New partnerships support advanced military education

Supporting higher education opportunities for the military is high on the priority list for many colleges and universities – but it’s important to do more than talk the talk, says Capitol Technology University’s Soren Ashmall.

Ashmall, a retired Marine, teaches business courses at Capitol and is also the university’s director of assessment and accreditation.

“From the point of view of military personnel, action speaks louder than words,” Ashmall said. “It’s important to do more than just say ‘we’re a military-friendly institution’. Most universities say that – but do they do it?”

Capitol Technology University, founded in 1927 by retired Navy radioman Eugene H. Rietzke, has been walking the walk for decades – and continues to expand opportunities for the military, including through two recently-launched partnerships:

AU-ABC. The Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Co-operative (AU-ABC) provides pathways to a bachelor’s degree for airmen enrolled in the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF). Having earned an associate’s degree through the CCAF, they can then transfer credits to an accredited civilian college or university that offers bachelor’s degree programs online.

Capitol joined the AU-ABC this month, providing a pathway for CCAF graduates to complete a bachelor of science in cyber and information security. Through the partnership, airmen can now transfer associate’s degree credits to Capitol and complete the remaining coursework online.

“Capitol has a long history of serving the educational needs of our military. We are extremely excited to add to that history with a new partnership with the Community College of the Air Force,” said Dr. Helen G. Barker, the university’s vice president for academic affairs. “Capitol has been accepted as a Category 1 partner for our BS in cyber and information security, offering a pathway to complete their bachelor’s that is asynchronous and provides critical flexibility to fit the needs of AU-ABC students.”

“The partnership with the AU-ABC allows for a more efficient pathway for airmen to earn their bachelor’s degree in cyber and information security at Capitol. This is hopefully the first of many partnership programs with the CCAF, as we will be reaching out to partner in such areas as business and engineering technology,” Barker said.

National Cryptologic School. Earlier this year, Capitol signed an agreement with the National Security Agency (NSA) that paves the way for NSA employees, including both civilian and military, to apply agency-provided training towards completion of a degree.

Many NSA employees receive training in cybersecurity and other specialized areas through the agency's National Cryptologic School (NCS). Through the new partnership, they will now be able to transfer NCS credits to Capitol and earn an undergraduate or graduate degree.

“This agreement with Capitol significantly expands the ability for our civilian and military workforce to leverage NSA courses for college credit through the innovative accelerated degree program, and is a major win-win for the agency and the nation,” said NCS deputy commandant and provost Diane Janosek.

In addition to programs and partnerships, Capitol also supports military advanced education by offering tuition discounts, flexible payment options, access to scholarships and financial aid, and flexible transfer credits. The university participates in the Post 9/11 GI Bill^® Yellow Ribbon Program and the Montgomery GI Bill^®, and its programs are listed in the DANTES catalog, which enables students to obtain tuition reimbursement support.

In addition, Capitol partners with the National Defense University’s iCollege to offer certificate training in computer science, information assurance, and other fields. The Laurel, MD-based university has earned repeated designations as a Military Friendly School.

For more information about opportunities for active duty and retired military at Capitol, visit our military and veterans page, or contact admissions@captechu.edu.