A Pathway to a Bachelor’s Degree

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) announced today that it has evaluated the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers (EASCTC) apprenticeship training and is now offering college credit for these valuable learning experiences.

Working together, TESU and EASCTC intend to provide carpenter apprentices a pathway to a baccalaureate degree program at the University. TESU acknowledges that the apprenticeship training that carpenter apprentices receive imparts essential skills and knowledge critical to their roles. Recognizing the importance of this training, TESU has undertaken a comprehensive review process to assess its equivalency to college-level coursework. Students can now earn as many as 74 credits for their apprenticeship training and apply them toward a degree. TESU offers prior learning credit awards for the following tracks at EASCTC: Carpenter, Millwright, Piledriver, Cabinetmaker, Floor Layer, Upholsterer and Locksmith.

University President Merodie A. Hancock, Ph.D., expressed her enthusiasm for this initiative, saying, “At Thomas Edison State University, we are committed to recognizing the value of hands-on, real-world experience. By converting apprenticeship training into college credit, we are not only acknowledging the expertise of skilled carpenters but also providing them with a powerful opportunity to advance their education and careers. This partnership embodies our mission to make higher education more accessible and relevant to today's workforce."

The University’s PLR program evaluates workplace training, industry-recognized credentials and professional education to identify college-level learning. TESU has had a decades-long association with the assessment of prior learning, assessing on-the-job training for credit and an array of learning pathways that reduce costs and accelerate degree completion for its students. The institution awards more than 65,000 college credits to students for prior learning annually, with each TESU student earning an average of 38 credits toward their degree by leveraging prior learning options. The goal is to accelerate students’ progress toward completing a relevant TESU degree or certificate. This initiative offers several significant benefits:

Financial savings: Apprentices can save up to $31,000 on the cost of their TESU degree by applying these earned credits.

Accelerated degree completion: By receiving credit for their training, students can complete their degree programs more quickly.

Career advancement: The credits earned through this program can open doors to new career opportunities and advancement.

For more information about this program, please visit the University’s PLR student information page at tesu.edu/plrstudent. Interested individuals can also contact TESU admissions representatives at admissions@tesu.edu or by calling 609-777-5680. When reaching out, please mention that you have “PLR Credit” to ensure that your inquiry is routed quickly.