Newbie questions about TESC

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by chris1807, Oct 16, 2006.

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  1. chris1807

    chris1807 New Member

    Hi,

    I never did distance learning, and also never went to school in US yet (I'm coming from Europe). So here are a few question that may sound stupid...

    Is TESC a legitimate college? Would a BS diplomma got there be as good as any other one? Would I have any problems getting into a regular college for a Masters later, based on it?

    What exactly is Prior Learning Assesment, and how can I use my work experience to get credits?

    They mention you can earn unlimited credits through TECEP tests... Must they be from the course list for that particular program, or they can also be from other areas?

    How are exams taken in a distance learning program?

    Thanks,
    Chris
     
  2. Mark A. Sykes

    Mark A. Sykes Member

    Hi Chris,

    Yes, TESC is legitimate. They have regional accreditation which means they're endorsed by one of the six private, regional accrediting bodies formed to evaluate academic institutions and recognized by the U.S. government. A degree from TESC has as much legitimacy as a degree from Yale or Harvard but - as the case with most smaller schools - would not be considered on par.

    People with TESC degrees frequently and customarily qualify for jobs, enter graduate school and are respected (well, to varying degrees) by their colleagues. Distance education has a slight and decreasing stigma to it here in the States.

    The Prior Learning Assessment program has been revised, and I cannot speak to it. There was a poster - apparently a TESC employee - who was about to discuss the new system but evidently was not at liberty to do so.

    You can take any TECEP test you can afford, but only ones your academic program proscribes will apply to your degree. There is, however loosely it might possibly be designed, a curriculum that you must satisfy with appropriate subjects. I've not completed any of TESC's distance study courses, all of my work was done through evaluation exam or coursework at other colleges.

    Hope this helps,
    Mark
     
  3. Pugman

    Pugman New Member

    TESC is also one of the most flexible regarding awarding credit for self study FEMA courses.

    That is, TESC will award 38 credits for the free, unproctored (and some say easy) FEMA courses.

    http://www.training.fema.gov/emiWeb/IS/crslist.asp

    You can use the search function on this site for more details regarding TESC and FEMA (if you are interested).

    Hope this helps.

    Greg
     
  4. lloyddobbler

    lloyddobbler New Member

    Hello Chris,

    Yes, it's a legitimate school. It was created by the state of NJ, and is part of the NJ state school system:

    http://www.state.nj.us/highereducation/school2.htm#scu

    Like a previous poster mentioned, there is still a stigma that goes along with distance education here, even for legit schools, so you may find yourself explaining your choice a lot if you chose one. The fact that TESC is part of the NJ state college system meant a lot to me though, and was one of the main reasons I chose it.

    Just remember though, there are many traditional universities now that offer distance education, and there would almost certainly be much less stigma to worry about with them.

    As far as how exams are taken; at TESC, all of my exams had to be proctored. At the start of each semester I had to send a form to TESC with the name and address of an approved proctor so that They could mail my exams there. I chose the testing center at the community college that I got my associates degree from, so it worked out rather well for me.



     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 24, 2006

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