El Paso Community College has been designated a “Servicemembers Opportunity College” by the American Association of Community Colleges and the U.S. Department of Defense which have established the criteria for the admissions, residence and course requirements. Only active duty military personnel and their family members are eligible for enrollment in the SOC Program.

To enroll through the SOC Program, complete the normal college admissions requirements and satisfy state-mandated TASP requirements. You must also complete 25% of college level coursework toward your degree at EPCC. The remaining credits required for completion of your degree program may be earned in the following ways:

• College credits earned through other regionally accredited institutions may be transferred to the College.
• Semester credit hours may be earned through successful completion of College Level Examination Program (CLEP) General and Subject Examination and DANTES Standardized Subject Tests except where state statutes apply.
• Courses completed through USAFI will be accepted, following the recommendations of the American Council on Education, if the courses are appropriate to your EPCC program of study or as elective credit, except where state statutes apply.
• Military service schools, military occupational specialty (MOS), and Naval Enlisted Rating (NER) credits will be awarded following ACE recommendations. Such credits can be applied to a specific EPCC program of study or as elective credit, except where state statutes apply.
• Credit for successful completion of institutional challenge examinations will be given, except where state statutes apply. However, EPCC challenge exams do not satisfy the requirement for 25% of degree work completed in residence.

Counseling for service members is available at the Fort Bliss Center and on-post through the Army Education Centers.
To complete a SOC application and evaluation, submit all necessary documents, including a certified copy of the DA Form 2-1/2A for Army personnel requesting an evaluation for military experience, and all official transcripts to the Education Center at Fort Bliss or the EPCC Fort Bliss Center. Whenever possible, you should submit an official AARTS transcript. An evaluation of records will be made through the EPCC Fort Bliss Center.

If you are transferred from El Paso before you complete your degree, you may obtain an associate degree by meeting the following requirements:

• Complete a minimum of 25% of the course requirements toward the degree in residence at EPCC.
• Meet TASP and Ability-to-Benefit requirements.
• Complete the remaining courses for an associate degree through a non-traditional mode and/or through credits earned from other accredited institutions. Official documentation of this training or education should be forwarded to the EPCC Fort Bliss Center.
• Submit a graduation application to the EPCC Registrar’s Office in accordance with established College deadlines.