David Neuman is an emergency services professional who received a healthy dose of college-level knowledge – just by doing his job.
"After 19 years in the field of emergency services, I found that much of my required training and certifications came in very handy for me when it came time to evaluate my college-level experience at Thomas Edison State College," said Neuman, who is pursuing a
BA degree in criminal justice. "In all, I was able to earn 39 credits – almost one third of the credits needed to complete a bachelor's degree – based on what I learned on the job and in my career."
Like many professional emergency responders, Neuman has received extensive and strenuous training. He said the College's various methods that enable students to earn credit for professional training and by demonstrating college-level knowledge earned outside a traditional classroom were a perfect fit for him.
"While I was an emergency services captain with Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, they required that I attend classes and obtain New Jersey State Fire Inspector and Fire Official certifications. Those classes were approved as transfer credits by the College, amounting to 8 credits toward my degree," noted Neuman. "My employer also required me to maintain a N.J. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification, which the College automatically recognized as 4 more credits. Online Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) self-study classes I took were evaluated for another 7 credits. Generic on the job experience was instrumental in helping me pass a 3-credit DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) exam."
In addition, Neuman earned 15 credits through the College's
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program, which authenticated his college-level knowledge, and he was able to apply 24 of 27 free elective credits toward his degree.
Neuman noted that one of the advantages in PLA is the variety of ways students can demonstrate competency. Video, audio, print, reports, corroborating material from supervisors – anything that authenticates college-level expertise can be added to a student's dossier.
Students undertaking PLA should develop a dialogue with their mentor and make sure expectations for completing the PLA are completely clear.
"In the beginning of the PLA process, I developed an outline for the written assessment using the listed objectives," he said. "After the mentor approved the outline, I took the listed objectives from the assessment and used them as the sections for my written submission. I made sure to emphasize the application of my professional training to real life experiences."
He followed this up by gathering all the documentation that would substantiate his accomplishments including descriptions of training sessions, certification outlines, proof of certification, diplomas and letters of attainment from his employers.
"I completed five PLAs at the College (15 credits), and probably could have taken a few more," said Neuman, who has also completed
Guided Study and
online courses courses at the College. "I'm grateful that the College recognizes the ability of adult learners who've gathered this knowledge over the years. I encourage everyone, particularly if you have many years in your chosen field, to investigate just how much college credit you'll obtain from your work experience. I know I was pleasantly surprised!"
For his core areas of study, Neuman said he prefered the College's online courses because of the vibrancy of the Discussion Boards and exchanges he found so meaningful with others in the field of emergency services.
While some might say that Neuman is as self-directed as they come, he is quick to point out that the support he received from the College's staff clinched his success as a student.
"An on-the-job knee injury put me out on disability. After extensive rehabilitation, it was decided that I physically couldn't return to my former job," he said. "I eagerly anticipate a return to the work force though, and my bachelor's degree will go a long way toward allowing me greater opportunities. I worked closely with the Office of Student Special Services (OSS) from the beginning. I also worked with the Office of the Bursar where the staff was always eager to help. There's always a method to get answers to common questions at the College (
Web site,
myEdison® Help Desk,
FAQs pages), but it was the staff's personal responses to my unconventional situation that I will always appreciate."
Boasting a 3.8 G.P.A., with his bachelor's course work behind him, he is now eagerly awaiting the results of his graduation audit.
Neuman and his wife, Penny, live in Fairless Hills, Pa. They have two children – David, who is 12, and Alyssa, who is 9 years old.
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