Award of Degrees Policy

The University will not award more than two Thomas Edison State University associate, baccalaureate or master's degrees to any one student.

Two Areas of Study within One Degree

Students may complete up to two options within one associate's degree. No more than 6 credits that are used in the first option may be used for the second option. All related required credits for each option, as well as all degree requirements, must be met at the same time. Students cannot complete a third option within one associate’s degree.

Students may complete up to two areas of study within one bachelor's degree. Only one bachelor’s degree is earned in this case. All policies that apply to a degree, such as maximum credits/semester hours per source (foreign, ACE/NCCRS, community college) must be applied to both areas of study. No more than 9 credits* that are used in the first area of study may be used for the second area of study. All related required credits for each area of study, as well as all degree requirements, must be met at the same time. Students cannot complete a third area of study within one bachelor's degree. Students may not earn two of the same degrees in the same graduation cycle. If a second baccalaureate degree is pursued after the first one is earned, the appropriate second degree policy applies.

*Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree may complete up to two areas of study within one bachelor's degree. No credit for the first area of study may be used toward the second area of study. All related required credits for each area of study, as well as degree requirements, must be met at the same time.

First Simultaneous Associate or Baccalaureate Degrees

Students who desire to have two different Thomas Edison State University baccalaureate degrees awarded in the same graduation cycle may do so providing 24 credits are different in the second degree's core/area of study. In addition, all requirements for both degrees must be satisfied.

Students who desire to have two different Thomas Edison State University associate degrees awarded in the same graduation cycle may do so providing 12 credits that are different in the second degree's option. In addition, all requirements for both degrees must be satisfied.

In both cases, the degrees earned must be different degrees, not just a different/additional area of study. For one degree with two areas of study/options, refer to the Two Areas of Study within One Degree policy.

Earning a Second or Successive Associate Degree

Students who have not earned a baccalaureate, advanced or professional degree but have earned an associate degree from TESU or an accredited institution recognized under the Thomas Edison State University Transfer Credit Policy and wish to earn a second or successive associate degree must:

Complete a minimum of 12 credits in the option, or in the general education electives if there is not an option, including the required Capstone, if applicable. These credits must be earned after the date the most recent degree, regardless of academic level, was conferred.
Additionally, students must complete all other degree requirements as listed in the current Thomas Edison State University Catalog.

Earning an Associate Degree after earning a Baccalaureate, advanced, or professional Degree

Students who have earned a baccalaureate, advanced or professional degree from TESU or an accredited institution recognized under the Thomas Edison State University Transfer Credit Policy and who then apply for an associate degree must:

Complete a minimum of 12 credits in the option, or in the general education electives if there is not an option, including the required Capstone, if applicable. These credits must be earned after the date the most recent degree, regardless of academic level, was conferred.
These credits must be earned after the date the most recent degree, regardless of academic level, was conferred.
Additionally, students must complete all other degree requirements as listed in the current Thomas Edison State University Catalog.

Earning a Second or Successive Baccalaureate Degree

Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree from TESU or an accredited institution recognized under the Thomas Edison State University Transfer Credit Policy and wish to earn an additional baccalaureate degree must:

Complete a minimum of 24 credits including the required capstone for the degree. These credits must be in the area of study and/or core of the degree. These credits must be earned after the date the most recent degree, regardless of academic level, was conferred.
Additionally, students must complete all other degree requirements as listed in the current Thomas Edison State University Catalog.

Earning a First Baccalaureate Degree after Earning an advanced or professional Degree

Students who have earned a graduate or a professional degree from TESU or an accredited institution recognized under the Thomas Edison State University Transfer Credit Policy, but have not earned a baccalaureate degree from TESU or an accredited institution recognized under the Thomas Edison State University Transfer Credit Policy must:

Complete a minimum of 24 credits in the area of study and/or core of the baccalaureate degree. These credits must be earned after the date the most recent degree, regardless of academic level, was conferred.
Complete all the general education requirements required for the baccalaureate degree.
Additionally, students must complete all other degree requirements as listed in the current Thomas Edison State University Catalog.

Earning a Second or Successive Master Degree

Students who have earned a master's, doctorate, or professional degree from TESU or an accredited institution recognized under the Thomas Edison State University Transfer Credit Policy and wish to earn an additional master's degree must:

Complete an additional number of credits equivalent to two-thirds of the total number of credits required for the additional master's degree (e.g. 24 credits in a 36 credit degree, 28 credits in a 42 credit program, etc.). These credits must be earned after the date the most recent degree, regardless of academic level, was conferred Adhere to any additional degree and transfer credit policies required by the School in which their degree is to be earned.
Graduate credits earned previously are transferable and applicable to a TESU graduate degree at the discretion of the dean of the school in which the student is enrolled.

Foreign Credentials

If a student presents a foreign credential evaluation stating their foreign degree is equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree, then the University will consider it an earned degree and apply all applicable Award of Degree policies. It also may be used for admissions to a master's degree program.