Frequently Asked Questions for Online Military Students
Answers to Common Questions Asked by Military Students
If you are a member of our military considering the benefits of enrolling as a student at Colorado Technical University, you may have questions that are specific to the requirements for you to pursue a real-world education while you serve your country.
A few of the most common questions posed by military students appear on this page. If you do not find the answers to any questions you may have about CTU, military tuition assistance or military spouse tuition assistance, we invite you to contact us for additional information at any time.
Does Colorado Technical University participate in military tuition assistance programs?
Yes. CTU participates in military tuition assistance programs such as the Montgomery G.I. Bill program, is a DANTES affiliate, and accepts many federal and private aid programs. Your Colorado Tech Military Education Benefits Specialist can assist you in obtaining all the military education benefits available to you. They can even help you find military spouse tuition assistance.
Are books, materials and fees included in the tuition cost?
Yes. There are no surprise charges or additional fees for books, materials or supplies.
Will I have University support throughout my academic career?
Yes of course. Once you have started to progress through your first course, and through the remainder of your degree program you will have an entire team of Military Student Advisors available to assist you with your transition to the learning environment. Your Military Student Advising Team will become your main point of contact for the University and will assist you with any questions you have during your time with CTU.
Are the online students at Colorado Technical University considered full-time for financial purposes?
Yes. All online students enrolled in a CTU degree program are considered full-time.
Do military personnel qualify for tuition grants*?
Colorado Technical University has established military tuition rates for Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard military personnel serving in the U.S. Armed Services, and their eligible spouses. Spouses will be required to provide a military identification card for verification.
The Libarty grant* has also been established for Veterans** of the U.S. Armed Forces, and their eligible spouses. To be eligible for the Liberty Grant*, a candidate must be accepted for admission to the University, complete the Liberty Grant* attestation form, and allow for verification of his or her military status. Spouses will be required to verify marital status and spouse's military service.
How can a person complete a degree so quickly?
The programs are accelerated. Each course lasts five and a half weeks. Also, since there are no extended breaks between quarters as you would get at a traditional school, programs can be completed faster.
Is Colorado Technical University an accredited university?
Yes. Colorado Technical University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. For more information, visit the NCA Higher Learning Commission web site.
How would my military training and experience be applied to my chosen degree program at Colorado Technical University?
The American Council on Education (ACE) evaluates your military training, occupations, and experience and recommends credits in semester hours that are listed on your military transcript. Your Prior Learning Assessment Advisor will evaluate your military transcript and award any applicable military credit to your degree program. In order for military credit to be awarded, the military training, occupations, and experience listed on your military transcript must match the courses/outcomes that are part of your degree program at CTU. Since Colorado Technical University operates on a quarter hour credit system, any ACE credit recommendations must be converted to the quarter hour system.
If I am deployed or transferred will I be able to continue my degree program when I reach my new assignment?
Certainly. Colorado Technical University understands that military personnel are frequently deployed and transferred. For this reason, our programs are ideal for you because your classes can travel with you since they are accessible as long as you can connect to the Internet.
If you are unsure or know that you will not be able to continue your coursework for the length of your deployment or while enroute to your new assignment, just contact your Academic Advisor and a Leave of Absence may be worked out.
Do I have to be on active duty to have my military training and experience applied towards transfer credit at CTU?
Absolutely not. We will evaluate all of your military training and experience whether you are on Active Duty, Inactive, Retired, or Separated, from any branch of service, including the National Guard and Reserves.
In addition to my military training and experience, what else may be applied as transfer credit towards the degree I want to pursue?
Colorado Technical University will evaluate any previously completed college coursework (C or better) or standardized tests (e.g. CLEP and DSST examinations), completed prior to, during, or after your military service, for transfer credit. In order for transfer credit to be awarded, the coursework or tests completed must match the courses/outcomes that are part of your degree program at CTU.
CTU will also evaluate any certifications (e.g., MSCE, MCP) or work experience, achieved prior to, during, or after your military service, for proficiency credit. In order for proficiency credit to be awarded, your certifications or work experience must match the courses/outcomes that are part of your degree program at CTU.
Colorado Technical University also offers Challenge Examinations for specific general education requirements in English and Mathematics for those students who have not met these requirements by other college coursework, training, or experience.
How many credit hours can I expect to get for my military training and experience?
It varies. Military personnel will have varying amounts of credit applied to their degree program based on specific training. In order to apply military credit to your online degree program, training and military experience must align with the outcomes of a course in your Colorado Technical University program.
What are CLEP and DSST examinations and do they count as credit towards my degree and where can I take these exams?
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a credit-by-examination program to achieve college-level credit. CLEP offers tests in a variety of subject areas (English/Literature, Math/Science, Social Science/History, Business, and Foreign Language) that, if taken and passed, can satisfy undergraduate requirements. CLEP tests can be taken as many times as needed. However, if you don’t receive a passing score on a test, you must wait six months before retaking the same test. More information about CLEP tests is available at www.collegeboard.com.
The DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) provides another avenue to earn credit through examination. DSST also offers tests in a variety of subject areas (Business, Physical Science, Humanities, and Social Science) that, if taken and passed, can satisfy undergraduate requirements. More information about DSST tests is available at www.getcollegecredit.com.
Military personnel can take CLEP and DSST tests free of charge. Talk to your Education Officer or Test Control Officer for more information and testing procedures. Study materials and practice examinations are available at most of these offices.
What are the characteristics of an eLearner?
Online learning is great for military personnel since your classes can travel with you, provided you have Internet connectivity.
Online learners have several characteristics in common. First, successful eLearners are comfortable with computers and know how to navigate the Internet. For some universities, it is helpful if you are familiar with real-time Internet chat, email, computer-based CD ROMs, and word processing software - and have access to a computer and modem.
Next, successful eLearners are self-motivated, good time- and energy-managers, and know how to communicate clearly through writing. Lastly, for some online learning programs, eLearners must be willing to commit 10 to 15 hours per week to studying and believe that high-quality learning can take place without going to a traditional classroom. If this sounds like you, you're probably a good candidate for eLearning.
Will I be getting the same education as I would get in a traditional classroom?
Universities with online degree programs can be the perfect choice for military students. Many online degree programs, such as those offered at Colorado Technical University, have been designed to help you graduate faster than at a traditional college. Additionally, your classes can travel with you as long as you have Internet access.
Research comparing distance education to face-to-face schooling seems to show that studying at a distance can be as effective as traditional instruction, when there is student-to-student interaction and when there is good teacher-to-student feedback. Based on your academic experiences, you should realize how important being proactive about this type of interaction can be.
The course content at most accredited online universities is comparable to that at brick-and-mortar colleges. CTU's professors are at the top of their fields academically and professionally. They bring years of knowledge and practical experience to every course, which means you can receive a relevant education that you may be able to apply in the real world. Colorado Technical University faculty members hold advanced degrees and have completed our rigorous certification program.
* University grants or scholarships are based on established criteria as published in the University's catalog and are awarded after verification that the conditions of eligibility have been met.
** Discharged Veterans must have a discharge other than dishonorable.