Mission To vigorously promote lifelong learning opportunities to sharpen the competitive edge of the Army in providing and managing quality self-development programs and services. We are committed to provide professional educational counseling services and guidance on our educational programs to support individual military and/or civilian career goals while stationed at Fort Jackson and surrounding areas.
Education Services and programs are available at the Education Center and Multi-Use Learning Facility (MLF), Building #4600.
Active duty Soldiers, retirees, Department of Army Civilians (DAC) and their adult Family members may receive counseling, information about financial aid, on-post adult educational programs, and enrollment processes in selected programs.
Counseling
Monday- Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Army Education Center provides assistance to Soldiers and their adult Family Members in developing long and short term educational/professional plans for personal development and growth. Education Counselors are available to assist with assessing strengths and promoting opportunities for growth based on interests and experience. On a daily basis, Education Counselors work with Soldiers on getting set up for and using their Tuition Assistance through the ArmyIgnitED portal, in-processing, out-processing, GI Bill questions, financial aid opportunities, local and non-local college information, degree plan options,and more. If it is related to college education, bring it to the Education Center and get questions answered.
Closing Tab
Tuition Assistance
The Tuition Assistance (TA) Program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty civilian education programs in support of a Soldier's professional and personal self-development goals. TA is a Public Law that is implemented by Department of Defense (DOD) Directive and DOD Instruction, and all Soldiers (officers, warrant officers, enlisted) on active duty, Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers on active duty (pursuant to U.S. Code Title 10 or Title 32), and TPU Soldiers are authorized to participate in the TA program. Tuition assistance pays up to $250 per credit hour, a maximum of 16 semester hours or $4,000 per fiscal year.
The Upgraded ArmyIgnitED system launched on August 29, 2022. Soldiers must now visit https://www.armyignited.army.mil/ to request tuition assistance. A common access card is still required to access the system; a military email address is not. Once logged into the system, Soldiers have access to many tutorials to assist with navigating the tuition assistance process.
IMPORTANT: Soldiers may submit TA requests up to 60 days before the class start date but MUST submit the requests no later than seven (7) days prior to the class start date.
ArmyIgnitED Technical Support Phone Number: (276) 231-0938
Credentialing Assistance (CA) is available to Soldiers through Army IgnitED. CA can be used to pursue courses and exams for over 1,500 credentials, certifications and licenses. Soldiers can request CA funding for any credential listed in Army Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL): https://www.cool.osd.mil/army/index.html Funding for CA is limited by TA usage; Soldiers are allotted $4,000 for the combined usage of TA/CA per fiscal year. As of Oct. 13, 2021, Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers will no longer incur a two-year military service obligation for using CA.
Start your Credentialing Assistance (CA) process by attending one of the mandatory briefings held every 2nd and 4th Thursday at 10 a.m. via MS Teams. Soldiers must now visit https://www.armyignited.army.mil/ to request credentialing assistance. IMPORTANT: Soldiers may submit CA requests up to 90 days before the class start date but MUST submit the requests no later than 45 days prior to the class start date.
Closing Tab
Career Skills (CSP)
The Career Skills Program (CSP) allows transitioning service members the opportunity to participate in employment skills training, on-the-job training, or pre-apprenticeships with the possibility of employment. Participation must occur within the last 180 days of military service, with an honorable discharge and with command approval.
Career Skills Program briefings are held virtually every first and third Tuesdays at 10 a.m. via MS Teams.
IMPORTANT: IMCOM can only approve CSP participation for up to 120 days between the program start date and end date, and the CSP cannot be conducted while the Soldier is on terminal leave.
Closing Tab
Higher Education Counseling
The MANAGING YOUR (MY) EDUCATION classes are two-day events, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m at the education center. The purpose of this class is to assist Service Members and their dependents in determining their career, personal and academic goals. Guidance is provided in determining degree choices, college selection factors, understanding all funding options and the college admission process. Please call (803) 751-4762 for more information.
Dates for upcoming Managing Your Education class below:
- July 18-19, 2023
- Oct. 10-11, 2023
Closing Tab
Testing Center
All exams must be scheduled in advance. Call (803) 751-5341 for an appointment or further info.
Day
Test
AM Start Time
Max Capacity
PM Start Time
Max Capacity
Monday
DLPT
8 a.m.
7
1 p.m.
Tuesday
DLAB/MISC
8 a.m.
7
None
Wednesday
TABE
8 a.m.
8
1 p.m.
8
Thursday
SIFT/MISC
8 a.m.
7
None
Friday
AFCT
8 a.m.
7
1 p.m.
Testing schedule may change without advance notice. Please call the education center to schedule your exam.
** (OPI) Oral Proficiency Interview scheduled on “as needed” basis
A confirmed registration and DA 4187 is required for exams. Arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled exam to in-process.
Soldier may require a NIPR account to test; therefore, all Soldiers must come to the Education Center at least two (2) days before the actual testing date to confirm your Common Access Card (CAC) works on the testing system. ‘
**The DLPT, AFCT, SIFT, OPI and DLAB require a completed Department of Army (DA) 4187 form noting the name of the exam. The DA 4187 must be “digitally signed” by both the Soldier and the Soldier’s Commander with their CAC and submitted to the Education Center prior to the day of testing.
See Forms section for examples.
Closing Tab
National Test Center
Midlands Technical College On-Base Test Center (803) 738-7897
Education Center - Room 110
Placement Testing, to include the CLEP Exam, is available by appointment only during the times listed below. Schedule an appointmentHERE.
Days
Start Time
Latest Start Time
End Time
Monday
9 a.m.
3:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
Wednesday
9 a.m.
3:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
Friday
9 a.m.
Noon
1 p.m.
Closing Tab
Colleges On Post
School
Degrees Offered
Midlands Technical College
(803) 782-3213
Associate in Criminal Justice
Associate in Management
University of South Carolina
(803) 576-7656
(803) 576-7655
General Educational Requirements
Associate of Arts
Associate of Science
Claflin University
(803) 787-0825
(803) 535-5573
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management
Webster University
(803) 738-0603
(803) 386-7183
Graduate Degrees in:
Business Administration
Business and Organizational Security Management
Information Technology
Human Resource Management
Management and Leadership
Closing Tab
Basic Skills Education Program (BSEP)
BSEP provides sessions to help Soldiers master mathematical, reading and writing skills required by their Army jobs. Sometimes the BSEP Program is often referred to as Functional Academic Skills Training (FAST) or GT Improvement.
BSEP/FAST serves as the Commander's primary on-duty education program. While on duty, it is an opportunity for Soldiers to study and increase their education skills. Upon completion, Soldiers can re-take various Army personnel tests that can assist in changing MOS fields, apply for opportunities in programs such as Officer Candidate School, Warrant Officer School, Green-to-Gold, the Physician Assistant (PA) program and other career advancing opportunities. Below are available class dates for 2023:
May 9-26, 2023
June 6-23, 2023
July 4-21, 2023
August 8-25,2023
September 5-22, 2023
The GT Improvement/BSEP Class Checklist can be found here:
