Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC)

Transcription

1

2 Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) SOC was established in 1972 to help meet the voluntary higher education needs of servicemembers. SOC is funded through a Department of Defensemanaged contract with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). SOC functions in cooperation with higher education associations, the Department of Defense, and the active and Reserve components of the Military Services, including the Coast Guard.

3 SOC Mission Serve as a vehicle to help coordinate postsecondary educational opportunities for servicemembers Strengthen liaison and working relationships among military and higher education representatives Advocate for flexibility needed to improve access to and availability of educational programs for servicemembers

4 SOC Principles Servicemembers should share the same educational opportunities available to their civilian counterparts Educational programs that are provided by appropriately accredited colleges and universities Educational programs that are flexible in terms of scheduling, academic residency, course transfer, and acceptance of non-traditional credit

5 SOC Criteria Reasonable with Transfer of Credit Minimum loss of previously earned credits Avoid coursework duplication Reduced Academic Residency Requirements 25% maximum for most programs 30% for schools providing undergraduate degrees 100% online No final year or semester requirement Credit for Military Training and Experience Recognize and use ACE Military Guide in evaluating military training courses (Service Schools) and award credit where appropriate to degree (Approximately 75% of members also award credit for Army and Marine Corps MOSs and Navy and Coast Guard Ratings) Credit for Nationally-Recognized Testing Programs Award credit for at least one nationally-recognized testing program such as CLEP, DSST, UExcel

6 SOC Changes for FY 2015 New SOC Statement of Work effective 1 October 2014 SOC Consortium will be dissolved and phased out effective December 31, 2014 SOC Principles and Criteria and the Military Student Bill of Rights will continue to be integral components of the Services Voluntary Education programs SOC will assist DoD and the military Services in documenting, investigating, and resolving concerns and complaints (DoD MOU and PECS) SOC in coordination with OUSD will solicit and research topics for white papers/studies from stakeholders within the military community.

7 Changes for the SOC DNS The SOC Degree Network System (DNS) will be consolidated and will no longer have Service distinctions (SOCAD/NAV/MAR/COAST) Members of each participating Service will have access to all SOC DNS programs Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard The SOC DNS will maintain its focus on coordinating Degree Networks that have guaranteed course transferability within member schools Major review of degrees/majors that servicemembers are currently enrolled in and those with potential expansion and growth into emerging career fields

8 Changes for the SOC DNS First order of business a major review of degrees/majors that servicemembers are currently enrolled in and those Degree Networks with potential expansion and growth related to emerging career fields Participating schools will produce a Student Agreement for all Service members enrolled in an approved DNS degree Identifying and recommending articulation agreements between SOC DNS-2 and DNS-4 institutions in order for greater transfer acceptance for two-year degrees into fouryear educational institutions Additional criteria under development, pending approval All participants must be DoD MOU signatories

9 New Focus for FY 2015 SOC will develop and maintain a resource list of career and technical education degrees and certificate programs All programs should have programmatic accreditation Career and technical education group will contain no more than 200 schools/institutes/entities Starting point will be review of those entities/schools that currently receive Tuition Assistance funds Additional criteria under development, pending approval All participants must be DoD MOU signatories

10 Pocket Guide for College Outreach to Military Students Resource to help shape college outreach to the military community Guide the development and implementation of quality programs and support services for military student populations Assist institutions in establishing effective relationships with the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and their education personnel Under revision

11 Contact Us Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges 1307 New York Avenue, NW Fifth Floor Washington, DC Phone: (800) (202) Fax: (202) Web site: Facebook: rsopportunitycolleges