Getting my degree as a spouse?

[Wynona]

Hey! So my husband is still in Basic. Well, but of course we would love to have good plans and stuff.
I didn't finish my bachelor degree yet, and I would love to finish it as soon as possible.

Any spouses know anything about this? Am I basically suppose to take classes in a local college wherever he's station at? And transfer every time we move? Is that even possible (cause most college do not accept transfer students once they are a junior)? Or can we take classes on base too? I've heard they do have programs for spouses too? Is that possible to finish the whole degree on base? 

Basically what's the best choice to finish my degree? That I can finish it ASAP!

Or any of you have any experience about this?

Appreciate for any of your information. Thanks! :)

[abuon18]

Some spouses take classes at a local college. A 4 year or community college since most orders are for at least that log. Since you're a junior it sounds like I think that if you enroll in a school near where you are stationed you should have no trouble finishing while he is stationed there. You can also go year round and maybe finish a semester early if you're worried.

Another option is online courses, which a lot of spouses choose to do because you can continue those classes where ever he gets stationed. You can stay enrolled in the same school.

I know there is a program that offers financial assistance to spouses for school, it's called myCAA. I don't know exactly how it works but maybe someone else will or you can search for more information about it!

[meagan5220]

Hey, like abuon suggested, online classes are a good idea in some cases, sometimes though that hands on experience looks better to employers (depending on the field ya know!) You can always look at getting your associates degree and then starting your degree at his first duty station. A lot of times the assignment is for 3 years or so, so there is a great possibility you can get the rest of it finished after getting an associates. Also, you might talk to the school you are looking at if you move somewhere and get started. I know the university I went to there was a Navy wife that got to finish the rest of her degree through transpondence courses since she moved to her husbands duty station. Some schools are more helpful for military spouses and that situation.

 

The MyCAA cannot be used towards a bachelors degree and I think they also dont let you use it for an associates... its allowed to be used towards certificates and trainings. I dont think the Navy college does classes for spouses from what I know of, so I dont really know which program you are talking about for sure. Did you say you already have some classes under your belt? maybe you can get an associates taken care of online quickly and then when you get to your duty station you can dive into getting a bachelors. It sort of will depend on the degree you are wanting to get, if you can get it online, how far along you are already, and where he gets stationed.

 

you can apply for FASFA and would probably get some assistance that way.

 

Oh also like abuon said, you can get your schooling done quickly if you push through faster. For instance.. I got almost 170 hours and two degrees done in 4 years lol.. way overachiever. I took 18 hours every semester, and took courses during the winter break. Then most schools have classes the first month after school is out, and then a summer session, and then sometimes even a few more courses the month before school starts back up. :)

[sailorwifenmom]

Something else to keep in mind, once he gets through with boot camp and A school (and  C school if he has one), things will settle down for you somewhat, and odds are, you're going to have at least 3 years at your first duty station.  Also, there are education opportunities on base for spouses, though most of them are online.  AAnother option is to transfer to a local college where he's stationed (though you may have to repeat things if all your credits don't transfer), then in those 3 years, really focus on finishing your degree.  Your other option is to stay in the college you're enrolled in now, and be long distance for awhile, until you finish.

Depending on what degree you're working on, you can also check out Coastline Community College online military programs.  They offer things for spouses as well as A.D. military (and are affiliated with an honest to goodness "brick and mortar school, not just all online).  (They are MYCAA approved, but it looks like they only offer Associates.  They are accredited in CA.)

UMUC (University of Maryland University College) is another "brick and mortar" school that offers classes on pretty much all military bases.  Most of their stuff is online, but not all of it.  They are accredited in Maryland (lol, of course...) and offer both undergraduate and graduate programs.  

These are just 2 examples of schools you can find on military bases, and they tend to try to work with spouses as far as transferring credits.  

Something to keep in mind, while they are there primarily to help the Service Member, as a spouse, you can go in and talk to the Navy College people and get help getting set up with a local school.  

