INISH. Exclusively for Adults.

Transcription

1 INISH Going Back To Get Your Degree Exclusively for Adults

2 Going Back to Get Your Degree We all have different reasons for wanting to go back to school: Making the future better Completing a long-time goal Feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment Acquiring new knowledge and skills But you ve had other priorities, like rearing a family, your busy career and other demands on your time. Even today, with your hectic schedule, you wonder how you can possibly fit college into your life. It is possible to earn the college degree you ve always wanted, without sacrificing your other priorities or busting your budget. If you re considering going back to school, this brochure will help address some of the concerns you may have. I am thankful for the ongoing support from my family as well as the staff and mentors at Thomas Edison State College. My passion will always be nursing and the learning experience at the College proved to be beneficial professionally and personally." Carolyn Burton, BSN '10

3 Finishing Your Degree: Frequently Asked Questions I have earned college credits in the past. Do I have to start over? Not necessarily. Many colleges and universities accept transfer credits from community or county colleges, or other regionally accredited four-year degree programs. I have a really busy life. How much time will I have to commit to earn my degree? It depends on the programs and degree requirements of the college or university you choose. Many schools require you to attend classes on campus several evenings a week or on weekends, and then prepare for projects and tests outside class hours. Some schools offer more flexible options geared to adult learners such as distance learning or independent self-study, which let you work at your own pace. And yet other schools offer a combination of both on-campus and distance learning programs. The length of time also varies according to the number of credits, if any, you are able to transfer to your new school. The more transfer credits you have, the less course work you will have to complete. Attending Thomas Edison State College was the beginning of my second career. My enrollment was a commitment to a new path and it sparked a new direction in my creativity. Todd Doney, BA '01

4 Frequently Asked Questions I ve been working in my field for 12 years. Can I get credit for what I ve learned? That is a possibility. Some colleges allow you to take tests to demonstrate prior college-level knowledge or earn credits for college-level learning attained through employment experience, the military or other life experiences. You may even be able to earn credit for licenses and certificates you already have or courses you may have taken at work. Do I have to take an entrance exam? Maybe. Along with a completed application, application fee, high school or college transcripts, many colleges require prospective students to submit scores from a standardized entrance examination such as the SAT or ACT (undergraduate), or the GMAT or MAT (graduate). Schools that work primarily with adult learners may be a little more flexible in their admission requirements. Summer is a light time for me at work. Do I have to wait until September to begin? Classes at most traditional colleges begin at the start of the spring, summer or fall semester. However, if you choose a college that offers online or distance learning, or other nontraditional programs, you may be able to start classes as soon as your enrollment is complete no matter what time of year it is. I was able to earn 39 credits - almost one third of the credits needed to complete a bachelor's degree - based on what I had already learned throughout my career in firefighting and emergency response." David Neuman, BA '10

5 Earning my MSM degree from Thomas Edison State College provided me with the knowledge and self-confidence to seek positions of greater responsibility at work and the desire to attain a doctoral degree. Col. Dennis Devery, MSM '05 I like the idea of learning online, but I also like interacting with a professor and other students. Is it possible to have both? Yes, it is possible to have both if you choose a school that offers both traditional and nontraditional degree programs or a school that caters specifically to adult learners. Certain schools give you the option of taking courses at a distance or attending classes on campus or at a regionally accredited college or university of your choice, and then transferring credits back to your home school. It s hard to predict the demands of work and family life. What if I have to take a hiatus? You might do well at a college that recognizes your commitment to family and career, and offers flexibility for motivated adult learners. If you need to take a break from course work for personal or professional reasons, these schools allow you to resume your degree program at any time, without any loss of earned credits. The best part of attending Thomas Edison State College was that the staff completely understood the obstacles that working adults face while juggling their jobs, children, families and studies. Tanvi Kothari, BA '06

6 Frequently Asked Questions There are so many demands on my financial resources. Can I afford to go back to college for my degree? Finishing your degree is an important investment in your future, and the cost depends on how many credits your school and major require, and the fee per credit hour. Tuition and fees also vary whether you decide to attend classes on campus or complete your course work through nontraditional means such as distance learning or guided self-study. You ll also need to allow for the costs of books and school supplies. Many colleges will help you determine if you qualify for financial assistance, and some will even guide you through the application process for grants, scholarships, student loans, and state and federal financial aid programs. You also may wish to ask your employer if you qualify for tuition reimbursement. Will earning a bachelor s degree really help me increase my earnings or get a promotion? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, earnings are higher and the unemployment rate is lower for people who have high levels of education. The reverse is true for the less educated American worker. The national average for annual personal income of workers 25 and older with a bachelor s degree is approximately $22,000 higher than Americans who have only a high school education.* Earning a college degree does not automatically mean you will command a higher salary or get a promotion; however, in both the private and public sectors, education does play a factor in certain bonuses and promotions. In some cases, a degree is required to ascend to the next level, whether it be within the corporate or public sector. *Source: U.S. Census Bureau s 2008 Median Earnings Report.

