I performed a search for this and read where Steve Levicoff stated that TESC took courses from specific areas and regardless of their actual status (as upper or lower division) could be used as upper division courses. Did I understand this correctly? Also, how many upper division courses are required - and are they required only in the concentration area - for a BA from TESC? Thanks, clint
In some cases, 200-level courses can fulfill concentration requirements of a program. TESC has the following on their site: Courses transferred to Thomas Edison State College are equated to the following levels: "100","200", "300" or "400". A maximum of two college-level courses equating to the "100" level can be applied toward the area of concentration. A deeper knowledge of subjects is provided by requiring the remaining area of concentration college-level courses equate to levels "200","300" or "400". That was copied from the BA Liberal Arts portion of their catalog. The last sentence means that 200-level classes, as well as 300- or 400-level, can satisfy the requirements of the Liberal Arts program. Other programs may have specific requirements which are not available as a 200-level class. For instance, the Computer Information Systems program (which is a BS in Business Administration degree) offers a list of electives within the required eighteen hours, some of which might be difficult or impossible to find at the 200 level. With a Liberal Arts program it is possible to obtain a Bachelor degree with no 300- or 400-level classes. You would need to have at least 40 of the 120 hours from non-community college sources, whether that be from a four-year college, DANTES, CLEP, portfolio or what have you. In my opinion, a degree so earned should be considered terminal. If you're unwilling or unable to complete 300- or 400-level classes as part of the undergraduate curriculum, then you probably should not attempt to engage Masters level studies. On the other hand, a legitimate Bachelor degree is an asset in the job market, so if you have the credits earned, then go for it. With respect to your second question concerning specific requirements, you'll need to hit the TESC Web site.
