Degree Planning Handbook 12.09

Higher Education. For Adults With Higher Expectations.®

Advisementand Degree Planning

Handbookfor Undergraduate Students

Directory for Enrolled Students

Advisement and Degree Planning Handbook

directory for enrolled students

Advisement ExpresslineGeneral advisement hotline for brief calls and immediate assistancewith advisement or degree issues.

Phone: (888) 442–8372Hours: Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.,Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Eastern Standard TimeFax: (609) 777-2956E-Mail: [email protected] include your degree in the subject box of the e-mail(BA, BSBA, BSHS, BSAST, etc.).

Advisement Appointments30 minute appointments with an advisor in your degree program.Online: go to myEdison® and select “Make an Advising Appointment”

Phone: (609) 292-2803Hours: Appointments are Mon. - Thurs., 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., andFri., 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

Office of the BursarQuestions about payments and student account information.

Phone: (609) 984–4099 Fax: (609) 984–4066Hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard TimeE-Mail: [email protected]

Office of Test AdministrationRegistration for TECEP® exams, proctor requests for courses andtesting issues.

Phone: (609) 984–1181 Fax: (609) 777–2957Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard TimeE-Mail: [email protected]

Office of Financial AidQuestions about financial aid process, eligibility, award and veterans’benefits.


Registration by phoneAssistance with registration for Thomas Edison State College courses.

Phone: (609) 633–9242 Fax: (609) 292–1657Hours: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Eastern Standard TimeE-Mail: [email protected]

Course RegistrationExtensions, withdrawals and grades.

Phone: (609) 984–1180 Fax: (609) 292–1657Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

Office of the RegistrarAssistance with records.


Office of Military & Veteran EducationAssistance to education officers and military counselors.

Phone: (609) 777–5696 Fax: (609) 984-7143Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard TimeE-Mail: [email protected]

Office of Student Special ServicesInformation and assistance with accommodations for students withspecial needs.

Phone: (609) 984–1141 ext 3415 Fax: (609) 777–2956Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard TimeE-Mail: [email protected]: (609) 341–3109

Directed Independent Adult Learning (DIAL)Course material issues.

E-mail: [email protected]

Office of AdmissionsGeneral inquiries.

Phone: (888) 442–8372Hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Eastern Standard TimeFax: (609) 984–8447E-Mail: [email protected]

Mentor Support ServicesMentor issues.

E-Mail: [email protected]

Introduction

General Information

1

We are delighted that you have chosen ThomasEdison State College. We look forward to assistingyou with the completion of your degree.

Through this Advisement and Degree PlanningHandbook, we offer you access to the resources andtalents of a staff of advisement professionals whohave a great deal of experience assisting busy andaccomplished adults with the completion of collegedegrees.

Thomas Edison State College has a long tradition of enabling adult learners complete their degrees withoutsacrificing their personal and professional responsibilities and we are excited about helping you achieve your goals.Please do not hesitate to let us know how we can help. You can contact an academic advisor via the College Website www.tesc.edu; through our online student portal, myEdison®; by e-mail at [email protected]; by calling(888) 442-8372, by faxing us at (609) 777-2956 or through the U.S. Mail.

This Handbook will help you with your smooth journey through to the completion of your undergraduate degree. Werecognize that for some, the concept of distance education can be a little daunting at first, but we are committed toproviding you with assistance and encouragement. For more than 30 years we’ve assisted thousands of graduatesbefore you. Now it’s your turn. And when you have earned your degree, we will be there along with your family andfriends to cheer as you march across the stage and accept your diploma at Commencement!

The Advisement StaffThomas Edison State College

Dear Student,

introduction

Contents


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contents

101 West State StreetTrenton, NJ 08608-1176

(888) [email protected]

www.tesc.edu

Introduction 1

Getting Started 3

Understanding your Academic Evaluation 4

Undergraduate General Education Requirements 10

Understanding your Degree Program 13

Undergraduate Degree Programs in theSCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

� AAS 15

� ASAST 16

� BSAST 16

Undergraduate Degree Programs in theSCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

� ASBA 18

� BSBA 18

� BSOL 19

Undergraduate Degree Programs in theHEAVIN SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

� AA 20

� ASNSM 20

� AAS 21

� BA 21

� BS 23

� ASPSS 24

� BSHS 25

SCHOOL OF NURSING students should refer to theSchool of Nursing Handbook

Understanding Methods ofEarning Undergraduate Credit 28

� Guided Study, Online and FlashTrackTM Courses

� Prior Learning Assessment

� TECEP® and e-Pack®

� Credit by Examination

� Credits not earned throughThomas Edison State College

� Non-Course Credits

� Military

� Foreign

Creating, Submitting andUpdating a Degree Plan 35

Contacting Us 38

Academic Policies – Standards of Performance 39

Appendix I – Key to Abbreviationson your Academic Evaluation 42

Appendix II – Credit Conversion Table –Quarter Hours to Semester Hours Inside Back Cover

Getting Started


3

Degree planning is a process that allows you to understandyour options for completing your degree and to plan ahead.Degree planning can be described as “asking for advice” orgetting pre-approval to earn specific credits toward yourdegree before you register and pay for a course, before youbegin a course and certainly long before you finish thecourse. Getting courses/credits preapproved ensures that thecredits earned will apply to your Thomas Edison StateCollege degree program and eliminates the possibility ofduplicating something you have already completed. Degreeplanning also involves decisions about what is right for youwith regard to choice of courses, choice of programs andother decisions that you will need to make.

The College provides a number of printed publications foryou which are also available online. Consider these as “parts”and this Advisement and Degree Planning Handbook asthe “directions” that will enable you to understand how towork with the parts and navigate through the ThomasEdison State College experience with greater ease. Pleaseread the directions.

ThisHandbookwill explain how you can best work your waythrough your degree with the assistance of the College’sacademic advisement staff and other offices. It will help youto understand the options available for you to earn yourremaining credits on the way to degree completion. Withthe help of this Handbook, the Registration Bulletin andthe advisement staff, you will have a better understandingabout your current credits and how they apply to yourchosen degree program, the most appropriate degreeprogram for you, your academic preferences, the educationaloptions the College offers and how all of these factors willbe interwoven to benefit you.

This degree planning process can be more easily accom-plished if you do the following:

� Upon receipt of your Academic Evaluation, carefullyreview it. An explanation of your Academic Evaluationcan be found in the section on “Understanding yourAcademic Evaluation,” located on Page 4. If you have anyquestions concerning any part of it, at any time, you maye-mail or call to speak with an academic advisor forclarification. Contact the advisement office [email protected] or (888) 442-8372.

� One significant distinguishing characteristic of ThomasEdison State College is that it offers a number ofdifferent methods for earning college credit. Becomefamiliar with the options offered by Thomas Edison StateCollege to formulate a strategy for degree completion.You will find descriptions of each method in the sectionon “Understanding Methods of Earning Credit,” locatedon Page 28. and in other publications as well as on theCollege Web site.

� Initiate and design a degree plan and submit it to theAdvisement Center or seek assistance if you have anyquestions about creating a degree plan. Your degree planincludes not only the credits you want to earn but themethods you wish to use to earn the credits. (“Creatingand Submitting a Degree Plan”), located on Page 35.

� Follow through on your plan, and modify or update itwhere and when appropriate.

About the Registration Bulletin and College CatalogThroughout this publication, you will see references for theRegistration Bulletin and College Catalog. In 2009, all of thecontent in these publications was transformed into asearchable online format that is accessible at:http://catalog.tesc.edu. Students can request a paper-based version of these publications via myEdison®.

getting started

Degree planning – what is it about?

Understanding Your Academic Evaluation


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Degree Completion StrategySome students can read an evaluation and this Handbook,and are then able to determine how they will complete theentire remainder of their degree no matter howmany creditsit entails. Others prefer to plan in smaller blocks of creditidentifying a few possible courses or a dozen credits at atime. Either way, the College provides you with very qualifiedadvisors to assist in planning the completion of your degree.With the help of this Handbook and other resources, youwill be able to formulate a strategy, an approach tocompleting your degree.

What is an Academic Evaluation?An Academic Evaluation is an online or paper document. Itis an advisor’s tool, shared with you, so that you can takecharge of your progress toward degree completion. It issometimes referred to as a degree audit, degree plan,program plan, program evaluation, or plan of study.

What does an Academic Evaluation tell you?Initially an Academic Evaluation tells you howmany of yourcompleted credits apply to your degree and from whichschools and where in the degree they have been applied. Italso tells you how many and what areas of credits are stillneeded to complete the degree.

Is an Academic Evaluation a transcript?The Academic Evaluation is not your transcript. It is anadvisor’s tool provided to assist students with degreerequirements. The Academic Evaluation is shared with you,so that you can take charge of your progress toward degreecompletion.

What is a degree plan?A degree plan or program plan then takes that informationone more step. Once you enroll:

� confer with an advisor

� make decisions about potential credits that you hopeor plan to earn

� an advisor adds these potential credits to youracademic evaluation as “planned” credits

� you begin the next steps toward degree completionbecause you can see how these “planned” credits willapply in the future when earned.

How is an Academic Evaluation organized?An Academic Evaluation is organized into the “distributionrequirements” to be fulfilled to earn a degree. Generally adegree is divided into four sub-areas (I – IV):

�Credits in General Education requirements(common to all degrees)Credits in the general education portion of a degreeinclude English composition, humanities, social sciences,mathematics, natural sciences and additional generaleducation electives depending on your degreerequirements. The following is an overview of thosegeneral education requirements. A list of the subject areasthat apply to humanities, social sciences and naturalsciences can be found in the section on general education.For additional information, consult with an academicprogram advisor.

English CompositionEvery associate and bachelor’s degree offered by ThomasEdison State College requires 6 credits in Englishcomposition. Unless completed by exam (grade of CR), aGrade of C is the minimum acceptable grade for EnglishComposition.

understanding your academic evaluation



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Humanities ElectivesEvery degree has at least 3 credits of humanities electives.At the bachelor’s level, at least two different subject areasmust be included (for example art and communication).

Social Sciences ElectivesEvery degree has at least 3 credits of social scienceselectives. At the bachelor’s level, at least two differentsubject areas must be included (for example history andpsychology).

MathematicsEvery degree has a mathematics requirement of some level.Consult with academic advisement if you are not clear aboutthe mathematics requirements for your degree program.

Natural SciencesJust about every degree has at least 3 credits of naturalsciences electives. At the bachelor’s level, at least twodifferent subjects must be included (for exampleastronomy and biology).

General Education ElectivesJust about every degree allows for additional generaleducation electives. The chart on page 12 provides a listof all general education subject areas.

� Credits specifically required in your Area of StudySelected credits specifically required in the area of studyinclude “core” credits in the business or human servicesdegrees as well as credits referred to as “corollary”requirements (mathematics, sciences, and other courses)as dictated by your degree program. An academic advisorin your program can explain if and when these issues arerelevant to your degree.

� Elective credits in the Area of StudyCredits that can be chosen by the student from a menulist of possible selections. These credits show a broaderand deeper understanding of the area of study.

� Free elective creditsFree electives are courses that typically fall outside ofthe student's required courses and their area of study.Each degree has room for at least 3 credits of free

electives. Note that certain subject areas can only beclassified as free electives.

