TESC Thomas Edison State College

Hi all! I'm new to the forum and I am in the process of applying to TESC. I saw a few people who are currently enrolled or have already graduated. I need your help and advice! I want to know if anyone has done the "Prior Learning Assessment" option to get college credit from TESC, and exactly what was that process like? Anyone with experience with the school in general please give me any information.


I am kinda' scared to attempt getting my degree through distance learnig, and a little afraid that I won't be successful. I tried it before and wound up withdrawing and losing money I didn't have to lose in the first place. I just had no clue on where to begin, and how to remain consistent, that was 5 years ago.

I also wanted to know if it was cheaper/easier to take the CLEP exams to earn credit as opposed to Thomas Edison's TECEP exams. What I use for the CLEP would it also work for TECEP? I have read a good deal of posts suggesting InstantCert.com as one of the best to prep for exams, any additional comments?

Now I'm trying to actually DO this!

Help guys!!!

 

Here are several excellent articles on the portfolio process at TESC:

http://articles.degreeinfo.com/article2_1.html
http://articles.degreeinfo.com/article3_1.html
http://articles.degreeinfo.com/article4_1.html

 

I recommend tackling a few CLEP and DANTES examinations to gauge your preparedness for academic success. Excelsior College offers ECEs and should be considered in addition to TESC TECEPs. If you are successful in these standardized tests, not only will you have renewed confidence in your academic ability, you will be in a better position to evaluate which school is best for your situation. Courses which are ACE approved, offered by numerous schools, are another relatively inexpensive way to earn credit hours.

Earn an associate degree (AA or AS) as the first step regardless of the school you ultimately select. This will provide motivation to continue towards a bachelor degree and serves as an academic milestone unto itself.

Do not enroll in COSC, EC, or TESC until you are reasonably sure you can finish within the 1-year enrollment period to minimize costs. That is unless you choose to take most of your courses through the same school.

Good luck!

 

Thank you! I'm so happy I found this site and all the valuable information all you guys have! I'll keep everyone posted and I'm sure there will be more questions on the horizon.

 

Thanks everyone for your information, I'm learning so much going through all the posts, suggestions, and tips. I will keep you all posted, and I will undoubtedly have more questions.

 

I strongly agree. That was my path and the sense of accomplishment, finishing an AS at age 42, drove me to continue the march, so to speak. So I ditto Sentinel's recommendation. Two years' of credits, taken twice, seems much less formidable than looking at four years for a Bachelor's degree.

One chunk at a time!

 

All the above posts contain good advice.

I especially agree that you should not enroll with TESC, or any other school, until you have most of the required credits completed - this will save you money and give you flexibility on which school to finally enroll with.

I suggest you download the Excelsior Liberal Studies catalog - the BSLS is probably the most flexible degree in the USA regarding your selection of courses. Sixty (50%) of them can be in professional subjects or in just about any academic discipline.

Read the college catalogs and lay out a plan on how to earn credit for the courses that interest you or are needed for the degree (AA or BS). You can start to accrue credits though challenge exams or by taking courses at colleges/universities offering DL.

For my BS from Excelsior I took courses at local colleges and universities around the country (I moved several times). I also had some college courses from the UK evaluated for credit. The only challenge exam I took was the CLEP English Language exam (I understand no longer accepted by Excelsior).

I did do some portfolio credit courses through the University of Redlands but relocated before I could submit them. I did get credit for a course on portfolio preparation.

You have already taken the first steps to a degree by asking questions here.

I suggest you first take a DL course in a subject that interests you or that you have some knowledge of. Passing this first course will boost your confidence.

I wish you success.

 

I forgot to say that several of the college courses I took were through my local community colleges via broadcast television (including US Government, geology, and astronomy). The TV portion of these type TV courses are available here:
http://www.learner.org/index.html
You might want to search thru the college level videos to see the type of material used in college courses.