Earn Your Degree through the AFGE & The National Labor College (NLC) Partnership

What's more powerful than an educated AFGE member? A whole college full of them! The National Labor College is the only accredited college in the world exclusively dedicated to union leaders, members, activists and staff. Its mission is to give the working women and
men who build our unions and make our country strong access to higher education.

AFGE is now partners with the National Labor College which allows us to provide training to our members for college credit and offer assistance through the John N. Sturdivant Scholarship Fund.

Read on to learn more about how you can turn your college dreams into reality at a cost you can afford!

What Is the AFGE and National Labor College (NLC) Partnership?
It's a program to encourage AFGE members and their dependents, and AFGE staff to complete their college degree through a combination of union service, AFGE core training, and classes from the NLC.

What Is the National Labor College?
The National Labor College (NLC), located in Silver Spring, Maryland, is a national center that provides continuing education and college degree opportunities for all union activists and their representatives.

What Kind of Degree Can I Get?
The NLC offers a week-in-residence Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Labor Studies, Labor History, Labor Education, Labor Safety and Health, Political Economy of Labor, Union Leadership and Administration, and a Bachelor of Technical/Professional Studies (BTPS). The NLC also has a graduate degree programs in Legal Ethics, Public Administration, and Union Administration.

How Long Will It Take To Get My Degree?
The BA programs are designed as 3 year on-site programs. Students come to the NLC campus three times a year for a week at a time and generally take two courses. On average, it takes students about three years to get a BA. The BTPS degree can be completed online at your own pace.

How Many Credits Do I Need to Graduate?
To receive a B.A. degree, a student must complete a total of 120 semester hours. You may transfer up to 90 hours of college credits at no cost. The final 30 hours must be taken at the National Labor College.

It's Been 20 Years Since I Took College Courses. Will I Have To Start All Over Again?
No. As long as these courses were from an accredited college or military institution of higher learning, there is not time limitation. You will only need to provide a transcript from the college or military program.

What If I Have No College Credits To Transfer?
Other training might be substituted. A key goal of the NLC is to make college accessible to working men and women by evaluating prior learning experiences including military service, union apprenticeships and union training. You'd be surprised at how many college credits your real life experiences are worth. On-the-job training, union service, and community service also applies.

What Is the AFGE Service Internship?
The AFGE Service Internship allows you to earn credit and money by working on an AFGE mobilization campaign or a special project for the union. For every 135 hours you work, you'll earn three college credits. You can earn up to 27 credits towards your BTPS or six credits towards your BA. In addition, you'll receive a stipend for every 3 credit internship.

If I Attend AFGE Training Classes, Can I Get Credit for Them Towards My Degree?
Yes. Under the AFGE/NLC partnership, standardized courses developed by AFGE Field Services and Education Department will each be worth from 1 to 3 college credits, depending on the number of hours in class. AFGE is in the process of having these classes formally assessed for credit by the NLC and is also developing additional curriculum that will also be eligible for college credit. You will be able to apply up to 15 of these credits towards a degree at the National Labor College.

Can I Use These Credits for Other Colleges or Only for the National Labor College?
Yes. Once a course is on the NLC transcript, that transcript can be submitted to any college. It is always up to individual colleges what they will accept in transfer credits.

How Much Will It Cost To Get My Degree?
BA programs cost $158 per credit hour for AFGE members. For those entered in the in-residence program, the NLC has dorm rooms and meal plans. They offer a room and meal plan that costs $112.50 per night for a double occupancy room or $180.00 for a single occupancy room.

Can AFGE Help Cover Some of the Costs?
Yes. AFGE offers the John Sturdivant Scholarship. It gives up to $2,500 per term or $5,000 per year to qualified AFGE members, and staff who want to enroll in the NLC. This scholarship is available for multiple years. For more information, please contact education@afge.org.

Can I Get Official Time for Attending the National Labor College?
On a case-by-case basis. Under the law, agency management and AFGE can bargain to allow official time for any training courses that improve the union's ability to represent government employees. However, members from other labor unions who don't have official time for training on labor relations use approved leave to attend NLC week-in-residence session.

Washington, DC is Too Far Away. How Can I Take Advantage of the BA Program?
Right now, two of the required classes are offered online and offsite at satellite campuses in the southwest and New York state. As off-site classrooms expand, it will be possible to reduce the need for in-residence time in Washington, DC. But the time spent here in Washington is a unique experience because you study with members of other unions and exchange ideas.

What is the Registration Deadline and How Do I Apply?
You must register eight to ten weeks before the start of each week-in-residence. Online (BTPS) courses begin four weeks before the week-in-residence (BA) courses begin. If you're interested, contact the registration office at the National Labor College at 301-431-5410 or go online to www.georgemeany.org.

For more information email education@afge.org or call 202-639-4013.