Capstone-tesu

[lovewins]

I pretty much have a handle on what I need to take to satisfy my BA at TESU ( Im almost positive Im going for the BA in Social Sciences). The only thing holding me back and giving my anxiety is the CAPSTONE :ack:. I could kick myself in the @ss for not enrolling years ago and 'locking in' to the catalog at that time banghead, which didnt include the Capstone but I digress....

I am SCARED to take the CAPSTONE...should I be?

1) Whats the difference between the Capstone and a regular course?

2) How long does it take to complete? Can I start it at anytime or is it given by quarter, semester?

3) What does it cost for out of state people?

4) Is the Capstone just 1 course that everyone takes or do you have different subjects to choose from?


Id like to hear from those who have taken it at TESU and what your experiences with it were/are?


Thanks you in advance!! cheersmate

Lovewins

[davewill]

All of the BA degrees have the same Liberal Arts Capstone course (LIB-495) that I had to take. It is structured like all the rest of TESU's online courses, 12-week terms that start each month. Assuming you're out of state, it will cost you $499 times 3 credits = $1497 in tuition, plus a couple of books. It's a challenging course, but if you take care to get a good mentor, is very doable. You end up writing a 25 page research paper organized into 5 chapters. Every two weeks a draft of one of the chapters is due. It will get graded and the mentor will give you detailed feedback. For the sixth and final module, you edit and combine the chapters into a single paper and add a citations section. It sounds daunting, but if you keep up with everything as you go, it is really straightforward. The length isn't as bad as it sounds since each chapter reintroduces your topic and research questions, and you end up repeating a lot of the same information.

I've added links to a couple of threads on the subject. Do take the time to research the mentors here and on www.ratemyprofessor.com and make sure you get a good one. I had Dr. James Cody and I thought he was excellent.

http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...-work.html
http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...-tesc.html
http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...dback.html

[lovewins]

I havent written a paper (properly) in many years. I wouldnt know where to start with writing a proper paper, citing sources appropriately, etc. I recall back in the day really struggling with that. So, with that said, are there any reputlable, known sources out there that 'assist' with writing a proper research paper?

Does the professor assign you a topic to research? How do you go about choosing what to write about?

[davewill]

I hadn't written one since English 101, and that was MANY moons ago. Don't fret too much. The textbook is essentially a how-to guide, plus my mentor supplied us with a sample paper to use as a guide. You choose your own topic, with the mentor's guidance. Think up two or three possible topics, then do a little research. In my case, I picked the one where the research looked the most plentiful and useful. I figured the worst thing I could do would be to get partway through and be unable to find enough resource material.

I don't know anything about 'assistance', but you might be able to find a local tutor to help.

P.S. I do hope your quotes around 'assist' aren't meant to imply buying a paper or some other form of cheating. I would hate to think anyone here would do that.

[lovewins]

I hadn't written one since English 101, and that was MANY moons ago. Don't fret too much. The textbook is essentially a how-to guide, plus my mentor supplied us with a sample paper to use as a guide. You choose your own topic, with the mentor's guidance. Think up two or three possible topics, then do a little research. In my case, I picked the one where the research looked the most plentiful and useful. I figured the worst thing I could do would be to get partway through and be unable to find enough resource material.

I don't know anything about 'assistance', but you might be able to find a local tutor to help.

P.S. I do hope your quotes around 'assist' aren't meant to imply buying a paper or some other form of cheating. I would hate to think anyone here would do that.

'Assist' meaning some sort of reputable websites that teach/guide on proper technical writing/APA/sample thesis writings, that kind of thing....


Who was your mentor??

[davewill]

'Assist' meaning some sort of reputable websites that teach/guide on proper technical writing/APA/sample thesis writings, that kind of thing....


Who was your mentor??

As I said, I had Dr. James Cody. What you want to do is go into student services as soon as registration opens and look at who is teaching that term. Then research all of them. The sections tend to fill up, so don't dawdle.

Here's the Syllabus: http://www2.tesu.edu/syllabus/current/LI...B-495.html

There's a couple of decent resources for writing and APA in there.

[lovewins]

As I said, I had Dr. James Cody. What you want to do is go into student services as soon as registration opens and look at who is teaching that term. Then research all of them. The sections tend to fill up, so don't dawdle.

Here's the Syllabus: http://www2.tesu.edu/syllabus/current/LI...B-495.html

There's a couple of decent resources for writing and APA in there.

thank you! TESU is quarterly, right? So the next quarter is starting in Sept? Probably slim pickings at this late stage of the game as far as mentors for Capstones. You wouldnt happen to know when registration opens for the next quarter, would you?

[jsd]

TESU's term system is not really setup like that. Every month, a new round of courses begins. For example, tomorrow is the last day to register for a September start. If you want to start in Oct, you have to register by 9/10. The course you sign up for would be 12 weeks long.

If you don't have any credits, they probably won't let you take the capstone. That's really meant to be the final thing you do. I think a loose rule is that you have a minimum of 90 credits before they let you take it.

[davewill]

thank you! TESU is quarterly, right? So the next quarter is starting in Sept? Probably slim pickings at this late stage of the game as far as mentors for Capstones. You wouldnt happen to know when registration opens for the next quarter, would you?

No, a new session starts each month. See this link for dates: Thomas Edison State University | Semester List

The registration for Sep closes tomorrow, late reg for Sep goes until the 18th. Oct registration opens up on Aug. 19th. If you're ready to take it, go and check the mentors available now. If you don't find a good choice available, I'd wait for Oct.

[lovewins]

No, a new session starts each month. See this link for dates: Thomas Edison State University | Semester List

The registration for Sep closes tomorrow, late reg for Sep goes until the 18th. Oct registration opens up on Aug. 19th. If you're ready to take it, go and check the mentors available now. If you don't find a good choice available, I'd wait for Oct.

Ok, got it, thank you so much!