First I would like thank everyone for sharing their experiences and valuable advice. I have learned quite a bit in the short time I have been a member of this forum. (this sure beats the newsgroup form) I have received catalogs from COSC, TESC and Excelsior. All of the schools have a lot to offer and enable a full time working person to attain an accredited degree from knowledge obtained in life and work. I am leaning toward COSC for a Bachelor degree but Thomas Edison offers an Associate degree that would benefit my career greatly at the moment. They offer an Associate in Science in Public and Social Services with emphasis in Administration of Justice. (that is a mouthful) If I read their catalog and website correctly I would need to take 9 (maybe 12) hours in Security to meet their requirements, probably via their online school. How difficult are the TECEP tests compared to CLEP or DANTES? If I follow this plan I believe everything would transfer to COSC to obtain a BS degree. Could someone more experienced take a look at the TESC requirements for my desired degree at: http://www.tesc.edu/prospective/undergraduate/degree/aspss.php or http://www.tesc.edu/prospective/undergraduate/degree/aspss/aspss_adminof_justice.pdf ? I have talked with admissions people at COSC and Thomas Edison and I have not received much information beyond the catalogs. I think they want me to apply for admission and send the application fee before they give me much advice. Thanks
My field is CJ, so I guess I'm qualified to post about this. IMO, TESC does indeed have credible requirements for graduation from a CJ/Admin of Justice program. In your case, you have to be certain that you can satisfy the "practicum" requirements of the TESC programs. That means you have to perform an internship in a criminal justice agency, and document your learning in that setting. When I looked into TESC, my job as a police officer was approved as a practicum, but I had to nominate a Supervisor, a non-interested party, who would oversee my practicum (I ended up not going with TESC for purely proceduaral reasons). If you can satisfy the practicum requirements, than TESC is an excellent choice. If not, let me know, and I can suggest some alternatives. Bruce
Thanks Bruce, I am a self employed Private Investigator / Security Consultant. I have been in the business 17 years now. I would have trouble geting a supervisor to observe me unless they would accept the observations of a client I have had for the last 6 six years. I perform a about 450 - 500 hours a years of work for them as a consulting Director of Security. I am thinking that the Criminal Justice and Introduction to Law Enforcement DANTES tests and the Organizational Behavior and Substance Abuse TECEP tests would apply toward the 21 concentration hours required in the Administration of Justice program. I would have 12 of the required 18 hours leaving six hours and the 3 hour practicum to finish. Are there other tests I can take to complete the remaining 6 hours? Also, how are the TECEP tests compared to the DANTES and CLEP tests? I can find no study books for the TECEP tests.
