PURPOSE: The purpose of this rule is to set forth the guidelines to be followed by all public institutions of higher education in the state, including vocational and technical schools, for awarding veterans educational credit for prior military training or service. This rule is in compliance with the requirements of section 173.1158, RSMo, which grants the Coordinating Board for Higher Education and Department of Higher Education the authority to generate this rule.

1. (1) Definitions.

   1. (A) The term “public institution” shall refer to any Missouri public institution of higher education as defined in section 173.1102(3), RSMo.
   2. (B) The term “educational credit” or “credit” shall refer to those credits that are awarded to students for prior military service or training, and can be applied toward the requirements of a certificate, licensure, diploma, or degree at a public institution.

   3. (C) The term “prior military training or service” shall refer to any prior service or training that may be eligible for educational credit as determined by the public institution. These include, but are not limited to:

      1. 1. University coursework completed

during military service;

1. 2. Examinations, such as the College

Level Examination Program (CLEP), and the CLEP portion of DANTES Language School; and

1. 3. Military courses that have been devel-

oped and taught by military personnel.

1. (D) The term “American Council on Education (ACE)” refers to the coordinating body for the nation’s institutions of higher education. They provide institutions with recommendations on evaluating and awarding educational credits for college or university-level learning earned through prior military service or training.

1. (2) All public institutions of higher education shall develop and implement policies and procedures consistent with the guiding principles enumerated in section (3) of this rule that allow for the effective evaluation and awarding of credit to students with prior military service or training. 6 CSR 10-13

2. (3) Guidelines for Awarding Educational 2013.* Original rule filed June 13, 2016, Credit for Military Service or Training. effective Jan. 30, 2017.

   1. (A) Prior military service or training takes *Original authority: 173.1158, RSMo 2013. many forms, therefore all public institutions of higher education in the state shall refer to the recommendations provided by the American Council on Education (ACE) Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services when evaluating and awarding educational credits for prior military service or training.
   2. (B) While public institutions should evaluate veterans’ military transcripts to determine whether prior military service or training meets educational requirements, they should also provide opportunities whereby such students may be evaluated for educational credits. These include, but are not limited to, nationally recognized examinations, course-specific examinations designed by college or university faculty, and/or portfolio or other means of competence demonstration. Public institutions should also document which credits may be earned through which evaluation method.
   3. (C) Public institutions should work to award students, who are also veterans, with credits that fulfill major degree requirements whenever possible, if such courses are equivalent to that student’s prior military service or training. Otherwise, appropriate credit should be given to fulfill a general education requirement or other elective course.
   4. (D) Any credits awarded to a student whose prior military service or training has been deemed equivalent for such credits shall be transferable among all public institutions of higher education according to the Department of Higher Education’s transfer and articulation rule at 6 CSR 10-3.020.
   5. (E) Students who are also veterans should consult with registrars and/or academic advisors in an effort to determine whether their prior military service or training fulfills any certificate, course, or major requirements. These students should also provide any necessary supporting documentation to be used in the evaluation of prior experience by the college or university he or she attends.
   6. (F) Public institutions should disseminate information regarding the awarding of educational credits for prior military service or training, which includes information on course equivalencies, the number of credits awarded, and opportunities to be evaluated for such credit. This information should be easily accessible and made available to all current and prospective students.
   7. (G) All credit that is deemed acceptable must meet the scope and mission of the awarding public institution.

AUTHORITY: section 173.1158, RSMo Supp.