About Our Courses
The course lists and descriptions contained in this Catalog cite the offerings beginning with the July 2023 semester. It is occasionally necessary, and the University retains the right to withdraw, modify, or add courses to the existing list during the academic year without prior notice. For current course offerings visit Undergraduate Courses or call 609-777-5680.
For many courses, students have options regarding the method of learning.
Which option students choose will determine how they correspond with their mentor, how they deliver assignments, and how they receive graded assignments in return. In the case of online courses, the choice involves a commitment to an interactive, web-based format, with the opportunity to communicate with other students enrolled in the course and to take advantage of web resources pertinent to the course. In the case of e-Pack® courses, students choose to prepare independently for an examination that will assess their understanding of the course material. Guided Study and prior learning assessment (PLA) courses have been most successful with motivated, independent students.
Additionally, students may register for courses offered by other institutionally accredited colleges approved under the TESU Transfer Credit Policies and Guidelines, independent study and distance education courses, or traditional classroom courses.
Undergraduate Course Options
Many courses are offered every semester, but there are exceptions such as some nursing and graduate courses, which are offered four or six times a year. For updates, please visit Undergraduate Courses
Students may preview online syllabi — and get detailed information on individual TECEP® examinations — at the University website. Go to www.tesu.edu/courses and select the appropriate area. Students choose the course in which they are interested. If students do not see a specific course listed under prior learning assessment (PLA), Guided Study, TECEP®, e-Pack® or online, they will know that the course is not offered in that format.
New courses, particularly online courses, will be added to Thomas Edison State University offerings throughout the year. Visit the University website for updates. To ensure that a course satisfies the student’s specific degree requirements, the students should confirm with an academic advisor. PLA options that allow students to earn credit for what they already know are available for almost every course, with the exception of Capstone courses.
EP = e-Pack® (12 weeks)
GS = Guided Study (12 weeks)
NU = Nursing (8 weeks)
NG = Nursing Graduate (12 weeks)
OL = Online (most are 12 weeks)
PA = Portfolio Assessment (single-course, 12-week process)
PF = Portfolio Assessment (PLA-101, 12-week process)
TE = TECEP® Examination
SD = Self-Directed (12 weeks)
Course Engagement
Students attending Thomas Edison State University are expected to participate and fully engage in all academically related activities. Examples of these activities include making submissions to online discussion boards, communicating within the class lounge forum, dialoguing with mentors within the private mentor forum, submitting assignments, and completing exams and quizzes when due. Students must review course calendars for the timing and types of submissions expected.
NOTE: Merely logging into or viewing courses does not constitute academic engagement.
The University will periodically review student progress and engagement during each term. Failure to sign into a course and complete scheduled course work on time may result in an adjustment or termination of federally sponsored financial support, such as Military Tuition Assistance, Veterans Education Benefits, or other Title IV Financial Aid (grants and loans). Such decertification or adjustments may lead to cancellation of benefits or recoupment by the sponsoring agency for any monies paid to students (or to the University on student’s behalf) for enrolling in these courses, including tuition, fees, housing allowance, and book stipends. Such cancellation or recoupment does not negate the student’s financial obligation to the University; students may be held responsible for all charges incurred for the courses in which they are enrolled.
System Requirement: If students plan to register for OL, EP, PA, PF, SD, NU, or NG, they should see About Online Courses for minimum system requirements.