TESC Overhauling Gen Ed Reqs. Not enrolled, watch out!

[mrs.b]

The moral of the story is that undesired political pressure can come from any direction, in any form, and in any forum. I remember my Business Law course - basic, dry law - was a platform for the course mentor and some of the classmates to argue the benefits of unionization. It was amusing in some discussions, aggravating in others, but the course was still done in twelve weeks and we all went our separate ways. If you agree with the platform of the mentor / majority, enjoy the warm glow of feeling justified in your opinion, and earn the best grade you can. If you disagree with the platform of the mentor / majority, politely and professionally state your case when discussion is warranted or keep your head down (whichever best fits your personality), and earn the best grade you can. In either case, you earn the best grade you can, and move on when the course is done.

In the reasonably free market of education, the only real way to "speak" loudly is to take your business elsewhere if it offends moral sensibilities too much. On the other hand, TESC has a reputation for being accepting of alternative credit forms and appear to have said the requirements are not limited to only those courses, so it is highly likely comparable CBEs will be accepted.

Perhaps a more fruitful use of the posted information and discussion is coming up with possible CBE tests to match to each requirement. That way, when the changes go into effect, forum members who are enrolling at the time can have a list ready and waiting to take to Advising and not be sideswiped and left drifting.

[Getiton1]

In February 2013, I went to the TESC Open House general information meeting for everyone thinking of attending the college. It was very informative. Afterwards, we were directed that if we wanted specific information for specific programs to go to that conference room for the specifics. For about 2 hours we met with one of the nursing program advisors who explained everything to us including the change in credits. She said that ALL the TESC degrees would be adding on credits in the social sciences and most likely in the Gen Ed's for anyone that was not enrolled by July. For the nursing program anyone there that had applied to the RN to BSN/MSN would not be affected as long as we enrolled in a class within one calendar year from the date we applied (I applied and was accepted in January, so I was enrolled as of that date and not affected). As far as the University Status, she personally could not be sure of the date of University Status for TESC but the timeline was estimated to happen in the next 2 years.

I think that Chris Christie (the Governor of NJ) seems to favor merging state schools, so I would not be surprised if he is re-elected that it would happen sooner. The reason I am even putting this out there is that I thought of applying to Rutgers University last year, but they did not take as many credits as TESC and they also required me to come to campus and take additional math classes. Word was that things were going to change because they were going to merge with another college (Rowan). Kids were worried about loosing clout as Rutgers University Graduates and Rowan kids were worried about there being more classes added on. The going joke was, "What do you get when you mix Rutgers and Rowan together? The answer: RUT-RO! (In a scooby doo voice). So I held off applying and kept looking at colleges. I am not a big fan of abstract math, so TESC was the right College for me. I had attended Excelsior for my RN but TESC still beat out Excelsior for what they would take in credits/life experience. I have good grades and have gotten into some really good schools, but what it comes down to for me is time and money. TESC will save me time (except those pesky last 2 classes) and money (less courses to take) and if they become Thomas Edison University...well WONDERFUL! I cannot complain. I only wish I found you guys in Instant Cert sooner! If I hear anything further I will post again on the topic of University Status for TESC.

Getiton1,

What did you hear in regards to University status? I know a couple years ago they almost merged with Rutgers but that fell through.

P.S. Best of luck on your nursing program.

[Getiton1]

PS Thanks for the good wishes! I wish I had done this sooner! Good luck to you too! What are you studying now?

[Can219]

Is there still talk about TESC joining up with Rutgers? I thought that was done and buried?? Would this be a good thing for TESC Graduates? I'm very curious now!

[sanantone]

I thought that was done and buried too. I'm not sure it's a good thing for TESC to be absorbed by Rutgers. I have a feeling their online or extension division wouldn't be as flexible. If it did stay flexible, your degree might say Rutgers University Extension, Rutgers University Online, Rutgers University Global Campus, Rutgers University School of Continuing Education, or something like that. I don't know if that would be better or worse than having Thomas Edison State College on your degree/transcript. A lot of Rutgers students probably don't want the other students who go by a separate set of rules to also be called Rutgers graduates and I wouldn't be surprised if Rutgers told its extension students not to call themselves graduates of Rutgers University just like Harvard does with its extension school.

