Study Methods:

Guided Study Courses
Guided Study (GS) courses allow independent learning in a structured 12-week format. More than 50 Guided Study courses are currently offered to help students meet degree requirements.

Designed to be completed in a 12-week term, each Guided Study course includes a detailed week-by-week calendar or schedule that will guide you through reading and writing assignments. Courses may include textbooks, a study guide, supplemental readings, and other media. Self-assessment tests and exercises may be incorporated into the course materials, and some courses contain optional additional information and exercises, delivered in other media.

Mentors, assigned by the University, grade and comment upon written assignments and proctored examinations. Mentors are also available for consultation.

Online Courses
Online courses use the Internet to facilitate interactive distance learning. Online courses put you in contact with fellow students and mentors, allowing participation in course discussions as well as private collegial discussions.

Once you are registered for an online course, you will be given an account with which you can connect to your course at the University's website at www.tesu.edu "Current Students/Login to Courses" or directly through the University's MyEdison Portal at www2.tesu.edu/myedison/.

Login information to access courses will be sent to registered students by the start of the semester.

Students registering for online courses are expected to have experience and proficiency using a computer, browsing the Web and sending and receiving email. A valid email address is required to register for an online course.

Minimum PC system requirements to access an online course are:

  • Internet Connection (required): High-speed connection is recommended. Speeds below 10 Mbps may cause slower loading times for video-heavy courses.
  • Operating System: Windows or macOS recommended. Linux and ChromeOS may have limited functionality for some of our technology and media tools.
  • Browser: Firefox or Chrome recommended. Edge/Internet Explorer and Safari may have limited functionality for some of our technology and media tools.

Note: Operating systems, browsers, plugins and other software should be kept up-to-date for security purposes and to ensure proper functionality.

You are advised that Mac compatibility issues have come to our attention in rare cases. The University offers only very limited Mac support at this time.

For technical (computer) questions relating to online courses, call the technical center at (609) 777-5644 or email cntc@tesu.edu.

BSN Online Courses
Online courses use the Internet to facilitate interactive distance learning. Online courses put you in contact with fellow students and mentors, allowing participation in public course discussions as well as private collegial discussions.

Once you are registered for an online course, you will be given an account with which you can connect to your course from the University's website at "Current Students/Login to Courses" or directly through the University's myEdison® Portal at www2.tesu.edu/myedison/.

Accounts to access courses will be sent to registered students by the start of the semester.

Students registering for online courses are expected to have experience and proficiency using a computer, browsing the Web and sending and receiving Internet mail. Access to Powerpoint software is needed for some nursing courses. A valid e-mail address is required to egister for an online course.

Minimum system requirements to access an online course are:

  • Internet Connection (required): High-speed connection is recommended. Speeds below 10 Mbps may cause slower loading times for video-heavy courses.
  • Operating System: Windows or macOS recommended. Linux and ChromeOS may have limited functionality for some of our technology and media tools.
  • Browser: Firefox or Chrome recommended. Edge/Internet Explorer and Safari may have limited functionality for some of our technology and media tools.

Note: Operating systems, browsers, plugins and other software should be kept up-to-date for security purposes and to ensure proper functionality.

For technical (computer) questions relating to online courses, call the technical center at (609) 777-5644 or email cntc@tesu.edu. Additional technical assistance for nursing students is available in the nursing courses.

e-Pack®Courses
e-Pack®courses allow students to prepare for a comprehensive final examination by taking a series of chapter quizzes delivered online. This credit-earning option is perfect for self-motivated learners who want the freedom of self-paced learning within a semester time frame but would benefit from online chapter quizzes to gauge their readiness for the comprehensive examination. The quizzes break up the subject matter into manageable units and do not count toward the final grade. They also provide simple, easy-to-understand, real-time feedback on each question to which the student has responded. By using the feedback, the student will know which topics need further review. Each course is designed around a textbook, and features access to the online chapter quizzes, an opportunity to earn credit on the comprehensive examination and Web site support. There is no mentor. System requirements are: an Internet connected PC, one of the major browser programs such as Internet Explorer, and Windows 98 or higher.

Self-Directed Courses
Self-Directed (SD) courses provide an opportunity for incarcerated students to learn independently to earn credit using methods designed specifically with the needs of the incarcerated student in mind.

Thomas Edison State University developed Self-Directed (SD) courses to provide incarcerated students with degree-earning options. SD courses do not require internet access or online resources and can be completed independently using texts, study guides and other materials. Course materials include a schedule for completing assignments, proctored examinations and/or the final project within the 12-week term. Assignments and completed exams are sent to a course mentor and feedback is provided - all via US mail. Students are provided with the required materials to foster a self-reliant learning experience where the student can work through the content completely autonomously.

TECEP®Examinations
TECEP®(Thomas Edison State University Examination Program) offers over 50 examinations that allow you to earn college credit without taking formal courses. They are specifically designed to let you demonstrate the college-level knowledge you have gained through your work, personal interests or independent studies by taking a single examination.

The tests were originally developed to help Thomas Edison State University students meet degree requirements in a flexible manner, but now are available to anyone who is interested in credit-by-examination. Students at many other colleges and universities have found wide acceptability for TECEP®credit at their institutions. However, it is important to check your college's policies if you are enrolled elsewhere.

TECEP®examinations are available in a wide range of business and liberal arts subjects, such as psychology, management, English composition and marketing. Each TECEP®is developed by a team of mentors who teach college courses in the subject area of the examination. Along with the exam, the team develops a test description with information to guide student test preparation efforts.

Prior Learning Assessment
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a flexible, efficient way of earning college credits for college-level knowledge you have acquired in nontraditional ways outside the classroom. Thomas Edison State University has already helped thousands of adults save countless classroom hours by earning credits based on their prior knowledge and experience. Moreover, these credit awards are honored in transfer by many other colleges and universities throughout the country. The only prerequisite for PLA is the completion of English Composition 101 and 102 with a grade of C or higher.

Like all programs offered by Thomas Edison State University, Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) operates on the belief that college-level learning, no matter how it is gained, warrants consideration for credit. Therefore, nearly any area of learning can be converted into college credit as long as it is currently being taught at a regionally accredited college or university and you can demonstrate your expertise in it.

Prior Learning may be demonstrated in a variety of ways, including a compilation and discussion of data assembled in an approved format to demonstrate college-level knowledge worthy of credit. Each PLA submission generally represents one course. Your PLA submission to Thomas Edison State University will serve as proof of your expertise and the value it has in the academic world. It can include knowledge or skills gained from a wide variety of sources. Here are some of the more common ones used for Prior Learning Assessment:

  • full- or part-time jobs
  • independent reading and study
  • training programs or in-service courses
  • volunteer work
  • cultural and artistic pursuits
  • hobbies and recreational pastimes
  • community or religious activities
  • military service
  • travel study
  • organization memberships

Individualized PLA
The individualized PLA requires more initial preparation from both the student and the University. Before registering, the student will submit the Prior Learning Assessment Proposal Form, which includes a current course description from a regionally accredited institution and a brief account of where and how the knowledge for the proposed portfolio was gained. Once the application is accepted, the student will receive clearance to register in the next available semester.