App State Army ROTC cadets stand at attention during the presentation of the colors at App State’s 2021 Veterans Day Ceremony. Photo by Chase Reynolds
BOONE, N.C. — Military service members can now see how on-the-job experience translates to earned college credit within the University of North Carolina System.
The UNC System Military Equivalency System contains thousands of equivalencies between military occupations and training and academic courses at the 16 universities in the UNC System. Before applying for admission, prospective students can use the resource to determine how experience from their Joint Services Transcript (JST) equates to specific courses at the state’s public universities. This is particularly good news in North Carolina, where the UNC System serves a growing number of military-affiliated students — more than 21,000 last fall, or about 9% of the student population.
“Our North Carolina military community is greatly enhanced professionally and personally through higher education. The UNC System breakthrough in providing real-time information on credit for military education, training and experience will benefit service members, family members and veterans,” said retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Rodney Anderson, chairman of the North Carolina Military Affairs Commission. “This UNC military credit equivalency system not only supports military readiness but advances North Carolina as the most military friendly state in the nation.”
The Military Equivalency System provides a transparent and streamlined resource for prospective military students, who previously had to contact a university’s registrar, admissions office, or faculty or academic program directors directly to inquire about what credits they could receive for their military experience. The resource also empowers service members to evaluate their best options across the UNC System for pursuing an education and allows for better movement of credit among UNC campuses.
The idea for the system goes back to a state law that mandated the development of a plan to “ensure that college credits are uniformly granted to students with military training.” A 2022 regulation enacted by UNC System President Peter Hans further directed the creation of a “centralized and definitive resource” to be used by public universities for awarding credit for military courses and jobs.
Hans said the new system is key to providing high-quality degrees and credentials to more veterans, active duty, Reserve and National Guard students in the state’s universities.
“We want to keep these dedicated and highly skilled men and women in our state, and that starts with offering them an affordable, accessible education right here in North Carolina,” Hans said. “We’re happy this system has finally come to fruition, giving veterans and service members what they deserve — hard-earned credit for their knowledge and experience. We also recognize the tremendous value these folks bring to our state’s critical workforce areas such as the health care, IT, engineering and manufacturing sectors.”
The UNC Military Equivalency System went live on Feb. 29. It is expected to expand substantially in the next year as more course credit equivalencies are added.
In fall 2023, App State enrolled 1,328 military-affiliated students. The university has been recognized by multiple organizations for its support of veterans and military-affiliated students:
- For 15 consecutive years, App State has earned Military Friendly® School designations in recognition of the university’s efforts to help military-affiliated students thrive on campus and in the surrounding community.
- Over the last three years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked App State as the No. 2 Best College for Veterans among Southern regional universities.
- App State was ranked in Military Times’ 2023 “Best for Vets: Colleges” list — with App State being recognized for its services and programs specific to military students — for the fifth time since 2018.
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The university also received a top 10 Military Spouse Friendly School designation
U.S. News ranks App State as No. 1 Most Innovative School and No. 2 Top Public School in the South
About Transfer Admissions and Engagement
Transfer Admissions and Engagement at Appalachian State University supports students through all stages of their transfer journey, including admission counseling and pretransfer advising, credit evaluation, transitional assistance as they begin at App State and through involvement and retention efforts during their App State education. The office serves undergraduate transfer students studying on the main campus in Boone as well as App State Online students who complete their classes fully online or at an off-site location. The services and resources provided by Transfer Admissions and Engagement ensure the university’s transfer student population finds academic and social success at App State. Learn more at https://transfer.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian’s Student Veteran Services
Student Veteran Services at Appalachian State University is dedicated to helping the university’s military-affiliated students thrive on campus and in the Boone community. The unit does so by connecting student veterans and military-affiliated students with services and resources that are commensurate with their needs, capabilities and contributions. These resources and services include the Major General Edward M. Reeder Jr. Student Veteran Resource Center, priority registration, scholarship opportunities, a Student Veteran Association and others. Learn more at https://militarystudents.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
The university also received a top 10 Military Spouse Friendly School designation
U.S. News ranks App State as No. 1 Most Innovative School and No. 2 Top Public School in the South
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