[Getiton1]

No talk about Rutgers merging with TESC was mentioned....just that TESC was looking toward University Status in the next 2 years.


A separate topic is that the current Governor seems to encourage shared services as well as top notch schooling in NJ. Rutgers and Rowan were 2 state schools that really didn't like being told they would need to merge. I think the overall idea is less expensive state schools so that more people can become educated. If I am reading into what the media has been pedaling...this is the general idea is to make college MORE affordable. I personally think TESC is one of the least expensive options I have looked into, especially if you are a NJ resident. Lord knows I pay a lot in taxes! It's nice to have one perk like a big savings on tuition.

I would contact the school directly to ask them what the rules/timeline is for avoiding the changes in curriculum that are supposed to happen in July 2013. If in doubt, I would apply to the college. It doesn't cost that much to apply (I think it's 75.00) and you might as well find out if they take your credits and if the College is the right one for you. TESC is very very slow with it's evaluations, but when you get an advisor hopefully you will find a good one like I did and they can help you understand how to save money and get your degree in the timeframe that works best for you (or at least tell you if they think you are nuts/off track in your estimation for graduation). Personally, since I have been on IC I have been totally inspired and PUMPED to bang out as many exams as I can before my first TESC class! Check out what some folks have done in as little as 3 months! Everyone is different, but for me it was a beacon of hope that I can actually DO it too! Apply in the meantime, it can't hurt and when you see how long it takes to review your transcripts you will be glad you applied early.

I thought that was done and buried too. I'm not sure it's a good thing for TESC to be absorbed by Rutgers. I have a feeling their online or extension division wouldn't be as flexible. If it did stay flexible, your degree might say Rutgers University Extension, Rutgers University Online, Rutgers University Global Campus, Rutgers University School of Continuing Education, or something like that. I don't know if that would be better or worse than having Thomas Edison State College on your degree/transcript. A lot of Rutgers students probably don't want the other students who go by a separate set of rules to also be called Rutgers graduates and I wouldn't be surprised if Rutgers told its extension students not to call themselves graduates of Rutgers University just like Harvard does with its extension school.

[HorseManiac]

...
I would contact the school directly to ask them what the rules/timeline is for avoiding the changes in curriculum that are supposed to happen in July 2013. If in doubt, I would apply to the college. It doesn't cost that much to apply (I think it's 75.00) and you might as well find out if they take your credits and if the College is the right one for you. TESC is very very slow with it's evaluations, but when you get an advisor hopefully you will find a good one like I did and they can help you understand how to save money and get your degree in the timeframe that works best for you (or at least tell you if they think you are nuts/off track in your estimation for graduation). Personally, since I have been on IC I have been totally inspired and PUMPED to bang out as many exams as I can before my first TESC class! Check out what some folks have done in as little as 3 months! Everyone is different, but for me it was a beacon of hope that I can actually DO it too! Apply in the meantime, it can't hurt and when you see how long it takes to review your transcripts you will be glad you applied early.

When I talked to TESC last week, the lady on the phone said they won't have any more information until probably the middle of April as far as what will fulfill the requirements. She seemed to think that all that was being changed was the names of the requirements, but I don't really know. Just remember that in order to not go under the new system, you have to pay the $3000 enrollment fee. Not just the $75 application fee.

[DSH2007]

More information on new requirements effective July 1st:

Thomas Edison State College: General Education Electives

General Education Courses

These pages look new. I haven't had time to sort it all out but wanted to share what I found. No changes yet under Online Student Services/Academic Evaluation.

[champ0608]

I know there's a lot of confusion and worry out there, but to get to the heart of the natter (for me at least) are there enoguh Credit Exams available to cover these new/rearranged requirements, or will we be forced into taking traditional courses to cover some of the classes?

[sanantone]

It's still a little confusing, but it looks like there are CBEs for most of the requirements.