Thomas Edison State University and Coastline College now have a transfer agreement that provides Coastline students with a seamless transfer experience to TESU. The institutions established the partnership on June 1, 2023.
“Coastline College shares TESU’s long-standing commitment to our servicemembers around the world along with a reputation of providing exceptional educational opportunities to community college students in Orange County, California. We are excited to partner with them to expand pathways and opportunities for their graduates,” said Dr. Merodie A. Hancock, president, Thomas Edison State University. “This pathway agreement will allow Coastline’s well-prepared graduates to transfer up to 90 of their credits and move seamlessly to a degree completion pathway at TESU.”
“Partnerships like this help break down barriers for those who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree. We appreciate the partnership with TESU and their strong military reputation, and we are excited to solidify this partnership, which will encourage students to expand their academic credentials by including an associate degree and providing a smoother path to a bachelor’s degree,” said Dr. Vince Rodriguez, president of Coastline College.
Through the partnership, Coastline students will be referred to TESU admissions counselors to assist them to apply to and transition to the university, allowing students to obtain a bachelor’s degree. These academic pathways outline a clear path from Coastline College to Thomas Edison University, which creates a simplified transfer experience and allows students the opportunity to begin quickly and easily pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Thomas Edison 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.
Chartered in 1972, Thomas Edison State University is one of New Jersey’s senior public institutions of higher learning and one of the oldest schools in the country designed specifically for adults. The University offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs in more than 100 areas of study as well as undergraduate, graduate and professional certificates. TESU is a military friendly institution and a leader in recognizing military service and converting training and experience into college credit. The University was named the “Institution of the Year” this year by The Council of Colleges and Military Educators (CCME). The CCME Institution Award is presented “to a higher education institution in recognition of its significant contributions to the cause of military education,” according to CCME. “The recipient will be a college or university that supplies quality education programs to the armed services.”
Coastline College has been a leader in online education and offers not only AA degrees but also professional training and certification programs that facilitate students to become career-ready for jobs in today’s workforce. Coastline also offers a wealth of transfer programs for students providing the opportunity to move on to a 4-year college or university. Coastline College’s low tuition makes it one of the most affordable options in California and is one of the least-expensive schools for local students as well as being one of the top-performing community colleges out of 115 California community colleges.
Coastline College steadfastly focuses on providing access and supporting student success and achievement. Inspired by an innovative and student-centered mindset, Coastline delivers flexible courses and services that cultivate and guide diverse student populations across the globe to complete pathways leading to the attainment of associate degrees, certificates, career readiness, and transfer to four-year colleges/universities. Coastline is a recognized leader in the design, development, and use of innovative technology-based teaching and learning practices, processes, and systems for anytime-anywhere learning to achieve and sustain outstanding student success.
Toni M. Terry, BA