TESC eval

TESC finally posted my son’s evaluation--- under the wrong degree program. They did a BA in Natural Sciences/Mathematics instead of Liberal Studies. I requested that they do another eval.

I’m trying to figure out what would count for what in the liberal studies program. He’s completed 91 credits and they accepted 70. I would think more credits would count for the liberal arts program. This semester he’s picking up some more general ed classes: Liberal Arts Math, Science/lab, theater, Intro to Lit. The theater and lit class are 200 level. The Lit and Math courses are at a 4 year college and the science and theater at a 2 year CC.

S.H. S.H. Applied S.H. Comm Coll S.H. S.H. to Applied
Required to Degree Req Remaining S.H. Applied Planned be Planned S.H. GPA
120.00 70.00 50.00 49.00 70.00 50.00 4.00

BA General Education Distribution (42 SH)
Semester Hours Completed: 40.00

A: English Composition (Completed)

Semester Hours Completed: 6.00

Src Course # Title S.H.
1.. ENC1101 Eng Composition I........ 3.00
1.. ENC1102 Eng Comp II Intern....... 3.00

B: Humanities (Completed)

Semester Hours Completed: 12.00

Src Course # Title S.H. Grd
2.. REL1240 New Testament Survey..... 3.00
2.. MMC2000 Intro to Mass Communicati 3.00
1.. SPC2600 Intro Pub Speak.......... 3.00
2.. REL1210 Old Testament Survey..... 3.00

C: Social Sciences (In Progress)
.
Semester Hours Completed: 9.00 Required: 12 Remaining: 3

Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC
2.. SYG2000 Introductory Sociology...
2.. POS2041 American National Governm
2.. PSY1012 General Psychology.......
____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits

D: Mathematics (Completed)

Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC #

3.. MAT121 College Algebra.......... 4.00


E: Natural Sciences (Completed)

Semester Hours Completed: 9.00
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes
1.. CGS1000I Comp Concept Int......... 3.00
1.. COP1000I Software Devel Int....... 3.00
1.. CET2615 Switch Inter Rout........ 3.00

BA General Education Electives (18 SH)

Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes
2.. OST2335 Professional Comm Skills. 3.00
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits

BA.Nat.Sci/Math 2005 (33 Sh)

BA Free Electives (27 SH)

Semester Hours Completed: 27.00

Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes
1.. CGS2287 Wireless Lans and Se..... 3.00
1.. CGS1263I Intro Network Intnt...... 3.00
1.. CIS2356 Firewall and Vpn......... 3.00
1.. CIS1350 Intro Network Security... 3.00
1.. CET2750I A Ntwork Ccept Int....... 3.00
1.. CIS1354 Prin Info Security....... 3.00
1.. CGS2304 Manage Info Tech......... 3.00
1.. CET2880 Intro Comp Forensi....... 3.00
1.. CET1610 Router Tech Ca........... 3.00




OTHER COURSES:
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes
--- ---------- ------------------------- ------- --- ---------- ---------

1 CGS1565 Micro Oper System 3.00
1 CET1178C Miccomp Sys Repair 3.00
1 CGS1100I Micro Apps Intnt 3.00
1 CGS2820 Web Page Design 3.00
1 CET1600 Network Fund Ca 3.00
1 CET2615 Wan Technologies 3.00
1 CIS2930 Info Tech Intern 3.00

 

I am waiting for my evaluation from TESC. How long did it take to get his done?

Thanks, Jim

 

On the student portal site, it shows them receiving his last transcript July 28. The evaluation was completed August 21. I didn't get an email saying it was done, although I had been told they would send one. I've been going into the site and checking it every day and happened to see it.

I'm also waiting on my transcript, but that will probably be awhile since one of my transcripts was delayed getting to them.

I wish they had done the audit for the RIGHT program.

 

The time frame for the evaluation seems in line with my experience.

Since the evaluation was only completed yesterday the email might not be generated until today or possibly Monday depending upon how the notification system is designed to operate.

Your son is close to completing a BA so do not sweat this small hiccup. TESC will do the re-evaluation for liberal studies when requested. Have you mapped the courses to the liberal studies degree to determine roughly where the current credit hours would fall? It is possible the BA (Natural Sciences/Mathematics) is a better fit for the credit hours than the BA (Liberal Studies).

And hopefully your own evaluation will be complete within a few weeks.

 

I tried to map things out for the BA in liberal studies but....

I was thinking he might be able to do the FEMA courses for the Free Electives and move the courses they counted as free electives into the liberal arts part along with the 7 other classes (21 credits) that they didn't count any where.

Or would it be better if he stayed with the Science/Math degree. The classes he's taking this semester (Liberal Arts math, science/lab, theater, Lit) would count (I think) toward general electives. They're saying he needs 50 credits. So...50-13 (currently enrolled) would leave 37. It looks like he could take 6 credits FEMA but then would need 33 credits for the Natural Science/Math part. ugh, I'm confusing myself!!!

