TESC....Where to start?

[LKMOM]

Hi guys....newbie here.
I am 2 classes and 4 CLEPS/DSST away from my degree, which I expect to receive in January 2012. (GO ME!)

Thanks to IC, this forum, and all the positivity of the forum members, I am encouraging my boyfriend to pursue his degree as well and I would like some feedback from the forum on where to start.

At 16 (16 years ago!), he attended University of VA and did not receive any credit, at least he doesn't think he did. He never attempted college again. He currently works in Social Services and is interested in a Psychology degree and a career as a counselor/therapist.

Sorry to be longwinded, but I have A few questions:
1. Am I correct in understanding that he could completely test out of TESC using CLEP, DSST, EC and TECEP? Theoretically, he could complete all his tests and then enroll in TESC for 1 semester and graduate?

2. The TESC Psychology credit distribution says ‘LIB-495 Liberal Arts Capstone strongly recommended’ what is a Capstone and what exactly does strongly recommended mean?

3. Since he has no credits, is it necessary for him to pay the $75 and do the TESC evaluation? We are starting to put together a degree plan, is it necessary (or beneficial) for TESC to review?

4. Is a Psychology degree from TESC ‘recognized’ within the industry?

5. Since he is interested in pursuing career as a mental health or substance abuse counselor/therapist would he be better served with a degree in Sociology or something else?

6. and a bonus question: How can we find information (certifications/ licenses) on what my state (NJ) requires for to become a counselor?

Any help anyone can provide is truly appreciated.

I really appreciate all the positivity, encouragement and motivation this forum provides!

[dcan]

1. Am I correct in understanding that he could completely test out of TESC using CLEP, DSST, EC and TECEP? Theoretically, he could complete all his tests and then enroll in TESC for 1 semester and graduate?

As far as I know, this is correct. Don't forget about 32 FEMA credits as well, and other "flexible" credits (Straighterline, independent study courses from other colleges, local CC courses, etc)

2. The TESC Psychology credit distribution says ‘LIB-495 Liberal Arts Capstone strongly recommended’ what is a Capstone and what exactly does strongly recommended mean?

An "everything you learned all put together and demonstrated" course. It's typically your final course. My understanding is online colleges are moving to this approach to ensure you have met the "learning outcomes" they design into the degree plans.

The capstone course is an opportunity for students to demonstrate that they have achieved the goals for learning established by their educational institution and major department. The course should be designed to assess cognitive, affective and psychomotor learning and to do so in a student-centered and student-directed manner which requires the command, analysis and synthesis of knowledge and skills.

Source (non-TESC)

3. Since he has no credits, is it necessary for him to pay the $75 and do the TESC evaluation? We are starting to put together a degree plan, is it necessary (or beneficial) for TESC to review?

Honestly I would absolutely confirm with the original college that no credits were earned before writing it off. You never know. Other than that, I don't know the full answer to this question. You can always ask an advisor though.

4. Is a Psychology degree from TESC ‘recognized’ within the industry?

TESC is regionally accredited and just as valid "officially" as any other RA college. If you are dealing with people who have degrees from "top tier" schools and that's what they expect from their peers, you will probably come up short, but I would think that would go for any degree from any of the Big 3, or from the other 95% of schools anyway. I think it all depends on the situation and the people involved. Some will look down on it, some will think you can think out of the box to creatively solve problems (like getting a degree) with limited resources (time and money). Some people just need a piece of paper to get in the door and experience covers the rest. So it really all depends.

Note: If you are asking about official licensing, I have no idea, you should definitely research that. I know some state accounting licensing boards may not accept them due to not enough in-seat credits.

I am not qualified to answer the other two, sorry.

But here's a search of the forum for TESC BA Psychology degree plans that may help you analyze that route. I understand it's pretty well travelled.

I really appreciate all the positivity, encouragement and motivation this forum provides!

The people here really excel at that. Welcome!

