Thomas Edison State University (TESU) and the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Center (EASCTC) have expanded their educational partnership, opening up opportunities for hundreds of skilled trades professionals across seven states to convert their technical training into college credit.
The expanded collaboration builds on an existing agreement, extending TESU’s evaluation reach to six new EASCTC training centers across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Under the updated agreement, eligible union members can now earn up to 74 college credits for completing apprenticeship programs across seven distinct trades:
- Carpenter
- Millwright
- Piledriver
- Cabinetmaker
- Floor Layer
- Upholsterer
- Locksmith
The credit evaluations are conducted through TESU’s Professional Learning Review (PLR) process, managed by the University’s Office of Professional Learning Reviews. Rather than relying solely on individual student evaluations, the PLR program conducts programmatic reviews of structured workplace training, industry-recognized credentials, and apprenticeship curricula to determine college-level equivalencies.
“By expanding this partnership, we are helping more skilled trades professionals translate the knowledge and expertise they have gained through apprenticeship training into college credit, creating new opportunities to complete a degree, advance their careers and achieve their educational goals,” TESU President Merodie Hancock, sid.
By turning rigorous hands-on apprenticeship training and on-the-job experience into academic credit, the initiative significantly cuts both the time and total tuition costs required for union members to complete an associate or bachelor’s degree.
Founded in 1972, Thomas Edison State University has long specialized in adult education and non-traditional learning assessment. The university’s partnership with EASCTC highlights a growing national effort to bridge the gap between technical trade certifications and formal postsecondary education.
How to apply
Union members interested in transferring their apprenticeship training to college credit can learn more by visiting tesu.edu/plrstudent. Prospective students can also contact TESU Admissions directly at [email protected] or (609) 777-5680. Applicants are encouraged to mention “PLR Credit” when calling to ensure proper routing of their inquiries.
