Fort Drum  Education

College partners support the Education Center at the post-secondary level. These institutions provide associates through graduate level academic programs in both traditional and nontraditional modes. Classes are offered on Fort Drum in Watertown, and are available online.

Partners include:

Jefferson Community College (JCC): JCC is a two-year community college located in Watertown. JCC offers 17 A.A.S. career curricula, 22 transfer A.A. or A.S. curricula and 9 certificate programs. Basic in-state tuition: $179.00/credit hour. Offices are located on Fort Drum and in Watertown. Additionally, through Jefferson's Higher Education Center initiative, the College has partnered with several four-year institutions to provide opportunities for community members to earn bachelor's and master's degrees locally.

SUNY Empire State College: SUNY Empire State offers programs from a non-traditional approach with degrees ranging from associate through master's. Offices are located on Fort Drum and in Watertown. The Fort Drum office includes 3 mentor-advisors.

Columbia College of Missouri - Fort Drum: Columbia College, Fort Drum, offers online and in-seat programs at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree level. Classes are offered in six eight-week sessions per year. Columbia offers a Spouses’ Opportunity Grant, allowing military spouses to take their first Columbia class tuition-free, and a Military Family Member’s Opportunity Grant, allowing military dependents to take their first in-seat class with Columbia tuition-free. In addition, Columbia offers a spouses’ tuition discount of 20 percent off regular in-seat tuition for the duration of the degree. Columbia College offers classes and provides 2 advisers at their campus in the Fort Drum Education Center.

University of Maryland University College - Fort Drum: University of Maryland University College offers online programs at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. In addition to online courses, UMUC offers undergraduate hybrid courses in the evenings at the Fort Drum Education Center. UMUC has 3 college representatives available at the Education Center to assist all students with their educational goals.

The Fort Drum Army Education Center provides a wide range of services to our Soldiers and Family members. Co-located with the McEwen Library, 4300 Camp Hale Road, the Center provides traditional and nontraditional educational opportunities and counseling services for the Military, their Families, and the Civilian workforce.

Testing

Army Personnel Testing (APT) - The Education Center provides a number of Army personnel tests geared at determining language aptitude and proficiency, skills assessment, and fitness for military schooling. A list of APTs and sample registration forms are on the Education Center website at http://www.drum.army.mil.

Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES) -  DANTES supports credit by examination, and national certifying examination programs available to all of the population served. Testing is supported by an on-post National Testing Center and a DANTES test cell providing a limited number of national certifying exams.

Ft Drum National Test Center – Columbia College of Missouri Provides the site for Fort Drum’s Credit by Examination Testing program supporting both the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and the DANTES Standardized Subject Testing (DSST) programs. For more information check out their website or contact Columbia College at 315-775-0128.

Tuition Assistance

Counselors at the Education Center provide education counseling in support of post-secondary educational programs, financed through Army Tuition Assistance, other federal program, and veteran's benefits for Active Duty and Reserve Soldiers.

Military Family members stationed in New York are eligible for in-state tuition and may qualify for the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Additional federal aid and scholarships may be available. Army Emergency Relief also provides education scholarships to spouses and children of Service members. Visit the AER website for information about AER scholarships.   

Additional information can be obtained on the Education Center webpage or by calling the Education Center at 315-772-6878 or DSN 312-772-6878.

GoArmyEd.com (GAE) is the portal through which Soldiers can access their tuition assistance (TA) benefits, enroll in courses, search class schedules, view or print education records, find school contacts, review test scores and verify on-duty enrollments. The portal contains a variety of education-related resources and documents that can be accessed virtually anywhere, anytime. Soldiers will continue to receive quality one-on-one counselor assistance at the Army Education Center for GAE problems, enrollments, guidance, career planning, and any other questions concerning voluntary education. GAE provides Soldiers the opportunity to initiate virtual contact with schools, guidance counselors, and the GAE helpdesk at any time that is convenient. The GAE portal automates the TA request process, alleviating the need for paper forms and third-party command approval. With over 2000 schools in participation, GAE streamlines the college process for any Soldier wishing to participate in voluntary education.

Adult Education

Jefferson-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES)

Adult and Continuing Education programs are offered by Jefferson-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). Programs and courses include Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) personal enrichment, literacy improvement, skills training, re-training opportunities, and continuing education. Daytime career and technical programs are available to area high school students and adults.  

Technical Programs -- Available technical programs prepare students for careers in cosmetology, business, welding, mechanics, building trades, service-related employment, fashion design, medical services, nursing, electronics, forestry, computer assisted design/drafting, visual communications and many others.

Personal Enrichment -- Course areas include Computer Studies, Creative Arts, Criminal Justice, Dog Obedience, Enhanced Skills for the Workplace, Fitness, Health Education, Language Arts, Personal Finance, and Trade and Industry.

Call 315-779-7000 for additional information.

English as a Second Language (ESL) LNNY in conjunction with ACS offers three levels of English classes at ACS. Classes are free and open to Soldiers and Families. Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Grammar and Writing classes are designed to meet the needs of all English Language Learners. ESL also provides cultural adaptation and a social outlet for foreign born residents to meet others who share their native language and heritage.

Literacy of Northern New York (LNNY)

Adult education programs are offered by Literacy of Northern New York (LNNY). Programs include individuals tutoring, basic reading and math, English as a Second Language (ESL), Citizenship Preparations, computer skills, and English pronunciation.

Call 315-782-4270.