TESC BSAST in IT, newbie getting started

[justlearning123]

Hello. I have been working as a computer programmer for the past 25 years, and am planning to finally get a degree in it. I live in NJ, so I registered at TESC. I had 3 colleges send them my transcripts, and received 39 credits out of the required 120. I find their "evaluation" very difficult to read, so I am not entirely sure what classes I need to take to get a degree in BSAST in IT. Their printouts look like something that came off a 1980s dot-matrix printer. I am pretty sure I have to take Algebra I & II and Statistics, but not Calculus.

After reading through this forum, I see there are lots of ways to minimize the time and cost of getting a degree at TESC. I'm not overly concerned with the time or money, I just want to get a degree within a few years. It has been more than 6 months since I registered at TESC, and I have lost the ability to sign in to some parts of their website. Apparently I will get full access again, after signing up for classes. I was not happy to lose access because I had not signed up for any classes (after I had paid a registration fee). It felt like a pressure tactic, but maybe they need a way to keep people from lurking on their system indefinitely.

I prefer to teach myself things, rather than have to listen to someone else. I am interested in taking classes where I can instruct myself. I'm not sure how the ACE/CLEPS work, but it looks like people take some tests, then transfer the credit to TESC if they can get a certain score (or better). That might be a good fit for me. I live a few hours from their physical campus, so I might be able to go there to take tests, rather than do it over the web (if that is allowed).

I purchased the book that TESC uses for their Algebra classes, so that I can work through it as I have time. When I am able to take the class, I should already know the material. I am nervous about taking the first math classes, especially if I have to take a remote test, so I will probably learn the material first. That is probably a dumb way to do it, but I don't want to struggle with the online system and have to learn new material (though Algebra should be easy). The TESC website seems to be disorganized and quite terse, though I have not used it much yet (perhaps it gets better).

This website appears to be devoted to the Clep exams, but the forums here seem to be the best ones for TESC. I haven't even seen the official TESC forum (if there is one).

If anyone has any suggestions about the TESC BSAST in IT, please advise. I will continue to read on the forum, and post questions.

thanks!

[sanantone]

Did you pay the enrollment fee or did you sign up for the Comprehensive Tuition Plan? TESC requires that you enroll and choose a tuition plan within 6 months of being accepted to the college or they will make you apply again. If you like to instruct yourself, then the best options are ePacks and TECEPs. If you're receiving financial aid, you have to take at least 6 credits per 6 months in guided study or online courses just receive any financial aid; you have to take 12 credits per 6 months in order to get the full financial aid reward. Once you meet your 12 credit per term obligation under the Comprehensive Tuition Plan, the ePacks, TECEPS, FlashTracks, and PLAs are free. The Enrolled Options Plan is for those taking less than 24 credits per year in TESC courses and the Comprehensive Tuition Plan is for those taking more than 24 credits a year in TESC courses. This should help you understand the course options.

Study Methods

I actually found TESC's evaluation to be very clear. Maybe you should post it up so others can help you understand it. You log into myEdison to view the TESC forum and to submit support tickets to various departments. For the forum, click on the "community" tab, click on "Open Discussions and Textbook Swap," and then choose which thread you want to view.

Blackboard Academic Suite

I know you said you aren't concerned about cost, but ALEKS is a great way to learn math at your own pace. It costs $20 per month and you can cancel when you're finished earning the credits you need. The website tells you which courses are ACE evaluated. TESC accepts Intermediate Algebra and higher and statistics. Straighterline also offers self-paced courses that TESC accepts. Since you like to teach yourself, CLEPs, DSSTs, ECEs, and TECEPs are good options. You can use InstantCert flashcards, books, and other websites to self-study. Once you feel like you're ready, you go to a testing center that offers the exam. You'll enter your credit card information online to pay for the test and you'll pay the testing center its testing fee in whatever form they accept it in. The test will ask you to choose a school to send your scores at the beginning. CLEP asks you at the end of the test if you want to send your score; always choose "yes." The scores are automatically mailed to TESC once you're finished. If you passed, TESC will give you credit. It takes about 2 weeks for TESC to even acknowledge that they received your score and it takes another 4-6 weeks for them to transcribe the credits.

