Ways to Earn Credit

UAFS offers several paths that let you turn what you already know into progress toward your degree.

These options help you save time and lower costs, by earning up to 30 credit hours, and keep your momentum strong as you move toward graduation. Our team is ready to help you understand your choices and decide which options fit your goals.

Active-Military and Veteran Credit

Service members and veterans bring strong experience to their degree path, and we work to honor that learning. Your Joint Services Transcript (JST) is reviewed using American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendations, and you can earn up to 30 credit hours for training that fits your program. Credit may be awarded at the upper or lower level, depending on how your military learning aligns with course outcomes. Whether your background comes from your MOS, AFSC, or rating, our team helps you see where your experience moves you forward.

Credit by Exam

If you’ve already mastered the material in a subject, you may be able to earn credit through exams such as CLEP or AP. Accepted scores can replace certain courses and help you advance more quickly. You can review the minimum scores required for each CLEP exam in the UAFS Academic Catalog.

Industry Certifications and Licensures

Professional certifications show a high level of skill and preparation. When your credential aligns with a UAFS course or competency, it may count toward your degree. Students in fields like healthcare, IT, business, and skilled trades often benefit from this option. Our team helps you understand how your certification fits within your chosen program.

Workplace and Experiential Learning

Your professional and community experience can support your academic goals. Through a Prior Learning Assessment portfolio, you can show what you’ve learned on the job, in structured training, or through leadership roles. A faculty reviewer evaluates your portfolio to determine how your experience aligns with course learning outcomes.

Transfer Credit

If you’ve completed coursework at another accredited institution, we’ll help you understand how those credits apply to your program at UAFS. Transfer credit allows you to avoid repeating material and stay on track with a clear path toward graduation.

Additional Support for Airmen

Visit GEM at UAFS

UAFS is an approved General Education Mobile partner with the Community College of the Air Force. Airmen working toward the CCAF associate degree need five general education courses to complete their program and stay competitive for promotion. You can take those courses at UAFS and send them back to CCAF once completed.

This pathway is especially helpful for Airmen in the 188th Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard located here in Fort Smith. Courses are offered in flexible formats to support training schedules and deployment needs.