Getting your CCAF degree is easy

  • Published
  • By Ingrid Callahan
  • Education and Training Center director
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  It's the only one in the Department of Defense. It's the largest in the world. How much better can it get? Let's see ... it's also accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It's the Community College of the Air Force, and all active-duty enlisted personnel are already enrolled!

Earning an Associate of Applied Science degree is simple, since a great portion of it is already complete, merely by having attended Basic Military Training, Technical School and being awarded your 5-level. Airman Leadership School, the NCO Academy, the SNCO Academy and earning your 7-level don't hurt either. All this training is worth something ... college credit which can lead to a degree ... your degree!

This is not "just" an associate's degree; it's an applied associate's degree. What is the difference? An associate's degree is book knowledge, where an applied associate's degree is hands-on and book knowledge. Your hands-on portion is almost complete, if not already through tech. school and 5/7 level upgrades, so why not take advantage of the education possibilities afforded to you and complete your degree? Keep in mind that completing your associate's degree is a stepping stone towards your bachelor's degree and is a requirement for those pursuing the grades of senior master sergeant and chief master sergeant. This degree is a great bullet on your Enlisted Performance Report, as well as on packages for those wishing to receive a commission.

Most students need approximately five general education courses to complete their degree requirements, which can also be used to complete your prerequisites for a bachelor's degree. These courses can be found on your Web Progress Report, using the Air Force Portal. Simply log on to the portal using a government computer and go to the Air Force Virtual Education Center. Once there, click on "My CCAF Progress Report" (on the right side of the screen) and click on the hyperlink under "Title." There it is! Everything you need to help you get closer to your goal ... a degree from the Community College of the Air Force.

College 101 and Online Tuition Assistance briefings are offered every Tuesday and Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Education Center to guide you with your educational goals and answer any questions you may have. As always, if you have questions or concerns, please contact us at the Education and Training Center during customer service hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (except Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) at 731-3531 or Melissa Laferriere at 731-4222.

CCAF Graduation

Malmstrom AFB holds two graduation ceremonies a year, in April and October. All necessary documentation (official transcripts, CLEP/DSST results, etc.) must be received at CCAF, by the last Friday in February for April's graduation and the last Friday in August for October's graduation. Members must hold their 5-level in order to be nominated for graduation. Call the Education and Training Center to set up an appointment to verify completion of requirements.

Air University- Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC)

Air University has established a new program called AU-ABC. This program allows members to transfer (upon completion) their entire CCAF degree and apply it towards a Baccalaureate degree from participating schools. More detailed information on programs offered and participating schools can be located on the Air Force Portal on the Air Force Virtual Education Center link.