Helping service members earn college credit faster at no cost to them
With more than 1,800 locations across the United States and abroad, the College Board’s College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) helps learners receive college credits for a comparatively low cost on subjects they already know. Servicemembers have opportunities to take tests at no cost and can earn credits for their military rank.
As part of its commitment to removing barriers and streamlining education pathways for military learners, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) offers CLEP exams for military practitioners at the bases where they are stationed.
Four UMGC locations ranked among the top 20 for total CLEP tests given to military learners in the 2026 CLEP Honors Achievement Awards. UMGC award recipients span the United States, including Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, Fort Meade and Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, and Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico.
“We are honored by the College Board’s recognition of four of our National Test Centers’ efforts in administering CLEP exams to the students we serve on military installations,” said Keith Hauk, vice president of UMGC’s Stateside Military Operations (SMO) department.
“This work is consistent with UMGC’s 75-plus year history of serving the military, and our test centers provide critical support to our learners’ journey by helping them accelerate their path to degree completion or to document vital career skills through industry certification.”
Keith Hauk Vice President, Stateside Military Operations, UMGC
UMGC currently has eight operational National Test Centers in the U.S., and more than 35 in Europe and Asia.
Miranda LaBrecque and Kathleen Velasco are UMGC military education coordinators at Holloman Air Force Base. They shared thoughts on the award and their roles.
"It is rewarding to see our more experienced testers become support systems and guides for our new testers and feel we’re working collaboratively, supporting career and academic progress for all," said Velasco.
"It is a privilege to witness and help support this process for our service members, veterans, and civilian test candidates," added LaBrecque.
Dominique Butler is UMGC’s advanced military education coordinator at Fort Meade. She offered additional reflections.
"It is a rewarding experience. I am aware of how hard students work to prepare for their exam day, and I take pride in ensuring that the testing center is a calm, productive, and welcoming environment that helps encourage them to achieve their academic goals," she said.
"It is an honor and a joy to witness students pass their exams and to celebrate their success."
In addition to the eight U.S. National Test Centers currently run by UMGC, two additional sites are coming online soon in Hawai’i and Virginia, which will ease the process for more learners to make important gains.
Learn more about UMGC programs for military and veterans, including college credit for military experience and training.
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