If you are an active-duty Marine interested in enrolling into the MIL Program, email us at milprogram@palomar.edu today!
- Active-duty students in the Marine Corps can earn 12-units of FREE college credits for completing education and training through the Marine Corps!
- With these 12-units of credit, along with a 6-unit MIL 199 Work Experience class, you can earn an 18-unit Palomar College MIL Apprenticeship Program Certificate of Achievement, and can continue on to complete your AS degree.
- You can also earn the General and Operations Manager Apprenticeship Certificates through the state of California and the Department of Labor.
Check out our FAQs below for more information!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the program?
- Active-duty Marines that are currently enrolled in Sergeants School at either Camp Pendleton or 29 Palms.
- Active-duty Marines that have already completed Sergeants School or a a higher level of PME through the Marine Corps can petition for the 12-credits through our Credit for Prior Learning Petition process. See our Eligibility Criteria page for more details.
- Ready to start the enrollment process? Email us at milprogram@palomar.edu
What is the difference between Credit for Prior Learning & the MIL Apprenticeship Programs at Camp Pendleton & 29 Palms?
- They both fall under the same umbrella -it just depends on how you will complete or have completed the Sergeants School or higher-level PME.
- If you are going to be attending the academy at Camp Pendleton or 29 Palms: We will walk you through the application process and will enroll you into the MIL 100–103 courses while you are at Sgt School training. Upon completion of Sgt School, you will begin your MIL 199 Work Experience course. This course will allow you to log your on-the-job training hours to complete your certificates through Palomar College, the Department of Labor, and the State of California Apprenticeship.
- If you are planning on attending Sgt School at an academy other than Camp Pendleton or 29 Palms: Complete the Sgt School training first and then email us at milprogram@palomar.edu, and we’ll walk you through the enrollment process and award you the 12 credits for MIL 100–103 through our Credit for Prior Learning process. This can also be done for individuals at Camp Pendleton or 29 Palms if they decide to wait until after Sgt School is completed.
- If you have already completed Sgt School or a higher-level PME, check out our requirements outline here. Email us at milprogram@palomar.edu, and we’ll walk you through the enrollment process and award you the 12 credits for MIL 100–103 through our Credit for Prior Learning process.
What is Credit for Prior Learning? How does it work?
- They both fall under the same umbrella! It just depends on how you will complete or have completed Sergeants School training!
- If you are going to be attending the academy at Camp Pendleton or 29 Palms: We will walk you through the application process and will enroll you into the MIL 100-103 courses while you are at Sgt School training. Upon completion and once you have returned to your parent command, you will begin your MIL 199 Work Experience course. This course will allow you to log your on-the-job training hours to complete your certificates through Palomar College, the Department of Labor, and the State of California Apprenticeship.
- If you are planning on attending Sgt School at an academy other than Camp Pendleton or 29 Palms: We recommend completing the training first and then petitioning for CPL. This can also be done for individuals at Camp Pendleton or 29 Palms if they decide to wait until after Sgt School is completed.
- If you have already completed Sgt School, Career School, Advanced School or meet any of our other requirements outline here. Email us at milprogram@palomar.edu, and we’ll walk you through the enrollment process and award you the 12 credits for MIL 100–103 through our Credit for Prior Learning process.
Does this credit count towards a certificate or degree?
- Yes. The 12-units of credit earned through Sergeants School or Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), with the 6-units completed through MIL 199 Work Experience, you can earn an 18-unit Certificate of Achievement in Military Leadership Apprenticeship from Palomar College and will be eligible to continue on with your education to complete your Associates degree.
- Additionally, you can earn the General and Operations Manager Apprenticeship Certificates through the state of California and the Department of Labor, by taking the MIL 199 class and completing up to 2,000 hours of on-the-job-training. Marines with the rank of SSgt or above, are automatically credited 1000 hours of on-the-job-training.
- Check out the Palomar Pathways Mapper, High Unit Certificates – Military Leadership Certificate of Achievement and Pathway to National University/Arizona State University Organizational Leadership (Military Leadership Apprenticeship Program option) for information on mapping out your degree pathway.
What if I already have some college credits or a degree, can I still apply?
- Yes. Having a degree does not affect your eligibility to participate in this program and earn the certificates. In fact, you could also be well on your way to completing the Military Leadership associates degree by transferring in your college credits to Palomar College.
- Reach out to us at milprogram@palomar.edu for more information and to connect to one of our MIL Program counselors.
What are the MIL 197, 198 and 199 Work Experience classes?
- MIL 197, 198 and 199 work experience classes are fully online courses where you report your on-the-job training hours and reflect upon the learning outcomes in Sergeants School and how they relate to your current job, to receive the General and Operations Manager Apprenticeship Certificate through the state of California and the Department of Labor.
- A minimum of six units of a combination of two or all three of these work experience classes are needed to complete your 18-unit Palomar College Military Apprenticeship Program Certificate of Achievement.
- For specific questions about the number of units you need to complete, email milprogram@palomar.edu
Does the MIL program cost me anything?
No, because this is an apprenticeship program, these college credits are FREE to students enrolled in this program.
Is the AS degree in Military Leadership transferable to a 4-year college?
- Yes. Currently, the Palomar college AS Degree in Military Leadership transfers directly into the Organizational Leadership Bachelor Degree programs at both National University and Arizona State University.
- National University Video
- Transferring students will complete the CSU GE pathway to complete their AS degree for transfer to NU or ASU.
- Transferring students can also receive discounts on tuition at these colleges. For more information about transferring, email us at milprogram@palomar.edu, or you may contact National or Arizona State Universities.
How do I get started?
- Contact us at milprogram@palomar.edu