Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges degree program for the Coast Guard (SOCCOAST)

SOCCOAST is an association of colleges and universities which have agreed to accept each other’s courses in a particular program of study. Students can take courses from any SOCCOAST school without being reevaluated or worrying about whether course credits are transferable. SOCCOAST-2 is the associate’s degree network program; SOCCOAST-4 is the bachelor’s degree network program. Check out the list of SOCCOAST two-year and four-year colleges and universities currently participating in SOCCOAST.

The SOCCOAST college that offers the degree you wish to pursue:

• SOCCOAST-2 Associate Degree Colleges
• SOCCOAST-4 Bachelor’s Degree Colleges

Recognizing the problems faced by military students whose jobs require frequent moves, SOC member schools make it easier to obtain college degrees rather than just accumulate course credit by:

• limiting the amount of course work students must take at a single college to no more than 25% of degree requirements,
• designing transfer practices to minimize loss of credit and avoid duplication of course work,
• awarding credit for military experience,
• awarding credit for tests such as CLEP, ECE, and DSST national testing programs.

The five basic components of SOCCOAST programs are:

1. A guarantee of transferability of college credits. Within each of the curriculum areas, the participating colleges guarantee to accept each other’s credits in transfer.
2. A formal agreement between college and student. After the student has taken two courses (six credit hours), the college executes a binding degree plan that evaluates all prior learning, lists academic requirements to be fulfilled by the student, and guarantees award of the degree by the college when the requirements are met.
3. Limited academic residency requirements. The academic residency requirements of participating colleges are limited to 25%, or less, of the total degree program. These can be completed at any time and any where the college offers programs.
4. Three program delivery options – classroom instruction, distance delivery, and learning assessment.
5. Degrees and certificates/diplomas can be completed after leaving the service.

A SOCCOAST agreement locks in the benefits of enrolling in a SOCCOAST school in that it obligates the school to stick to the terms of the agreement. For example, if the course requirements for a particular degree change when you’re half-way done, you’re only obligated to complete the courses the school agreed to when you began (courses which are listed on the agreement). However, if you decide you want to break the agreement, you can do so.

All the benefits of SOCCOAST are available to uniformed personnel, their spouses and dependents, and to civilian employees.