Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) Enters Voluntary Education Partnership With U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognized by G.I. Jobs as a Military Friendly School®, Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) has been approved for participation in the Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Program. Under the terms of this program, eligible servicemembers may apply military tuition assistance benefits toward UMA's online healthcare degrees.

UMA is committed to providing education opportunities for Armed Forces personnel and has implemented numerous military-friendly policies. While servicemembers have been able to use military tuition assistance benefits at UMA since January 2011, recent policy changes to the DoD Voluntary Education Programs now require educational institutions to have a Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on file with the DoD. The signed agreement between UMA and the DoD Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness means that UMA is officially recognized as a participating institution under the Voluntary Education Partnership.

As stated in the Voluntary Education Partnership MoU, the DoD regards military tuition benefits as a "strategic investment" that helps servicemembers accomplish their mission within the Armed Forces and successfully return to civilian life afterward*. Under the DoD Joint Uniform Tuition Assistance program, eligible servicemembers may receive up to $4,500 per fiscal year - at a rate of $250 per semester hour or $166.67 per quarter hour - toward the cost of tuition.

Brian Braggs, Director of Military and Veteran Affairs at Ultimate Medical Academy, reaffirmed the school's enduring commitment to military students. "UMA has a long history of providing quality healthcare education programs to the men and women of the Armed Forces. By entering into a Voluntary Education Partnership with the Department of Defense, we have ensured our ongoing ability to serve these students, as we will be able to continue accepting their military tuition assistance benefits when the DoD policy changes take effect in 2012," he explained.

"Tuition assistance plays a key role in helping to make postsecondary education affordable for military students, while UMA's online healthcare degree programs help make their education goals attainable - no matter where they're stationed or living," remarked Braggs. "We're proud to support servicemembers in their pursuit of associate degrees and healthcare certification, and our faculty and staff remain dedicated to preparing them for employment in the allied health field."

In addition to accepting military tuition assistance, UMA offers a number of other benefits that have contributed to its recognition as a Military Friendly School. These advantages include:

• Special tuition pricing for active-duty servicemembers, guard, reserves and veterans, as well as spouses and qualifying dependents of active-duty military
• Waived registration fee
• Patriot Grant to cover the cost of books
• Credit transfers for eligible military experience

Military students can choose from a variety of UMA healthcare training and degree programs online. Options include Associate of Science degrees in Medical Billing and Coding, Health Information Technology, Healthcare Management and Spa Management, as well as a Health Sciences associate degree with a choice of concentrations: Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Office and Billing Specialist, and Pharmacy Technician.

For more information on UMA's healthcare degree programs and military-friendly policies, visit http://www.ultimatemedical.edu.

About Ultimate Medical Academy

Founded in 1994 and located in Florida, Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) offers dynamic healthcare training and degree programs that empower students to enter and advance within the growing allied health field. UMA is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and dedicated to providing a superior education in a supportive, professional and ethical environment. With locations in Tampa and Clearwater as well as online healthcare programs, UMA has helped thousands of students launch healthcare careers in Florida and beyond.

For information on student graduation rates, retention and placement rates, and student financial obligations, visit www.ultimatemedical.edu/consumerinfo.

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* Department of Defense. Instruction: Voluntary Education Programs. "Appendix to Enclosure 3: Figure 1." http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/132225p.pdf

Media Inquires:

Tricia Wong
Director of Marketing
Ultimate Medical Academy
Phone: 813-676-1646

This press release distribution was issued by PR Syndication.

SOURCE Ultimate Medical Academy