Back to school means opportunities for Parris Island personnel, families

15 Aug 2003 | Cpl. Alisha R. Fitzgerald Marine Corps Training and Education Command

As the summer winds down, children and adults prepare for school to start.
Many Depot Marines and sailors have set a goal of furthering their education while on active duty. Often, many family members also have aspirations of receiving a college degree.

The Depot Education Office, in conjunction with local colleges and universities, works to accommodate the number of degree-seeking people attached to the Tri-Command by providing on-base college courses, various testing, academic advisory, and access to all the Marine Corps Community Services Lifelong Learning Programs at the Depot Consolidated Administrative Center in Building 923.

Many colleges and universities have on-site representatives located in individual offices next to the Education Office to better address the needs of Marines, Sailors and family members. They can help with applications, transcripts, registration and courses of study. They'll also help individuals evaluate where they are academically and where they need to be headed. Park University, Technical College of the Lowcountry, University of South Carolina Beaufort, University of Oklahoma, Cameron University, and Webster University are some that are available.

University of South Carolina Beaufort offers five eight-week semesters each year at the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and Parris Island. The general education classes offered aboard each installation can lead to either an associate in arts or an associate in science. Upper-level courses leading to baccalaureate degrees can be taken at the downtown campus, which is a 15- to 20-minute drive from either installation.
Active duty members can be admitted to USCB under the category of "Military Special," without the need to submit a high school transcript, college transcripts or college entrance exam scores. The Military Special status requires no application fee and allows students to take up to five courses for transfer to other institutions. A maximum of 30 credits earned as a Military Special student may be applied toward the requirements for a USC baccalaureate degree. Fall classes begin Thursday and late registration continues through Tuesday. For more information, call the Depot USCB office at 228-2107 or log on to http://www.sc.edu/beaufort/.

Cameron University, through the University of Oklahoma's Advanced Programs, offers an interactive Master of Business Administration program through its Depot office, via the Satellite Education Network. Applicants must already have a bachelor's degree to attend the courses.  Currently, the program is offering  $250 off the first class for those who enroll before Aug. 31. Contact Shauna Mitchell, University of Oklahoma site representative, at 228-4690 for more information.

Active duty personnel who attend college classes are eligible for Tuition Assistance. Corporal James Hamilton, education counselor at the Education Office, urges those wanting to attend classes to apply for TA as soon as the school's registration period begins in order to allow time for it to be approved. Students must maintain a 2.0 grade point average while getting TA. If they fail the class, they must pay the money back to the government. Each applicant is allowed $250 per credit hour and $4500 per fiscal year. This fund covers everything except for the applicant's books.

"There's several hundred [Marines and sailors] that use TA each year," said Hamilton. "It's always best to take advantage of an opportunity like that while you're active duty. I recommend saving the Montgomery G.I. Bill to get your master's degree after you get out."

Those who may be thinking about taking classes, but aren't sure what course of study they want to pursue or need help getting started can go to the Education Office for advice.

"We can sit down with you and talk about what your goals are, what education you've already received, what's transferable and where you stand," said Hamilton. "We'll then be able to guide you in the steps you need to take from there."

Hamilton recommends that even those who do know what they want and where they want to go to still come in and talk to the staff who may be able to give them information that they weren't aware of.

Besides actually attending classes, there are several other furthering education opportunities available through the MCCS Lifelong Learning Program at the Education Office. The United Services Military Apprenticeship Program allows servicemembers to achieve journeyman status in specific technical trades that correspond with their MOS. Once the prescribed number of hours are accumulated, they are certified by the U.S. Department of Labor.

"This apprenticeship program is great for those who don't aspire to go to college," said Jan Wilson, test examiner at the Education Office. "They can take this certification with them into the civilian world to enhance their marketability."

Another Lifelong Learning Program is the Military Academic Skills Program. It helps individuals prepare for college, as well as college entrance exams, including the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. It also helps to refresh reading, writing and math skills.

The Education Office also provides scheduled testing of the General Education Development Test, College Level Examination Program exams, Scholastic Aptitude Test, American College Testing exam and the ASVAB.

To find out about testing schedules or for more information, call 228-2086.

Marine Corps Training and Education Command