TESC tuition cost?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by pfelectronicstech, Aug 13, 2012.

Loading...
  1. pfelectronicstech

    pfelectronicstech New Member

    I want to go for my AAS for Electrical-mechanical systems and maintenance at TESC but am I reading the tuition right? I have 18 credits that I'm almost 100% certain they will except, that leaves me to need 42 more credits. After doing the "what will it cost" test on their website, it will cost $9,000? I am a NJ resident by the way. That seems high, are they generally an expensive college? I will spend that with no problem because I know this degree will make me a lot of money, but was wondering if I'm reading that right? Thanks for the help.
     
  2. Most (on this forum) didn't complete a degree from TESC from beginning to end with just classes from TESC. One of the main benefits they have is their very flexible transfer/CLEP/DANTES policy. I'm not sure how you came up with $9,000. Did you use the comprehensive tuition plan or the other one? I noticed that the degree you mentioned requires 21 General Education credits and 18 Free Electives. That is 39 credits that it's possible to test out of. At some point TESC accepted FEMA credits for free electives. I'm not sure if that's the case anymore though. Either way, the price would/should drop down if you tested out of some credits.
     
  3. pfelectronicstech

    pfelectronicstech New Member

    I thought all Associate degree were 60 credits, that is what i based my number on. I just used the "what will it cost" feature on their website. Is there a second? I have OSHA safety training, 40 hours, but I doubt they would count those toward anything?
     
  4. BobbyJim

    BobbyJim New Member

    Most people come to TESC (or the other Big 3 schools) with most of their credits completed, or take the courses elsewhere and transfer them to TESC.

    You might want to look at this section of the TESC online catalog for ideas on testing out of the technical courses. In your case (Electrical-mechanical systems and maintenance) I’d look generally under ‘Other Licenses and Certifications’.
    Thomas Edison State College: Licenses & Certifications

    I suggest you also look at the ACE course listings to see if you have any prior non-credit coursework that may translate into credits. The link to ACE can be found here: Thomas Edison State College: Professional Training
     
  5. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    You are, however.....
    That number assumes you'll use CLASSES to complete all 60 credits. Since TESC is one of only 3 regionally accredited colleges in the COUNTRY to allow unlimited exam credit, you're taking an affordable degree and making it expensive.

    For example, let's say you needed psychology 101. At TESC, you can test out of this class. The total cost for doing so (using CLEP) is only $80. If you take the class, it's somewhere around $500. See?

    In addition, if you have a slot for "free electives" (not to be confused with "general education electives") those can be earned for FREE *literally zero cost* by taking free FEMA classes online. People here can help direct you. So, I checked, and you'll be able to have 18 FREE ELECTIVES. By your math, that would have cost almost $3000. I just saved you $3000. You're welcome lol.

    So, at TESC, once you have a plan to earn your credits, you can do that on your own without enrolling. Then, once you get within 12 months of finishing, you pay the enrollment fee (about $1500) and transfer in all your testing, FEMA, and any other credits.

    If your existing 18 credits are in your Option (major) then you're looking good. If they are in general education courses (math, science, history, etc.) then you'll need a plan to earn your 21 credits in-major because TESC likely does NOT offer those courses.

    Anyway, my math is putting you at $1500 enrollment fee + 5 gen ed exams = $1900
     
  6. pfelectronicstech

    pfelectronicstech New Member

    First of all I am certain they will accept my credit because as was mentioned above, the course is ACE reviewed. Plus they told me they have always accepted credits from my school in the past.
    Second I guess I should just call them and talk about options. Would they be able to really give me good advice, and understand the situation? If it were actually $1,900 I would be ECSTATIC!
    Forgive my ignorance, but you keep mentioning FEMA classes, what does FEMA classes do? What does that let me get out of taking in the program? Also I saw the words "free electives" but is that actually what it means, "free" as in you don't pay for those credits? I am feeling better now though, I really want to take this program. Thanks for the help.
     
  7. pfelectronicstech

    pfelectronicstech New Member

    You guys were right! It probably will cost MUCH, MUCH less than my assessment. I am OVER THE TOP excited. They will almost certainly take my credits because its ACE reviewed, plus other training I had from OSHA possibly. I could have a big chunk of the AAS degree finished already. My mind is blown, I never thought in a million years I'd be going for an actual degree. Thanks for the help everyone, I appreciate it.
     
