Charter Oak vs. Thomas Edison State College

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by sillyluc, Oct 19, 2011.

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  1. sillyluc

    sillyluc New Member

    LOL! This thread made me smile. :) Apparently I asked a question that is a cause for some debate among online learners (degree names and customer service at Charter Oak vs. TESC) I like a school that has good customer service. I tend to like people who don't mind my incessant questions or clarifications on things. I like a school where I can transfer credits easily and could potentially earn two degrees at once (if I go a bit insane and try that route). Cost is a bit of an issue, but really, both these places seem the same price as where I'm going now, and that's even with me being an out of state student online.

    So now to do some research on whether or not Organizational Leadership is as intriguing as it sounds, if I should do both, or stick with psychology and to go ahead and apply to both schools. Thanks yall!

    Ryoder said: Start the app process at TESC and get a degree eval. The nice thing about TESC's site is that once your initial eval is completed, you can do your own online just by choosing the degree in question from a drop down. So you can determine immediately where you stand on completing a degree in general business, for example. Its a really nice feature and was one of my favorite things to do when I was bored ;)
    "Let me see how close I am to a degree in biology" for example.


    Oh... if Ryoder sees this thread again, I do the same thing at my current college. It's called a "what if analysis" and allows me to see how many classes away I am from various degrees and what I would need to take if I changed my major. I do it in moments of procrastination. heh
     
  2. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Both schools are great and I doubt that you would be sorry if you attended either one. It's funny that you would get the same kind of debate if you asked which school is better between Harvard and Yale or any other similar school. Each school has its supporters and detractors.

    (Nitpickers please note: I'm not comparing Charter and TESC with Harvard and Yale)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 19, 2011
  3. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Either of these schools would be a good choice. If I recall correctly, TESC gives upper level credit for some courses that other schools consider lower level, so this would be something to consider.

    Have fun!!!!

    Abner :smile:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 20, 2011
  4. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    As I was reading the responses all that went through my head was...GREAT TASTE......LESS FILLING!
     
  5. MISin08

    MISin08 New Member

    At the risk of appearing shallow...as one who has had to work at sounding proud when saying "I'm getting my degree at Excelsior College, a small private school in New York that caters to adult learners"...Charter Oak sounds way nicer IMHO. Since they are all good, it's worth considering.

    Phillip
     
  6. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I like the "state college" part of it. I was looking at two programs - Amberton and Fort Hays State College and Fort Hays would have been the winner if all things were equal.
     
  7. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Hmmm, I see your point. The name Excelsior means approximately "superior quality" but could also describe wood shavings used in cushioning packages. See below:

    ex·cel·si·or/ikˈselsēər/
    Noun:

    1. Used in the names of hotels, newspapers, and other products to indicate superior quality.
    2. Softwood shavings used for packing fragile goods or stuffing furniture.
     
  8. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I've never understood that.....my A.S. and M.A. from MSPP diplomas have the majors listed, but I couldn't possibly care less. Although the education incentive for my job required a photocopy of my UML diploma, they also required an official transcript that obviously lists the major. I look at a diploma as a wall decoration, and not much else.....who cares if the major is listed?
     
  9. sillyluc

    sillyluc New Member

    LOL! It sounds a tad snobby, but I did almost instantly rule out Excelsior because of the name. It sounded so "online". Now, I don't really like the name Charter Oak, either. It sounds new agey to me. But I think my biggest problem with the names of all three of these colleges is that they say "college" and not university. It's totally me being nitpicky, but I am at George Mason University right now and I like the name. I applied to Thomas Edison State College last night as the first college to get the whole online college process started. I couldn't really decide between the two and plan on applying to both colleges, but I picked TESC first because it sounds a bit drier and more, collegey, I guess. Maybe because it's the name of a person like George Mason is.

    I understand WHY it's a college and not a university, but university just sounds more intense. I'm at the college of social sciences at the university. ooo, wow! ;) But all nitpicking about names aside, I know online college will be the right choice. I'm excited to be able to take my kids to school next semester and pick them up from school and be able to volunteer on field trips and help with homework. So really what's in a name if it means more time with my children AND a degree? :)
     
  10. JBjunior

    JBjunior Active Member

    Cool. I never considered COSC so I hadn't even thought about it. So the OP should pick the one that is the least expensive and meets their goals.
     
