College Credit for Heroes: Accelerating Degree Completion

Todd Sherron; Lindsey Wilson

doi:10.21061/jvs.v8i1.264

College Credit for Heroes: Accelerating Degree Completion

Journal of Veterans Studies

Volume 8 (2022): Issue 1

By: Todd Sherron and Lindsey Wilson

Open Access

|Jun 2022

Abstract

This article overviews lessons learned and findings from implementing state-funded grant initiatives for student veterans and service members (SVSMs) at Texas State University for 3 years. The Texas Workforce Commission’s College Credit for Heroes program (CCH) supported 63 SVSMs from summer 2017 through fall 2020, funded the development of 5 new, 8-week undergraduate courses, and streamlined 2 undergraduate courses for a combined total of $387,125. SVSMs received a scholarship for completing a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) competency portfolio and earned a stipend for completing a 120-hour capstone project. Nineteen SVSMs earned PLA credits ranging from 3–18 hours. Fifty-three SVSMs completed a capstone project and earned their bachelors within 2 to 4 semesters.

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