Essentially, I'm trying to help him find the easiest/fastest way to complete his degree (He doesn't want to test out of courses), so he can focus on his music. I'm looking at this as his high school education. He can always go back to college when he's older. He's tired of school but would like to finish up his bachelors since he's not that far off. At the end of this semester, he will have 104 credits. If we can get the right mix, it shouldn't be too difficult to finish up.

 

All I got to say is your a kick ass mom!!! Way to go!



Abner

 

Based on the credit hours already earned have TESC evaluate them in relation the the Associate of Applied Science (Applied Computer Studies) to make use of all those technology-related courses. The courses in the "Other" category do not apply to the degree or cannot be used with the current degree plan. Hence, the reason I suggest the AAS (ACS) as your son can load up all those technology-related credit hours. He will have earned that degree with no additional effort and it makes a nice motivational step towards the BA. At the same time have them evaluate the credit hours with respect to the BA (Liberal Studies).

The FEMA courses can definitely be applied to the liberal studies degree. The University of North Dakota offers many courses that would fall within liberal studies, some of which have no examinations and others with examinations only on portions of the syllabus with no final comprehensive examination in the course. Depending upon the musical skill level of your son he might look into portfolio assessment in that area. Someone on this forum did that very thing...but I forget his name.

If your son enjoys mathematics and the natural sciences, then he could take the necessary 33 credit hours in the BA (NS/M) degree though those courses would be more demanding than liberal studies courses in the BA (LS).

 

He does NOT enjoy science and math thus the irony of them applying his credits toward that degree. lol He has a dual AS degree from a local CC that he attended, so the AAS wouldn't be beneficial, would it?

Looking at it from my ignorant, and lack of experience, POV, it seems like more of his courses would count toward the liberal arts degree. I just don't know how to shuffle what where, and where to add FEMA courses in to maximize the credits he already has and is currently enrolled in.

Hopefully, it won't take too long for TESC to get back the 'right' evaluation. (sigh)

 

I figured as much.

There are some who argue you can never have too many degrees.

The only courses not currently applied to the BA(NS/M) degree are listed in the "Other" category. Apparently, they do not quality as natural science/mathematics. So, your son needs 33 credit hours (Natural Sciences/Mathematics) for the BA(NS/M) or 33 credit hours (Liberal Studies) for the BA(LS). Either way, it seems he needs 33 credit hours.

I think FEMA courses only count as free electives.

The BA(LS) may allow those "Other" courses as liberal studies and your son only needs 12 credit hours in another subject area that is acceptable to TESC.

I hope this is not getting too confusing. It really becomes a juggling act until all the pieces of the puzzle are in their proper places.

 

>>

Based on the "other" courses TESC didn't apply to his degree- I don't see that the liberal arts degree (BA) is going to be any more helpful. The reason is because none of the "other" non-used classes liberal arts! Liberal arts must be: social science, math, science, or humanities. The "other" courses are applied science courses from his AAS degree. You can see this by looking at his gen ed free electives- anything that WOULD have been liberal arts would have landed in that spot- so you can be sure they won't count in the liberal arts "major" either.

Don't take any FEMA courses, you are already full on the 27 free electives. FEMA works in a liberal arts degree only because you are allowed 27 free electives- you already have those- your full. I think even though the eval is for science, there won't be changes when they update his major to liberal arts.

Additionally, since his gen ed classes are almost finished, the "major" for him is wide open- he is in a good position to think about possibly having a major instead of liberal arts. There are many concentrations that are very test-friendly, especially since he can take classes locally if necessary.

 

Drats, that's disappointing that more credits probably won't be accepted.

So...it sounds like either way (after fall semester), that he will still need 37 credits for his bachelors degree based on them saying he still needs 50. If that's the case, we need to stick with Florida colleges due to the Bright Futures scholarship. The classes that would interest him the most would probably be communication/psychology type ones. And then I guess he needs to take those from a 4 year college so there's not a problem about upper/lower division?

Based on the above, he'll have 141 credits for his bachelors although a lot are computer related.

 

Here's the evaluation from EC:


Unofficial Summary - Bachelor of Science Liberal Studies (BSL)

General Education (Arts & Sciences Requirement)

8.00 semester hours at the lower level PLUS
21.00 semester hours at the upper level

Distribution Requirements
2.00 in Natural Science/Math

Depth Requirements

A depth in the Arts & Sciences

A second depth in any academic area, including applied professional/elective

A depth consists of 12.00 credit hours in one subject area of your choice in the arts and sciences or applied professional area of which 3.00 credit hours must be upper level. An average of "C" is required in this area. These credits are typically part of and not necessarily in addition to the credits listed above or below

AND

Applied Professional Credit or Additional Arts & Sciences
9.00 semester hours upper level in any academic area

Information Literacy Requirement
There are several ways to satisfy the Information Literacy requirement. As the universe of information grows and technology continues to transform learning, information literacy (accessing academic information electronically, selecting credible resources, etc.) becomes increasingly important. You may demonstrate competency in this area by successfully completing the Excelsior College course "Information Literacy" (INL 102) or an approved course from the regionally accredited college of your choice. You must earn a minimum of one semester hour in Information Literacy with a grade of C or higher in order to complete the requirement. Please visit www.excelsior.edu and click on the Excelsior College courses link for information pertaining to INL 102.




