The articulation of military training onto engineering degree plans

The expected US military draw-downs (reductions in force) combined with a strong GI-Bill will create challenges for engineering programs and colleges nationwide as they work to serve a large influx of veterans who wish to pursue engineering degrees. We have conducted a comparative analysis of Marine Corps engineering training curriculum to determine if military training may be used as a substitute for courses within engineering degrees. SDSU´s degree plans are used as a model for ABET-accredited degree program and the Marine Corps training was chosen as the model for generalized military training. The disciplines of civil and construction engineering have the largest amount of relevant training, with possible direct articulation of two courses, Surveying and Project Management. Beyond these two courses, no direct (complete) substitutions were noted, suggesting future analysis might need to consider combinations of military training courses as substitutes for additional technical courses. Analysis through the framework of military profession was necessary to determine course sequencing.