Open Course Option

The Open Course option allows students to earn credits by taking free, open, online courses from the Saylor Academy that are aligned with the University’s prior learning assessment program. Credits earned via the Open Course option can be applied to most undergraduate degree programs at Thomas Edison State University, including the entire Associate in Science in Business Administration degree.

The option enables students to take open courses at no cost and then apply what they learned in those open courses by successfully completing a portfolio assessment or the University’s credit-by-exam program, TECEP®. Some credits can also be earned by passing a College-Level Exam Program (CLEP) exam or Saylor's NCCRS exams, which have been evaluated and recommended for college credit by the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS).

The Open Course option is self-paced, so students can complete courses and assessments on their own schedule, independent from monthly semesters and deadlines.

In addition to the entire Associate in Science in Business Administration degree, students can use this option to earn credits that satisfy general education elective or free elective requirements for most undergraduate degree programs at the University. The Open Course option also provides a great opportunity for students who may have some background knowledge on a particular topic but not enough to complete a prior learning assessment on their own. With the Open Course option, students can brush up on the sections they need, then take the assessment.

• Tuition Information
• Getting Started
• Taking Saylor’s Open Courses