Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Programs

Those who've had the experience of transferring from one college to another know that sometimes credits can be lost. If one loses credits, both time and money is wasted while working toward a degree. For members of the military, with frequent moves from place to place, finishing a degree on campus can be nearly impossible.

Because of this, the military recognized a need to expand and improve education opportunities for servicemembers around the world. The Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges program (SOC) was created in 1972 as a partnership between the Department of Defense, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and both active and reserve components of the military.

The SOC works with the higher education community to maintain the quality of an education while still being flexible enough to meet servicemembers' educational needs. This is done by following three principles:

1. Servicemembers should have access to educational opportunities so that they can enhance their military effectiveness and achieve educational and career goals.

2. Education programs for servicemembers should be properly accredited.

3. Educational institutions should be flexible in their policies and programs.

Today, more than 1,800 colleges and universities belong to the SOC Consortium. These schools have enrolled hundreds of thousands of servicemembers, veterans, and military family members in degree programs. Additionally, they continue to abide by military-friendly policies that make it easy for these individuals to get degrees. Students can often choose from a school's campus programs, campus programs on military installations at home and abroad, and a variety of online and distance learning opportunities.

While the SOC isn't an education benefit like the GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, or MyCAA that can help pay for an education; it is a partnership of schools that make it much easier for members of the military community to enroll and complete a degree program.

Demystifying the SOC Programs

The SOC has several different programs that all seek to achieve the same purpose: help servicemembers earn degrees.

The SOC Consortium is the big group of schools that meet the SOC program criteria for being military-friendly.

The SOC Degree Network System is a subgroup of the SOC Consortium schools. Military Services split this network up by branch and each branch selects certain SOC schools to deliver specific associate's and bachelor's degrees to servicemembers and their families. All of these SOC networks give the same benefits and schools meet the Consortium criteria.

• SOCAD is for the Army
• SOCNAV is for the Navy
• SOCMAR is for the Marine Corps
• COCCOAST is for the Coast Guard

SOCGuard is a college outreach program through the Army National Guard that helps the Guard's Education Services Officers expand education opportunities available to Guard soldiers. This program organizes and conducts outreach activities with postsecondary institutions to help strengthen the relationship between the academic community and the guard.

CONAP is a partnership between the SOC schools and the Army Recruiting Command. The program's aim is to get new soldiers to think about higher education and to link them to a college when they enlist.

What Makes an SOC School So Special?

SOC schools are required to meet six criteria and continue to fully support these criteria as they deliver classes and programs to servicemembers. An SOC school must:

1. Be listed as an accredited organization by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation

2. Be a degree-granting institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the CHEA or the U.S. Department of Education

3. Be approved for veterans' educational benefits by appropriate agencies

4. Follow appropriate regulations when offering educational services on military bases

5. Not have an excessive student loan default rate

6. Agree to submit data for the SOC Consortium Guide

SOC Consortium also recognizes the Military Student Bill of Rights which includes educational planning and guidance without high-pressure enrollment efforts from institutions, appropriate student support services, and a clearly defined appeals process. SOC schools grant academic credit for military experience, and some schools belong to a "guaranteed transfer" network.

Choosing a Program of Study

One's branch of service and career goals determine which associate's and bachelor's degrees as well as schools are available to attend. For example, if one is aiming for a career as a non-commissioned officer in the Army, five associate's degrees from four colleges and another nineteen bachelor's degrees from eight schools are available. Here is a sampling of those programs:

• Associate of Science in Business Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Management
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management

Those who would like to see the full list of programs should consult the SOC Degree Network System Handbooks. The most up-to-date version is available through the SOC website. In addition to listing the colleges and courses available at Army, Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard locations, these handbooks also include degrees offered through distance learning and learning assessment, a complete list of academic policies, and career planning information.

Step-By-Step Instructions for SOC Students

SOC schools are available to servicemembers and their spouses and children. After all, military life affects the whole family. The following steps outline the responsibilities of an SOC student.

1. Visit the Education Center on base. Commanding Officers can help locate this center.

2. Choose a program of study from an SOC school.

3. Apply to the SOC school. This will be one's "home college."

4. Take up to 6 credits and complete the Student Agreement. A Student Agreement is a free document that lists what courses and other requirements are needed to graduate. Students can refer to this guide each time they register for a class to ensure they stay on track no matter if they are relocated as part of their military career. Additionally, this document helps prevent servicemembers from taking unnecessary classes.

5. Complete the degree requirements (according to the Student Agreement) through institutions within the SOC network.

6. Send transcripts from all other schools to the home college.

7. Be sure that 25 percent of coursework is completed at the home college. This coursework can be through distance learning in addition to in-person instruction on campus.

8. Confirm with the home college that degree requirements are met.

9. Graduate!