Fort Huachuca’s Army Education Center, located across from Barnes Field House, offers many programs and services to assist Soldiers, their Families and civilian personnel in their educational and career development, with Soldiers getting priority.
A Joint Education Career Fair in honor of American Education Week will be held at Murr Community Center, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. It will be partnered with the Army Career Alumni Program. There will be a variety of local educational, online and technical institutions present with approximately 40 vendors available to answer questions and give information.
There are four colleges housed at the Education Center. Cochise College is the lower-division community college and offers associate degrees in applied science, automotive technology, business management, culinary arts, intelligence operations and network technology. Wayland Baptist University offers an associate degree in general studies; bachelor degrees in science, Christian ministry, and applied science; and master degrees in business administration, Christian ministry, management and public administration. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University provides bachelor degrees in science, aviation business administration, aviation maintenance, professional aeronautics and technical management; and master degrees in aviation business administration, aeronautical science, project management, logistics/supply chain management, and science in leadership.
“Our four main programs offered here are post-secondary education, counseling, testing, and the Basic Skills Education Program,” said Education Services Officer Sharon Lewis. Also offered are tuition assistance, financial aid and GI Bill information.
Advisors and counselors are available for each school at the installation to discuss items such as degree plans, career goals assistance and educational advising. Counselors are available on a walk-in basis or by appointment, Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Friday, 7:30 a.m. – noon. Lewis explains, “Due to budget cutbacks, effective Oct. 1, the Education Center is no longer offering proctored tests to anyone other than Army personnel.” All testing is by appointment only, 533.1701.
An ample amount of financial aid options are offered at the Education Center. The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Program helps military spouses pursue a variety of educational opportunities needed to gain employment. Those eligible for this program are spouses of service members E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, and O-1 to O-2 who can finish the courses taken while the sponsor is on orders, to include National Guard and Reservists. For more information, contact the Fort Huachuca Army Education Center or 1.800.342.9647, Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. EST and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST.
The Department of Defense offers tuition assistance to Soldiers, covering 100 percent of tuition up to $250 per semester hour/$4,500 per fiscal year. To receive TA, a degree plan must be in place after six semester hours are completed and will cover only one certificate or diploma. Soldiers must go to www.goarmyed.com to request TA prior to the course start date. During fiscal year 2012, the Fort Huachuca Army Education Center assisted over 4,000 Soldiers with tuition assistance. A list of other scholarships and financial aid programs can be found at the service desk in the main lobby.
The Basic Skills Education Program gives Soldiers training for job proficiency, skill qualification, advanced schooling, and career progression to raise their general technical score. The primary focus is reading, writing, speaking, math and science skills. It is scheduled every other month and runs two weeks long. This program is offered every other month. For more information, call 533.5690.
A multi-use learning facility (computer use area) is available from Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Friday, 7:30 a.m. – noon, and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. All services are free. For more information on the Education Center, call the front desk, 533.3010/2255 or go to https://www.goarmyed.com/public/facility_pages/Fort_Huachuca_Education_Center/default.asp.