But, honestly, your choices do really boil down to transfer and finish wherever he gets stationed offer Bach it while you finish, or put it on hold until he gets out (not suggesting this, btw). They will not take your degree program or school location into consideration when they assign him to a duty station.  (And later, they won't  take your career into consideration, either, except to offer you spouse hire opportunities on base.)  I don't mean that harshly, just something to keep in mind as you look at career fields if you all think he's going to make the Navy a career.  

Good luck - hope this helps some :-)

[beachmom76]

Wynona-Good for you for wanting to complete your education.  There are some options available; you will have to decide which works best for your situation.

The first thing you need to investigate is a program called MyCAA (Military Spouse Career Advancement Account); this provides some funding for military spouses to attend school.  The rules have changed a lot on this lately, so check with a MyCAA counselor to discuss your eligibility. The fact sheet can be found at this link:

http://www.militaryonesource.mil/12038/Project%20Documents/Military...

Or call Military OneSource and ask to speak with a career counselor.  If you are near a military base, you can visit a Fleet and Family Support Center to speak with a career counselor as well.  They can also provide you with additional funding options (scholarships for military spouses, local educational programs, etc...) that can help you with the cost of your education. Unfortunately, there is no program that puts military spouses through school...but it would be nice! :-)

The classes offered on base are pretty limited and those programs seem to be shrinking due to funding.  Much depends on what you want to study; there are community colleges that offer degrees and certifications way beyond an AA.   One thing I would caution you about is attending proprietary schools.  Many of them target military spouses for the MyCAA money but offer very little educational value.  Look for state schools; these give you the best value for your educational dollars. 

If you know you will be moving a lot during the time you are attending school, you might want to check out some of the online programs.  Many states allow military spouses to use the in-state rate when they are stationed there and keep the in-state rate even after you leave.  I went to school at the Univeristy of Maryland and continued at the in-state rate through online classes even after we moved to Virginia.   

Feel free to email me if you have any questions. Good luck!

 

[Anti M]

A lot is going to depend on what you major in.  Some programs do transfer more easily than others.  I have a couple degrees and I bounced around a lot.

An accompanied tour is usually three years in one place, and sometimes the sailor can "extend" at the same command, or request orders in the same geographical area.  You may not be moving as much as you think once he's out of A school.

Many local colleges work with military spouses and can provide guidance in what will and will not transfer.  Some colleges do offer courses on base, especially overseas (I graduated from the University of Maryland while in Japan). You'll be a non-traditional student and many colleges provide specialized services for such students.

One strategy which helped me immensely: I took my freshman and sophomore credits and locked them into an Associate's Degree in General Education.  That way they transferred as a block instead of as individual classes, and could not "expire".  That makes it easier to change your major later around later if you need to do so.  

Did I end up taking classes which I didn't need later?  Yes.  But the knowledge was never wasted just because it didn't make it onto paper.

[Wynona]

Darn. Thank you so much everyone! That helps a lot. Well, I guess I just need to see what the Navy brings us then. I've heard some people won't stay in a station for more than 2 years too. So I guess it all depends where do they need you.
And I will just follow my husband then. I am sure there's a way to finish my degree as I have the desire to do so. :)

Thanks again everyone!

[meagan5220]

The station you stay at might also depend on your sailors rate. For instance my sailor his rate is AM which means his first sea duty rotation is 60 months. His orders say he is to be stationed at his current command until 2016!!! and his contract is up in 2014, he was told pretty much if he stays in the Navy he would stay with this ship until 2016 unless they needed him elsewhere on the off chance. He got assigned to this ship in 2012 so thats a long time lol.

[tata1986]

I'm in the same boat. I'm starting classes at FAU while my fiancé is in basic right now.
I figured it would be good so I can keep myself busy. I'm also afraid I might not be able to transfer
schools. I have an associate an wanted to go for my bachelors.
Will it be hard for me to transfer ?

[abuon18]

It depends what school you want to transfer to and if they will accept your credits.