Contact your Installation Education Service Officer for more information and to receive one-on-one support. Talk to them about Tuition Assistance (TA), Marine Corps Credentialing Opportunities On-line (COOL), College Level Exam Program (CLEP), Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), Joint Service Transcripts and more.
MAKE US YOUR FIRST STOP.
The Education Center is the recommended first-stop before pursuing any form of post-secondary education. The Center offers advising, test proctoring and basic skills training in math, English and reading. Marines and Sailors on active duty may apply for military Tuition Assistance (TA) to pay for college tuition and fees. It administers military classification testing (AFCT, DLAB and DLPT) and online testing offered through the Air Force Institute of Advance Distance Learning (AFIADL), as well as more than 200 national certifications and state licensing examinations through its Pearson VUE testing center. Complete federal and state applications for financial aid by appointment.
Contact Information
Education Center
Building 1530
6th Street
Twentynine Palms, California 92278
Phone: 7608306881
Email: plmsppd@usmc.mil
Follow Education Center:
Hours | |
Monday | 7:30am - 5:00pm |
Tuesday | 7:30am - 5:00pm |
Wednesday | 7:30am - 5:00pm |
Thursday | 7:30am - 5:00pm |
Friday | 7:30am - 4:30pm |
Saturday | 7:30am - 12:30pm |
Sunday | Closed |
Limited Services | |
Monday - Thursday | 5:00pm - 10:00pm |
Saturday | 7:30am - 12:30pm |
Closed on federal holidays. |
SERVICES
All Marines and Sailors on regular active duty, enlisted reservists on continuous active duty and other reservists ordered to active duty are eligible for TA. TA funds are authorized for vocational-technical schools, undergraduate and graduate programs, and developmental courses for both in-class and distance learning programs.
For more information, including which institutions accept TA funding, please call the Education Center.
The Education Center offers a wide range of testing for members of the military. The following are some of the available tests:
TABE ---- AFCT ---- DLAB ---- DLPT
The Education Center also proctors college exams by appointment at no cost. For more comprehensive information on testing services provided by the Education Center, please visit our LibGuide or call 760.830.6881.
The GI Bill Brief and Workshops are offered at the Education Center every Wednesday, 1 - 2pm. Learn about your VA Education Benefits and receive assistance in applying for benefits.
TOP-UP
Service members who take classes exceeding their TA benefits can use "Top-Up", or part of their GI Bill to cover the difference. Please contact the Education Center for assistance.
BUY-UP
Service members can elect to contribute additional education monies into their GI Bill benefit, thus, receive greater monthly benefits. While still on active duty, service members can contribute an additional $600 towards their Chapter 30 GI Bill benefits and receive in return $5,400 from the Veterans' Administration. For those who contribute the additional $600, they will receive an additional $150 a month for each month of remaining benefit. The paperwork for the Buy-Up may be picked up at the Education Center. Please note that the Buy-Up option can only be used in conjuntion with the Montgomery GI Bill.
PROGRAMS
The purpose of the Military Academic Skills Program (MASP) is to strengthen the English, reading, vocabulary and math skills of its participants. Each course is four weeks long, running from 8am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, and taught by credentialed Copper Mountain College instructors.
Enrollment contracts are available at the Copper Mountain College Base Programs office in Building 1530, Room 209. There is no charge to enroll in this course, and MASP is open to family members and DoD civilians on a space available basis. Service members often use this course to improve their AFCT score and transition into the college classroom.
JOINT SERVICES TRANSCRIPT
The Joint Services Transcript is your link to a listing of all your military training including recruit training, MOS schools and MCIs. The American Council on Education makes recommendations as to how much college credit your military training is worth.
The USMAP is a formal military training program that allows Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy personnel to complete a civilian apprenticeship program while on active duty. Marines are assigned an apprenticeable trade based on their respective MOS, while Sailors may apply for an apprenticeable trade based on their Navy rating.
The program requires no outside or additional work. Personnel are only required to record the hours they spend working in their field each day. Once the service member has completed the required minimum number of hours, he or she receives a certificate of completion of apprenticeship from the Department of Labor. Get enrolled and register today.
COPPER MOUNTAIN COLLEGE
CMC is a two-year California community college offering a variety of certificates and associate degree programs (both transferable and non-transferable). Active duty service members and their family members are eligible for in-state tuition rates and grants, and CMC is tuition assistance-approved. CMC offers an 18-week semester schedule, as well as nine-week courses.
Contact Information
Copper Mountain College
Building 1530
6th Street
Twentynine Palms, California 92278
Phone: 7608306133
CMC Admissions & Records Specialist: 7603663791 Ext: 5102
CMC Admissions & Records Technician: 7603663791 Ext: 5891
CMC Base Coordinator: 7603665294
Follow Copper Mountain College:
Hours | |
Monday | 7:30am - 4:30pm |
Tuesday | 7:30am - 4:30pm |
Wednesday | 7:30am - 4:30pm |
Thursday | 7:30am - 4:30pm |
Friday | 7:30am - 4:30pm |
Saturday | Closed |
Sunday | Closed |
Federal Holiday Hours may vary. |
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
National University is a private, non-profit, university that offers four-week accelerated terms. Classes meet two days per week and two Saturdays for half a day per month. NU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees.
National University administers the DSST & CLEP exams using their computer lab. To arrange to take the exam, please contact them directly.
Contact Information
National University
Building 1530, Room 309
6th Street
Twentynine Palms, California 92278
Phone: 7608306887
NU Admissions Advisor: 6195637344
NU Admissions Advisor II: 6195637340
NU Center Assistant: 6195637343
Follow National University:
Hours | |
Monday | 7:30am - 5:30pm |
Tuesday | 7:30am - 5:30pm |
Wednesday | 7:30am - 5:30pm |
Thursday | 7:30am - 5:30pm |
Friday | 7:30am - 5:30pm |
Saturday | Closed |
Sunday | Closed |
Federal Holiday Hours may vary. |