[sanantone]

When you say receive your degree in January, do you mean apply for graduation? I'm applying before the Oct. 1 deadline to have my degree conferred in December. If I miss that date, I will have to apply before the January 2012 deadline and have my degree conferred in March.

Don't worry about the liberal arts capstone. I'm not taking it.

When he enrolls, he'll be enrolled for a year. Of course, he doesn't have to stay that long, but his enrollment fee is good for a year.

Yes, he can completely test out of a psychology degree. He's going to have to make sure he gets Fundamentals of Counseling transcribed as PSY-331 if he takes the test because it was transcribed as COU-262 for me.

No one cares where you get a bachelor's in psychology as long as it's regionally accredited. National accreditation might even be acceptable in most cases unless you're looking to go to graduate school. At the undergraduate level, no one really cares about the prestige of the school when it comes to psychology since it's not a terminal degree. Psychology is not really good for employment until the master's and PhD level. I'm graduating with a degree in social science; but since most of my credits are in psychology, sociology, and criminal justice; I've been searching for jobs requiring a psychology degree. The options are limited and the jobs don't pay that well. I'm applying for graduate school anyway and hope to make more in the future.

If he has no credits to evaluate, then there is no point in applying yet unless he's going to enroll for advisement purposes.

In Texas, a licensed substance abuse counselor only needs an associates degree with a lot of hours of practicum and supervision. I think it's pretty much the same in other places. In that case, it's just easier to enroll into a substance abuse program. If he wants to be a mental health counselor or licensed professional counselor (most states have one or the other), then a master's will be required. I would recommend a bachelor's in psychology or counseling over a sociology degree in preparation for a graduate program that would qualify him for licensure. In Texas, a master's in psychology, mental health, counseling, marriage and family therapy, etc. will qualify you for an LPC; but master degrees in sociology, education, and theology will also be accepted if you took the right courses. I think most states require a 48 semester hour graduate degree for LPC or LMHC licensure.

New Jersey has two different kinds of substance abuse counselors. A CADC just needs a high school diploma or higher with a certain number of hours of substance abuse training. I don't know, it gets pretty confusing. It sounds like you need 270 hours of addiction education or 54 credit hours in a related subject. And then you need to do the an internship. An LCADC requires a master's or higher.

http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/alcohol/process_2.pdf

To become an LPC in New Jersey, you need to complete a 60 credit hour graduate program in counseling. You can choose a specialty such as school, mental health, career, or addiction. You also need at hours of supervised experience, a little less if you have a PhD.

http://www.nj.gov/lps/ca/proc/pcappl.pdf

If he wants to become a Marriage and Family therapist, here is the application with the requirements. You're required to have a master's in MFT or Social Work. If you don't, you have to have taken the courses on the list.

http://www.nj.gov/lps/ca/mft/marriage.pdf

[LKMOM]

Thank you very much!
You provided so much valuable information. We will definitely be looking into the FEMA credits as well.
I totally agree with your thoughts on how people in any field will view a TESC differently, think I just needed the reassurance from a senior member.

As far as I know, this is correct. Don't forget about 32 FEMA credits as well, and other "flexible" credits (Straighterline, independent study courses from other colleges, local CC courses, etc)



An "everything you learned all put together and demonstrated" course. It's typically your final course. My understanding is online colleges are moving to this approach to ensure you have met the "learning outcomes" they design into the degree plans.





Honestly I would absolutely confirm with the original college that no credits were earned before writing it off. You never know. Other than that, I don't know the full answer to this question. You can always ask an advisor though.



TESC is regionally accredited and just as valid "officially" as any other RA college. If you are dealing with people who have degrees from "top tier" schools and that's what they expect from their peers, you will probably come up short, but I would think that would go for any degree from any of the Big 3, or from the other 95% of schools anyway. I think it all depends on the situation and the people involved. Some will look down on it, some will think you can think out of the box to creatively solve problems (like getting a degree) with limited resources (time and money). Some people just need a piece of paper to get in the door and experience covers the rest. So it really all depends.