  11. ryoder

    ryoder New Member

    There is a difference between a BGS Information Technology at USF and a BSIT at USF.
    The differences are: 24 credits in the BSGS concentration including only 7 prescribed credits with 17 elective credits versus 48 credits in IT, plus 12 credits in IT exit requirements with the major.
    The major also has a bunch of prerequisites including: discrete math, statistics, macroeconomics, a database course, programming concepts, physics etc.
    http://www.poly.usf.edu/Documents/Academics/BSIT-PR-Handout-Tampa.pdf

    The BSGS is a degree completion program designed to take students from any background in an open enrollment fashion and get them out the door with some form of a degree. There is nothing wrong with it but it is not the same as a major. TESC's majors like the BSBA are pretty flexible and are a good balance between the looseness of a BALS or BGS and the structure of a traditional BS or BA degree.

    I know a lot about USF's BGS program because I met with the program manager directly and spent a lot of time mapping out my classes.
     
  12. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Since you are concerned about the sound of the name, why don't you find a B&M school that offers what you are looking for online? I didn't read real carefully but I didn't see exactly what degree you are going for. Maybe one of the state schools is offering it online.

    However, Wood Shavings U has a pretty nice ring to it! :smile:
     
  13. BobbyJim

    BobbyJim New Member

    I have a degree from USNY-Regents College, but now that they are called Excelsior and a privately owned non-profit, if I pursued another degree I'd consider going with something that had 'state' in the name!
     
  14. sillyluc

    sillyluc New Member

    LOL! Well, I'm not THAT concerned with the name, really. If It bothered me that much, I would. :wink: Doesn't TESC have a B&M location? GMU offers online classes but only in things like business or technology and not for the entire degree. Really, I'm thrilled to be switching to another college.

    My current major is Psychology, but I am thinking of switching to Organizational Leadership. I'm intrigued by the name and am looking up more information.
     
  15. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    That may be, but that has nothing to do with whether there's a meaningful difference between a major at TESC and a concentration at Charter Oak.
     
  16. recruiting

    recruiting Member

    For my limited experience with Charter Oak, all I can say is the customer service is outstanding. The one history class I took was nice as well, no issues and the instructor was an actual participant. She would answer questions and help when asked to help, good vibes all around.

    My wife went to TESC, there were some minor issues related to the military but we got through it. The only issue I have with them is that they do NOT have all the required classes available for their degree programs - transfer or testing out is the only option.

    One fine evening my wife came into my office and softly but gently stated "how the hell can this place have a degree program and not have the classes I need to finish it, ahhh (expletive) !! Then she went back to her soft quiet studying zone and sipped coffee.

    Result: She graduated, she got into Ashford University with no issues whatsoever. She then went on to finish a Masters in Organizational Leadership and was honored as a Magna Cum Laude graduate.

    Final thoughts: Both places are a good bet. :}
     
  17. JBjunior

    JBjunior Active Member

    TESC does have a B&M location but it is primarily an admin location. I remember reading in an alumni magazine recently that the first classes are being held there though, so I guess you are right.
     
  18. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

    The building you are referring to is called the Academic Center. TESC has about 5 or 6 building in Trenton, NJ. It's not really a central campus per se. Just a collection of buildings relatively close to each other. I'm not sure how some of the buildings actually belong to TESC, but some do seem to be academically related so perhaps they can be considered part of campus?

    Customer service was OK for me at TESC, but that was back in 2004 when I went there. It might have gotten worse or better since then.
     
  19. sillyluc

    sillyluc New Member

    I haven't found awful customer service yet. (But then again, I've only asked one question!) They did send me kind of a canned response to a question I asked about enrollment and when I should enroll. That's fine. At least right now I am good with them not being warm and fuzzy. I have been accepted to TESC and am really just waiting for my transcripts to be sent, etc. I'm going to see how they evaluate my transfer credits and if things transfer smoothly, I'll stick with them. Otherwise, I might enroll at Charter Oak as well just for comparison of transfer credits.
     

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