Thomas Edison State College/BSAST degree

Please give some feedback about getting employment & license with the BSAST degree from TESC as an electrical engineer. I have a number of electrical engineering credits being evaluated by TESC, I'm considering the Electronics option because the Electrical option seems to be for electricians. Also can I obtain both degrees without much hassle? Any feedback about the Computer Science degree?

 

I have considered the BSAST in Electronics Engineering Technology as well. The only problem with this program (and all other TESC programs) is the enrollment fee. If you are not a NJ residents it tends to be a little steep. Excelsior offers, a BST (with options in electro-mechanical, electronics and instrumentation, computer, nuclear, chemical, and mechanical/ welding). As well, they offer a BSEET (ABET accredited), BSCET (BS in computer technology which is not ABET accredited), and a BSNET (BS in Nuclear Engineering Tech., ABET accredited). If you are prior military (technical rate/mos) odds are, your credits will fit better in the BS in Technology (BST). The ABET degrees tend to be really strict on the application of military credits (unless you are a Navy Nuke, then they apply really well to the nuclear eng tech degree).

The one program I am pursuing is the BSET in General Engineering Technology w/ options in electro-mechanical, ops management, computer networking, and some others; with a minor in engineering management at Old Dominion University. If you are a Sailor (or a Marine with a Navy trained MOS) you can apply your military credits towards the lower level engineering credit. You can CLEP any general ed classes. Once you have your lower level stuff out of the way, you do the upper level engineering tech courses via CDrom (labs too). You need to have had differential and integral calculus before you take any of these upper level engineering (and engineering management) courses. Basically, the program gives you coursework in both EET and MET flavors. Tuition is $150 per credit for the cdrom courses and they have a tuition deferment option for GI-Bill users.

COSC has a BSGS w/ a concentration in engineering studies. This program is leans more towards a true engineering program (as opposed to the applied engineering technology programs mentioned. They do have a "technology studies" program concentration, however, it looks like it's more of a technical management degree. COSC is more expensive than Excelsior (for non-Conn residents of course), however, I think it's a little less expensive than TESC.

The University of Central Florida has a BSET in Operations Management (I believe thats what it is called), however, I do not know much about this program.

I wish TESC was a little cheaper OR they had payment plans on their enrollment fee... I would consider doing something like the BSAST in EET. It's just I think there are cheaper alternatives.

So, what do you do, If you don't mind my asking? You work engineering? Field service? Engineering Tech?

Best Regards,
Bill

 

I forgot the UND BSEE program. This is ABET accredited as well. You need to do the lab work in house, however, (from what I am reading from another thread) this is a fairly new program, so, there might be a work around.

Bill

 

I'm a Planning engineer for VERIZON communications, I plan/build Telecommunications networks. Verizon is funding my program. I've already submitted my enrollment fees to TESC for the evaluation, and, am awaiting the results. I find your feedback very informative, especially the programs you listed that are ABET accredited. I'll look into the programs at Excelsior & UND, are they distance learning programs? Especially the one at UND, seen that it don't have the word Technology assigned to the name. My objective is to complete the BS as soon as possible, via portfolio & CLEP. By the way, what does the acronym UND means?

 

The University of North Dakota's DL program website

This is a BSEE program (not BSET) and is ABET accredited. Main difference is the depth of calculus and EE courses tend to be more theoretical in nature than an ET program.

The BSET programs I mentioned are gear towards "applied" engineers or technologists. Typical positions being hands-on jobs such as maintenance, systems, or equipment engineering (as well as para-engineering jobs such as field service or customer engineering). If you are an experienced technician who wants to become fluent in theory as well as application, I feel engineering technology is a good program to pursue. ABET accredited degrees are not always required, however, some states require an ABET degree to qualify for the PE exam (which is like a journeyman licence for engineering, if you will).

If you dig math and pure theory and all that stuff, then a BSE maybe what you are looking for. UND's is DL, however, I am not sure if you can portfolio credit in this program (I believe you can CLEP a limit amount of credits). They also require lab work at school (this may have a work around.. just email who ever is in charge and they will give you the scoop).

You position sounds like a hands-on type of job (I don't know much about telecommunication networks to be honest). Excelsior's program in Electronics Engineering Technology is similar to TESC, however, being ABET accredited, it has stricter lab and math requirements. TESC does help students wishing to take the NJ PE exam with courses they need to pass it.

Here's that Old Dominion University Navy College BSET program . You can CLEP and portfolio any of the lower division credits (portfolio page says that you can portfolio any course ODU offers so I guess you can portfolio the upper level engineering classes too?).

Well that's all I have. Take care!

Bill

 

ABET

Bill,
I checked the program at UND on-line; it's a true engineering program. The Electronics Technology program at Excelsior is of interest to me too, seen that it is ABET accredited. Seen that I've already invested my downpayment at TESC, I'll wait for the evaluation. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.