Note: If you are asking about official licensing, I have no idea, you should definitely research that. I know some state accounting licensing boards may not accept them due to not enough in-seat credits.

I am not qualified to answer the other two, sorry.

But here's a search of the forum for TESC BA Psychology degree plans that may help you analyze that route. I understand it's pretty well travelled.



The people here really excel at that. Welcome!

[LKMOM]

WOW! You provided lots of great information here and lots of food for thought on his career plans. Bummed to hear that your that you are finding limited jobs that dont pay well, but unfortunately this is something we have found from his current work in social services. Wish you the best of luck though.

Oh, and as for me, I should clarify that I am NOT enrolled in TESC, but an adult accelerated program at Centenary College (NJ). It requires 1 night of week seat time and I am 4 months away from completely a 4 year journey. (Boy do I miss my Tuesday nights!). I am currently finishing up my degree requirements with CLEP/DSST. I started this program 4 years and it has worked for me, but if I knew then what I know now about TESC, I would have gone a totally different route.

Thanks again and I look forward to hear about your future endeavors (education and professional).

When you say receive your degree in January, do you mean apply for graduation? I'm applying before the Oct. 1 deadline to have my degree conferred in December. If I miss that date, I will have to apply before the January 2012 deadline and have my degree conferred in March.

Don't worry about the liberal arts capstone. I'm not taking it.

When he enrolls, he'll be enrolled for a year. Of course, he doesn't have to stay that long, but his enrollment fee is good for a year.

Yes, he can completely test out of a psychology degree. He's going to have to make sure he gets Fundamentals of Counseling transcribed as PSY-331 if he takes the test because it was transcribed as COU-262 for me.

No one cares where you get a bachelor's in psychology as long as it's regionally accredited. National accreditation might even be acceptable in most cases unless you're looking to go to graduate school. At the undergraduate level, no one really cares about the prestige of the school when it comes to psychology since it's not a terminal degree. Psychology is not really good for employment until the master's and PhD level. I'm graduating with a degree in social science; but since most of my credits are in psychology, sociology, and criminal justice; I've been searching for jobs requiring a psychology degree. The options are limited and the jobs don't pay that well. I'm applying for graduate school anyway and hope to make more in the future.

If he has no credits to evaluate, then there is no point in applying yet unless he's going to enroll for advisement purposes.

In Texas, a licensed substance abuse counselor only needs an associates degree with a lot of hours of practicum and supervision. I think it's pretty much the same in other places. In that case, it's just easier to enroll into a substance abuse program. If he wants to be a mental health counselor or licensed professional counselor (most states have one or the other), then a master's will be required. I would recommend a bachelor's in psychology or counseling over a sociology degree in preparation for a graduate program that would qualify him for licensure. In Texas, a master's in psychology, mental health, counseling, marriage and family therapy, etc. will qualify you for an LPC; but master degrees in sociology, education, and theology will also be accepted if you took the right courses. I think most states require a 48 semester hour graduate degree for LPC or LMHC licensure.

New Jersey has two different kinds of substance abuse counselors. A CADC just needs a high school diploma or higher with a certain number of hours of substance abuse training. I don't know, it gets pretty confusing. It sounds like you need 270 hours of addiction education or 54 credit hours in a related subject. And then you need to do the an internship. An LCADC requires a master's or higher.

http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/alcohol/process_2.pdf

To become an LPC in New Jersey, you need to complete a 60 credit hour graduate program in counseling. You can choose a specialty such as school, mental health, career, or addiction. You also need at hours of supervised experience, a little less if you have a PhD.

http://www.nj.gov/lps/ca/proc/pcappl.pdf

If he wants to become a Marriage and Family therapist, here is the application with the requirements. You're required to have a master's in MFT or Social Work. If you don't, you have to have taken the courses on the list.

http://www.nj.gov/lps/ca/mft/marriage.pdf