How to read and understand yourAcademic EvaluationAcross the middle of the first page of your academicevaluation is a line including the following:

SH (semester hours or credits) total required (needed tocomplete degree)

SH Applied (how many credits you have toward thedegree at this time)

SH Remaining (how many more credits are needed tocomplete the degree)

Comm Coll SH Applied (community college creditsused – up to 80 sh can be applied)

SH To Be Planned (credits not planned, not in progress,not pre-registered, not yet planned)

Overall GPA met (grade point average of 2.0 or betterbased on letter graded transfer credits applied to thedegree)

TESC GPA (grade point average) is based on lettergraded credits earned at Thomas Edison State College

Across the middle of the first page of your AcademicEvaluation is a line including the following:

The Academic Evaluation will be divided as described on theprevious pages. Where credits have been applied, the linewill be filled by course number, title and grade. Potentialcredits already selected (planned, preregistered or inprogress) are listed by course number and title, but thenumber of credits to be earned are in parenthesis (3.00) andthe grade is listed as “- - -“ on this line as shown in theexamples on Page 6.

A blank line will indicate credits yet to be completed orselected. Perhaps at the beginning of the line there will be aspecific course number that applies to fill the slot. At the endof the line it will say “one course needed” or “3 credits needed.”

Each of the four sub-areas (I - IV) referred to on the previouspages will be easily identified to you with a designation of(Completed), (In Progress), (Not Started) or (Pending).



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� (Completed) means that all credits have been satisfied for that particular sub-area of your degree.The example below reflects a sub-area that is completed:

A.English Composition (Completed)

> Complete one full year of English Composition with an average grade of C.Semester Hours Completed: 6.00GPA Achieved/Needed: 2.350 / 2.00Group 1 (Completed)Semester Hours Completed: 6.00Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC# Notes2. 3200110 Wrtg Effective Prose 3.00 C ENC-101 *TE1. ENG102 English Comp II 3.00 B- ENC-102 *CC

� (In Progress) means that there are still credits remaining to complete in that sub-area. Courses still to be taken areeither identified by an empty line or by a course that has been approved for you that you plan to complete but havenot yet completed. Below is an example of a sub-area that is “In Progress.” Note the Art-100 course showing as“PL” (planned to be taken).

B.Humanities (In Progress)

> Complete 12 semester hours of Humanities, including at least two subject areas.Semester Hours Completed: 9.00 Required: 12 Remaining: 3Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC# Notes1. ART146 Ceramics II 3.00 A ART-151 *CC2. COM-300 Interpersonal Comm 3.00 Cr COM-300 *NE3. ART-100 World of Art (3.00) --- ART-100 *PL

__________________________________________________________ 3 Credits

� (In Progress) means that there are still credits remaining to complete in that sub-area. Courses still to be completed areeither identified by a course that has been preregistered (PR) or is already in progress (IP) but have not yet completed.Below is an example of a sub-area that is “In Progress.”

C. Social Sciences (In Progress)> Complete 12 semester hours in the Social Sciences, including at least two subject areas.Semester Hours Completed: 12.00 Required: 12 Remaining: oSrc Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC# Notes2. 2400110 General Psychology 3.00 B PSY-101 *TE2. 3810130 American History I 3.00 C+ HIS-113 *TE3. HIS-114 American History II (3.00) --- HIS-114 * IP3. SOC-101 Intro to Sociology (3.00) --- SOC-101 * PR

Examples of what an Academic Evaluation looks like



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� (Not Started) means that you have not started any of the courses for a particular sub-area in your degree.This section will also be identified by an empty line, as shown below.

D.Mathematics (Not Started)> Complete a 3 semester hour college-level Mathematics course__________________________________________________________3 Credits

� (Pending) — with the final course completed, the section will be finished

E. Natural Sciences (Pending)> Complete nine semester hours in the Natural Sciences, in at least two subject areasSemester Hours Completed: 9.00Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC# Notes2 BIO-208 Science of Nutrition (3.00) --- BIO-208 *IP5. CHM102 General Chem II 3.00 B- CHE-112 *CC6. ASTR05 The Solar System 3.00 B AST-101 *TE

Frequently Asked Questions


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frequently asked questions

Q How do I know that my evaluation hasbeen completed or updated?You will receive an e-mail to inform you that yourevaluation has been completed or updated and how toaccess this online.

How long does the evaluation processtake?Roughly 5-6 weeks after you apply and the College re-ceives your transcripts the evaluation is completed for you.

How do I access my evaluation online?Log into “Online Student Services” using your 7-digitCollege ID number and your PIN.

When is my file updated?Whenever any additional credits are added to your file.

How many credits transferred?On page 1 of your evaluation there is a number of “SHapplied to the degree.”

What does “SH” mean?SH means “semester hours.” Semester hours are unitsof credit.

What does “CR” mean?CR is a grade of “Credit Awarded” for credits earnedthrough what the College calls “non-courses” (CLEPexams, military credit , etc.).

What is an overage?When a section of the degree is completed using morethan the required amount of credits, there is anoverage. The number of credits “over” the requiredamount can often be applied to other sections of thedegree.

What do I still need to take?Note the blank lines on the evaluation. You can discussthe specific degree needs with an academic advisor.

Where is my College ID number?This can be found on your College ID card or on thetop right corner of your Academic Evaluation.

What is my username?Your username is your 7-digit College ID number.

What is my password?Your password or PIN (personal identification number)is the last 4 digits of your Social Security numberunless you change this.

What is an equivalency?This is an internal course number the College assigns toall transferred credits accepted from external sources.

Why isn’t my GPA noted?Your GPA is based on Thomas Edison State Collegegraded credit and is noted on the first page of youracademic evaluation.

What do my credits listed under“Other Courses” mean?These are credits in subject areas that do not meet yourdegree requirements.

What is a General Education elective?Please see the section on “Understanding Your DegreeProgram” on Page 13 for clarification.

What is a Free Elective?Please see the section on “Free Electives” on Page 13for clarification.

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Frequently Asked Questions


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Q� What do the blank lines on theevaluation mean?These are slots in the degree that are yet to becompleted.

How do I know if a course is offered atThomas Edison State College or if Ihave to take it elsewhere?You can view this information on the College Web siteat www.tesc.edu/656.php.

When do I make an appointment withan advisor?Once you are an enrolled student you may schedule aphone or in-person appointment with an advisor.

Why couldn’t you take my courseslabeled as “DEV?”These are skills/developmental courses, pre-collegecourses that your previous school determined you werein need of, but do not carry credit toward a ThomasEdison State College degree.

What does “10Y” mean?In the business or technical degrees, this designationidentifies credits that are more than 10 years old.

What is “DOC?”DOC is Demonstration of Currency, a process used to“validate” credits that are older than 10 years.

What does “VAL” mean?This is a designation used to show that older creditshave been applied to your degree because they werevalidated.

Undergraduate General Education Requirements


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All degrees offered by Thomas Edison State College havegeneral education requirements. The requirements varyslightly but are basically in the same subject areas asexplained below.

English Composition (6 sh)Strong expository writing skills are essential for success incollege work. Plan to complete this requirement early in yourdegree program as you will undoubtedly take additionalcourses where your success will be connected to writing skills.

Students must earn 6 credits in English Composition(expository writing, not creative, technical or business writing).

� This requirement can be met through transfer creditsfrom other regionally accredited colleges or universitiesas long as course credits are equivalent to EnglishComposition I and II. Note that Basic Skills writingcourses are not appropriate.

� English Composition I and II courses are also offered byThomas Edison State College through Guided Study andas online courses.

� This requirement can also be completed throughexaminations such as the College’s TECEP© exams, CLEPexams or Excelsior College exams.

HumanitiesThere are many subject areas where credit can be earnedand applied to your humanities electives. They include:

Subject Area Prefix *

Art and Art History ARTCommunication and Speech COMDance DANEnglish/Advanced Writing ENGFilm FILForeign Language FONLHumanities (General) HUMJournalism JOUMusic MUSPhilosophy PHIPhotography PHORadio and Television RTVReligion RELTheater THA

*Prefix – the three letter abbreviation that corresponds to a specificsubject area. Foreign Language prefixes include SPA (Spanish), FRE(French), ITA (Italian), GRM (German), etc.

Humanities credits specific to a degreeSome degree programs identify specific course credits thatare required for that degree such as Business/ManagerialCommunication in the business degrees, Technical Writingin the applied sciences degrees or others. Please consult yourAcademic Evaluation or an academic program advisor foradditional information.

undergraduate general educationrequirements



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Social SciencesThere are many subject areas where credit can be earnedand applied to your social sciences electives. They include:

Subject Area Prefix

Anthropology ANTArchaeology ARCEconomics ECOGeography GEOHistory HISLabor Studies LASPolitical Science POSPsychology PSYSociology SOCSocial Sciences (General) SOS

Social Sciences credits specific to a degreeSome degree programs identify specific course credits thatare required for that degree such as macroeconomics andmicroeconomics in the business degrees, or psychology orsociology in the applied science degrees. Please consult yourAcademic Evaluation or an academic program advisor foradditional information.

MathematicsCredit to fulfill the mathematics requirement can be earnedthrough classroom courses, distance courses and, in mostcases, by exam. In a degree where mathematics higher thanCalculus I is required there are no exams available to fulfillthis. Distance or classroom courses are then required to fillthe requirement. In all other degrees, mathematicsrequirements can be completed by classroom or distancecourses or exams such as the CLEP or DANTES.

Consult with an academic program advisor for moreinformation.

Natural SciencesThere are many subject areas where credit can be earnedand applied to your natural sciences electives. They include:

Subject Area Prefix

Astronomy ASTBiology BIOChemistry CHEComputer Science COSEarth Science EASEnvironmental Science ENSGeology GEOMathematics MATNatural and Physical Sciences NASPhysics PHYStatistics STA

Natural Sciences credits specific to a degreeSome degree programs identify specific course credits thatare required for that degree such as Physics in the computerscience degrees. Please consult your Academic Evaluationor an academic program advisor for additional information.

Interdisciplinary AreasInterdisciplinary courses focus on more than one of thethree broad general education categories of humanities,social sciences and natural sciences. For example, AsianStudies would discuss sociological, cultural, philosophical,religious and economic aspects.

African American StudiesAmerican StudiesAsian StudiesEnvironmental StudiesUrban StudiesWomen’s Studies



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General Education electivesGeneral education electives is a section of the degree thatcan be viewed as a “spillover” of additional credits thatwould have applied as humanities, social sciences,mathematics and natural sciences, and interdisciplinarycourses if there were room for them.

General Education creditsspecific to a degreeThe number of general education credits varies from 3 to 18depending on the degree. In some cases a specific course isplugged into a slot in general education such as the diversitycredits in the human services degrees. Please consult yourAcademic Evaluation or an academic program advisor foradditional information.

Any course offered for college credit by a regionallyaccredited college or university that does not duplicatecourse work already completed may be used in the freeelectives area of your degree program.

While some criminal justice or homeland securitycourses/credits are social sciences, others are not. Consult witha Thomas Edison State College advisor for further clarification.

While some computer science courses/credits are naturalsciences, others are not. Consult with a Thomas Edison StateCollege advisor for further clarification.

Environmental Studies takes in the natural sciences, socialsciences, humanities and some technology. Consult with aThomas Edison State College advisor for further clarification.