We have not included your "P" graded courses at this time. At enrollment, you will need to have an official letter sent from each institution where you have earned "P" grades confirming that a "P" equates to a grade of "C" or higher.

2007/FA INFO TECH INTERN

 

Do you think the following would work?

Bachelor of Arts Liberal Studies

I. General Ed

A. English 6 credits (English comp I and II) COMPLETE

B. Humanities 12 credits (NT, OT, Mass Comm, Pub. Speaking) COMPLETE

C. Social Science 12 credits (Soc, psych, gov) NEED 3 CREDITS
(Two subjects needed)

D. Natural Science
1. Math 3 credits (Algebra) COMPLETE

2. Computer 3 credits (comp) COMPLETE

3. Science/ math 6 credits (Software/switches) COMPLETE

E. Electives 18 credits (Bus. Comm)
Can be humanities, social science, natural science (Micro op, micro repair, micro apps, web pg,net)

II. Free Electives 27 credits (computer classes) COMPLETE

III. Liberal Studies 33 credits

Humanities: Lit, theater 6 credits

Natural Science: science/lab, Liberal arts math, WAN, Comp. Internship) 13 credits

Under the liberal studies there would only be (2) 100 level courses—the max they allow. If they did our son’s credits this way, he would need 15 left for the liberal studies and 3 left for the social science. Computer science is listed under natural science, so wouldn’t his computer classes work under that? They counted some as credit under electives.

 

TESC seems to have allowed the computer courses for natural sciences under general education section, but not under the area of study (natural sciences/mathematics). I would request they move those 27 credit hours from free electives section to area of study section. The your son could use FEMA courses for the free electives. Your son could get a "better" degree with a BA(Natural Sciences/Mathematics) and a BA(Liberal Studies); just my biased opinion, of course.

 

Sentinel, I'm confused. You think he should go for BOTH bachelors or just the Natural Science/Math because it would 'seem' like the better degree? When the time comes, I don't even know if it's better to go with the comprehensive tuition plan or the enrolled options plan. It sounds like the enrolled options plan would be the best since he won't be taking credit through TESC.

Okay, I was just reading the catalog and on pg. 129, it states that to earn a second associate degree requires 15 additional credits, and to earn a second bachelors requires an additional 30 credits. It ain't gonna happen. lol He's ready to be done. He's tired of school and wants to focus on the things *he* wants to learn--not what's required for a degree. However, he did like the option of a social science concentration and taking classes like child psychology, adolescent psychology, growth and development, etc. Those, and communication, and bible type classes would be more palatable to him.

Like you said, if they accept the computer classes for the general ed natural science section, why not for the area of concentration. It would be wonderful if he could move the free electives over and take FEMA courses to fill those. I wish it was Monday!

 

The BA (Natural Sciences/Mathematics) would be perceived as a more impressive, whatever that means, undergraduate degree than a BA (Liberal Studies) which is often earned at traditional universities by students with less academic focus. With all the computer courses your son has taken for credit hours it seems the better fit as well.

If the enrolled options plan meets your needs, then take that route. It is also considerably less expensive; money you could put towards courses to earn credit hours.

The free electives leave plenty of room for such study.

Contact TESC and ask the necessary questions w.r.t. those computer courses being classified as free electives rather than as area of study (natural sciences/mathematics).

 

>>

I think your right...but I wonder why they left these out the first time if they could be used as natural science/math?? I think they are considering them applied technology courses.

 

Do you guys think this draft letter is okay?

My son received his transcript evaluation and as previously noted there was an error.

1. His degree plan was for a BA in Liberal Studies and thus the evaluation needs to be done for that program.

2. Some of his computer classes were given credit under the general ed requirements for natural science. However, he did not receive credit for computer classes under electives which also includes natural science.He has 7 computer courses which did not any receive credit.

3. This semester he's taking English Lit to 1865 (3 credits), Earth and Space Science with lab (4 credits), Liberal Arts Math II (3 credits), and Theater (3 credits) which can be applied to the concentration areas of Liberal studies (humanities and natural science). If some of his free electives (computer classes) are given credit under natural science it looks like the following will be needed to complete his degree program:

(3) credits social science under general ed requirements
(9) credits liberal arts concentration (social science/humanities)
(6) credits free electives

Thanks, everyone. I really appreciate the help as I try to muddle through everything. I know someone once posted a contact name of a person/email to speak with at TESC but I can't find it doing a search. If anyone wants to volunteer the info, please pm me!

 

You might have a point regarding those courses being treated as applied technology. However, the course (CET2615 Switch Inter Rout) allowed under General Education (Natural Sciences) would qualify as applied technology. Therefore, as I mentioned previously there seems to be some inconsistency in how the evaluator at TESC treated similar courses. It was the inconsistency that raises questions.

 

>>

Yeah, this is scary. I know there are 2 new advisors, and the female is clueless...I won't name her....but I think that even if it knocks everything around- a new evaluation is necessary. I know they look over your eval at several points, including before graduation- you don't want any surprises!!