEC which is the Air Force Virtual Education Center. Log onto AFVEC and look again on the left-hand side, there is a link for AU-ABC (Air University Associate to Bachelor Cooperative). That is basically an articulation agreement between CCAF and a few (some for-profits, but not all) military friendly colleges that will accept your CCAF in transfer. There are three different categories, I,II and III, each category school will accept either all credits in transfer and you will need only 60 credits to complete, or need more than 60 credits, or will accept most in transfer (Excelsior will not accept CCAF English under every circumstance).

This program is really great that you are already half-way there. If you know the school you are going to when you get out, then see what courses you can complete now that will transfer (non-traditional ACE credit, CLEP, butt-in seat classes). Caveat-emptor, I highly recommend while looking at the AU-ABC schools, you limit yourself to regionally accredited schools (avoid the national accreditation). This will help you later with acceptance of your credits.



Some colleges will accept a large amount of CLEP credits, and currently we are still authorized those at no cost. There is always the big 3 colleges will accept almost your whole degree in CLEP. For example, TESC took my CCAF and transferred everything but English (I did not do the essay portion), and even took my Tech School credits as upper level OPMgt and accepted my ALS credits also.

UMUC accepts 60 CLEPs, St Leo 40 CLEPS, Empire State College 98, Regis 98, so there are other schools that will accept a lot of clep/dsst so take as many as you can while they still cost you nothing (just remember to study before you take them).

As far as Embry-Riddle, the actual college in Florida has a great reputation for Aviation engineering and sciences. The world-wide campus (professional aeronautics, etc) has very little clout outside of government to be honest. In fact, I would say pretty much all the schools mentioned above are third tier schools and are not going to wow anyone, but they check a box.
If you plan on staying in aviation, then ERAU may serve you well, they are part of AU-ABC and are very generous with CLEP and military credit and their instructors are very military friendly (deployments, etc.). You do not have to get a BAS; you can get a BA or BS. If you are seeking a career change, then you may need to go a different route.

But from what I read above, it seems you want to go to a butt-in seat while serving in the guard, there are many great schools out there that have a great reputation you can attend, but it depends on which state guard unit you join. What state are you moving to?

Talk with your supervisor and see what they have for you, seek out people who have received a degree and what they are doing (linked-in CCAF group members?). You can also come talk to us, but try to give us an idea of where you're trying to be.

Good luck.

[French3591]

Thank you for the great amount of feedback. I am pretty sure that I am going to go to school for something unrealated to the Aviation field. I have a list of the Cleps that the local Community College accepts as credit. I will need about 8 more cleps to recieve my "civillian" AA degree. Since I only have about 18 months left in active duty I am going to complete that step first and then worry about the next step. I am looking to probably go ANG back in Washington State (home state). That way I can still build up to military retirement, wear the uniform once in awhile and occasional 2 month deployments sound like icing on the cake lol. Thank you again for all your help. Just 2 tests in so far and this site has already proved valuable.

[Prloko]

I will need about 8 more cleps to recieve my "civillian" AA degree. Since I only have about 18 months left in active duty I am going to complete that step first and then worry about the next step. I am looking to probably go ANG back in Washington State (home state). That way I can still build up to military retirement, wear the uniform once in awhile and occasional 2 month deployments sound like icing on the cake lol. Thank you again for all your help. Just 2 tests in so far and this site has already proved valuable.

Getting your AA is a good idea. Many schools accept an AA in full. In addition to your CCAF, you should have plenty of credits to transfer over. Check to see if your school has an articulation agreement with other colleges.

Good luck.

[Yanji]

I just completed all required courses for my Aviation Maint. Tech CCAF degree. I am just awaiting the last scores to update. I am at a loss for what my next educational step should be. Maybe you can give some input. I am looking into taking it to a BA from embry riddle as it would not take me long. Are these degrees really sought after? Or easily dismissed because it is a technical degree? I am looking to seperate from the USAF in 1.5 years and go PT ANG while I continue my education. Also, will my CCAF degree allow me to go straight to a BA from a school like Embry Riddle? or Will I have to get "their A.A.S in the same field?

I'm a pilot (civvie) so I can affirm that Embry-Riddle is a great name in the aviation industry. If you can afford their tuition, I think they'll be happy to take most of your CCAF credits; they've long been one of the go-to places for aviation degree completion. Outside the aviation/military/government world though, they're pretty much unknown so it would probably be best to save money and look at UMUC, EC, TESC or the other popular military options. Have you considered the evening/online degrees available at UW or WSU? A UW degree is going to be very respected nationwide and even if it takes a bit longer or costs a bit more it could be worth it.