Questions for TESC students/graduates

I came to DegreeInfo with the intention of applying to UMass Lowell and majoring in psychology. But I've since decided to go with a business degree. My top choice is Northeastern University, although I'm not sure I'll be able to swing the tuition if they don't take a good portion of the credits from my associate's degree. Through research on this board I discovered Thomas Edison State College. As a NJ resident I could complete the bachelor's degree in Business Administration there without breaking my bank account. I have some questions for current students/graduates, especially those who studied business.

1. I have about 69 credits, so depending on how many are accepted by TESC, I'd have to complete the bulk of my classes there. I won't be taking tests or trying to obtain alternate forms of credit. Is TESC worth attending if I'll only be taking traditional classes? I ask because as I searched through posts on this board, it seemed like most of the pople attending TESC were transferring in tons of credit and taking a few classes to graduate, or obtaining most of their credits through testing as opposed to traditional classes.

2. What should I expect as far as classes go? Are there online lectures? Proctored exams? Lots of essays? How much input do you receive from the instructors? I've never taken an online class before, so I'd like to get an idea of what to expect from a typical class at TESC.

Thanks

 

There is nothing wrong with going to TESC no matter how many credits you transfer. I understand that they are quite liberal with the amount of transfer they accept, so you should be happy.

 

Good Morning, TESC is well regarded and has the option to use the FEMA EMI credits in your free elective area as well as several USFA courses. This can speed your degree up and save you considerable tuition. You can search FEMA EMI on the board and see what they take. There has been talk again about being absorbed by Rutgers so I would move on my plan if I were you. Good Luck. Hille

 

TESC also provides you with the ability to transfer in unlimited coursework from other schools, provided that you meet the requirements of the program, including UL coursework in some situations. This is basically what I did, with only 20 or so credits being earned from testing. It gives you all sorts of flexibility with shopping around for cheaper credits, testing different presentation styles, etc. The bad thing with attending 10 different schools for your undergrad is that it becomes a PITA to send in transcripts when applying elsewhere.

The one course I took at TESC wasn't very challenging, but it could've been the subject matter. It was your standard distance learning course, no online lectures, read a chapter, respond to discussion posts, write a few papers. From what I recall the mid-term was online and unproctored, the final was in-person and proctored (at a regional test center). Feedback wasn't great, but honestly, most online instructors that I've had are this way. Good luck in your decision.

 

Would you mind posting a link to this discussion. My searches for the topic found nothing beyond the last time this was being discussed in 2010.

 

Your post interested me. I just took a course at a similar school - a grad course - and found it less challenging than undergrad work I did at Arizona State in the 80s. So I thought next time I would take two grad classes per term. But the school is resisting this. I don't want to say, "Well, I managed a B in your grad course and I wasn't even paying attention, so I don't see that two courses, if I actually pay attention, should be a problem," but that is in fact how I see the matter.
But maybe I'm wrong and the school is correct, two courses per term is too much. Have any folks out there done two grad courses per term at any of the Big 3 while also working?

 

RetroGamer - I started my CLEP/DSST etc degree completion in October with 70 credits from USF in Tampa. I completed all of my courses by February and was conferred the BSBA CIS from TESC on June 3.
There is more information about this type of pursuit on degreeforum.net but I highly recommend TESC.
You should go to the site and pay the $75 to get a degree evaluation. Send them your transcripts, AP and regular classes etc and begin the eval on your own. Look at the BSBA general management as an example and find out what classes you need. They are almost all available as CLEP or DSST or other options like straighterline.com and aleks.com or pennfoster.edu.
This is a very well traveled path and there are a lot of us out there that can help you plan and complete your degree in the next 6 months.
Good luck!

 

I took about 21 credits at TESC and those 7 classes were fine. They ran the gamut from difficult (my Geology class was a bear!) to very easy, just like any typical college. It's not Harvard and I wasn't challenged like Harvard, but I did learn and I was able to complete the assignments with no issues. Just like Jennifer said, they're kind of "check the box" classes. I didn't mind the classes so much that I'm considering taking a few more there to earn a BSBA/BS in Accounting once I finish my MBA. Their customer service is terrible and I remember that vividly, but the classes were just so standard that I can't remember much about individual ones, although I loved the Eastern Religions class. I know my African Lit class was seriously my favorite class of my entire Undergrad career, at ANY school. It was amazing.

 

Hello RetroGamer, you seem to have gotten many good answers, but I thought I would add my input since I am a student at TESC.

TESC is a good option in your situation because, as others have mentioned, it has a generous transfer policy. All credits that are RA or ACE and can apply to your degree program should be able to transfer. TESC also allows you flexibility to take courses (that are less expensive or you are interested in) elsewhere and transfer them in, so you do not have to only take TESC courses. TESC also allows you to utilize alternative methods such as testing or prior knowledge assessment. It might be an idea to try a CLEP or DSST exam, especially in an area you already are knowledgeable in. Taking exams for credit, even if just a few, can really save you time and money.

TESC courses are quite straight forward. The courses do not have lectures, but some have powerpoint presentations. Most courses have a fair amount of reading, homework assignments, discussion assignments, and two exams - one proctored, the other online. Depending on the subject, there can be quite a few essays, but there shouldn't be too many for business. I have only taken math, science, and accounting courses at TESC, and they did not have many essays. There generally isn't that much feedback, but that depends on the instructor.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

 

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