Humanities Social Sciences Natural Sciences InterdisciplinaryArt Anthropology Astronomy African American StudiesCommunication Archaeology Biology American StudiesDance Economics Chemistry Asian StudiesFilm Geography Computer Science Urban StudiesForeign Languages History Earth Science Women’s StudiesHumanities Labor Studies Environmental Science Environmental StudiesJournalism Political Science GeologyLiterature and Writing Psychology MathematicsMusic Sociology MeteorologyPhilosophy Social Sciences Natural SciencesPhotography OceanographyRadio and Television Physical ScienceReligion PhysicsSpeech StatisticsTheater Arts

GENERAL EDUCATION SUBJECT AREAS

Understanding Your Degree Program


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Your Thomas Edison State College degree allows for creditsin the following areas:

General EducationCredits in general education include English composition,humanities, social sciences, mathematics, natural sciencesand some additional general education electives dependingon your degree needs. A list of courses for these subjectareas (that apply to humanities, social sciences and naturalsciences) can be found on page 12. For additionalinformation, consult with an academic advisor.

Area of StudyCredits specifically required in the area of study include“core” credits in the business or human services degrees aswell as credits referred to as “corollary” requirements(mathematics, sciences and other courses) as dictated byyour degree program. Elective credits in the area of studycan be chosen by the student from a menu list of possibleselections. These credits show a broader and deeperunderstanding of the area of study. An advisor in yourprogram can explain if and when these issues are relevantto your degree.

Free ElectivesFree electives are any credits that can not be applied or arenot needed under any other section of the academicevaluation. Note that certain subject areas can only beclassified as free electives.

Thomas Edison State College does not offer all coursesneeded to satisfy the requirements in every area of study.Many programs are designed for practitioners who come tothe College with a working background in a chosen fieldcorresponding to their area of study. Often these credits areearned through the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process.

For those in need of additional courses not offered by theCollege, credits may be earned through traditional orindependent study courses from other regionally accreditedcolleges or universities as long as the potential credits arepreapproved by an academic advisor. Consult an academicadvisor for additional questions.

understanding your degree program

Undergraduate Degree Programs


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Thomas Edison State College offers undergraduate degrees in the following schools. Degree requirements and suggestions onhow to complete the requirements are listed in this section of the Handbook as well as in other College publications.

School of Applied Science And Technology� Associate in Applied Science

� Associate in Science in Applied Science and Technology

� Bachelor of Science in Applied Science and Technology

Students enrolled in UMDNJ Partnership Programs tend to first get advisement services from UMDNJ, then contact theCollege if additional advisement services are needed.

School of Business and Management� Associate in Science in Business Administration

� Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

� Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership

Heavin School of Arts And Sciences� Associate in Applied Science: Criminal Justice

� Associate in Arts

� Associate in Science in Natural Sciences and Mathematics

� Associate in Science in Public and Social Services

� Bachelor of Arts

� Bachelor of Science

� Bachelor of Science in Human Services

School of Nursing� Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Nursing students receive advisement services directly from the School of Nursing, which can be reached [email protected].

undergraduate degree programs

The School of Applied Science and Technology


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the school ofapplied science and technology

The School of Applied Science and Technology offersassociate and bachelor degree programs in the appliedsciences, technologies and allied health fields. Additionalinformation can be found on the College Web site at:

http://www.tesc.edu/technology

Applied Science and TechnologyDegree ProgramsAssociate in Applied Science (AAS)Credit Distribution

I. General Education Requirements 21A. English Composition 6B. Humanities 3C. Social Sciences 3D. College Mathematics 3E. General Education Electives 6

II. Option or Career Track * 21

III. Free Electives 18

Totals 60

* This degree has been designed to utilize credits earned from variousMilitary Occupational Schools (MOS) or Naval Enlisted Ratings (NER).Although not exclusively designed for the military population, many of thecareer tracks cannot be completed through course work only; technicalcredit is a necessary component.

Please refer to General Education/Liberal Arts Classification chart for a listof the subject areas that apply to humanities, social sciences and generaleducation electives.

Examples of existing career tracks for the AAS (Associate inApplied Science) degree:

Administrative Studies� Clerical Studies� Legal Office Assistant� Project Management

Applied Computer Studies� Desktop Publishing� Network Administration� Software Applications� World Wide Web

Applied Electronic Studies� Avionics Aviation Support� Electrical Systems� Electronic Systems

Applied Health Studies� Dental Specialist� Pharmacy Specialist� Ultrasound� Perfusion Technology

Aviation Support� Aviation Operations� Flight Operations� Aviation Fuel and Cargo

Construction andFacility Support

� Skilled and Building Crafts

Electrical/MechanicalSystems and Maintenance

� Avionics Tech Support

Environmental, Safety andSecurity Technologies

� Marine Safety� Port Security� Police

Mechanical and Maintenance� Automotive Mechanics� Heating, Ventilationand AC

� Machinist� Welding

Respiratory Care� Respiratory

Occupational Studies� Food Services� Biotechnology� Fiber Optics� Criminal Justice



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Associate in Science in Applied Science andTechnology (ASAST)Credit Distribution

I. General Education Requirements 30A. English Composition 6B. Humanities 6C. Social Sciences 6D. Mathematics 6

ASAST degrees require Algebra-track MathematicsConsult an advisor for more information

E. Natural Sciences 6General Physics or General Chemistrydepending on degree option

II. Option or Career Track 21(choose from selection below)

III. Computer Requirement 3

IV. Free Electives 6

Totals 60

Mathematics in the ASAST:For ASAST degrees requiring 6 cr of mathematics, the correct sequence ofThomas Edison State College courses includes MAT-121 College Algebrafollowed by MAT-129 Precalculus for Technology or the equivalents.

* Professional license/certification required for completion of this area ofstudy.

Bachelor of Science in Applied Science andTechnology (BSAST)Credit Distribution

I. General Education Requirements 60A. English Composition 6B. Humanities 121. Technical Writing 32. Humanities Electives 9(a second subject area other thanTechnical Writing)

C. Social Sciences Electives 121. Psychology or Sociology 32. Social Sciences Electives 9(a second subject area other thanPsychology/Sociology)

D. Natural Sciences and Mathematics 211. Pre Calculus Algebra or above 62. Statistics 33. General Physics or ChemistryDepending on Area of Study 6

4. Second Science 35. Computer Requirement 3

E. General Education Electives 9

II. Area of Study 42(see next page)

III. Current Trends and Applications 3


Totals 120

Mathematics in the BSAST:For BSAST degrees requiring 6 cr of mathematics, the correct sequence ofThomas Edison State College courses includes MAT-121 College Algebrafollowed by MAT-129 Precalculus for Technology or the equivalents. Otherareas of study require a minimum of 6 sh at the Calculus level and higher.

* Professional license/certification required for completion of this area ofstudy.

Air Traffic Control*Aviation Flight Technology*Aviation MaintenanceTechnology*Biomedical ElectronicsCivil Engineering TechnologyClinical Laboratory Science*Computer Science andInformation Technology

Electrical TechnologyElectronics EngineeringTechnology

Engineering GraphicsEnvironmental SciencesFire Protection ScienceKitchen and Bath Design

Laboratory Animal ScienceManufacturing EngineeringTechnologyMechanical EngineeringTechnologyMedical lmaging*Military Science andTechnology

Nuclear EngineeringTechnology

Nuclear Medicine Technology*PolysomnographyRadiation ProtectionRadiation Therapy*Respiratory Care*Technical Studies



17

Area of Study (45 CR)The area of study is the focus of your degree program withcredits from relevant theoretical and applied areas. Thissection of the degree can include some very specific creditsubject areas and will also allow for electives (credits forwhich you have a choice). Remember to verify with anadvisor in your degree that the credits you plan to completewill satisfy your degree requirements.

Refer to the Credit Distribution Charts for your degree,which can be found on the College Web site. These chartsidentify specific course requirements for the degree and thearea of study. If you cannot locate these documents, pleasecontact the Office of Academic Advisement.

All BSAST programs require completion of Current Trendsand Applications (APS-401), suggested to be taken near theend of the program.

Thomas Edison State College does not offer all courses forall degree programs for all areas of study. To some extentthis is because many students come to the College withpreviously completed transfer credits, or with a substantiveprofessional background that would allow for credits to beearned through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) to completetheir studies.

DOC – Demonstration of Currency may be required fortechnical credits 10 years old or older. Consult with anadvisor for additional information about the DOC process.

Areas of Study in the BSAST:

Air Traffic Control*Aviation Flight Technology*Aviation Maintenance Technology*Biomedical ElectronicsCivil Engineering TechnologyClinical Laboratory Science*Computer Science TechnologyConstructionDental Hygiene*Electrical TechnologyElectronics Engineering TechnologyEnergy Utility TechnologyEngineering GraphicsEnvironmental SciencesFire Protection ScienceHealth Services TechnologyInformation TechnologyKitchen and Bath DesignLaboratory Animal ScienceLearner-DesignedManufacturing Engineering TechnologyMechanical Engineering TechnologyMedical lmaging*Nuclear Engineering TechnologyNuclear Medicine Technology*Radiation ProtectionRadiation Therapy*Respiratory Care*Technical Studies

*Professional license/certification required forcompletion of this area of study.

The School of Business and Management


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the school ofbusiness and management

The School of Business andManagement offers associate andbachelor’s degrees in business-related fields including a newprogram in Organizational Leadership. Additional informationcan be found on the College Web site at:

http://www.tesc.edu/business

Business Degree ProgramsAssociate in Science inBusiness Administration (ASBA)Credit Distribution

I. General Education Requirements 30A. English Composition 6B. Humanities 6C. Social Sciences1. Macroeconomics or Microeconomics 32. Other Social Sciences electives 6(Must include at least two subject areas)

D. Natural Sciences/Mathematics1. Pre-Calculus Mathematics orQuantitative Business Analysis 3

2. Other Natural Sciences/Mathematics 3E. General Education Electives 3

II. Core Requirements 18A. Principles of Financial Accounting 3B. Principles of Managerial Accounting 3C. Legal Environment for Business 3D. Principles of Management 3E. Principles of Marketing 3F. Intro to Computers/CIS 3

III. Business Electives 6


Totals 60

Bachelor of Science inBusiness Administration (BSBA)Credit Distribution

I. General Education Requirements 60A. English Composition 6B. Humanities 12

1. Managerial or BusinessCommunications 3

2. Additional Humanities 9C. Social Sciences 12

1. Macroeconomics 32. Microeconomics 93. Social Sciences Electives 3

D. Natural Sciences and Mathematics 91. Quantitative Business Analysis,Pre-Calculus or above 3

2. Principles of Statistics 33. Additional Natural Sciences(not Mathematics) 3


II. Professional Business Requirements 54CORE 27A. Principles of Financial Accounting 3B. Principles of Managerial Accounting 3C. Business Law 3D. Computer Concepts andApplications or Intro to CIS 3

E. Business Finance 3F. Principles of Management 3G. Introduction to Marketing 3H. Business in Society orInternational Management 3

I. Business Policy 3Areas of Study (choose one from the liston the following page) 18

Business Electives 9


Totals 120

The School of Business and Management


19

Areas of Study in the BSBA:

Accounting*Financial Institution ManagementComputer Information Systems*EntrepreneurshipFinanceGeneral Management*Hospital Healthcare AdministrationHospitality ManagementHuman Resources/Organizational Management*International BusinessMarketingOperations ManagementPublic AdministrationReal EstateLearner-Designed

NOTE: Thomas Edison State College does not offer allcourses for all degree programs or all areas of study. To someextent this is because many students come to the Collegewith previously completed transfer credits, or with asubstantive professional background that would allow forcredits to be earned through Prior Learning Assessment(PLA) to complete their studies.

*Denotes programs that can be earned through ThomasEdison State College methods of learning (i.e, e-Pack®,TECEP®, online, Guided Study).

