Your key to college opportunities on base, online

  • Published
  • By Capt. Rose Richeson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Being in a remote location may mean you don't have some of the conveniences you're used to when living stateside or near a large city. One thing you won't suffer from is a lack of education opportunities while assigned here at Incirlik.

The 39th Mission Support Squadron Education Office sponsors courses offered by a variety of local and online, or distance learning, colleges during the week as well as on the weekends.

During your tour in Turkey, you'll have an opportunity to pursue higher education from three academic institutions on base to include the University of Maryland University College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Central Texas College. All three institutions provide undergraduate degree programs in residence, on base and through distance learning classes. Typically, here at Incirlik, master's degree programs must be done by distance learning.

Undergraduate programs are available in business, technical, computers, humanities, aviation, criminal justice, education and social science fields. Master's degree programs include business administration, health care administration, telecommunications, management, criminal justice, counseling and international relations.

UMUC credit for courses are based on a semester-hour system and most in-residence classes offer three semester hours of credit. The UMUC schedule runs five terms a year. The university also offers many weekend seminars, usually worth one semester hour and, when available, a few lunchtime courses as well.

Natalie Hayek, ERAU Academic Support assistant director, said her university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in aeronautical science and technical management. Military training and courses taken at other universities transfer credit to ERAU degrees, and depending on the extent of training and other education, some undergraduate students can earn up to 50 credit hours of transfer credit.

"Master's students earn credit for Squadron Officer School and pilot training," she said. "Additionally, Community College of the Air Force students can take advantage of ERAU's wide variety of online classes. And for those applying for courses, but not necessarily seeking a degree, you are able to apply for free!"

Offering both online and face-to-face classes helps cater to students' busy and changing work schedules. For ERAU, online classes meet on the 15th day of every month, and face-to-face classes meet on weekends or weeknights during eight-week terms.

"Term one is from August 20 to October 12 with registration beginning July 30," Mrs. Hayek said. "Applying is easy through the Web site at http://www.erau.edu/ec/index.html and registration can be completed at the ERAU office or through "Web Registration" in their school accounts."

CTC at Incirlik offers an Associate in Applied Science, Criminal Justice and Early Childhood Education on base. They also have many courses available through distance learning education to include the Microsoft Certification Program online for which tuition assistance can be used.

Tuition assistance is one of the added perks to getting your education while on active duty and was recently raised to $250 per credit hour or up to $750 per three-hour course. Each member has a total of $4,500 per year to use on classes in addition to $9,000 for any one certification program while on active duty.

Tyrona Davis, 39th MSS Education technician, reminds Team Incirlik that open houses, or education fairs, are typically scheduled on a quarterly basis through the Education Center and provide a variety of information on opportunities available to military members and spouses. Students are encouraged to contact the schools individually to find out what type of events will be held throughout the year to publicize individual programs.

The Education Center is located in Building 2715A and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with the exception of Wednesdays when the office closes at 2:30 p.m. For more information, call the center at 676-3211.