Course Catalog / BMU 103 / Lesson 2 of 5

BMU 103

Lesson 2: Count What You Already Have

About 7 minutes, plus 45 minutes for your action step

Quick review

Why do you check five job postings instead of one?

See the answer

One posting can be unusual. Five, in places you might live, show what employers usually ask for.

Many adults are closer to a degree than they think. Past classes, work and military training, and exams can all turn into credit. That means fewer classes to pay for.

Start where you are: List every place you have learned something formally since high school: a college class, military school, a certification, a job training. Most adults list more than they expect.

Places credit may be hiding

• Old college transcripts, even from years ago or a school you did not finish.
• Military training. The Joint Services Transcript (JST) lists recommended credit for training and jobs. Enlisted Air Force and Space Force members also have a Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript.
• Credit by exam. CLEP and DSST exams can let you earn credit for what you already know. Service members can often test free. Check current eligibility before you register.
• Certifications and licenses, which some schools evaluate for credit.

Recommended is not accepted

The credit on a JST is a recommendation from the American Council on Education. Every school decides for itself what it will accept.

A safe approach: build your plan around the worst case, zero credit accepted. Then any credit granted is a bonus, not a gamble.

Do not walk in cold

• CLEP and DSST exams cover what you would learn in an introductory college course. Prepare first. Modern States offers free online prep for CLEP exams.
• Talk to your advisor before testing. Only test in subjects your degree plan uses.

Ask for it in writing

"We generally accept military credits" is not a plan. A written credit evaluation that lists which credits apply to your degree is.

Worked example: a credit folder

An illustrative composite. The person and details are made up.

1. Old records: one semester at a community college from 2015, three classes passed.
2. Military: a JST showing recommended credit for leadership and technical training.
3. Exams: strong writer from years of reports, so CLEP College Composition goes on the ask list.
4. The folder: transcripts requested, JST downloaded, a list of exams to ask the advisor about. The plan assumes zero transfer until a school puts it in writing.

Common mistakes

• Counting recommended credit as money in the bank. Fix: Plan for zero, then count what a school accepts in writing.
• Testing in a subject your degree does not need. Fix: Ask your advisor first.
• Waiting for one perfect record before starting. Fix: Request everything now, and keep adding.

Check your understanding

Pick an answer, then open "See the answer." Try as many times as you like.

1. Who decides how much of your JST credit counts?

1. A. The military
2. B. Each school
3. C. You

See the answer to question 1

The best answer is B: Each school

• A: Not quite. The JST shows recommendations only. To improve: reread Recommended is not accepted, then explain to yourself why the correct answer works.
• B: Correct. Every school decides what it will accept.
• C: Not quite. You can ask, but the school decides. To improve: reread Recommended is not accepted, then explain to yourself why the correct answer works.

2. A school rep says, "We take all military credits." What should you do?

1. A. Enroll; that sounds great
2. B. Ask for a written credit evaluation that lists which credits apply
3. C. Hang up

See the answer to question 2

The best answer is B: Ask for a written credit evaluation that lists which credits apply

• A: Not quite. That is not a plan you can check. To improve: reread Ask for it in writing, then explain to yourself why the correct answer works.
• B: Correct. Written and specific is what counts.
• C: Not quite. Ask for proof first. To improve: reread Ask for it in writing, then explain to yourself why the correct answer works.

3. You know a lot about psychology from leading people, but your degree plan does not include psychology. Should you take the CLEP psychology exam now?

1. A. Yes, free credit is free credit
2. B. Ask your advisor first, and only test in subjects your plan uses
3. C. Take every CLEP exam

See the answer to question 3

The best answer is B: Ask your advisor first, and only test in subjects your plan uses

• A: Not quite. Credit your program does not use may not help you. To improve: reread Do not walk in cold, then explain to yourself why the correct answer works.
• B: Correct. That protects your time.
• C: Not quite. Prepare and test with a plan. To improve: reread Do not walk in cold, then explain to yourself why the correct answer works.

4. How should you plan around transfer credit?

1. A. Assume all of it counts
2. B. Assume none counts until a school puts it in writing
3. C. Ignore it

See the answer to question 4

The best answer is B: Assume none counts until a school puts it in writing

• A: Not quite. That can leave you short. To improve: reread Recommended is not accepted, then explain to yourself why the correct answer works.
• B: Correct. Then any credit is a bonus.
• C: Not quite. It can save you money. To improve: reread Recommended is not accepted, then explain to yourself why the correct answer works.

Next up: Lesson 3 helps you compare schools on what matters.

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