**The Learner-Designed Areas of Study (LDAS) enablesstudents pursuing a Bachelor of Science in BusinessAdministration degree to design their own area of study.Students are responsible for choosing areas of interest bysubmitting a proposal to the School of Business andManagement. With approval, students pursuing a Bachelorof Science in Business Administration can combine coursesfrom multiple disciplines not offered currently as areas ofstudy. The student is responsible for developing a coherentplan of study to meet the unique learning outcomes of theLearner-Designed Area of Study.

Bachelor of Science inOrganizational Leadership (BSOL)Credit Distribution

I. General Education Requirements 60A. English Composition 6B. Humanities 12C. Social Sciences 12D. Natural Sciences or Mathematics 91. One college-level Mathematicscourse required 3

2. One Computer Science course 33. Other Natural Sciences/Mathematics 3

E. General Education Electives 21II. Leadership Foundations 18

A. Organizational Behavior 3B. Foundations of Leadership 3C. Ethics and the Business Professional 3D. Theories in Leadership 3E. Leaders in History 3F. Principles of Management 3

III. Advanced Leadership Areas of Specialization 18A. Five 3-credit courses in Advanced Leadershipand Management(e.g. Change Management, Project Management,Advanced Organizational Management,Leadership Communications, Leadership in aGlobal Environment, and Nonprofit Leadership).

B. Leadership Practicum (required)

IV. Management Electives(one course in Accounting or Finance preferred) 9

V. Free Electives 15

Totals 120

* Computer Science can be filled with COS (Computer Science) creditsand certain CIS (Computer Information Systems) credits but not CAP(Computer Applications). Consult with an academic advisor for additionalinformation.

The Heavin School of Arts and Sciences


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the heavin schoolof arts and sciences

The Heavin School of Arts and Sciences offers two associatedegrees in the liberal arts.

The Associate in Arts is a general studies degree whosecredits also apply to the Bachelor of Arts degrees that areoffered through Thomas Edison State College.

Note that you may also choose one of the areas of“emphasis” (Communications, Meteorology, Music andPhotography) as well.

The Associate in Science in Natural Sciences andMathematics is a degree with an emphasis in biology,computer science or mathematics. If you are currentlypursuing either of these associate degrees and would like tosee how your credits can apply toward a BA degree, you canobtain this information through the Advisement Center viathe contact information listed on the inside cover. Additionalinformation can be found on the College Web site at:

http://www.tesc.edu/heavin

Liberal Arts and SciencesDegree Programs

Associate in Arts (AA)Credit Distribution

I. General Education RequirementsA. English Composition 6B. Humanities 12C. Social Sciences 12D. College-Level Mathematics 3E. Other Natural Sciences 6F. General Education Electives 9G. Free Electives 12

Totals 60

Associate in Science in Natural Scienceand Mathematics (ASNSM)Credit Distribution

I. General Education Requirements 30A. English Composition 6B. Humanities 6C. Social Sciences 6D. College-Level Mathematics 3E. Other Natural Sciences 3F. General Education Electives 6

II. Option* 21A. Introduction to the Option 3B. Required Theoretical Area 9C. Appropriate Electives 9


Totals 60

* Options include biology, computer science, mathematics

Step 1: Understand Your Academic Evaluation


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The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree programis designed to meet the needs of midcareer adults in a widerange of applied fields. Students select the area of study, ormajor that matches their expertise or profession. While theAssociate in Applied Science is considered to be a terminaldegree, many but not all of the credits may be applied toone of the College’s bachelor’s degrees.

The Associate in Applied Science degree program features aCriminal Justice career track that prepares law enforcementpractitioners and interested adult learners for career change,advancement or furtherance of their higher educationalgoals. Students focus on the fundamental study of crimeand the basic functions of the criminal justice system, whiledeveloping their analytical skills.

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)Credit Distribution

I. General Education Requirements 21A. English Composition 6B. Humanities 3C. Social Sciences 3D. College-Level Mathematics 3E. General Education Electives 6

II. Area of Study 21(21 credits related to Criminal Justice andAdministration of Justice Studies)

Courses that complete the track include:� Introduction to Criminal Justice� Constitutional Issues� Juvenile Delinquency� Criminology� Cultural Diversity in the United States� White Collar Crime� Victimology and Criminal Behavior


Total 60

The Bachelor of Arts is the most popular and most versatiledegree offered by Thomas Edison State College. With a greatdeal of flexibility for the kinds of credits that can apply, thisdegree also does not have any restrictions about the age ofcredits that can be applied.

Bachelor of Arts (BA)Credit Distribution

I. General Education Requirements 60A. English Composition 6B. Humanities 12C. Social Sciences 12D. College-Level Mathematics 3E. Natural Sciences 9F. General Education Electives 18

II. Area of Study/Concentration/Liberal Studies(choose A, B or C) 33

A. Area of StudyTo complete an area of study the 33 credits must bein the single subject area of choice, according to theguidelines for that program. For example, an area of studyin Psychology would require the completion ofat least 33 credits in Psychology based on recommenda-tions for that program.

B. ConcentrationFor students who wish to combine course work in three ormore subjects within a liberal arts area (e.g., humanities,social sciences or natural sciences/ mathematics), theconcentration is an appropriate option. Studentscomplete 33 credits in a concentration in one of the threebroad general education areas: humanities, social sciencesor natural sciences/ mathematics. At least three differentsubjects must be included, which provide for breadth ofknowledge in the concentration. Also, students must earnat least 12 credits in one subject. Amaximum of 18 creditsmay be earned in any one subject area.

A maximum of two college-level courses equating to 100level numbers may be applied toward the area ofconcentration and a minimum of 18 credits must be atthe 300 or 400 level.

C. Liberal StudiesThe BA degree in liberal studies is designed for students

Step 1: Understand Your Academic Evaluation


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who wish to combine course work in two or moredisciplines within liberal arts subject area. For example,the areas of study may include humanities, naturalsciences and social sciences courses. This program is idealfor students interested in interdisciplinary fields of study.Students complete 33 credits in the liberal studies area ofstudy. A maximum of two college-level courses equatingto 100 level numbers may be applied toward the liberalstudies area of study and a minimum of 18 credits mustbe at the 300 or 400 level.

II. Free Electives 27

Totals 120

Academic subject areas that can apply under thesubheadings of Humanities, Social Sciences and NaturalSciences:

Humanities Subject Areas�Art – Visual Arts(drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, etc.)

� Communication – Speech, Film, Journalism,Radio and TV, Mass Communication

�Dance – (but not aerobic)� English (includes literature)� Foreign Languages (Credits for these areas ofspecialization must be transferred in from otherschools or earned through Prior Learning Assessment)

�Humanities General�Music� Philosophy� Photography� Religion� Theater Arts

Social SciencesSubject Areas

� Anthropology� Archaeology� Economics� Geography� History� Labor Studies� Political Science� Psychology� Sociology� Social Sciences General

InterdisciplinarySubject Areas

� African American Studies� American Studies� Asian Studies� Environmental Studies� Urban Studies� Women’s Studies

Area of Study� Liberal Studies� Learner-Designed

Natural SciencesSubject Areas

� Astronomy� Biology� Chemistry� Computer Science� Earth Science� Environmental Science� Geology� Mathematics� Meteorology� Natural Sciences General� Oceanography� Physical Science� Physics� Statistics



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The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree prepares adults forcareer change, professional advancement or graduateeducation, while providing personal enrichment. Studentsdevelop a broad knowledge of general education disciplineswhile developing a greater depth of knowledge in particularapplied areas of interest.

Bachelor of Science (BS)Credit Distribution

I. General Education Requirements 60A. English Composition 6B. Humanities 12(Must include at least two subject areas)

C. Social Sciences 12(Must include at least two subject areas)

D. Natural Sciences and Mathematics 121. One college-level Mathematics course required.2. Recommend one Computer Science course3. Other Natural Sciences or MathematicsMust include at least two subject areas


II. Area of Study 33


Total 120

Areas of Study in the Bachelor of Science (BS)� Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness� Learner-Designed



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Human Services Degree Programs

The Heavin School offers two degree programs in the HumanServices. The Associate in Science in Public and SocialServices (ASPSS) and Bachelor of Science in Human Services(BSHS). Along with general education requirements, eachdegree consists of both theoretical and applied credits inhuman services and the area of study (referred to as “option”at the associate level and “area of specialization” at thebachelor’s level).

To be admitted into the BSHS or ASPSS degree you, mustbe a practitioner in the appropriate field with either full-time or voluntary work appropriate to the degree. This fitbetween your area of expertise and your selected individualarea of study is essential because of the Practicumrequirement for the degree.

The title of your option or area of specialization reflects thearea of human services in which you have developedexpertise through work and/or volunteer experience. Forinformation on appropriate job experiences for each of theoption areas, please consult with an academic advisor orrefer to the information on the human services degreessection in the Thomas Edison State College Catalog.

The ASPSS and the BSHS degrees have a Practicumrequirement.

Thomas Edison State College does not offer all coursesneeded to satisfy requirements of these degrees. Becausethe degree is designed for practitioners who come to theCollege with a working background in their chosen fieldcorresponding to their area of study, often these credits areearned through the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process.

For those in need of additional courses, credits may beearned through traditional or independent study coursesfrom other regionally accredited colleges or universities aslong as the potential credits are preapproved by the Officeof Academic Advising. Consult an academic advisor foradditional questions.

Associate in Science in Public and Social

Services (ASPSS)Credit Distribution

I. General Education Requirements 30A. English Composition 6B. Humanities 6C. Social Sciences 6D. College-Level Mathematics 3E. Other Natural Sciences 3F. Multicultural Course 3G. General Education Electives 3

II. Option 21A. Introduction to the Option 3B. Theoretical Area 9C. Applied Area 6D. Practicum 3

III. Free Electives 9A. Computer Requirement 3B. Other Free Electives 6

Totals 60



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Bachelor of Science in Human Services(BSHS)Credit Distribution

I. General Education Requirements 48A. English Composition 6B. Humanities 9C. Social Sciences 15

1. Introduction to Sociology 32. Introduction to Psychology 33. Social Sciences Electives 9

D. College-Level Mathematics 3E. Natural Sciences 6F. General Education Electives 9

1. Multicultural Course 32. Other credits from anygeneral education subject 6

II. Area of Study in Human Services 21CORE

I. Dynamics of Social Setting 3Upper-Level Subjects in Sociology,Urban Politics, Social History or equivalent

2. Dynamics of the Individual 6Upper-Level Psychology Subjects

3. Dynamics of Intervention 3Covering such areas as Counseling,Interviewing and/or Social Work Methods

4. Social Planning 3Covering such areas as Social Policy,Planning and/or Administration

5. Statistics or Research Methods 36. Computer Requirement 3

Individualized Area of Study 33A. Introduction to Human Services 3B. Theory 12C. Applied Areas 12D. Advanced-Level Practicum 6


Totals 120

The following is a list of the specific options (at the associatelevel) and individual areas of study (at the bachelor’s level)currently offered. The associate-level program also applies tothe corresponding bachelor’s program. In other words, uponcompletion of the ASPSS in Administration of Justice youwill have at least 60 completed credits that will apply to theBSHS in Administration of Justice.

