Did anyone else notice this about LDAS at TESC?

[sanantone]

I might be really late on this, but I just dug into descriptions of degree programs in TESC's catalog. The liberal arts capstone is only required for BS and BA degrees with a learner designed area of study. If you're designing a BSAST or BSBA, then there is no liberal arts capstone requirement. Business Policy is considered a capstone for the BSBA, but a representative said the course could be taken anywhere.

Degree Program: Learner-Designed, BSBA - Thomas Edison State College - acalog ACMSâ„¢
Degree Program: Learner-Designed, BSAST - Thomas Edison State College - acalog ACMSâ„¢
Degree Program: Learner-Designed, BS - Thomas Edison State College - acalog ACMSâ„¢
Degree Program: Learner-Designed, BA - Thomas Edison State College - acalog ACMSâ„¢

[Lindagerr]

I just rechecked the Liberal Arts capstone is not required it is just strongly recommended. Some people find it worth while and gain a lot from it. I avoided it because I have many years of experience in my field and I felt it would be time and labor intensive. What degree are you looking at?

[sanantone]

I'm talking about the learner designed area of study. The catalog says it's required for BS and BA LDAS degrees. I know the other liberal arts degrees just say "strongly recommended."

The only reason I chose not to design my own degree combining criminal justice and psychology is because of the required liberal arts capstone. I decided to just get my degree in psychology to avoid it. What I didn't know is that you can design your own BSBA and BSAST and those do not require the liberal arts capstone.

[Lindagerr]

Oh That explains it better. I wish they had those learner designed areas when I started. I would have gon for something in Chemistry and used more PLA course for that. Well things change as we go.

[bricabrac]

sanantone,

BSBA and BSAST are not liberal arts degrees. They both have a required capstone.

The BSBA capstone, if you take the tesc course or tecep, is BUS421 business policy. You can also take strategic management or policy at another school and transfer it in but it is required to graduate.

The BSAST capstone, required for all programs, is APS401 current trends and applications.

The Learner designed/customized programs still require the capstone:
http://catalog.tesc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=2&poid=313
"Business Policy (BUS-421), a requirement in the business core, is a capstone requirement of the BSBA degree.”
http://catalog.tesc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=2&poid=312
“All programs require the completion of Applied Science and Technology: Current Trends and Applications course is suggested to be taken at the end of the program.”

[sanantone]

Thanks for responding. I know they aren't liberal arts degrees, but I was under the impression that LDAS was only available as a BA with the liberal arts capstone requirement and just discovered those two options. I mainly made this post to see if anyone else knew about them and to make others aware. One would probably have to take Current Trends and Applications at TESC? The BSBA capstone is not much of a problem since one could test out of it or transfer it in. I don't consider it much of a capstone; it's no different from having to take or test out of the other required courses for the LDAS BSBA. I really just didn't want to take the liberal arts capstone. I've already gone in the psychology direction and it's too late for me to plan a BSBA. I'm trying to finish by Oct. 1. Maybe I'll attempt a BSBA as a second degree after my degree is conferred.

Now that I think about it, the LDAS BSBA is not much freer than the regular BSBA in general management. One would probably end up designing an area of study that is already an option with the regular BSBA. The LDAS BSAST is much freer for those with technical backgrounds or those wanting to combine different technical subjects.

[bricabrac]

One would probably have to take Current Trends and Applications at TESC?

correct