AUABC program helps Airmen earn baccalaureate degree Published Oct. 20, 2015 By By Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala -- Since 1977 the Community College of the Air Force provided enlisted Airmen an opportunity to earn their Associates in Applied Science degrees. Today, more than 300,000 Airmen are enrolled in CCAF making it the largest community college in the world. In 2007 Air University in cooperation with CCAF started a program that can help Airmen take their education to the next level by offering Airmen the opportunity to earn their baccalaureate degree in a program called the Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC). The program is partnered with 59 civilian institutions offering 215 baccalaureate degree programs to CCAF AAS students and graduates. The program is comprised of three categories that let Airmen decide how they want to progress in their education. The first category is geared toward CCAF graduates. It guarantees CCAF graduates will need no more than 60 semester hours to complete their bachelor's degree. The second category is designed for current CCAF students. The students will dual track by taking courses that can be applied to both their CCAF degree and their bachelor's degree. Upon completion of their CCAF degree students are guaranteed they will need no more than 60 semester hours to complete their bachelor's degree. The third category is focused on Airmen striving for more intensive bachelor degrees. CCAF graduates will need more than 60 semester hours to complete the bachelor's degree. The AU-ABC program is portable ensuring credits earned will not be lost due to moving from base to base. The program results in less time to receive a degree, less semester hours required to complete a degree and it costs less tuition assistance dollars. "Airmen earn college credits attending various Air Force schools. It is nice to know that accredited civilian colleges and universities recognize the quality of that education by transferring those credits into various bachelor degrees, " said Michelle Garten, AU-ABC Program Manager. "What makes the AU-ABC program stand out is that it is anywhere and anytime, wherever you are you can continue with the same degree program," said Garten. "It can follow you everywhere, that's the beauty of this program," The AU-ABC program targets active duty Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members. Degree requirements may be completed after students retire or separate from the Air Force. For more information regarding the AUABC program contact the Education Center at 953-5959.