American College of Technology

Army students who enroll in American College of Technology (ACOT) will find an educational program that's truly customized to meet their needs. As an Army student, you'll mix years of Army training and service with a professional education that's designed to broaden your skills and increase your relevance in the workforce.

With coursework that is accessible from anywhere in the world, faculty and staff who are focused on the specific challenges Army students face, and degree and certificate programs designed to offer a targeted level of training, enrolling at ACOT means you'll be able to pursue a professional education on your own terms.

American College of Technology School Facts

American College of Technology offers accredited and specialized career training to students--and has done so for over a decade. Recognized by a host of academic, military, and professional organizations, ACOT is based in Saint Joseph, Missouri, but reaches students all over the world through its online degree, diploma, and certificate programs. American College of Technology's mission is to deliver career-oriented, technical training to anybody, anywhere, and at a fair cost.

At American College of Technology, educators realize your desire to train efficiently and move into the workplace. Instructors at ACOT are specialists in their fields, offering a focused level of information technology, criminal justice, health care administration, and business education to Army students. Choose among a range of educational options including:

• Associate's Degrees
• Technical Diplomas
• Information Technology Certificates

While no school can guarantee placement in a particular career or specific salary earnings, on average, 75 percent of ACOT graduates find jobs in their chosen fields. Whether you're looking for a well-rounded education through an associate's or bachelor's degree or the targeted training of a certificate or technical diploma, consider ACOT as your way to combine your Army training and experience with a professional education.

Sam Atieh, President & CEO of American College of Technology, has over 20 years of progressive experience in the computer and information technology fields. In his professional career, President Atieh developed computer systems and applications for military use. The combination of current training with a commitment to the industries this training serves is just one reason to consider American College of Technology.

Trust your education to an accredited source. American College of Technology is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) and certified to operate by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education. Degree and certificate programs are affiliated with Veterans Assistance (VA), Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Workforce Investment Act (WIA), and for most employers' tuition reimbursement programs. What's more, ACOT is affiliated with Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES).

The Educational Experience for Army Students

Accessibility and convenience make the American College of Technology educational experience a positive one for Army students. At ACOT, associate degrees can be earned in less than 24 months--especially when Army members convert their training to course credits. Additionally, you may take multiple courses at once and test out of certain subjects, potentially making your time in school even more efficient.

Whether you're busy with the unpredictable demands of active duty or Reserve service, or you work full-time outside your military duty, the educational experience at ACOT helps connect you with the training you need:

• Learn up-to-date programming languages in information technology programs
• Experience real-world scenarios and projects that are directly connected with the problems you'll face in the workforce
• Train with educators who keep their own skills current and applicable

Thanks to ACOT's audio and video streaming technology, class lectures are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Army students with busy travel schedules will appreciate being able to access lectures in different ways:

• Live, broadcasted at specified times
• Recorded, online through your desktop or laptop
• On-the-Go, through an MP3 player such as an iPod

With small class sizes and live interactive lectures that use both voice and video conferencing, the experience you'll find at ACOT is designed to help support and ease your transition from military service to civilian life.

Army Education Benefits & Financial Aid

President Atieh notes, "In my research over the last ten years, I have not encountered any college or institution that matches ours in delivering education using innovative technology at a cost people can afford."

American College of Technology employs both VA Certifying Officials and Military Student Advisors, who are dedicated to work with Army members and tuition assistance programs. Whether you're returning to school from a long absence or you need an advisor to help with extensive education credits and transfers, you have an ally in ACOT. A member of the Servicemember Opportunity College (SOC) network, American College of Technology makes transferring credits between schools easy.

Let the military student advisors at ACOT guide you through the details of Army education benefits, including:

• The GI Bill
• Transfer of Benefits
• Yellow Ribbon Program
• Funding for Books and Living Expenses.
• Vocational Training Benefits

At American College of Technology, military student advisors are prepared to work with Army tuition benefits programs. These experts help you decide whether you would be best served with the Montgomery GI Bill, or if you should convert to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Let the experts at ACOT guide you through the complex process of finding a financial aid package that mixes your Army benefits and other tuition assistance programs, including:

• Federal loans and grants
• Workforce Investment Act funding
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Personal funding

The financial aid department at American College of Technology can help you create a financial aid package that takes the worry out of paying for your education. Between Army commitments, work, and family life, enrolling in career training should be a source of strength, not stress.

American College of Technology Career Services

Take advantage of the career services assistance you'll find from American College of Technology. Career services at ACOT are designed to help you find the career that matches up with your skills and geographical area.

American College of Technology representatives offer online career services assistance, helping students access job placement resources and contact head-hunter agencies. Whether you're networking with fellow students or local employers, your education and training at ACOT stands as proof of your interest and commitment to your field.

Advance your Army career or transition into a civilian job path with career services help from American College of Technology.

Army News at American College of Technology

American College of Technology is dedicated to honoring and assisting Army servicemembers and veterans. The school's evolving commitment to the military means expanding course offerings, improving accessibility, and partnering with recruiting firms to help match Army personnel with civilian education and employment. Take a look at Army news from ACOT:

Online College Expands Offerings

Reporter Jimmy Myers of the St. Joseph News-Press notes that American College of Technology "revamped its course offerings that allow soldiers to enroll and take classes from as far away as Iraq, Kuwait, and London."

In addition to accepting GI Bill funding, ACOT is primed to offer more connection options for active duty and veteran military members. Teacher and administrator Lute Atieh came up with expanded connectivity options while learning Spanish via his iPod on the way to work every morning.

"If I can learn Spanish on my way to work," Mr. Atieh said, "we can do our curriculum (the same way)." Introducing an iPod component to the classroom allows Army members to log on to access course material from anywhere in the world.

Opportunity Expo for Military Veterans and Military Spouses

American College of Technology was just one of the veteran-friendly educational institutions who conducted one-on-one interviews and offered information to Army members and veterans at the RecruitMilitary Opportunity Expo in Phoenix, AZ. The expo, which took place September 24, 2009, helped connect military members and veterans with employment and educational options.

Since 2006, military-to-civilian recruiting firm RecruitMilitary has produced Opportunity Expos and continues to provide a link between members of the military and the training and employment resources pledging military-friendly practices. American College of Technology is one of over 1,200 organizations that continue to pledge resources and support for the specific needs of active-duty Army personnel and veterans.