15-1898. Awarding of academic and vocational credits; policies; current and former military members; definitions

A. Each community college district governing board shall develop policies to require community colleges under the jurisdiction of the board to award academic or vocational credit that a current or former member of the United States military may use toward the pursuit of an associate degree or vocational certification. The number of academic or vocational credits awarded shall be based on all of the following:

1. The member's length of time of active duty service in the United States military.

2. Skills, knowledge and competencies the member acquired during service in the United States military as determined by the board in consultation with the department of veterans' services.

3. If the member provides a transcript, the requirements prescribed in subsection C of this section.

B. The Arizona board of regents shall develop policies to require the universities under the jurisdiction of the board to award academic or vocational credit that a current or former member of the United States military may use toward the pursuit of a baccalaureate degree or vocational certification. The number of academic or vocational credits awarded shall be based on all of the following:

1. The member's length of time of active duty service in the United States military.

2. Skills, knowledge and competencies the member acquired during service in the United States military as determined by the board in consultation with the department of veterans' services.

3. If the member provides a transcript, the requirements prescribed in subsection C of this section.

C. Each university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents and each community college under the jurisdiction of a community college district governing board shall notify an applicant for admission who is a current or former member of the United States military that the applicant may:

1. Be eligible to receive academic or vocational credit for the applicant's military training and education.

2. Submit a transcript of the applicant's military training and education. The university or community college shall both:

(a) Evaluate the transcript and work in conjunction with the department of veterans' services to assess and apply the applicant's education, training and experience received through military duty or service to academic or vocational credits in selected programs of study.

(b) Notify the applicant which credits from the transcript are transferrable.

D. For the purposes of this section:

1. " Member of the United States military" or " member" means a person who is currently serving or who has served in the United States air force, army, navy, marine corps or coast guard, the national guard or a reserve unit of any of these branches of the United States military. Member of the United States military or member does not include a person who was dishonorably discharged.

2. " Transcript" includes a joint services transcript prepared for the applicant.