20-21 Undergraduate Catalog

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TECEP® Overview

The Thomas Edison State University Examination Program (TECEP®) offers students the opportunity to earn college credit by taking exams rather than courses. TECEP® is a credit-by-exam program specifically designed to allow students to demonstrate the college-level knowledge they have gained through job experience, personal interests and activities, or independent study.

Each TECEP® exam is developed by subject matter specialists who teach college courses in the exam’s subject area. Most contain multiple-choice questions and some include short answer questions and essays. Along with each exam, the test developers create a test description, available on the University website, containing information to help students prepare for their TECEP®. All exams except one are worth 3 credits.

TECEP® exams are available to anyone who is interested, whether or not they are enrolled at Thomas Edison State University. Enrolled students can earn credit by passing any TECEP® exam but should check to ensure that the exam will fulfill their degree requirements. Students who are enrolled elsewhere should check with their own institutions.

Flexibility is the major advantage of earning credit through testing. The University recognizes that students who choose this method begin with different levels of knowledge of the test subject and take different amounts of time to prepare. Therefore, students can study at their own pace and register for the exam when they are ready. Another significant advantage of testing is its inexpensive cost.

For comprehensive information about TECEP® exams, their test descriptions, and testing policies see the TECEP® section of the University website.

Student Profile

TECEP® exams are recommended for highly independent learners who are comfortable studying in a non-structured environment.