Getting Started

Education Counselors

Not sure where to start? Want to make sure you take advantage of all the educational opportunities available to you? Education counselors are available to assist Soldiers, DA civilians, retirees, and Family members. Stop by the Education Center, building 1117, room 150 to see a counselor. No appointment is required. Hours are 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Services Provided

• Information on area schools and programs
• Help defining your goals and picking a college and degree plan
• Help interpreting the different levels of accreditation for schools. (Note: Always check with a counselor before signing a contract)
• Information on Servicemembers' Opportunity Colleges (SOC)
• Approval for tuition assistance
• Other options of funding education
• Information on credit by examination programs
• Information on Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits
• Obtaining and interpreting Army/American council on education registry transcript system (AARTS) transcript
• Information on commissioning programs
• And much more!

We look forward to hearing from you!

Basic Skills Education Program

The Basic Skills Education Program (BSEP) provides instruction in reading and mathematics to improve job performance and to promote GT improvement. Soldiers can prepare for schools such as Warrior Leadership Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course (BNCOC), Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course (ANCOC), and Sergeant Major Academy (SGM) -- please see an Education Counselor for enrollment.

First, you will take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) to determine current skill level. Depending on the results, a counselor may enroll you in a BSEP class or suggest other alternatives. Since classes meet during the duty day, your commander must approve enrollment.

Classes begin every Monday. The enrollment period is six-weeks with classes meeting Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Classes are self-paced via computer instruction with instructor assistance.

Army Learning Center

The Army Learning Center (ALC) supports individual training through self-paced independent study, computer labs, and tutorial assistance. Services are available to military personnel and adult Family members at no cost. Enrollment is available through an Army Education Counselor on a walk-in basis. Classes begin every Monday with an enrollment period of four weeks.

Areas of preparatory study: GT, GED, College Placement test and CLEP. Other areas of study may be allowed. Please see an Education Counselor for more details.

GT Improvement

GT prep classes are offered to enlisted Soldiers. The course is designed to develop educational competencies required for job performance, skill qualification, and career growth focusing on word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, and arithmetic reasoning. Classes are also designed to improve scores when retaking the Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT).

GED Preparation

General Education Diploma (GED) study is available through the ALC. Review is provided for all five GED tests (Science, Mathematics, Social Science, Reading and Writing). Military members may take the General Educational Development (GED) examination without charge from the Education Testing Office. Family members should check with the Education Counselor Office for available off-post testing locations.

College Entrance Test Preparation SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT

College Level and Graduate School entrance test preparations include study materials for the SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT exams. These tests measure verbal, quantitative, and analytical reasoning skills developed while in high school, college or military training. These exams are designed to assist colleges and graduate schools in assessing qualifications of applicants for advanced study.

CLEP

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) allows you to earn college credit based on information you already know. You can prepare for CLEP tests in the Army Learning Center. Study materials are available at the Post Library.

Other Areas of Study

The Army Learning Center can also assist with spelling and writing skills, preparation for the Pikes Peak Community College placement exams, 52E test review, and speed reading instruction.

Army Correspondence Course Program

Army Correspondence Courses are open to military (active, ROTC, Reserve) and authorized Federal civilian employees. There is no fee for Army Correspondence Courses, but they should be job related and only one course should be taken at a time.

Enlisted personnel in grades specialist and sergeant earn one promotion point for every five correspondence credit hours completed (per ).

Reserve Component and National Guard personnel earn one retirement point for every three credit hours of correspondence study completed (per  and ).

The staff in the Army Learning Center can help you with course selection and registration or check out DA Pam 350-59 (the correspondence course catalog) via the internet at www.atsc.army.mil/accp/aipdnew.asp.

Also, please visit the General Dennis J. Reimer Training and Doctrine Digital Library at  to view courses and subcourses that are available in electronic format.

Family Members Welcome

The Education Center offers services to Family members, as well as Soldiers. Services include:

• Counseling Services: See a counselor to discuss goals and form a plan for your education.
• The Army Learning Center: Prepare for the GED Test, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, or the Pikes Peak Community College Placement test. You can also prepare for CLEP Testing.
• Testing Services: Use our convenient testing center for some of the tests, but Family members must pay for most tests.
• College Courses: Some college courses are held on Fort Carson. Please come by the Education Center for a list of courses.
• College Funding Information: Unfortunately the Army can’t offer Family members tuition assistance, but we will be able to help you find other avenues for funding your education.
• In-State Certification: This certification allows you to get the in-state rate on tuition if you qualify.
• Much More!

Come by the Counseling Office, building 1117, room 150, and we will help you get started on your goals. Hours are 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays or 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Friday. No appointment is required.

Weekly Briefing Schedule

Services for Soldiers not Stationed at Fort Carson

Whom do we support?

The Fort Carson Education Center provides educational support to all Soldiers, Reservists, National Guard, Department of the Army civilians, and adult Family members throughout Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah.

Navy Reserves and Reserve Naval Construction Battalion assigned and stationed at Fort Carson can receive in-state certification, counseling, learning center, and testing services, but no Army tuition assistance.

Questions? Commercial: 719-526-2124 DSN: 691-2124 Fax: 719-526-8071 or email us at: usarmy.carson.imcom-central.mbx.dhr-esd-aces@mail.mil