FAQs

Why should I choose Thomas Edison State College?

Chartered in 1972 and accredited by the Middle States Association of College, Thomas Edison State College is one of New Jersey's 12 senior public institutions of higher education. The average age of our students is about 39. And, most students are working adults with a high motivation to advance in their careers.

Throughout its history, Thomas Edison State College has served military personnel. The College has played a pioneering role for nearly three decades in developing education degree MALS as well as career-related degrees that optimize military experience. Thomas Edison State College has also enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the U.S. Army. As a participant in the eArmy U program, our curriculum can help you reach your educational goals.

How many credits will I need to earn an associate and/or a bachelor degree?

For an associate degree you must complete 60 semester hours of credit and for a bachelor degree 120 semester hours of credit. This credit is distributed in three areas: general education, area of study and electives. General education includes English composition, humanities, social sciences and mathematics. If you have attended or are attending an accredited institution, you probably already have earned some of the credit toward a degree.

Is there a residency required at Thomas Edison State College?

There is no on-campus residency requirement. Students complete their study through a variety of means, including Guided Study and online courses, testing, e-Pack courses and Prior Learning Assessment. Students participating in the military education programs have an academic residency requirement. 18 credits must be completed for baccalaureate degree students, 9 credits must be completed for associate degree students.

How can I be successful in an online course?

Academic success at Thomas Edison State College results from a combination of your motivation to take a course and your ability to work independently.

You must be comfortable with technology because communication with your mentor and other students you will be done electronically, (i.e. e-mail, dropbox, Blackboard). Thomas Edison State College courses are not designed to teach you how to use the technology, you must already have these skills to be able to succeed in the courses.

You must also be comfortable with a lot of reading and writing since all teaching and assignments are based on written instruction and not face-to-face interaction.

What is meant by "independent study?"

Thomas Edison State College courses are carefully constructed to allow you to master the material in each course with minimal instruction from your mentors. You are directed to appropriate readings-and often to online resources-that you may study as much you consider necessary to answer assignments and pass tests. Course objectives are clearly stated in each online syllabus so that you are never in doubt about the goals for the course.

How does an online course work?

Online distance courses at Thomas Edison State College use an electronic platform called Blackboard. All the information students need to complete a particular course, except what is found in textbooks, is stored in a Blackboard section on the College's Web server, and the section is available to students as soon as they log in to the course through the eArmyU Web portal. The most important document in each section is the Course Syllabus, which gives reading assignments on a week-by-week basis, directs students when to answer discussion questions online, and describes assignments that will be turned in to the mentor for grading. Students "drop" assignments electronically into an online dropbox, and assignments are "picked up," also electronically, by the mentor. The mentor also can read what students write in the discussion sessions and can participate in the discussions.

What is the role of the mentor?

Thomas Edison State College mentors are experienced college-level teachers living all over North America. Mentors serve students by guiding their independent studies. While students in a given course read course materials and discuss contents among themselves in the online forum, the mentor observes discussions and comments on their content. When students submit assignments based on their reading and discussions, the mentor assesses the work to determine if students are mastering the material. Mentors receive student exams at the end of each semester, grade them according to standards set by the College, and then assign final grades.

How do I get in touch with my mentor?

As soon as the semester begins, you will access your course online through the eArmyU Web portal. Contact information is posted within the Blackboard section of your course. Information includes the mentor's e-mail address and phone number, along with the hours during the week when you can telephone him or her.

How long do I have to complete a course?

Thomas Edison State College online courses are designed to be completed in 12 weeks. The College offers military students a 12 week extension when duties intervene to make completion within the ordinary semester impossible. When students realize that deployment or other extraordinary duties will interrupt studies, they must request an extension using the form located within their online section. While submitting the form is essential, the request is always granted at no charge to the student who can document the reason for the interruption.

When do I need to be online?

Adult students who hold jobs or who are in the military appreciate the flexibility Thomas Edison State College gives them to participate in classes "anytime and anywhere." Students are never required to log in to courses at a particular time of day. You can answer discussion questions in the middle of the night, or from halfway around the world, and your mentor and fellow students will read them and respond when it is convenient for them to do so. The expectation is that you will log in to your course several times a week, or as frequently as it is necessary to stay abreast of the assignments and discussions.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE GRADUATE PROGRAMS AT THOMAS EDISON STATE COLLEGE

1. What graduate degrees are offered at Thomas Edison State College to eArmyU students?
   
   Master of Science in Management - Leadership (MSM)
   Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS)
   
   
2. Are all graduate degrees available to eArmyU students?
   
   No. Students cannot pursue the tracks in project management, management of substance abuse, public sector auditing , insurance or any of the other track programs. These tracks involve coursework not covered under the army contract.
   
   
3. Do I need to file a separate graduate application or only the Common Application?
   
   You need to file a separate Graduate Admissions Application in addition to the Common Application.
   
   
4. Is there an application fee for eArmyU Students?
   
   No.
   
   
5. When is the SOC student agreement sent by the College?
   
   The SOC student agreement is sent via e-mail the day you are accepted.
   
   
6. When is the best time to apply for the program?
   
   Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applying well in advance of the application deadline is strongly recommended. Thomas Edison State College Graduate programs run three semesters per year. Each semester is 15 weeks in length.
   
   

   	To Begin	All Materials Submitted and Accepted By
   Summer	July	May 15
   Fall	October	August 15
   Winter	January	November 15
   Spring	April	February 15

   
   Registration for courses normally begins four weeks prior to the start of the semester.
   
   
7. Is there a course sequence?
   
   There is a course sequence for the MSM. Please contact the Office of Graduate Studies for more information.
   
   There is no sequence for the MALS degree.
   
   
8. Are there electives?
   
   There are nine semester hours of electives for the MSM and 12 for the MALS.
   
   
9. Can I transfer credit?
   
   You can transfer up to nine semester hours of graduate coursework taken elsewhere for the MSM and 12 for the MALS, as long as the credits fit into the degree. This includes graduate courses taken at other institutions and credit recommended by the American Council on Education and listed on your AARTS transcript.
   
   
10. I've read that there is an on-site residency requirement for the MSM program at Thomas Edison State College. Are eArmyU graduate students exempt?
    
    Yes.