Here is the degree plan.

You have to take English I and II. There are 6 credit tests that cover both. You have to take 12 credits in the humanities in at least two subject areas and three have to be technical writing. You have to take 12 social science credits in at least two subject areas and three have to be psychology or sociology. You need 21 natural science credits which include 6 credits in Algebra or higher, statistics, general physics or chemistry, a second science of your choice, and introduction to computers. You have to take 9 credits in general electives; they can be natural science/math, social science, or humanities. For the math requirement, you don't have to take Algebra I and II, you just have to take two math courses that are at the College Algebra level or higher. The core is easy to follow. In free electives, you can take whatever you want. FEMA offers free courses that TESC accepts as free electives.

Thomas Edison State College | BSAST in Information Technology Credit Distribution

[ryoder]

Abandon some of your preconceived notions and you will do much better. A lot of people finish and say "If I had only known X before I could have wasted less time and finished faster".
So take the time to study the forum, read about CLEP/DSST/Straighterline.com/ALEKs/PennFoster/TECEP/ECE.
In fact, make sure you learn what each of those are and how they can help you complete your degree requirements before signing up for a 'real' course. You will thank me later, believe me.

I am very much in the same shoes as you. I have been a programmer for many years and had 72 credits last October when I realized I could CLEP and finish up at my local brick and mortar university. So I took some CLEP tests and then found this site. I realized that I could complete a BSBA CIS at TESC in about 5 months and jumped at it. Now I am almost finished with an MBA in Applied Computer Science and will be looking into PhD programs soon.

So spend some time researching and asking questions and you will finish in no time.

You should post your degree evaluation online for us to look at. Some very wonderful people will no doubt fill it in for you recommending testing out options for each class. These people are going to become your friends over the next 6-12 months I guarantee you.

Good luck.

[Kaz]

I live in NJ, so I registered at TESC. ... I live a few hours from their physical campus, so I might be able to go there to take tests, rather than do it over the web (if that is allowed).

I live in Jersey too. If you live in Jersey and are a few hours away from TESC's campus then I promise you you are driving past multiple places where you could take a CLEP instead. It could possibly be worth it if you take TECEPs, because your local county college might not know what those are and you might have to arrange for a proctor, but CLEPs and most likely DSSTs (Dantes) will be common for them.

[justlearning123]

You guys are right, I should spend some time learning how to optimize the use of my time and money. No need to spend years, if I can do it in less time. I printed out your responses, and will research what you said. After I get a BS degree, I would also like to get a Masters, but I will think about that more later. Thanks!

[nleamons]

As an IT major at TESC, I know that you can earn credit for some certifications that many IT persons may have or are planning to earn. That's also applied to any professional training that you may have. I think that Prior Learning Assements(PLA) may be something that you will enjoy as you prefer to learn yourself. Just visit Thomas Edison State College | Earning Credit for What You Already Know to learn more about credits for certifications and PLA's.

[justlearning123]

Here is my evaluation:

Program: BSAST in Technical Studies

-----
-----
S.H. S.H. Applied S.H. Comm Coll S.H to Overall TESC
Required to Degree Req Remaining S.H. Applied be Planned GPA Met GPA
120.00 39.64 80.36 17.00 80.36 YES
================================================================================

Source Institution Source Institution

Student: Mr. John J. Doe Staff: datatel Date: 10/12/11 Page: 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Community College1 3 University3
2 Community College2

General Education (60 SH)

Semester Hours Completed: 9.99
Complete all 3 subrequirements:
A: English Composition (In Progress)
> Complete one full year of English Composition with a grade
> of C or better.
Semester Hours Completed: 3.33
GPA Achieved/Needed: 2.000 / 2.000
Group 1 (In Progress)
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes
3.. ENG151 Composition I............ 3.33 C ENC-101 *TE
___ ENC-102___ _________________________ _____________________________ 1 course

