What's upper vs. lower level credit?

I didn't want to start a new thread but this needs clarification.
On another thread there is a discussion about whether TESC credits 200 and higher are lower level or upper level. And what constitutes uper vs. lower. Two different opinions have been found about TESC on differnet sites
"What is the difference between lower level credit vs. upper level credit?

Upper level is supposed to be more difficult than lower level. Usually your lower level courses are introductory or beginning courses, numbered on a transcript with a 100 or 200 or has a 'LL' or 'L' designation. Upper-level is increased difficulty in a more specific area of study, usually numbered 300 or 400 or has a 'UL' or 'U' designation. In a traditional college degree plan, your upper level classes mostly dealt with major-specific topics. The lower-level courses were usually your GenEd requirements."

"Upper level credits are defined as any credits over six in the same subject area, even if all of the course have lower-level numbers at the schools at which they are offered. For example, if you are challenging three 3-credit lower-level courses in, say, Baroque Piano, Classical Piano, and Impressionistic Piano, and the catalogue from which you take the course description numbers them MUS 101, MUS 102, MUS 103, don't sweat it - three of those credits will still be considered upper level by TESC."

Which is correct regarding TESC (and other schools) Are 100 and 200 level courses LL, and 300,400 upper? Or is the 2nd -any courses over 6 credits in the same subject area regardless of number (100-400)?

 

It is generally accepted that 100 and 200 level classes are lower division - 300 and 400 level classes are upper division. That said, schools reserve the right to count any transferred credits as they see fit. For example, Liberty University counts any class you transfer into their program with a name like "Intro to..." or "Fundamentals in..." or "Essentials of..." as lower division, even if the original class carried a 300 or 400 number.

As far as TESC, there are several threads on the board covering their policy, including one thread where someone was successful in transferring FEMA credits into TESC as upper division credits.

Pug

 

thanks

Thanks Pug
I reviewed those threads and could not come up with a direct answer- quotes from some of these include:

"wouldn't count on the FEMA credit to be Upper Level. If you read MichaelGates old thread on this subject he recieved 2 upper level credits out of the 37 or so.."

"This is a tough one. I'm not sure what TESC would accept with regards to your applied technical courses. I do know that 200-400 level courses are considered "upper-level" to them, so you may be closer than you think"

"In general, courses at the 300 and 400 level are considered upper level. The course numbers that begin with "3" or "4" should work, but definitely check with the school first. "

"As most have said, the upper level classes are generally 300-400. I took a 300 level class and COSC considered it a lower level class. "

"One exception to the rule: Thomas Edison State College allows any course 200 and above to be counted as upper level. "

And Steve Levicoff in a post confirms 200 and above at TESC are upper.

So even though the reports vary more say Thomas Edison gives UL credit for 200 + courses than not so I'll go with that.

 

Re: thanks

I went back and reviewed this thread: http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18705. You're right. Even though the TESC "EDM" classes begin with 300 and 400 only 2 were granted as upper division. It's hard to say why. In any event, free credit is free credit no matter if it's upper or lower division.