Options in the ASPSS:

Administration of JusticeChild Development ServicesCommunity ServicesEmergency Disaster ServicesFitness and Wellness ServicesGerontologyLegal ServicesRecreation ServicesSocial ServicesSocial Services for Special Populations

Areas of Study in the BSHS:

Administration of JusticeChild Development ServicesCommunity ServicesEmergency Disaster ServicesGerontologyHealth and Nutrition CounselingHealth Services AdministrationHealth Services EducationLegal ServicesMental Health and Rehabilitative ServicesRecreation ServicesSocial ServicesSocial Services AdministrationSocial Services for Special Populations



26

Degree Completion StrategyThe ASPSS and BSHS degrees have a requirement in thearea of diversity. Courses in Intercultural Communications,Race and Ethnic Relations or Cultural Diversity in theUnited States are generally applicable but should bediscussed with an academic advisor ahead of time. ThomasEdison State College offers two courses that areappropriate for this requirement – COM-335 (Elements ofIntercultural Communication) and SOC-322 (CulturalDiversity in the United States) offered as online or GuidedStudy courses.

Structure of the ASPSS OptionIntroduction to the Option orIntroduction to Human Services 3 cr

Theoretical – Philosophy, History, Theories andConcepts of the Option 9 cr

Applied – Practical, Applied areas of the Option 9 cr

ASPSS Practicum in field of the Option 3 cr

Structure of the BSHS CoreCore – a section of 21 credits in the BSHS degree consistingof six subject areas that provide theoretical foundations forthe area of study.

Dynamics of the Social SettingThese courses provide knowledge above the introductorylevel of social, political, economic or historic roots of socialproblems and the context in which human services aredelivered in present day U.S. society.

Dynamics of the IndividualThese courses emphasize the understanding of humanbehavior and individual needs.

Dynamics of InterventionThese courses teach the techniques of intervention skills,or the methods used to encourage change in individuals,groups or society.

Social PlanningThese courses cover areas such as management,administration, and planning and policy making in generalor within the human services field.

Statistics or Research MethodsThese courses cover research principles and methods thatensure students have the basic skills to conduct andinterpret research in their fields.

Computer RequirementThese courses provide a basic understanding of computersand computer technology.

Structure of the BSHS Individual Area ofSpecializationIntroduction to the Area of Study orIntroduction to Human Services 3 cr

Philosophy, theories, history andconcepts of the Area of Study 12 cr

Practical, applied subjects related tothe Area of Study 12 cr

Advanced-Level Practicum 6 cr

Practicum and Advanced-Level PracticumThe Practicum and Advanced-Level Practicum are thecapstone requirements of each degree. They are theevaluation tool that allows the College to determine if youare competent, current and knowledgeable in the broadconcepts of human services and in those theories that arespecific to your profession or position.

The ASPSS has a Practicum requirement of 3 credits. TheBSHS has an Advanced-Level Practicum requirement of anadditional 6 credits.

Relationship of Practicum and YourProfessional BackgroundIf you were a 20-year-old junior in a traditional college, aPracticum would be much like an internship where youwould spend time on a site or in a facility performingjob/career/field-related tasks and learning or furtherdeveloping skill sets necessary for future employment in thatfield. You might spend several eight-hour days a week for anentire term, or perhaps for a full year in such a setting.

In addition you would likely come back to campus once aweek for a group discussion with a supervising facultymember and with others in similar internship settings. With



27

the completion of this you would have put in severalhundred hours of your time.

The Thomas Edison State College student in the BSHS orASPSS already has years of experience on a site or in afacility, so the “several hundred hours” of time has alreadybeen completed. Since the College does not have arequirement that you come to campus once a week, the“discussion” portion of the Practicum is done online with anassigned faculty mentor in that field. Because you have putin the hours on a site or in a facility you should have thekinds of experiences to call upon when participating in thediscussion with a mentor.

A determination will be made by the Office of Admissions asto whether or not your previous experiences are appropriatefor the ASPSS or BSHS program you have selected. YourPracticummust be approved as an appropriate match beforeyou begin your degree program. If it is determined that youdo not have appropriate background or experience for theBSHS degree, the file will be reviewed to facilitate yourpursuing a different degree program.

To have the current experience approved, please send a jobdescription for the experience you plan to use as the basisof your Practicum, and a resumé to:

Office of Admissions – BSHS degreeThomas Edison State College101 W. State St.Trenton, NJ 08608-1176

Free ElectivesEvery degree has a section dedicated to free electives. Freeelectives are credits that cannot apply to any otherrequirement in the degree either because they are in subjectareas that do not apply elsewhere, or because all otherdegree requirements are completed.

In any associate or bachelor’s degree, no matter how manycredits of free electives are needed, there is no concernabout whether the credits are at the 100, 200, 300 or 400levels. In this section of the degree, the level of the creditsis not an issue.

Any college-level credit in any subject can be a free electiveas long as it cannot be better used elsewhere in the degreeand as long as it does not duplicate courses/credits alreadyapplied.

No matter where in the degree your credits are to apply, itis always best to have potential credits approved by anadvisor before you take them. This will avoid the possibilityof taking something that cannot apply to your degree forany reason.

Understanding Methods of Earning Credit


28

understanding methodsof earning credit

Degree Completion StrategyEvery college offers courses and degrees. What makesThomas Edison State College unique is the “methods” ofearning credit that are available to you. By becomingfamiliar with the methods the College offers and by havinga discussion with an advisor about how these methods mayor may not fit your learning style, you can experience greatercontrol over the completion of your degree. For example, byusing more “testing” and “PLA” you might be more likely tomove through degree completion quicker but with these“methods” there is a greater need to be self-motivated. Onthe other hand, you may benefit more from the structure ofan online course. You will learn which learning style isappropriate for you to become familiar with the College’s“methods of earning credit.”

What distinguishes Thomas Edison StateCollege from other colleges and universities?Most colleges and universities are designed to meet theneeds of college students who are between the ages of 18and 24 years old and were established to serve a specificgeographic region of the country or a specific academicarea, based on the faculty. From its inception, Thomas EdisonState College has focused exclusively on serving the needsof adult learners wherever they live or work. This singularfocus has resulted in the College pioneering thedevelopment of technology in higher education designed atdelivering academic programs to our students, wherevertheir locations may be.

Most adults cannot put their lives and careers on hold to sitin classroom at a specific time and place. At Thomas EdisonState College, they do not have to. While some of ourstudents who live near Trenton, N.J. visit us to take an examor meet with an advisor, most of our students completecourses, take exams and earn their degrees wherever it isconvenient for them. For many, it’s their home. For others,

it’s the office or the local library. For many of our militarystudents, it’s wherever they are deployed, be it on asubmarine, an aircraft carrier or at a military installationhalf way around the world.

One of most important things that distinguishes ThomasEdison State College frommost other institutions that serveadults learners is our ability to enable students to earn creditfor what they already know. This does not mean the Collegeawards credit for life experience. Rather, we provide ourstudents the opportunity to earn credit by demonstratingthat they possess college-level knowledge, and we haveseveral methods to help students do just that. In thispublication, you will learn about some of our most popular,such as Testing and e-Pack courses and Prior LearningAssessment.

Along with these dynamic approaches to college credit,many of our students transfer credits from other regionallyaccredited colleges and universities all over the country.They also receive credit from recommendations for militaryor corporate training as evaluated by the American Councilon Education (ACE) or training reviewed for credit byThomas Edison State College.

As a Thomas Edison State College student, you areexceptional in so many ways. Although you may not have adegree, perhaps you have taught college-level courses forcredit, and we can grant you “credit for courses taught.” Orperhaps you took courses many years ago and when youtried to transfer these to another school, you were met withresistance. In most degree programs we will accept creditsyou earned years ago.

If you have university education from a foreign country,credits reviewed and recommended by American Associationof College Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) ora number of other foreign credential evaluation services canenable you to earn your degree with Thomas Edison StateCollege. For a list of those foreign credential evaluationservices, see Page 34.



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Guided Study, Online andFlashTrackTM Courses –an OverviewGuided Study and online courses are two distance learningmethods of earning credit offered by Thomas Edison StateCollege. Distance learning courses allow you to work on yourown, wherever you are. They are directed by a mentor whowill answer your questions, review your assignments andexams, and give you a final grade for the course. Mentors donot provide lectures.

Offered in 12-week time frames called “terms” or“semesters,” these always include reading and writtenassignments and some also include audio and/or videocomponents. While most courses are 3-credit courses, thereare a few 6-credit courses offered.

Guided StudyIn Guided Study courses your work is totally independent ofother students. A course syllabus and assignments areprovided online and you complete and submit them to thementor electronically through the course Web site. Logginginto courses is done with your username (College ID number)and password (last 4 digits of your Social Security number).

Online CoursesIn online courses you are continually involved in “online”discussion with other students. The discussions are posted toa “bulletin board” for everyone’s review. The Blackboardsoftware is not difficult to understand and help is availableto you. A course syllabus is provided online within eachcourse, and all assignments and discussion contributions areposted electronically as well. Learning is asynchronous,which means that you are not necessarily online at the sametime as classmates. This is not a chat room, you post yourcomments, someone else posts their thoughts the next day,someone else later that afternoon, someone else two nightslater, etc.

FlashTrackTMFlashTrackTM courses are delivered to students on a single 2Gigabyte (GB) flash drive which can be used on anycomputer. They are preloaded with everything you will needto complete the course, including all course materials aswell as the software necessary for word processing andmedia players, PDF and photo viewing programs, and e-mailand Web utilities for students with access to the Internet.

The flash drive of FlashTrackTM courses is sent to students inthe mail after registration for the course. Simply plug theflash drive into the computer and it is ready to go right outof the box.

Registration for Guided Study, online and FlashTrackTM

courses is done through the Office of the Registrar at theCollege. Prior to registering it is wise to have creditspreapproved by an advisor to be certain they apply to yourdegree.



30

TECEP® Exams and e-Pack®Courses – an OverviewTECEP® ExamsMany of Thomas Edison State College’s students are familiarwith CLEP (College Level Examination Program) exams. CLEPis a brand name of standardized exams. TECEP® is a brandname as well – it is the College’s brand name. It stands forThomas Edison College Examination Program.

By taking and passing a TECEP® you can earn credit towardyour degree. Consult with your academic advisor with regardto the appropriateness of specific exams.

To help you prepare for TECEP® exams the College providesan overview of each exam that includes the description, anoutline of topics covered on the exam, a selection of samplequestions and answers, and the name of the text(s) one canstudy to take the exam. That information can be found onthe Web site at www.tesc.edu/701.php. You have theoption of spending as little or as much time as you wishpreparing for the exam. You determine how much time andhow much effort is needed for you to be ready and youdetermine when and if you are ready for the TECEP® exam.Once you feel ready for the exam you submit yourregistration form.

Note that it is suggested that you have some knowledge ofthe subject matter before studying to take an exam in aparticular subject area.

e-Pack® CoursesAlthough the e-Pack is referred to as “e-Pack® courses” thecourses do not have homework nor do they have a mentor.What they do offer is a structure to help you to prepare fora TECEP®-like final exam. They provide hundreds of practicequestions in online quiz form. By taking each quiz you cansee which questions you answered correctly and which youdid not, so you have a tool to self-assess your readiness forthe final exam. You can take up to 12 weeks to complete ane-Pack®.

Credit by Examination – TestingCredit by examination or testing is a method of earningcollege credit that has been successful for many students.For some, testing involves minimal preparation while forothers a great deal of intense preparation and study time isinvolved. You prepare for exams at your own pace.

For these college-level examinations, specific study materialfor exam preparation can usually be located, and the studentdetermines how much time and effort will be dedicated topreparing for an exam. Often the materials mention thespecific name, author (and ISBN number) of the textbook(s)used as a source for the exam questions. As a result, examsare a very independent method of earning credit. Youprepare at your pace and take the exam when you feel youare ready.

