Converting Dive training to Colleges credit

[vetvso]

I'm looking for ideas for a group of ex-military vets currently in civilian dive school. Does any know of a way to convert the specifics of the school into college credits? Would these high in CERTS be able to be converted via PLA?

Here is the list of CERTS they will receive. I did not find anything in ACE or NCCRS. There are a couple of universities and colleges that might have classes to be used via a PLA but I'm not sure yet.

INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

These two main diving certifications allow DIT graduates to work domestically and globally.

• Unrestricted Surface Supplied Diver certification from the Diver Certification Board of Canada (DCBC)
  
  
• Entry level Diver/Tender–International Endorsement certification from the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI)
  

PROGRAM CERTIFICATIONS

1. 1. Unrestricted Surface Supplied Air Diver Certification with Occupational SCUBA Diver Endorsement, issued by the Diver Certification Board of Canada (DCBC) for the Canadian Standards Association (CSA): This certification allows you to work globally and opens you up to international job opportunities and world travel.
   
   
2. 2. Association of Dive Contractors International (ADCI) Entry Level Tender/Diver–International Endorsement Certification: This certification allows you to obtain dive jobs in the US market and certain international markets.
   
   
3. 3. DAN Diving First Aid for Professional Divers First Aid, CPR, A.E.D. and Oxygen Provider: Safety first! Commercial divers industry-wide are required to maintain up-to-date versions of these certifications to ensure job site safety.
   
   
4. 4. Job Safety Analysis (JSA) Certificate: You’ll learn how to analyze hazardous operations and provide mitigating techniques or procedures to ensure all operations are conducted safely.
   
   
5. 5. Qualified Rigger API (RP-2D) (REV-7): Shows you have a working knowledge of rigging techniques and procedures that you’ll use daily throughout your diving career.
   
   
6. 6. Hazardous Waste Materials (HazMat) 40-hour OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 and WAC 80-hour HAZWOPER Certification: As a diver you may elect to take jobs where you’ll handle toxic waste or hazardous materials on, around, or in the water. In order to accept these positions HAZMAT certification is required.
   
   
7. 7,8. Level I Liquid Penetrant Testing 4-hour Initial Training Certificate (NDT) & Level II Magnetic Particle Testing 20-hour Initial Training Certificate (NDT): Completion certificates that show you’re qualified to perform basic NDT inspections in various sectors of the industry.
   
   
8. 9. Kirby Morgan Hat User/Operator Certification: You will gain an operational knowledge of maintenance requirements for your critical life support systems provided by Kirby Morgan.
   
   
9. 10,11. NAUI Open Water and NAUI Nitrox (EANX) SCUBA certifications: Demonstrates that you are trained in the proper use and care of standard SCUBA equipment as part of completing 10 program hours of Occupational SCUBA training.
   
   
10. 12. Cylinder Services Fill Station Technician (FST): This certificate demonstrates that you are trained to operate a fill station.
    
    
11. 13. Professional Commercial Diving Program Diploma
    
    
12. Divers Medical Course
    

Canadian forces veteran here, that has worked in dive industry since I got out in 1995.

I don't know of any way to easily get college credit for any of that. PADI does have some of their courses approved for ACE credit, NAUI does not unfortunately (PADI instructor and I was once even on the NAUI Board of Directors). 

It is possible to do a prior learning assessment at some schools like TESU ( https://www.tesu.edu/degree-completion/pla ) and using the ACE credit for PADI and or the courses offered at College of Florida keys from their catalogue along with how your NAUI certs match ( https://www.cfk.edu/academics/academic-d...echnology/)  where they do teach NAUI actually.

However.... honestly, the credits you will get "may" be accepted into electives and in sports at best so towards a degree the use may be limited (In fact when I did I undergrad I looked at decided not worth the effort)


To the commercial diving certs, you could also PLA against  Santa Barbara City College, South Louisiana Community College both that offer Associates degrees that align with what you are doing. However, doing a PLA and getting an associates degree would be challenging without doing other courses and honestly not even sure worth it. Also expensive as heck

 If t folks are using most of their education benefits (GI Bill) money on the dive program and paying out of own pocket and they want a degree, honestly I would advise they look at doing the UMPI Bachelor of Arts in Business admin Management following the great advice on this forum and can be done fast and cheap ( https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...-for-3-222 ) I bet the process will end up less expensive than doing a PLA and faster end of the day. Plus will have a full 4 yr degree

There is a lack of degree programs for commercial divers. It's still a fairly unique field of work. I have done the PADI certs with them already with ACE. Now, these guys already have between 90 - 120 credits plus so UMPI may or may not work for some of them.