B: Humanities (In Progress)
> Complete 3 semester hours in Technical Report Writing and 9
> additional semester hours of Humanities electives. At least
> 2 subject areas must be represented among the 12 semester
> hours required.
Semester Hours Completed: 3.33
Technical Report Writing (Not Started)
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes
___ ENG-201___ _________________________ ______________________ 1 course needed
Group 2 (In Progress)
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes
3.. ART160 Art in Life.............. 3.33 B ART-100 *TE
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits

C: Social Sciences (In Progress)
> Complete 12 semester hours in the social sciences,
> including at least two subjects, one of which must be
> psychology or sociology.
Semester Hours Completed: 3.33
Psychology or Sociology (Completed)
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes
3.. PSY251 Intro to Psy............. 3.33 A PSY-101 *TE
Group 2 (Not Started)
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes
================================================================================
College Algebra & Above
> Complete 6 semester hours in College Algebra math and above.
> **Course MAT-128 does NOT meet this requirement.**
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
================================================================================
Statistics (3sh)
> Complete 3 semester hours of Statistics.
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
================================================================================
General Chemistry Or Physics
> Complete 6 semester hours in Chemistry or Physics.
Semester Hours Completed: 0.00

Student: Mr. John J. Doe Staff: datatel Date: 10/12/11 Page: 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group 1 (Not Started)
________________ 3 credits
________________ 3 credits
================================================================================
Second Science
> Complete 3 semester hours of an additional science.
________________ 3 credits
================================================================================
Computer Requirement
> Complete 3 semester hours in computer science or computer

> programming, excluding courses on the use of applications.
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes
3.. CSC281 Prin Comp Prog I......... 3.33 B COS-111 *TE
================================================================================
General Education Electives
> Complete 9 semester hours from any of the following
> General Education subjects: Humanities, Social Sciences,
> Natural Sciences or Mathematics.
Semester Hours Completed: 6.66 Required: 9 Remaining: 2.34
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes
3.. MAT151 College Algebra.......... 3.33 B MAT-115 *TE
3.. CSC283 Comp Prog II............. 3.33 D COS-299 *TE
________________ 3 credits
================================================================================
Area of Study-Technical Studies (21)
Semester Hours Completed: 17.00
GPA Achieved/Needed: 3.509 / 2.000
Complete 1 of 11 subrequirements:
E: Computer Studies (In Progress)
> Take 21 credits in one discipline. A total of 12 Area of
> Study credits must be from 300/400 level courses (6 of these
> credits are satisfied with the Technical Core requirement).
Semester Hours Completed: 17.00 Required: 21 Remaining: 4
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes
1.. CMP240 Adv Obj Orient Tech...... 3.00 A CMP-315 *CC *TE
1.. CMP209 Unix..................... 3.00 A CAP-262 *CC *TE
1.. CMP220 Object Oriented Tech..... 3.00 A COS-213 *CC *TE
2.. CIS176 Cptr Prgm C I............ 4.00 A COS-116 *CC *TE
2.. CIS158 Mc Data B Mgmt........... 4.00 A CAP-123 *CC *TE
3.. CSC283 Comp Prog II............. <3.33> D COS-299 *G *GPA *TE
________________ 3 credits
________________ 1 credits

============
Area of Study-Technical Studies (18sh)
! GPA Achieved/Needed: 1.000 / 2.000
> Complete 18 semester hours from any other discipline/
> department in Applied Science and Technology. A total of 12
> Area of Study credits must be from 300/400 level courses (6
> of these credits are satisfied with the Technical Core
> requirement.
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes
3.. CSC283 Comp Prog II............. <3.33> D COS-299 *G *GPA *TE
________________ 3 credits
________________ 3 credits
________________ 3 credits
________________ 3 credits
________________ 3 credits

Student: Mr. John J. Doe Staff: datatel Date: 10/12/11 Page: 4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
________________ 3 credits
================================================================================
Technical Core W/ Proj Managment (6 SH)
Semester Hours Completed: 0.00
Complete both subrequirements:
A: Current Trends & Aps (Not Started)
> Complete 3 semester hours in Current Trends & Applications.
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes
___ APS-401___ _________________________ ______________________ 1 course needed

