Sheppard members taking advantage of ABC program Published Dec. 18, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Vernon Cunningham 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Forty Sheppard Airmen are taking advantage of a program that will earn them a bachelor degree through participating universities, including two on base. Linda Harrison, 82 Mission Support Squadron guidance counselor, said with the Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative program, active duty, Air Force Reserves and Air National Guardsmen everywhere can combine Community College of the Air Force credits and distance-learning classes to complete a bachelor degree in less than four years. Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, or DANTES, and the College Level Examination Program, or CLEP, hours also contribute to the completion of a degree. "The CCAF program is a 64 hour degree. Sixty more hours will be needed to complete a bachelor's degree," Mrs. Harrison said. Two on-base universities have an approved AU ABC program in place, Wayland Baptist University and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. The program has drawn significant interest from Air Education and Training Commander Gen. William R. Looney III. The general said the AU ABC program allows Airmen anywhere the option of expanding their education. "No matter where you're located, if you want to take the time, then advanced education is available to you," General Looney said. Col. Thomas Klincar, CCAF commandant, said the program will also make the transfer process easier for Airmen. "In the past, Airmen would apply to a college, submit their transcripts and talk to a counselor about classes available," the commandant said. "The college would look over the transcripts and accept some credits, but not others, and then the Airmen would have to go through the acceptance process. This new program will eliminate that experience." Through the ABC program, Airmen can now use the Air Force Portal and the Virtual Education Center to access a list of participating universities. From there, the application process is basically point-and-click. "There's no need to order transcripts or fill out any application forms," said Colonel Klincar. "Instead, CCAF will electronically send an Airman's credits to the university of his or her choice that is participating and the Airman will receive a message saying 'Congratulations ... welcome to our program, let's get started.'" The Air Force Virtual Education Center serves as the gateway to the AU ABC program and its services. Tuition assistance, online enrollment, support services and distance learning instructions are all available to potential students. More information about the AU ABC program and its resources is available at: https://rso.my.af.mil/afvecprod/afvec/Pages/AISearch.aspx?Type=AUABC (Air Force and Air Education and Training Command News services contributed to this story.)