  8. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef


    Yeah!! THat's great news.

    I'll see if I can answer some of your questions. Sometimes TESC customer service is sketchy lol.

    ACE reviewed= yes, accepted. One thing to remember, you have to have a "slot" for accepted credit to go. For instance, if you had 1000 math credits, they are all technically acceptable, but no degree is made up only of math, so when you cap out, you cap out. So, "where" your ACE credits go is an important question (they will tell you to pay $75 send your transcripts in and have an evaluation done, this is the correct thing to do). You have lots of time, these evaluations are good for 6 months. You should ABSOLUTELY find out what you have before overfilling an area and having credit you can't use.

    FEMA = Federal Emergency Management Agency (remember Katrina?) Yes, them. Why do you care about FEMA? Well, because they have a sweet system of online classes that are each worth 1 credit that you can complete at home for zero cost. In the degree that you're pursuing, TESC will classify FEMA credits as "free electives" It takes about 1-3 hours to rock one of these out. MANY people can fill all 18 credits in a good weekend. :) $0 Are they interesting? Sure.

    Free electives= courses that are not general education or in your major. Your degree choice allows 18 credits in this area. ANYTHING counts here, but you may already have some with your ACE stuff, so hang tight until you know for sure. Free electives mean they are free in *choice, not free in cost. HOWEVER, it also happens that FEMA courses are free electives that are free in cost. Clear as mud? LOL

    General education = math, science, social science, humanities. Only classes in those categories are general education. When you exceed a general education requirement (ex. 3 credits social science is part of your degree, let's say you pass a test that awards 6 social science credits) the excess over flow into general education electives. When general education electives fill, they overflow into free electives. All general education courses in your degree can be completed with CLEP exams. In fact, 5 exams will fill them all.

    Option / Major = courses specific to your degree/trade occupation. Not general education, not free electives.


    What makes TESC (and Excelsior and Charter Oak) different from other schools is that they don't cap your transfer credit. Using this policy against them, oops, I mean taking full advantage of a policy which is 100% acceptable, allows you to work around everything but your major. It's a beautiful thing. For what it's worth, your local community college probably also accepts CLEP, but likely does not accept all ACE and likely does not accept FEMA.
     
  9. pfelectronicstech

    pfelectronicstech New Member

    Thanks for ALL the info, I'm not quite sure about everything but I think its looking good for going for my AAS in this field. I just can't wait to see a degree on my resume, never thought I'd see that. This is a direction I really wanted to go too, manufacturing equipment or electrical maintenance. Great money and its secure. There is still A LOT of stuff made here, and can't be made over seas. Think Pepsi, think Coka-Cola, think beer companies, food products, and beverages. Chemical companies too. Believe it or not there are still TONS of manufactures in the US, car companies is another although there aren't any near where I live. Thanks again for the help.
     
  10. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    Good luck and let us know when you get your evaluation done- I'd be curious to see where they place your credits.
     
  11. pfelectronicstech

    pfelectronicstech New Member

    No problem, I sure will. I am beyond excited to find out myself. This school seems really cool, and interesting, and a bit different from most others.
     
  12. pfelectronicstech

    pfelectronicstech New Member

    I received a very nice packet/booklet in the mail from TESC. They are a very interesting school, and very professional in my opinion. I looked up my program I want to take. Under "General education requirements", all it says for math is "college mathematics". What do you think that means, because under the electronics engineering requirements it says college algebra or above and general physics. Is it safe to say that because the program I want to take doesn't mention those specific, that is will be different math or maybe easier math than that? Thanks again for the help.
     
  13. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    I'm not sure which degree you are looking at. If you are referring to the ASAST in Electronics Engineering Technolgy (your latest post???) then 12 units of math are required. But if you are looking at the AAS in Electro-Mechanical Systems & Maintenance (your initial post)???) then it looks like you only need the GEN ED requirement of college math (although additional math is very useful in a technology field).
     
  14. pfelectronicstech

    pfelectronicstech New Member

    Yes, I meant the Electrical-mechanical systems and maintenance program. Engineering is too tough, I know my limitations. Thanks for the help.
     

Share This Page