Colleges, universities to provide higher-level education in Pacific theater

  • Published
  • By Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  The Department of Defense awarded contracts to four colleges and universities to provide in resident college and graduate programs at overseas military installations across U.S. Pacific Command to include Mainland Japan, Okinawa, Korea and Guam. Universities will provide education programs for military and family members and DoD civilians for the next seven years, beginning Aug. 1.

After a competitive acquisition process, new contracts were awarded to those schools that offered the best value to the government. Contracts were awarded to the following colleges and universities:
University of Maryland University College -- High School completion (GED), Academic Skills, undergraduate degree programs, MBA/Management (graduate) programs and National Test Center services; Central Texas College --  Vocational-Technical programs; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University  -- Aviation programs (undergraduate and graduate); and Troy University -- International Relations (graduate program).

"The contracts awarded to each of the schools are for two years, with five additional option years," said Laura Dean, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Chief of Education. "Education opportunities are a top reason service members join the military and a top reason why they stay, so it is important they have the opportunity to pursue their education goals even while they are assigned overseas. The contracted schools will provide valued services to our overseas population."

Although the government requested proposals for the undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs, no university was awarded the contract for these services based on the terms and conditions of the solicitation. In addition, because University of Phoenix did not submit a proposal during the acquisition process, it will discontinue services in the Asia-Pacific region by July 31.

"Education services officers are working closely with the University of Phoenix officials to ensure current students are advised about degree completion options," Dean said. "All parties are committed to make the transition in a professional manner and ensure all students are afforded personal attention and support. All students have the opportunity to continue to pursue their degrees either online with the university or transfer their credits to another school."

While undergraduate and Vo-Tech programs will be offered at 32 locations throughout the PACOM area of responsibility, graduate programs are only offered at a few locations. 

International Relations graduate programs will be offered at the following locations: Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea; Yongsan Garrison, ROK; Camp Humphreys, ROK; Kadena Air Base, Japan; and Misawa Air Base, Japan.

MBA/graduate management program will be offered at the following locations:  Osan AB; Yongsan Garrison; Camp Humphreys; Kadena Air Base; Yokota Air Base, Japan; Camp Zama, Japan; Yokosuka Naval Station, Japan; and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. 

In resident undergraduate and graduate aviation programs will be offered for the first time on PACOM installations at two locations: Camp Humphreys and Kadena. ERAU could begin providing classes as soon as fall 2015.