College Credit For Heroes Continues Expansion With Three New Grants

Veterans program has grown to 44 college and university partners since inception

AUSTIN—The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) recently announced the award of $375,000 to support three new accelerated certificate or degree programs through its College Credit for Heroes (CCH) program, a statewide effort designed to maximize the award of college credit to veterans and service members for their military experience. The expansion of new partner schools demonstrates the momentum of this successful program, which has now grown to include a network of 44 university and community college partners. New school partnership and program expansions include Austin Community College, Texas A&M University–San Antonio and Texas State Technical College in Harlingen.

Launched as a pilot program in 2011, CCH was designated as a permanent program with the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 806 in the 84th legislative session. Unique to Texas, CCH has achieved success by establishing a standard evaluation process used across the state for veterans to receive classroom credit through a growing network of partner schools and by supporting the development of 76 fast-track programs to help veterans translate their military experience into civilian careers.

“Few institutions in the country better educate and prepare our workforce for the future than the United States Military,” said Governor Abbott. “By expanding the College Credit for Heroes program, the State of Texas is ensuring that our veterans receive the college credit they have earned by serving our nation.”

Last year, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning cited CCH in its national state policy report as one of the most innovative models in the country for translating military experience. CCH best practices have been used in planning similar pilot projects in Virginia, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and other states.

“We are pleased to support three new accelerated degree programs that recognize the training and service of our veterans,” said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar. “TWC and our higher education partners are committed to providing innovative programs that help ease the transition of our heroes back into the civilian workforce.”

One of the new programs is being offered at Austin Community College (ACC). ACC is developing an accelerated Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Nursing in which well-qualified veterans trained in the last 10 years will substitute experience obtained during military service for a certificate for licensed vocational nurse, paramedic and surgical technologist.

“The College Credit for Heroes program will allow local veterans, who have served our country, to use their previous experience to earn an associate’s degree in Nursing,” said Professor Nancy Walters, assistant dean, health sciences division at ACC. “ACC is proud to assist veterans as they transition into the next phase of their life.”

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board also supports program expansion through advisement and consultation on various military and higher-education-related issues and coordination of program partnerships with higher education entities throughout the state. For a complete list of participating schools and fields of study please visit the College Credit for Heroes website.

“Expanding College Credit for Heroes to additional college and university partners will provide Texas employers more opportunities to connect with Texas veterans who possess the skills and experience they need,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs. “This program gives employers access to a more qualified workforce and recognizes the veteran’s training and experience gained during their service to our country.”

CCH has received more than 11,500 requests for evaluations for college credit by Texas veterans since the program’s launch in 2011. These veterans received an average of 17 credit hours per evaluation, or the equivalent of one full semester of college credit.

“Texas veterans are highly skilled, experienced individuals who have a tremendous amount of experience to offer when they return home after serving their country,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “The continued expansion of College Credit for Heroes will provide veterans with greater employment opportunities and help fulfill the workforce needs of our state.”

TWC is currently seeking grant proposals from Texas colleges and universities looking to develop or replicate streamlined programs that translate military experience, education and training into civilian credentials to accelerate degree, certificate and licensing programs, allowing veterans to more easily reenter the workforce. Interested participants can learn more by visiting the Texas Comptroller website.

CCH welcomes three new school projects to the program:

Austin Community College (ACC)—$82,005 is dedicated to providing veterans and service members with accelerated access to an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing. Army combat medics, Navy corpsmen, or Air Force medics trained in the last 10 years will substitute experience obtained during military service for a certificate for licensed vocational nurse, paramedic and surgical technologist.

Texas A&M University–San Antonio (TAMUSA)—$199,822 is dedicated to creating two online, competency-based Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree programs in healthcare services administration and healthcare services informatics. Well-qualified veterans, with their core curricula already completed, can earn a BAAS in as few as 36 credit hours, as opposed to 120.

Texas State Technical College in Harlingen (TSTCH)—$91,557 is dedicated to developing accelerated AAS degrees in business management technology, computer networking and security technology.

About College Credit for Heroes

CCH was launched in 2011 using $3 million in Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds. The program was authorized during the 82nd legislative session under SB 1736. In 2012, the program expanded to other regions of the state and continued the development of acceleration curricula for veterans. To view full results of CCH, visit the College Credit for Heroes website. For more information on workforce programs available for Texas veterans, visit the veterans resource page on the TWC website.

The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call 512-463-8942 or visit texasworkforce.org.