Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) Partners With United States Coast Guard (USCG) to Facilitate Computer-Based CLEP Testing for Servicemembers

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Coast Guard (USCG) unit in St. Petersburg, Florida, has partnered with Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) to establish a base-sponsored National Test Center for the College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) provided by the College Board. UMA was commissioned by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) to supply the technology and equipment required for computer-based CLEP testing at USCG Sector St. Petersburg.

The Ultimate Medical Academy/USCG Sector St. Petersburg National Test Center (code 4650) is located at 1301 Beach Dr. SE, Building 0630, in St. Petersburg, and is housed within the USCG Education Services Center. This base-sponsored test center is open to active-duty servicemembers, guardsmen, reservists and veterans in all branches of the military, as well as spouses, dependents and civilian employees of the military.

Candidates may sit for any of the 33 available CLEP tests at the USCG base-sponsored National Test Center. Each examination is 90 minutes long, and most consist of multiple-choice questions. (The English Composition test has an essay portion, and some exams may require fill-in answers.) Those who achieve passing scores on the tests may receive college credit for their CLEP exams at participating colleges and universities.

DANTES is providing the CLEP software and funding the exams for military personnel, veterans and other eligible individuals at the USCG Sector St. Petersburg National Test Center. UMA will provide the computers, equipment, bandwidth and installation, as well as marketing and technical support services.

UMA representatives Brian Braggs, Director of Military and Veteran Affairs, and David Johns, IT Support Team Supervisor, are coordinating the project in collaboration with Monty H. Mathis, Education Services Officer (ESO) for U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg.

Mathis was hired by the USCG in 2003 as the first full-time ESO for Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg and has built the Education Services Center from the ground up. In addition to administering CLEP and DANTES tests, he oversees all Coast Guard and military-performance examinations for the entire West Coast of Florida.

"I believe the partnership between Ultimate Medical Academy and our Education Services Center will benefit Coast Guard personnel and other military constituents in many ways," said Mathis. "Eligible individuals can now take computer-based CLEP tests on-site and obtain their results immediately. With the old paper-based system required by the Department of Defense, participants often had to wait weeks to receive their scores. By eliminating this delay, we can get students enrolled in degree programs faster - and they no longer have to worry about missing the start of a term because they're waiting on CLEP results."

"My mission, and that of the Education Services Center, is to help members of the Coast Guard fulfill their education and career goals. Not only are these hard-working individuals serving their country and supporting their families, but they're also committed to bettering themselves and advancing their skills and knowledge. To that end, we're dedicated to doing everything possible to help them succeed - and I believe that computer-based CLEP testing can play an important role," concluded Mathis.

Individuals who wish to register for CLEP testing at USCG Sector St. Petersburg should contact Monty H. Mathis, Education Services Officer, at 727-502-1524.

Designated by G.I. Jobs as a Military Friendly School®, UMA offers a wide range of healthcare training and degree programs. In addition to providing ground-based courses in Tampa and Clearwater, UMA brings healthcare education to students nationwide through its online campus. It is this expertise in computer-based learning and testing that UMA is leveraging for the USCG project.

For more information on Ultimate Medical Academy, including online healthcare degree programs available to the military, visit http://military.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 http://www.ultimatemedical.edu/consumerinfo.

1, 2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Healthcare." Career Guide to Industries, 2010-2011 Edition. Accessed online January 12, 2012. http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs035.htm

Media Inquiries:

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

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SOURCE Ultimate Medical Academy