Along with the TECEP© exams offered by the College, thereare a number of other exam “brand names” from whichstudents can select. Information on five of those is in thissection for your review. A wide range of exams are availablein many subject areas.

Prior to taking any exam, you are responsible for contactingThomas Edison State College’s Advisement Center todetermine if the potential credits will apply to your degree(see “degree planning” on page 3).

Also, some exams are proctored. You are responsible foridentifying the proctor and for any proctoring fees that maybe involved.

You are also responsible for ensuring that the official resultsof your exam are forwarded to the College.

With our receipt of the passing score for an exam, thecredits are posted to your student file as “CR” (creditawarded).

CLEP:

� College-Level Examination Program

� Examinations in general education, business andTechnology subjects at the 100 and 200 levels

� Study Guides available through CLEP and inbookstores

� Computer-based testing

� CLEP Web site is www.collegeboard.com/clep



31

For information regarding registration and fees, order formsand study guides, write CLEP at P.O. Box 6601, Princeton, NJ08541-6601 or call (800) 257-9558.

Repeat option is available after six months and failed examscannot be retaken for six months after the exam date.

If you have taken or are about to take a CLEP exam, to haveThomas Edison State College receive the official scorereports from College Board, you must identify:

CLEP Score Recipient Code for Thomas Edison State College– 2748

DANTES:

� Defense Activity for Non-Traditional EducationalSupport

� Examinations in general education, business andtechnology subjects at the 100, 200, 300 and 400levels

� Study Guides available through DANTES

� Exams administered at approved proctor sites

� DANTES Web site is www.getcollegecredit.com

� Repeat option available after six months

If you have taken or are about to take a DANTES exam, tohave Thomas Edison State College receive the official scorereports from Capstar/The Chauncey Group, you mustidentify:

DANTES Score Recipient Code for Thomas Edison StateCollege – 9001

Excelsior College Examinations (ECE)� Examinations in general education, business and

technology subjects at the 100, 200, 300 and 400levels

� Study guides available on Excelsior Web site

� Computer-based examinations administeredthrough Prometric Testing Centers

� Excelsior Web site is www.excelsior.edu

Information and registration forms may be obtained by

writing to Excelsior College, Test Administration, 7 ColumbiaCircle, Albany, NY 12203-5159 or by calling (518) 464-8500.

Repeat option is available after 60-day period.

New York University Foreign Language(NYU)Foreign language proficiency testing is offered at thebeginner, intermediate and advanced levels in 51 differentforeign languages. Exams are scored from 0-16. The score isequivalent to the number of credits given, starting at 101and 102 for beginning language, 201 and 202 forintermediate and 301 for advanced language credit.

This exam is designed for native speakers or for those whoseproficiency is comparable, so no study guide is available. Foradditional information students can contact NYU at(212) 992–9060

Exams can only be taken at NYU in New York City or atThomas Edison State College in Trenton, New Jersey.

A repeat option is available after six-months.

Ohio University Course Credit byExamination

� Ohio University Course Credit by Examination

� Examinations in general education, business andtechnology subjects at the 100, 200, 300 and 400levels

� Transcripted with letter grades

� Transcripted in quarter hours rather than semesterhours

� Study guides available through Ohio University

� Exams administered at approved proctor sites

� Ohio University Web site iswww.ohio.edu/independent/ccewords.htm

Information and registration forms may be obtainedby contacting Independent Study, 302 Tupper Hall,Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979 or calling (614)593-2910.

One repeat option is available after six weeks.



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Prior Learning Assessment –an OverviewThe Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process allows you toearn credit for knowledge you have gained through theyears, provided the knowledge equates to what would havebeen learned in a comparable college-level course.

Other than English Composition I and II, and Mathematics, itis possible to earn an entire degree through the PLA processif you have the college-level knowledge and the ability toprove it.

The concept is often misunderstood. Many people assumethat you simply submit your resume or your assortedtraining certificates and the College awards you credit,which is not accurate.

PLA credit is based on your ability to identify college coursedescriptions that describe the knowledge you have. PLArequires that you reflect on and discuss your learningexperiences. PLA also requires that you provide evidence ofyour learning, proof that in fact you actually do know thesubject matter for which you are attempting to earn credit.This is all done online using the same Blackboard softwarethat the College uses for online courses.

If you have a background in a particular subject area youcan look through the PLA Search on the College Web site.This searchable database contains more than 10,000 coursedescriptions. If you’re not able to find an appropriate coursedescription there, you can search the catalogs of anyregionally accredited college or university to see if any offersan equivalent course. You are then able to borrow thatcourse description to use toward a PLA. Remember that thepotential credits still need to be approved by an academicadvisor before you register and begin the PLA process.

Prior to registering for a PLA, you are encouraged to workwith an academic advisor to ensure that the credits will applyto your degree once earned. Although not a prerequisite, youshould also have earned credit for English Composition I andII because PLA includes a great deal of writing.

Primarily, a PLA has three components – a coursedescription, a narrative and a collection of evidence. Thecourse description identifies the course number and title,contents of the course and the number of credits to beearned (PLA generally awards 3 credits). A narrative is

submitted online to the mentor. The narrative discusses yourknowledge of subject matter along with the “how, when,where and why” the knowledge was gained, how it wasapplied and what evidence you intend to provide to provethis. The third component is that evidence, those items thatwill demonstrate to the mentor that indeed you have theknowledge and should be awarded credit.

For additional information on the Prior LearningAssessment program, visit the College Web site and viewthe introductory page on the PLA program and process.

http://www.tesc.edu/pla.



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Credits Earned Outside ofThomas Edison State CollegeTransfer creditsThere are more than 3,000 colleges and universities in theUnited States that offer face-to-face instruction. Inaddition, several hundred of these schools offer online or USPostal Service-based correspondence courses. ThomasEdison State College students transfer credits from anynumber of these institutions at the beginning of theapplication process and the College evaluates your previouseducation to determine a starting point for you.

You can also utilize transfer credits during the degreecompletion process when you need a course that the Collegedoes not offer, or when you are uncomfortable with thenotion of a distance course in a particular subject. Alwayskeep in mind that before you register for and take a courseelsewhere, you should contact the Advisement Center sothat an advisor can determine if the course is appropriate foryour degree needs.

When the College accepts a transfer course from anotherregionally-accredited school, it assigns that course aninternal “equivalency,” a course number from the ThomasEdison State College system. This number allows the Collegeto determine where in the degree this credit can apply (seenext page for information on Regional Accreditation). Levelsof courses taken at other schools (course number of 100,200, 300 or 400) may not necessarily correspond with thecourse number that the College assigns in transfer.

Other testing programsAlong with the TECEP® testing program, the College willaccept credits earned through CLEP, DANTES, New YorkUniversity, Excelsior College, Ohio University and AdvancedPlacement exams.

NON COURSESNon Courses is a terminology used for credits awarded byThomas Edison State College for recognized programscompleted through institutions that are not regionallyaccredited colleges and universities. Among those are:

American Council on EducationThe American Council on Education (ACE) is an agencylocated in Washington, D.C., and is the major coordinatingbody for all the nation’s higher education institutions.

Corporations and organizations utilize the services of ACE tohave their training programs evaluated or to determine ifcollege credit can be recommended for these programs. Ifyou have participated in a training program through youremployer or organization, perhaps its programs have beenreviewed and recommended for credit by ACE. Forinformation about this, you can visit www.acenet.edu.

National Program on NoncollegiateSponsored InstructionCourses and examinations approved through the NationalProgram on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction are similarin nature to those credit recommendations done through ACE.

Military TrainingMembers of the military go through extensive trainingrelated to career and professional work as well as in healthand fitness. Completed training may result in therecommendation of college credit which Thomas EdisonState College will accept toward your degree if the creditsapply. Members of the military should provide officialmilitary training transcripts for review.

Students who are serving the U.S. military, or those who areveterans can consult the list below to see what transcriptsthe College uses to award credit for the different branchesof the military.

� U.S. Army: AARTS transcript

� U.S. Navy: SMART transcript

� U.S. Marines: SMART transcript

� U.S. Air Force: Community College of the Air Forcetranscript

� U.S. Coast Guard: U.S. Coast Guard Institutetranscript

� Discharged before 1986: Notarized DD 214 Form



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Regional AccreditationCredits earned at colleges and universities accredited by theregional accrediting associations listed below will beevaluated for transfer:

� Commission on Institutions of Higher Education,Commission on Technical and Career Institutions,New England Association of Schools and Colleges

� Commission on Higher Education, Middle StatesAssociation of Colleges and Schools

� Commission on Institutions of Higher Education,North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

� Commissions on Colleges, Northwest Association ofSchools and Colleges

� Commission on Colleges, Southern Association ofColleges and Schools

� Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges andUniversities, Accrediting Commission forCommunity and Junior Colleges, WesternAssociation of Schools and Colleges

NOTE: Some courses offered by colleges and schoolsaccredited by national associations have been reviewed andmay be eligible for direct credit award. Please contact thethe Office of Academic Advisement to determine if particularcourses from these colleges and schools have been reviewed.

For additional information about the transferability ofcredits, please contact the Office of Advisement.

Foreign Credentials EvaluationsIf you attended a university in a foreign country and perhapscompleted a university degree outside the United States,Thomas Edison State College will accept therecommendations of a number of credential evaluationservices including:

American Association of College Registrars andAdmissions Officers (AACRAO)One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 520Washington, DC 20036(202) 293-9161www.aacrao.org/international

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)P.O. Box 514070Milwaukee, WI 53203–3470(414) 289–3400www.ece.org

World Education Services, Inc. (WES)P.O. Box 5087Bowling Green StationNew York, NY 10274–5087(212) 966–6311www.wes.org

Educational Perspectives, nfp. (EP)P.O. Box 618056Chicago, IL 60661–8056(312) 421–9300www.edperspective.org

All costs associated with the international credit evaluationare the responsibility of the student. The College reserves theright to make its own determination on the amount and typeof credit to be awarded based on the evaluations provided bythese agencies. A student enrolling with Thomas Edison StateCollege may transfer a maximum of 45 credits at theassociate level or 90 credits at the bachelor’s level fromforeign or international institutions.

Foreign students in the United States on student (F-1) visascan use all methods of earning credit available to U.S.students for completing their degree requirements. TheCollege does not issue student visas.

Creating, Submitting and Updating a Degree Plan


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creating, submitting andupdating a degree plan

Degree Completion StrategyAt traditional schools, students identify only those “courses”for which they hope to register next semester. At ThomasEdison State College, students can utilize many credit-earning methods toward completion of a degree and canidentify a potential list of courses/credits for later on, so weencourage students to think a bit more “long range” thanthe upcoming term.

What is a degree plan?A completed Academic Evaluation will show you which ofyour previously earned credits apply to a degree, and wherein the degree they apply. The Academic Evaluation will thenalso show where in the degree there are still blank slots tobe filled.

So a degree plan (sometimes referred to as a program plan)begins with an Academic Evaluation. It is a tool the Collegeshares with you to help you identify the areas of credit youstill need in order to complete a degree. You identify thecredits you need, and select the methods of earning creditto fulfill each degree slot. You submit information aboutyour selection to the Advisement Center to get “approval”for the credits you wish to earn.

“Approval” is obtaining permission before you take thecourse. By doing that you get confirmation that the creditsyou are about to earn will apply to your degree.

