Kristin Schoenleber, assistant director of Curriculum Administration and Evaluation at the University.

Learn how to use our Academic Evaluation to your best advantage with this step-by-step video guide.

New Course Alert: The Office of Continuing and Professional Studies at the University's John S. Watson School of Public Service and Continuing Studies has launched a certification prep course for those interested in becoming certified project managers, project coordinators, project analysts, project leaders, product managers, program managers, operations managers, stakeholders or senior managers who want to be more effective in project management. Online courses are scheduled to begin May 1. Click here to learn more.

Get the Most Out of Your Academic Evaluation

by Kristin Schoenleber, Assistant Director of Curriculum Administration and Evaluation

As an enrolled Thomas Edison State University (TESU) student, you have access to a valuable and unique degree-planning tool, your Academic Evaluation.

Your Academic Evaluation (evaluation) is customized just for you. A living document that shows where your previously earned credits fit into your academic program and which courses you need to complete to satisfy your degree requirements, it serves as an ongoing guide as you complete your degree requirements.

Here are some of the ways you can get the most out of your evaluation:

• Review your Academic Evaluation thoroughly. We encourage you to walk through your evaluation with an academic advisor, either by phone or in person. Advising staff are eager to assist you with questions or concerns. It may also be helpful to visit our Explaining Your Evaluation webpage for answers to frequently asked questions and a video on understanding your evaluation.


• Keep an eye on the 'Program Summary' section as you track your progress. This section indicates the number of completed credits you have and the number of credits remaining to complete your degree requirements. Our students tell us that seeing their credits applied to their degree program as they complete their courses is a great motivator. Additionally, the Program Summary allows you to keep track of your grade point average (GPA). Since there are TESU policies and scholarship programs in which your GPA may be a factor, this could be an important component to consider.
  


• Be sure to look beyond the program requirements section. Review any notes at the bottom of your evaluation. These notes may include detailed policies about your specific academic program, demonstration of course currency and transcript requests, and offer suggestions on other degree programs that may fit your objectives.
  


• Click on the links while you're reviewing your evaluation online. These links connect to expanded information on our site that connects to your program objectives.


• Maintain contact with your advisor. Academic advisors can provide valuable input and assist you in planning your remaining degree requirements. Your advisor can plan courses with you for specific program requirements and provide you with a detailed explanation of what to expect as you progress through your degree program. Additionally, course methods, prerequisites, acceptable transfer courses, course registration, interpretation of TESU policies and graduation preparation can become part of the discussion.


• Utilize your evaluation during your entire degree journey. Your evaluation is designed to be a long-term degree planning tool. Additionally, you will see status indicators for your overall degree program as well as for specific requirements under three categories: In Progress, Not Started or Complete. These indicators will keep you aware of how far you’ve come and what’s left to complete, culminating in the phrase we can all celebrate, "Program Complete."
  

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