TESU Partners with the NJDOE to Convert Career and Technical Education into College Credits for High School Students

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) and the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance workforce development and educational access for high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) students across New Jersey.

The MOU aims to recognize college-level learning achieved through training, credentials and education provided through secondary CTE programs. Central to this initiative is TESU’s expertise in evaluating and awarding credits for prior learning.

“By bridging the gap between high school and postsecondary education, we are expanding pathways for CTE program completers to enter the workforce with advanced credentials,” noted Jeffrey Harmon, Ed.D., vice provost for Strategic Initiatives and Institutional Effectiveness and interim dean of the Heavin School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Education at TESU. “This latest initiative with the NJDOE leverages our expertise in fostering workforce readiness by recognizing college-level learning wherever and however it occurs.”

Under the agreement, the University will implement its Professional Learning Review (PLR) process by evaluating 8 to 12 CTE programs offered by institutions across the state for academic credit, focusing on coursework that integrates workplace training, industry-recognized credentials and professional education. Per the MOU, the pilot program will fund the expansion of the University’s PLRs that grant college credits for completing specific CTE programs.

The tuition savings is good news for participating students and their families, and similarly structured TESU programs are already proving their efficacy. For example, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America’s Career Connections Certificate program partnership launched in 2023 between the union and the University enables high school students in the state to earn up to 16 credits from their pre-apprenticeship training toward a TESU degree, potentially saving their households $7,000 in tuition.

Students utilizing these pathways typically pursue an Associate in Applied Science in Construction and Facilities Support, a Bachelor of Science in Construction, or a Bachelor of Science in Technical Studies program at TESU.

“The MOU is part of a broader effort between the University and the State of New Jersey to strengthen the state’s workforce by equipping students with the skills and credentials necessary to succeed in a competitive job market,” added Harmon. “Our mutual work centers on enhancing the career readiness of New Jersey’s workforce while ensuring our program outcomes are aligned with the employers’ current and anticipated needs.”

The pilot program, which has an allocated budget of $250,000, is funded by Federal Perkins Leadership Funds. The MOU will support the University’s PLR process, outreach efforts, and curriculum framework development.

Learn more about the Professional Learning Review advantage at TESU.

Photo caption:
Jeffrey Harmon, Ed.D., vice provost for Strategic Initiatives and Institutional Effectiveness at TESU, and Eliseo Negron, A.A.S. ’24, Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Center apprenticeship program completer.