University Corner: Thomas Edison State College
MAE 2007 Volume: 2 Issue: 3 (August)
Q: How would you describe your role as director of military education at Thomas Edison State College?
A: I manage the college’s military education program, including student services, academic programs and courses offered on and off military bases as well as the staff members that work on bases around the country.
Q: What benefits does Thomas Edison State College offer to military servicemembers?
A: One of the biggest benefits is that we offer multiple methods of earning credits, which are all flexible. Thomas Edison State College does not just offer online programs. We offer Guided Study courses, paper-based programs designed for the independent learner. These programs are useful for students deployed in areas or situations were they can not access the Internet. We also offer examination programs as well as Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) courses. Our PLA courses enable students to demonstrate that they possess college-level knowledge for a course that has been acquired outside of a classroom setting, such as work, training or volunteer service. Thomas Edison State College also offers monthly start dates for courses, low academic residency requirements and a liberal acceptance of the American Council of Education credit recommendations for military training.
Q: Tell me about your certificate programs for military personnel.
A: Thomas Edison offers three types of certificates. We offer a wide array of noncredit online certificate programs in such areas as paralegal studies, personal fitness training and project management. We can also work with various military commands and bases for such training as Six Sigma Black Belt, and other areas. The college also offers credit-bearing certificates at the undergraduate and graduate level in a wide range of areas, such as human resource management, operations management and homeland security. Each of these programs can be applied towards undergraduate or graduate degree programs offered by the college.
Q: What separates your college from other distance learning programs?
A: What separates us from other programs are the flexible methods of earning credit and our ability to develop and deliver programs focused on the needs of adult learners. Our liberal acceptance of military credits and ACE recommendations provides military students with an extraordinary benefit. We are also one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the country that specializes in distance education programs for adults, and understand that students have different learning styles and should have the opportunity to choose the learning format that best meets their needs.
Q: What are the newest developments within your school that you think a military audience should know about?
A: We have created new bridge programs that enable students take nine graduate credits within their baccalaureate degree program. This gives the student advanced standing in a master’s degree or graduate certificate program at Thomas Edison State College.
In addition, we developed some new undergraduate degree programs based on the needs of our military students and partners. One new program is our Bachelor of Science in Applied Science and Technology degree in Health Services Technology. This degree allows military students earning an Associate in Applied Science degree in Health Studies to continue to work towards their baccalaureate degree.
Another new program we’ve launched, in conjunction with McGuire Air Force Base and Burlington County College is a Military Affairs certificate. This program addresses some of the cultural issues facing service members as they prepare to deploy overseas. It provides cultural and language skills to military personnel before deploying.
We have also partnered in the Troops to Teachers and Spouses to Teachers programs, which enable military personnel and their spouses to earn a baccalaureate degree at Thomas Edison State College and then earn a teaching certificate via an alternative route program.
Q: How would you describe your role as President of CCME [Council of College and Military Educators]?
A: My role as president is multifaceted, and centers around the mission of the council, which is to serve the individual servicemember and their family.
CCME is an international organization with a diverse membership that represents all aspects of military education, from institutions and military counselors to ESOs, affiliate members, such as DANTES and SOC, and service chiefs from every branch of voluntary education. As president, it is my responsibility to understand the needs and issues of each of our constituent groups and work with the CCME board and membership to develop solutions that collectively meet the needs and issues of our members. The policies and the customer service methods that we utilize reflect our mission.
In addition, I am also responsible for planning and organizing CCME’s annual symposium. The 2008 event is scheduled for February 18-21 in San Francisco. We’re expecting a very dynamic program this year, and hope all of your readers will attend. ♦
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