Getting Started

The Educational Roadmap for Military Students

Florida Community College has many programs to assist the military student in attaining educational goals. Detailed below are the steps needed to apply as a degree seeking student and to convert your military experience to college credits. This educational roadmap will assist all military students through the process of pursuing an advanced degree.

For answers to specific questions concerning the application process or your program of study, contact a Military Education Institute advisor at military@fccj.edu or 1.800.700.2795.

Complete an Online Application

To get started, complete an application as a degree seeking student and select a program of study. There is a one time $15 Lifetime Membership Application fee which can be paid online through Artemis or by at any campus business office.

Take the College Placement Test (CPT)

• First-time college students should take the College Placement Test unless you have taken the ACT or SAT in the last two years. Acceptable ACT and SAT scores are detailed on the CPT FAQ page. The CPT can be taken at any College location, or you can arrange to have the test proctored at your location by contacting Carl Jowers at cjowers@fccj.edu or 904.632.5009.
• Students with prior college experience can waive the CPT if your official college transcript shows successful completion of college math and English composition courses. Contact a Military Education Institute advisor to determine whether you need to take the CPT.

Request Transcripts

In order for us to determine your eligibility for college credit based on your military experience, we will need to review your transcripts. Though your military transcript may detail college and CLEP/DSST credits, you will must also submit official college and CLEP/DSST transcripts to apply these credits. Find out how to request them here.

Note: The military transcript will not be evaluated until the student has enrolled in and paid for at least one class at FCCJ.

Validate Your Selected Program of Study

Various programs of study have additional entry requirements and/or application processes that you must also complete before you can begin. You can contact a Military Education Institute advisor to discuss your selected program of study.

Complete a Servicemember’s Opportunity College (SOC) Agreement

The SOC consoritum consists of colleges and universities that offer associate and bachelor's degree programs on, or accessible to, military installations worldwide. These colleges have joined to form networks in which each college accepts credits from all the others. This guarantees that military students and their adult family members can continue their degrees even through many transfers. For more information click here. See a Military Education Institute advisor to complete your SOC agreement.

Select Courses in which to Enroll

A Military Education Institute advisor will advise you on which courses in your degree plan to begin with based on the degree requirements and any credits transferred in from other educational institutions. You can search available courses by clicking the Class Schedules Link at the top of every page in the College website.

If you prefer distance learning rather than learning in a traditional classroom, the College offers many online courses, CD-based courses and telecourses. Visit distancelearning.org to learn more.

CLEP/DSST Testing

Students who wish to receive their degree or certificate in less than the usual two calendar years can do so by taking advantage of CLEP, DSST and/or Excelsior testing. Students can earn the same amount of credit as taking, and doing well, in a college course that is a semester or even a year long covering the same material.

To gain credit for testing in your program of study refer to the CLEP course equivalency, DSST course equivalency and Excelsior course equivalency. The College offers several testing sites for CLEP, DSST and Excelsior. Click here to find a testing site near you or contact Carl Jowers at cjowers@fccj.edu or 904.632.5009.

Enroll in Course

There are three convenient ways to register/enroll in courses — online through Artemis, in person at any Enrollment Services office, or by mail. Click here for more information.

Learner Support and Technical Helpdesk

Visit the Learner Support Center for technical help as well as information and student services.

Textbooks

Textbooks and course materials are available for all credit classes at campus bookstores as well as online.