Why should you create a degree plan?Why get courses preapproved?By selecting potential credits ahead of time you are able tomake a long-range plan. You are able to get that allimportant confirmation about what fits into your degreebefore you actually take it. Taking a course and THEN findingout that it won’t help to finish your degree – can be amongthe most unpleasant student experiences. The College wantsto help you avoid that experience and the unnecessaryexpense.

When do you create a degree plan?First, get potential credits approved by an advisor before youregister for a course or exam. Once you obtain a few initialcourse approvals, you may register and begin those courses,then take some time to develop a list of the additionalcredits you propose to take for your degree. Once you submitthe list, an advisor will review it, approve what will fit intothe degree and respond to you with a note about yourselections. This can be done at any time but the sooner youcomplete this step, the sooner you will feel like you knowyour next steps.

How do you create a degree plan?After having reviewed your Academic Evaluation and afterbrowsing the Registration Bulletin or the Web site to seewhat courses are offered that fit your degree plan, submit alist of the potential credits you hope to earn and a degreeplan will be created. You should also submit informationabout courses you plan to complete with other institutions.This can be submitted to the Office of Academic Advisementby U.S. Postal Service, fax or e-mail. Once courses areblocked in to your degree plan, you can view this anytime onwww.tesc.edu under “online student services.” Not only willit show those credits already completed but it will also showwhere the potential “planned” (PL) credits will eventuallyapply when completed.

Every slot in every degree is filled either by credit you havealready earned or credit you can earn either through newlearning, or through the assessment of prior learning. Soevery slot is potentially filled with the following methods ofearning credit:

�College-level courses taken through regionallyaccredited colleges or universities and transferred toThomas Edison State College*

� Examinations such as the CLEP, DANTES, ExcelsiorCollege, Ohio University, New York University ForeignLanguage



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� Examinations such as the Thomas Edison State CollegeTECEP® exams

�Online or Guided Study courses from Thomas EdisonState College

�Distance courses from any regionally accreditedcolleges and universities

�Classroom courses from any regionally accreditedcolleges and universities

� PLA (Prior Learning Assessment) through Thomas EdisonState College or other schools**

* PLA/portfolio credit done through institutions other than ThomasEdison State College needs to be reviewed for its transferability.

** Thomas Edison State College’s Prior Learning Assessment methodcannot be used to earn credit for English Composition I and II.

Our student software uses the courses/credits you have inthe ways that will help you. When you propose or “plan”credits, the software places them on the degree plan(Academic Evaluation) where they can be of the most valueto you. Sometimes courses/credits shift to other sectionswithin the degree because of their ability to apply indifferent places. It is not always important where credits fit– it is important that they do fit.

Although this academic evaluation or degree plan will showwhere credits apply, your official transcript only indicateswhat credits you have earned, but it will not indicate wherein the degree credits were applied – the AcademicEvaluation looks nothing like the official transcript.

Degree Completion StrategyYou may plan a list of potential credits all at once or inincrements. With the help of this Handbook and theRegistration Bulletin, it is possible for you to identify andselect all the credits you will need to complete your degree.Most students do not plan that much in advance. Moststudents tend to submit a list of the next two, four, six oreight courses.

How do you update your degree plan?When? Why?Our students are typically not 18, 19 or 20 years of age.Many of the College’s students have college credits earnedpreviously, so it is necessary for the College to evaluate thesetransfer credits toward the intended degree. This gives thestudent a point from which to begin the degree completionprocess. Credits are slotted to fulfill degree requirementsand decisions are made about what kinds of credits canapply to slots not yet filled. This happens before you haveregistered for courses.

If you have had your credits evaluated, enrolled andsubmitted some potential credits to be approved and theCollege has given you approvals for courses to take at a laterdate, that means you have a list of potential credits tocomplete and you know they fit into your degree plan.

Perhaps when you prepare to register in the future you maysee something on the degree plan that you had approved atone time, but now you no longer have interest in thatsubject. Tell the College to remove it from your plan; it isyour degree and you make the decisions. You have theoption to change your mind.

Decide what courses/credits you now want to have includedin your plan so you can take them, or decide what you wantthe College to remove and what will replace it. Or, if you areunsure, discuss it with an advisor, who will help you todecide when you are ready.

Contact the Office of Academic Advisement via the contactinformation on the inside cover. An advisor will review yourinformation and respond to you.

For students who come to the College withno or few college creditsWhen there are no credits to evaluate the decisions madeabout potential credits is a considerably lower risk. Tocomplete a degree you need everything so at the outset youcannot make a wrong choice - everything is potentiallygoing to fit into your degree at this point. Choose the firstfew credits based on subjects that interest you. This shouldmake your initial distance learning experience moreinteresting and enjoyable.



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Although we generally encourage students to have coursesapproved before they register, those with “zero” credits arein a position where everything taken can apply someplacewithin a degree. Once you register for your first term, duringthat term you will then want to confer with an advisor andmake a plan that extends a little further into the future.

For students who transfer in a very largenumber of creditsThe more credits you transfer, the more you want to becertain of the remaining credits you should earn to completeyour degree. Before you register please schedule time withan advisor to discuss your selections and ensure that thedecisions you make are appropriate for your degree.

Degree Completion options through otherinstitutionsSeveral degree programs actually require specific creditsthat are not offered through Thomas Edison State College ascourses. In these instances students can take courses fromother institutions and transfer them to Thomas Edison StateCollege.

Many regionally accredited institutions now offer distanceor online courses. If you are considering taking a coursethrough another school, you will want to have itpreapproved by an advisor to ensure that the selection isappropriate for your degree.

For some, these credits can be earned through the PriorLearning Assessment (PLA) method if you already have theCollege-level knowledge in the subject.

Bachelor’s to Master’sThe Bachelor’s to Masters program at Thomas Edison StateCollege allows you to earn credits that would apply to yourbachelor’s degree AND toward a graduate degree at thesame time. The Bachelor’s to Master’s program, allows youto take up to 9 graduate credits (three graduate courses)that can apply to both your bachelor’s and your master’sdegree.

Your ability to take advantage of this will greatly depend onwhat credits you have already completed and had applied toyour degree, and what graduate course credits are availableto you. A minimum of 99 credits must have been completedtoward your undergraduate degree before you apply to agraduate program. Consult with an academic advisor toobtain more specific information about this option.

Contacting Us


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contacting us

Call us for quick answers to quick questionsUse the toll free Advisement Expressline Monday throughThursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, and Friday until 4 p.m.Calls to the Expressline are typically less than 10 minutes inlength.

Know your 7-digit College ID number so an advisor can getinto your file quickly. Have your information at hand. If youare thinking of a course with another school, know the nameof the school, the course number and title. If you havequestions about your evaluation, have it with you so we canrefer to it together.

1–888–442–8372

If you need more than a few minutes, you may schedule aphone (or in-person) appointment with an advisor in yourdegree. Appointment slots are 30 minutes in length andallow you to ask detailed questions.

If you have never had time with an advisor this conversationcould prove to be enlightening and very helpful. Ouradvisement staff is ready and highly qualified to assist youand enhance your Thomas Edison State College experience.

Remember to schedule your appointment well in advance ofregistration deadlines so that there is time for an advisor toassist you. All appointments are conveniently scheduled onlinethrough your myEdison® student portal.

E-mail usIf you find it easier to e-mail your questions rather thanattempt to have them answered by phone, we will makeevery effort to assist you through e-mail. If you have theability to attach or scan documents, we will gladly reviewanything you send. Send us an e-mail with your questionsand we will respond within 3-4 business days. Please e-mailus at [email protected] and remember to include yourdegree program in the subject line of your e-mail (AA,BA, BSBA, etc.).

We assist students in all 50 states and in more than 100foreign countries. Time zone differences make e-mail themost popular way to communicate with us.

Fax or write to usWe still receive items by U.S. Postal Service and by fax. Wegenerally answer these by e-mail if you have such capability,or we reply by U.S. Postal Service when necessary.

There are some items that are sent more easily by U.S. PostalService or fax. Many students do not have access to ascanner device so they rely on a photocopier or a faxmachine. We are ready to receive what you send. It will belogged in as a received document, and forwarded to themost appropriate person for response.

Fax: 1-609–777–2956

U.S. Postal Service:Thomas Edison State CollegeOffice of Academic Advisement101 West State StreetTrenton, NJ 08608 – 1176

Keep in mind:You always want to include your first and last name alongwith your 7-digit College ID number. If you wrote to us andwe responded, do not assume we know who you are whenyou write the next reply. Some Internet e-mail services donot allow us to view a “previous” note, so when you e-mailus please always include all relevant information for ourreview.

academic policies -standards of performance

The following are selected and highly relevant policies whichhave been edited for inclusion in this Handbook. For morecomprehensive information about Thomas Edison StateCollege policies, consult the College Catalog.

Academic Honesty and IntegrityIntellectual integrity is essential to a quality academicexperience. Learners are expected to be the authors ofacademic work they submit to the College and to presentcredentials that accurately reflect their experience andachievement. The College reserves the right to review allcredits, degrees, certificates and fees, and if any academicmisconduct is revealed, those credits, degrees andcertificates may be rescinded by the College. Academicdishonesty, plagiarism and/or the falsification of records ofcredentials shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action,including dismissal from the College, and may in someinstances result in criminal prosecution.

Awarding of Degrees� Students who wish to earn both a Thomas Edison State

College associate and bachelor’s degree must be awardedthe associate degree first.

� All students are required to submit a completed “Requestfor Graduation” form and the graduation fee when theycomplete all degree requirements. Thomas Edison StateCollege degrees are conferred four times a year aspublished in the Thomas Edison State College Catalog.

� A Commencement Ceremony is held annually in Octoberin Trenton, N.J. All graduates must be certified by theSeptember graduation date to be considered graduatesfor that academic year and be named in that year’sCommencement Program.

Code of ConductLearners at Thomas Edison State College are expected to bemature, self-directed and responsible for their progress andthe achievement of their personal academic goals. They areexpected to know and comply with the policies, rules andprocedures of the College; satisfy their financial obligations;and comply with requests of academic and administrativepersonnel in the conduct of their professional duties.

NJ Comprehensive Statewide TransferAgreementThe New Jersey Commission on Higher Education has apolicy which guarantees admission to a state college to agraduate with an associate in arts or associate in sciencedegree from any New Jersey county or community college orThomas Edison State College. This policy applies to ThomasEdison State College students who have completed anassociate in arts or an associate in science degree andtransfer to another New Jersey state college to complete abachelor’s degree. Students must meet the degreerequirements of the specific program in which they enroll;these requirements are determined by the respective statecolleges.

This policy also applies to students who have completed anassociate in arts or an associate in science degree at a NewJersey county/community college and transfer to ThomasEdison State College to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Acceptability for admission and acceptance of credits fornon-graduates shall be at the discretion of the state college.

For more complete details about this transfer agreementpolicy please go to: http://catalog.tesc.edu/content.php?catoid=1&navoid=10#Comprehensive_Statewide_Transfer_Agreement

Academic Policies - Standards of Performance


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New Jersey Statewide Transfer AgreementAppeals ProcessThe College provides an appeal process for students torequest reconsideration of these policies. Questionsregarding the appeal process can be forwarded to the Officeof the Registrar by phone at (609) 984-1180 or by e-mail [email protected].

Credit Transfer LimitationsForeign/International Credits

� Thomas Edison State College will accept a maximum of45 international credits toward an associate degree and90 credits toward a bachelor’s degree from internationalor foreign sources that are based on a required course-by-course evaluation by any of the four evaluationservices (see Page 32).