B: Project Management (Not Started)
> Complete 3 semeser hours in Project Management.
> TAKE MAN-435
_______________________________________________________________ 1 course needed
================================================================================
Free Electives (15 SH)

> Complete 15 semester hours of Free Electives.
Semester Hours Completed: 2.66 Required: 15 Remaining: 12.34
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes
3.. GSU220 Learn Methods............ 1.33 A FEL-101 *TE
3.. HTH121 Persnl Health............ 1.33 B HEA-106 *TE
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
__________________________________________________________________ 0.34 credits
================================================================================
OTHER COURSES:
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes
--- ---------- ------------------------- ------- --- ---------- ---------

1 CMP241 Database Prg (oracle) 3.00 A CAP-123 *RI*TE*CC
(Credits in parentheses are anticipated earned)
================================================================================

[justlearning123]

For the math requirement, you don't have to take Algebra I and II, you just have to take two math courses that are at the College Algebra level or higher.

There is so much to learn, I was thinking maybe I should try to break down the degree requirements in to subsections, in this case Math. On the TESC website, they only list a few math courses, and mention "BSAST and ASAST students should take MAT-121 and MAT-129". Those classes are "College Algebra" and "Precalculus for Technology". Are those the 2 classes you meant I would need to take?

If I needed those 2 classes, could I take them on straigtherline instead?

Online College Algebra - Online Algebra Course for College Credit - StraighterLine
Online Precalculus Course - Take Precalculus Online to Earn College Credit - StraighterLine

or by the "College Algebra" and "Precalculus" classes on ALEKS, mentioned on this page:

ALEKS 360

In the case of Math, I would actually need to learn the material before I was tested on it. I would not be able to walk in cold and take a test.

[justlearning123]

#1) It looks like I should make a list of all the credits I will need for a BSAST in IT degree, and then strike out the ones I got credit for via old college transcripts. The degree I want is at http://www.tesc.edu/5727.php

#2) Then I should identify what non-TESC resources can be used to get as many of the other credits.

#3) The remaining credits I would have to take at TESC.


I am still working on #1, but I thought I would check if I have the right idea on #2. I tried to look up what classes where available from the non-TESC resources. The lists I found are below, are they correct?


TECP Courses = Thomas Edison State College/ All TECEP&reg Tests

DSST Courses = http://www.getcollegecredit.com/pdfs/exam-list.pdf

ALEKS Courses = ALEKS Course Products

Straightline Courses = Online College Courses - Take College Courses Through Our Distance Learning Courses - StraighterLine

CLEP = ?

DANTES = I don't think this applies to me

FEMA = I don't think this applies to me

[justlearning123]

Below are the TESC BSAST/IT degree requirements in ASCII form. This is the list that I must satisfy. The original is here: Thomas Edison State College | BSAST in Information Technology Credit Distribution

Subject Area/Category Credits

============================================
I. General Education Requirements 60
============================================

A. English Composition 6
ENC-101: English Composition I (3)
ENC-102: English Composition II (3)

B. Humanities 12

ENG-201: Technical Report Writing (3)
Humanities Electives* (9)

C. Social Sciences 12

Psychology or Sociology (3)
Social Science Electives*(9)

D. Natural Science and Mathematics 21

College Algebra or above (6)
Statistics (3)
General Physics or Chemistry (6)
Second Science (3)
COS-101: Introduction to Computers (3)

E. General Education Electives 9

============================================
II. Area of Study: Information Technology 45
============================================

A. Information Technology Core 33
Foundations of Information Technology (3)
COS-330: Computer Architecture (3)
COS-213:C++ Programming (3)
COS-241:Data Structures (3)
COS-352:Operating Systems (3)
CIS-311:Database Management (3)
CIS-351:Software Engineering (3)
CIS-301:Management Information Systems(3)
MAN-435:Project Management (3)
Network Technology (3)
Current Trends and Applications of Applied Science and Technology (3)

B. Information Technology Electives** 12

============================================
III. Free Electives 15
============================================

Total 120 credit