Community College of the Air Force and the GEM ProgramCommunity College of the Air Force (CCAF) is the only federally chartered institution in the United States that offers associate in applied science degrees and other credentialing programs to Air Force/Space Force enlisted personnel. For additional information, check out the CCAF Frequently Asked Questions.
General Education Mobile (GEM) is an online education program that provides CCAF students links to regionally accredited
partnership education institutions, like Pikes Peak State College. We, PPSC, offer
freshman and sophomore level courses to Air Force and Space Force personnel to help
fulfill the 15 semester hours of general education requirements for the CCAF Associate
in Applied Science (AAS) degree.
All GEM courses are available through online media. This allows enrolled students to complete their PPSC coursework anywhere their Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) or Space Force Specialty Code (SFSC) may take them as long as internet connectivity is available. The online course availability reduces the impact that Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves, Temporary Duty Assignments (TDYs), deployments, and family commitments can have on completing a CCAF degree.
GEM students enroll in online classes to complete the five general education disciplines - Oral Communications, Written Communications, Mathematics, Social Science, and Humanities - required by the CCAF AAS degree. PPSC GEM online courses are offered through the Colorado Community Colleges Online programs. Most courses are offered in a six-week format. Eight, ten, and fifteen week formats are also available. Airmen and Guardians enrolled in the PPSC GEM Program can complete their five required courses in one calendar year; provided they do not need to complete developmental or prerequisite courses. The GEM Course Chart for each semester lists available CCAF approved courses.
For more information on the GEM program, go to the CCAF home page. Then select the GEM tab under the "Paths to Your Educational Goals" section.
You can also check out the "GENERAL EDUCATION MOBILE (GEM) PROGRAM - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS" section on the CCAF FAQs webpage.
Establish your education goal in your Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC) account. Be sure to attend a Tuition Assistance (TA) briefing offered through your local base education center.
Complete an online PPSC Application. There is no application fee and the process takes just a few minutes. Your application will be approved within 24 – 48 hours after submission.
After admission to PPSC, you may need to complete the PPSC Placement Test. There are several options available for taking the placement tests.
After completing the placement test, and any necessary prerequisite courses, review the GEM Course Chart for the desired semester (fall, spring, summer) to select your course. Note the Course Reference Number (CRN) for the desired course which is needed when you register for the class. Also, note the important dates and the tuition charge. Tuition information will be needed when you apply for your TA.
Apply for TA using your AFVEC account. Once your TA has been approved, print a copy of the approval and keep it for your records. You do not need to send a copy to PPSC.