7 Thomas Edison State College has defined the educational setting more broadly than tradition has allowed. The College has provided a framework which encourages motivated adults of all stripes to grow in their understanding of the world." Ernest Wooden Jr., BSBA '06, MSM '07 How do I ensure a college or university is reputable and respected? The academic quality of any institution is directly tied to its accreditation, which is an independent review of a school s educational programs to determine that the education provided is of uniform and sound quality. An institution that has earned accreditation ensures that it has met established standards of quality determined by the organization granting the accreditation. Accreditation determines a school s eligibility for participation in federal and state financial aid programs, is important for the acceptance and transfer of college credit and is a prerequisite for many graduate programs. The most recognized and accepted type of accreditation in the United States is regional accreditation. There are six geographic regions of the United States with an agency that accredits college and university higher education programs: The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools: Accreditation of colleges in the middle states region (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico) The New England Association of Schools and Colleges: Accreditation of colleges in the New England region (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont)

8 The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools: Accreditation of colleges in the north central region (Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming) The Northwest Association of Schools And Colleges: Accreditation of colleges in the northwest region (Alaska, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington) The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools: Accreditation of colleges in the southern region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia) The Western Association of Schools and Colleges: Accreditation of colleges in the western region (California, Hawaii, the territories of Guam, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, the Pacific Basin, East Asia, and areas of the Pacific and East Asia where American/International schools or colleges may apply to it for service) For more information about institutional quality and college accreditation, visit the website of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, which advises the U.S. Secretary of Education on matters related to college accreditation and institutional eligibility:

9 The Unique Needs of Adult Learners Most colleges and universities are designed to meet the needs of traditional students who are 18 or 19 years old, and are typically established around serving a specific geographic region or a specific academic discipline. Very few institutions of higher learning have been established specifically around the unique needs of adults interested in earning an undergraduate or graduate degree. Adults who return to college are not just older kids in school. They have a variety of real needs that most people under the age of 21 cannot imagine such as mortgages, careers, children, and elderly or frail parents. Most adults face real barriers when it comes to earning a college degree because they cannot easily put their lives on hold to sit in a classroom at a specific time and place. It s About You One important thing to remember is that you can earn a college degree. You may run your own business and supervise employees. You may rear children and manage personal or corporate finances. You may be responsible for a host of other important things and you get the job done. You can also excel at college, but it is important to think about your needs before selecting a school. To help determine whether a particular college or university is able to meet your needs, consider the following: If your schedule is demanding, you will need convenience and flexibility. Is the school you are interested in willing to work around your schedule? If so, how? What learning options are available, in addition to a traditional classroom setting?

10 Unlike most students under the age of 21, you have real-world experience. Will the school you are considering accept previously earned credits from other institutions? Is the school you are interested in willing to assess any college-level learning you ve acquired outside the classroom? You will be investing your time and resources into completing your degree, so quality and the school s reputation should be an important factor when selecting a college or university. What kind of accreditation does the school you are considering have? How long has that school specialized in serving the needs of adult learners? An Excellent Option for Adult Learners Whether you wish to finish the degree you started years ago or advance your career with a graduate degree, Thomas Edison State College can help you achieve your aspirations. Because most of our students are working adults juggling home, family and career responsibilities, Thomas Edison State College offers a flexible and personalized approach: Earn college credit for professional and military training and other knowledge aquired outside the classroom. Transfer credits from other regionally accredited colleges and universities. Earn the degree you ve always wanted through our convenient array of online courses, examinations and more. Choose from undergraduate and graduate degrees in more than 100 majors and non-credit programs all in a supportive, flexible environment. Our personalized approach lets you study at your own pace, on your own schedule and in the way you prefer to learn.

11 And every step of the way, you ll work closely with one of our specially qualified academic advisors. Together, you ll plan the best course of study to achieve your professional, personal and educational goals. At Thomas Edison State College, an extraordinary learning experience lies just ahead. A Tradition of Excellence and Quality There s more to Thomas Edison State College than our highly regarded academic programs. Since our founding in 1972, we ve earned a national reputation for our commitment to quality and student satisfaction. Thomas Edison State College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. We are a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda, a national honor society for adult students; the Council of Graduate Schools, the largest national association organized specifically to represent the interests of graduate education; and the Association for Graduate Liberal Studies Programs. Our graduates are sought by some of the finest graduate and professional schools in the United States. The New York Times referred to us as one of the brighter stars of higher learning. Forbes magazine named us as one of the top 20 colleges and universities in the nation for use of technology to create learning opportunities for adult students wherever they live and work.

12 We re Here to Help You. Thomas Edison State College has helped more than 35,000 adults reach their goal of earning a college degree. Call us at , us at info@tesc.edu, or visit W. State St., Trenton, NJ (888) info@tesc.edu Printed On Recycled Paper