� Foreign students with a bachelor’s degree from anothercountry, considered equivalent to a U.S. degree byThomas Edison State College, must complete at least 30additional U.S. college credits to earn a Thomas EdisonState College bachelor’s degree and 15 additional U.S.college credits to earn a Thomas Edison State Collegeassociate degree.

Graduate Credits� Thomas Edison State College will accept a maximum of 15

credits of graduate-level course work toward an associatedegree and 30 credits toward a bachelor’s degree.

Junior/Community/County Colleges� Thomas Edison State College will accept a maximum of

80 transferable credits deemed junior/community/countycollege-level toward a bachelor’s degree.

Physical Education activity credits� Thomas Edison State College will accept a maximum of 4

credits of physical education activity courses toward anassociate degree and 8 credits toward a bachelor’s degree.

Developmental/Remedial CoursesThomas Edison State College does not accept courses intransfer that are remedial or developmental.

Use caution if courses have any designations as follows:

� Courses with course numbers that start with “0”

� Courses with titles of “elementary” or “basic”

� Courses “for students who have not had the high schoolcourse in the subject”

DOC (Demonstration of Currency)General InformationCurrency of knowledge is a critical aspect of some of ThomasEdison State College degrees. Keeping abreast of change andinnovation in the world today is a prerequisite forprofessionals. For many of our students there are instanceswhere significant numbers of credits were earned more than10 years prior to application to the College. The College hasdeveloped guidelines for accepting credits that are morethan 10 years old, to accommodate your needs while stillmaintaining academic quality.

DOC in Business and Technology DegreesDemonstration of Currency is only needed for a portion ofthose business credits in the business degree, or technicalcredits in the technology degree that are 10 years old or older.

Sometimes the process is a matter of the recentcompletion of another course. Other times currency canbe demonstrated through the submission of professionalcertifications, company or industry training, letters ofsupport from supervisors or other documentation. In othersituations a DOC Conference is held, in person or by phone,with a mentor, to discuss the student’s knowledge ofcourse material from those older courses as well as newdevelopments in the field. Once currency of knowledge is“validated” the credits can apply to the degree. For moreinformation on DOC, please contact the respectiveAcademic Dean.

Duplication of Credit�College credits earned at difference institutionswhich cover

the same subject are considered duplication of credit.

� Duplicate credits will not be applied to a student’s degreeprogram.

� Additional information on duplication guidelines may befound in the Thomas Edison State College Catalog.

Prerequisites for Thomas Edison StateCollege coursesIn some instances, Thomas Edison State College uses theterm “advisory” instead of prerequisite. Before registeringfor any course or exam you are encouraged to take note ofthe specific prerequisites or “advisories.” Course content



41

often builds upon recent or current understanding of pre-requisite knowledge. Often without this you may encounterdifficulty completing your work for a specific course.

PrivacyFamily Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974: ThomasEdison State College adheres to The Family Education Rightsand Privacy Act of 1974 or Buckley Amendment, morecommonly called FERPA.

Thomas Edison State College has designated the followingcategories of student information as public information:student name, enrollment status, e-mail address, area ofstudy and degree/honors conferred. This information maybe released for any purpose at the College’s discretion.

Second Associate or Bachelor’s DegreesThe following criteria are for students who have receivedone associate degree at Thomas Edison State College oranother regionally accredited institution and wish to earn asecond associate degree, or if they have received onebachelor’s degree at Thomas Edison State College or anotherregionally accredited institution and wish to earn a secondbachelor’s degree:

1. Students must complete a minimum of 15 additionalcredits for a second associate degree and 30 additionalcredits for a second bachelor’s degree beyond the date allprior degrees were completed.

2. Students must select an option which is significantlydifferent from their previous degree(s).

3. Students must complete all requirements for the degreeas listed in the current Thomas Edison State CollegeCatalog.

4. Course work used to fulfill requirements for a previousassociate degree major or any other undergraduate,advanced or professional degrees may not be used tofulfill requirements for the second associate degreeoption or a second bachelor’s degree area of study. TheCollege will not award a third bachelor’s degree.

Subject Area� Thomas Edison State College will accept a maximum of

70 credits in any one subject area toward the completionof a bachelor’s degree. For example, toward a Bachelor of

Arts degree requiring 120 credits, a maximum of 70credits in a single subject area can be used.

� A minimum of two subject areas must be represented ineach of the academic disciplines in the general educationrequirement area of the bachelor’s degree: humanities,social sciences and natural sciences/ mathematics.Consult with an academic advisor for additionalinformation.

Transcripts and GPA -Standards of Performance� The overall grade point average (GPA) for all credits

applied to your degree must be at least 2.00 (a C average)in order to graduate.

� The GPA for the English Composition requirement must beat least a 2.00.

� The GPA for all credits in the area of study, concentration,option or professional component of your degree must beat least a 2.00.

� Grades of D will be accepted only if the overall appliedGPA is at least 2.00.

� No D grades will be applied to English Composition, Areaof Concentration, Area of Study, Option or ProfessionalComponent of your degree.

� Grades of D initially not applied can be applied towardyour degree if subsequent grades of B or better areearned to satisfy the GPA requirement.

� The Thomas Edison State College transcript will showgrades A through D where grades have been awarded forinstitutional courses.

� The GPA is recorded on the transcript.

� Thomas Edison State College does not transcript:1. Grades of F (failed course)2. Grades of W (official withdrawal) or I (incomplete)3. Continuing Education Units (CEUs)4. Audited courses

Note: Each student is held responsible for the informationcontained in the College Catalog, the Registration Bulletinand the Advisement and Degree Planning Handbook.Failure to read and comply with this information does notexempt the student from this responsibility.

Key To Abbreviations On Your Evaluation


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key to abbreviationson your academic evaluation

The following is a list of abbreviations that you may see onyour evaluation, to help you understand the document:

CC Community College CreditIndicates that the course/credit is from a junior/county/community college. A maximum of 80 junior orcommunity college level credits can be applied toward abachelor’s degree.

OCC or OCC-199Over Community College CreditUsed when more than 80 community college credits arepresent in a file, when 80 are applied to the bachelor’sdegree, and any beyond the 80 cannot apply. Not relevanttoward an associate degree.

CD or CDR-199Course Description RequiredThis indicates that more information is needed to determinethe content and classification (equivalency) of this credit.You are asked to submit a photocopy of the coursedescription from the source (the school where course wastaken, from the year it was completed). This is to besubmitted to the Office of Academic Advisement with acover letter including your name and College ID, along withan explanation of what you are sending and what shouldbe done with it. It can be submitted by U.S. Postal Service,fax or e-mail.

You may want to submit a “link” to the Web site of thatschool if the course in question was taken recently.

If the information you send does not adequately reflect thecontents of the course you may be asked to obtain andprovide a copy of the course syllabus from that institutionfor our review. No matter how long ago you took the course,colleges and universities are obligated to keep thisinformation. You will likely need to request it from thatschool in writing.

DEV Developmental or RemedialThis indicates that the contents of the course isdevelopmental/remedial and cannot be accepted and appliedto any part of a Thomas Edison State College degree.

On occasion a course taken at another school, consideredby that school to be “college level” will transfer to ThomasEdison State College and be considered “developmental.”This is based on the course contents and the “equivalency”we assign to that course.

DOC Demonstration of Currency(also see VAL)This indicates that the credits were earned at least 10 yearsprior to the date you made application to the College.

DUP Duplicate creditThis indicates that the credit for this course/examinationduplicates credit for another course/examination which wasapplied to your degree program. If you believe that the itemsdo not duplicate you may submit course descriptions forboth courses and they will be reviewed.

FOR Foreign Institution CreditsThis indicates that the course/credit was completed at acollege or university outside the United States. ThomasEdison State College will accept a maximum of 90 creditstoward a bachelor’s degree and 45 credits toward anassociate degree from selected colleges and universitiesoutside the United States based on a review of foreign creditby one of the reviewing agencies (see Page 32 for a listingof agencies).

Appendix I



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GPA or GPA-199 Grade Point AverageIndicates that the grade you received for this course wouldbring your GPA below 2.00 and the course credits cannot beapplied toward your degree until you earn additional letter-graded credits that raise your GPA.

GR Graduate-Level CreditThis indicates a graduate-level course. Thomas Edison StateCollege will allow a maximum of 30 graduate-level creditscompleted through a regionally accredited institution toapply toward a bachelor’s degree and 15 graduate creditsto apply toward an associate degree.

OGR or OGR-199 Over Graduate CreditThis indicates that more than the allowed number ofgraduate-level credit have been submitted, the maximumhave been applied and additional graduate credits are in thefile but cannot apply because they will exceed the numberof allowed credits.

IP In ProgressIndicates any Thomas Edison State College courses/examinations for which you are currently registered

NE Noncourse EquivalencyIndicates courses and examinations from sources includingACE (American Council on Education), CLEP, DANTES andother testing programs as well as Thomas Edison StateCollege special assessments.

NEW New Credit (earned after previousdegree, applied to current degree)Only relevant when a student has a previously earned degreeand is working on a subsequent degree. “New” applies tocredits earned after the completion of the previous degreeat the same level.

NVL Not ValidatedFor the business and applied science degree programs, thisabbreviation is used to designate credits not successfullyvalidated by a Demonstration of Currency (DOC) conferencewith a mentor or submission of appropriate documentation.

Overage/Exception

An overage happens when (for example) a 4-credit course isused to fill a 3-credit slot, causing 1 extra credit. This“overage” can be manually applied by an advisor to anotherarea of the degree based on degree needs and applicabilityof the overage credit. This becomes an “exception” from thetypical degree requirements.

PL Planned or Planned CreditsWhether the courses/credits are for Thomas Edison StateCollege courses or for courses from other schools, studentsare encouraged to get potential courses/exams pre-approved by an academic advisor. When this happens, thepotential credits are listed on the evaluation as “PL” plannedto be taken at some future point, but already determined tobe appropriate for the degree.

PR Preregistered CreditsDenotes Thomas Edison State College courses or exams forwhich the student has registered but has not officiallybegun.

RI Ruled IneligibleUsed to designate courses/credits that cannot be appliedtoward a degree due to developmental nature of course,duplication of previously applied credit or other ThomasEdison State College policy.

TE Transfer EquivalencyThis indicates courses transferred from regionally accreditedinstitutions.



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10Y Credits that are 10 Years or OlderIndicates that the credit was completed more than 10 yearsprior to your application to Thomas Edison State College.For business credits in the BSBA, for technology credits inthe ASAST and BSAST degree programs, the viability ofcredits that are more than 10 years old, and the currency ofcredit are determined by College policy. If you are in one ofthese programs with credits that are “10Y” you will need toconsult with an advisor.

VAL ValidationIndicates that credits completed more than 10 years agohave been validated by a subsequent course, DOCconference or other process.

VBP Validated by Business Policy CourseUsed in the BSBA degree, this credit will be (or has been)validated by the satisfactory completion of the BusinessPolicy requirement.

credit conversion table –quarter hours to semester hours

Thomas Edison State College measures credits in terms ofsemester hour credits. Semesters and Trimesters are of equalvalue. Quarter hour credits transferred from colleges usinga quarter hour system are converted to semester hourcredits using the following chart:

FROM: TO:Quarter Hour Credits Semester Hour Credits

1 .66

2 1.33

3 2.00

4 2.66

5 3.33

6 4.00

7 4.66

8 5.33

9 6.00

10 6.66

Appendix II

Higher Education. For Adults With Higher Expectations.®

Degree Planning Handbook 12.09

Documents

Transcript of Degree Planning Handbook 12.09