SERVICEMEMBERS OPPORTUNITY COLLEGES (SOC)
With over 1,700 member colleges nationwide, the chances are excellent the college you may be thinking of attending is a SOC member. Some colleges also sponsor courses for credit at selected Army National Guard armories as a convenience for soldiers who cannot get to a campus classroom. SOC member colleges designate a counselor to help Army National Guard members in their academic planning. Some of the benefits a soldier in the Army National Guard may realize from the SOC program are:
• Admission to college concurrent with enlistment
• A specific plan to go to college
• College credits for military training and experience
• Job skill development and career possibilities
• Two and four year college degrees aligned with the military occupational specialties
• Guaranteed transferability and credit among schools and certain programs in the SOC Network
As a member of the Army National Guard, you can take advantage of the many programs offered by SOC, such as SOCGuard, the SOC Army Degrees Program (SOCAD), and the Army Degree Builder Program.
SOCGuard
SOCGuard is the program that provides Army National Guard soldiers with assistance in using SOC programs. The SOCGuard staff, in cooperation with education services officers in each state, provides educational advice to help soldiers realize their full military and civilian potential by pursuing a college education and developing career plans.
SOC Army Degrees
Army National Guard soldiers are eligible to participate in the SOC Army Degree (SOCAD) Program. There are currently 92 two-year and 66 four-year network colleges that offer degree programs which can be completed in residence or via distance learning. SOC Army Degree schools are indicated on the list of SOC colleges in this section. Colleges enter into an agreement or contract with the student that protects the student against any change in degree requirements after enrollment in a SOCAD program. Students can take courses at any other college within the network and the courses are guaranteed to transfer.
Army Degree Builder Program
The Army Degree Builder Program translates military education and experience into college credit that matches the requirements for a college degree specifically related to a military occupational specialty. The program provides soldiers with precise options for meeting college requirements in the classrooms of more than 100 SOCAD colleges, or by distance learning, testing, certification, and licensure. Currently two and four year degrees are available for over 70 military specialties.