LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Langley Airmen - active duty, Reserve and Guard - can now obtain a bachelor's degree through Air University's Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative program.
The vision of the AU-ABC distance learning bachelor's degree opportunities for Airmen, no matter where or when they serve, according to Gen. T. Michael Mosely, Air Force chief of staff.
At the heart of the program is an initiative that links Airmen who have completed their Community College of the Air Force associates degree with colleges and universities providing "military friendly" distance learning undergraduate programs.
'The AU-ABC program is designed to take the Community College of the Air Force degree in its entirety toward a bachelor's degree," said Dawn Hall, an education services officer at the Langley Education Center. No more than 60 additional credits will be required to acquire a bachelor's degree from a variety of colleges and universities.
The Air Force Virtual Education Center Web site, located on the Air Force Portal, provides a one-stop shop for Airmen interested in the program, and features background and enrollment information, and a list of degree programs organized Air Force Specialty Code.
"AU-ABC is designed to provide degree opportunities in the same or related field as an Airman's AFSC, Ms. Hall said. For example, an Airmen in the 3M0X1 AFSC, Restaurant, Hotel and Fitness Management, has 21 degree programs to choose from, including business, hospitality and management concentrations.
While the program maximizes opportunities for Airmen, students should beware of one pitfall, Ms. Hall said.
"Accreditation."
According to the Department of Education Web site, "the goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality," but there are some differences.
While regionally accredited schools tend to be academically oriented, many nationally accredited schools tend to offer vocational or technical programs. Though both types may be considered "degree granting," many regionally accredited schools won't accept credits from nationally accredited schools, Ms. Hall explained.
Airmen interested in AU-ABC will get an opportunity to ask about accreditation and a variety of program topics at the Langley Education Center's AU-ABC briefing scheduled for 11 a.m. Aug. 2 in the center's room 141.