Community College of the Air Force

Community College of the Air Force
Community College of the Air Force
Community College of the Air Force.png
Motto The foundation of liberty is knowledge.
Established 1972
Type Public two year and four year college
Students 351,715[1]
Location Maxwell AFB, AL, USA
Campus Multi-campus
Affiliations Air University
Website www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/

The Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) is a federal program offered by the United States Air Force which grants two year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in association with Air University.

The CCAF is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools through Air University.

Contents

History

In the early 1970s, the Air Force decided to attempt to gain accreditation and recognition for Air Force training programs. Representatives of the Air Training Command (ATC), Air University, and the United States Air Force Academy held numerous conferences in 1971 to discuss increased training for Air Force non-commissioned officers (NCOs). These conferences, in turn, recommended the foundation of an Air Force community college. On November 9, 1971, Gen John D. Ryan, Air Force Chief of Staff, approved the establishment of the Community College of the Air Force. The Secretary of the Air Force approved the plan January 25, 1972, and the college was officially established on April 1, 1972, at Randolph AFB, TX.[2]

Until the mid-1970s, the CCAF offered only certificate programs. It became apparent that CCAF standards exceeded the minimum requirements of associate degree programs in civilian community colleges. Therefore, in 1975 the Air Force sought degree-granting authority for the college from Congress. President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-361 on July 14, 1976 authorizing the AETC commander to confer the associate degree.[3]

Following an evaluation in October 1976, the Commissioner of Education certified degree-granting authority in January 1977. The college awarded its first AAS degree in April 1977.[2]

When the Commission on Occupational Education Institution charter was limited in 1975 to non degree-granting institutions, the CCAF began seeking accreditation from the SACS Commission on Colleges. The Commission on Colleges accredited the CCAF on December 12, 1980. In 2004, Air University became accredited by the SACS Commission on Colleges to award associate and master’s degrees. CCAF now shares in Air University’s regional accreditation. CCAF was separately accredited by SACS from 1980-2004.[2]

Currently the CCAF is only open to airmen, but Congressman Sestak added language to the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act to open admission to all branches.[4]

Academics

The program combines the technical education offered by Air Force schools with a core of general education from regionally accredited civilian institutions, and management education from Air Force or civilian sources.

The CCAF offers Associates of Applied Science degrees in five broad career areas:[5]

  • Aircraft and Missile Maintenance
  • Allied Health
  • Electronics and Telecommunications
  • Logistics and Resources
  • Public and Support Services

Within those 5 broad areas, the CCAF currently offers 67 specific degree programs. [6]

AU-ABC program

In June 2007 Air University announced a new program where four year colleges accept the entire value (60 credits) of the CCAF Associates degree towards a Bachelor degree, requiring only 60 more credits (typically upper division, core classes). This program is called the Air University Associate-To-Baccalaureate Cooperative. It has been publicized as a convenient way for an Airman to complete their 4 year degree. It has also served to boost the desirability of a CCAF degree, as there is a notion among the enlisted members that a CCAF Associate degree only holds value in the Air Force community. As of October 2009 the AU-ABC program included 42 civilian colleges and universities offering 209 bachelor's degree programs. Thirty-six of the ABC schools hold regional accreditation, and six hold national accreditation through the Distance Education and Training Council. For additional information on accreditation please refer to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or U.S. Department of Education websites.

Notes and references

  1. ^ Community College of the Air Force — Infoplease.com
  2. ^ a b c USAF Air University: Community College of the Air Force General Information
  3. ^ Search Results - THOMAS (Library of Congress)
  4. ^ Congressman Sestak's Amendments in National Defense Authorization Act Pass House
  5. ^ USAF Air University: Community College of the Air Force
  6. ^ 2005-2007 Degree Programs

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • List of United States Air Force Academy alumni — Traditional hat toss and flyover by Air Force Thunderbirds at the graduation ceremony at the United States Air Force Academy …   Wikipedia

  • Community College of Denver — One of the buildings on the Auraria Campus used by the Community College of Denver …   Wikipedia

  • Community College of Allegheny County — Motto The first choice for faster results. Established September 1966 Type Community college Preside …   Wikipedia

  • Community College of Aurora — CCA s Student Centre Rotunda, CentreTech Campus, Aurora, Colorado Motto Go Beyond the Book Established …   Wikipedia

  • Maxwell Air Force Base Senior Officers' Quarters Historic District — U.S. National Register of Historic Places U.S. Historic district …   Wikipedia

  • Air Force Doctrine Development and Education Center — Infobox Military Unit unit name= Air Force Doctrine Development and Education Center caption= Air Force Doctrine Center emblem dates= 21 July 1993 August 2007 country= United States allegiance= branch= United States Air Force type= role= size=… …   Wikipedia

  • The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina — Established 1842 Type Public university Endowment $166.8 million …   Wikipedia

  • Air University (United States) — The United States Air Force Air University (AU) is a component of the United States Air Force s Air Education and Training Command, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Air University is the U.S. Air Force’s primary center for… …   Wikipedia

  • Air Training Command — Infobox Military Unit unit name= Air Training Command caption= Air Training Command emblem dates= 1946 1993 country= United States allegiance= branch= United States Army Air Forces (1946 1947) United States Air Force (1947 1993) type= Major… …   Wikipedia

  • College of the Holy Cross — Not to be confused with Holy Cross College. The College of the Holy Cross Latin: Collegium Sanctae Crucis Motto In Hoc Signo Vinces …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”