Thomas Edison State University (TESU) is proud to announce the launch of its innovative Credit Predictor tool, a resource designed to assist prospective students in assessing prior learning credits and their potential application toward a degree.
As a national leader in the evaluation and recognition of Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), TESU continues to spearhead CPL transfer credit mobility, particularly within New Jersey’s higher education landscape. Working with the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), a national nonprofit that supports the creation of education-to-career pathways, fueling economic mobility and community prosperity, the newly unveiled Credit Predictor is accessible for free on the TESU website. The tool offers a swift and user-friendly experience. Prospective students can create a comprehensive professional training profile encompassing certifications, credentials and other relevant training experiences that may translate into college credits. By detailing skills, proficiency in foreign languages or referencing military training where applicable, TESU’s Credit Predictor Tool provides an estimate of the potential credits a student may have accrued.
Dr. Merodie A. Hancock, President of TESU, emphasized the significance of recognizing and valuing college-level learning acquired beyond traditional classroom settings. “Evaluating college-level learning outside the classroom takes expertise, time, money and collaboration. However, when done correctly, it rightfully broadens the category of students who, for whatever reason, decided the traditional college path was not for them. These secret transcript holders may also have attended and dropped out of college, or they may be a completely different group of students, those with no formal college, yet have, unbeknownst to them, partly earned a college degree.”
The initiative was made possible through the philanthropic support of TESU alumnus Steve King ’93 ’15. According to King, “I can’t think of a better way to demonstrate the unique role of TESU than Credit Predictor Pro, which will inspire potential students to pursue or complete their degree. My wife Kay and I are delighted to support the University in making it possible for more adults to achieve their educational goals.”
Thomas Edison has a long-standing, working relationship with CAEL that has resulted in collaboration to improve adult education and prior learning assessment.
“Credit Predictor has proven to be a great asset for increasing awareness of credit for prior learning among potential students,” said Scott Campbell, Ph.D., vice president for higher education partnership at CAEL. “This tool recognizes the knowledge and experience gained outside a classroom as potential college credit setting adult students on a path to a degree.”
Statistics reveal that more than half of TESU students engage in some form of credit for prior learning. During the past five years, TESU has granted more than 1.4 million credits for learning experiences occurring outside the conventional classroom environment, facilitated through various CPL pathways. Notably, TESU’s Professional Learning Review (PLR) program evaluates workplace training programs, apprenticeships and other non-traditional learning avenues. Students utilizing the PLR pathway earn an average of 38 credits, representing over half of the credits required for an associate degree, from that prior learning experience.
For more information about TESU’s Credit Predictor and the University’s commitment to empowering students through CPL, visit the TESU website.
Toni M. Terry, BA