Thomas Edison State University (TESU) and Aviation High School in Long Island City, N.Y., on Monday announced they signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to streamline the path from technical certification to a college degree.
The agreement allows students who earn their FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanical certifications to receive college credit through TESU’s Professional Learning Review process.
Under the new MOU, students can apply their earned credits directly toward several specialized TESU degree programs designed to reduce the time and cost associated with obtaining a higher education degree in the aviation industry.
Eligible TESU Degree Programs Include:
- Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Support
- Associate of Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management
- Bachelor of Science in Technical Studies
A unique feature of this partnership is the Individual Learning Account (ILA). Students can choose to place their earned credits on an official TESU transcript even if they are not yet enrolled in a full degree program. This provides maximum flexibility, allowing students to hold these credits in a “digital vault” and transfer them to other institutions if their academic goals evolve.
“This collaboration is a powerful step forward,” Merodie Hancock, president of TESU said. “By recognizing the value of college-level learning at Aviation High School, we are not only expanding opportunity for students but also accelerating their pathways to degree completion.”
As the aviation industry faces a global shortage of qualified maintenance technicians and managers, programs that bridge the gap between vocational training and academic degrees are becoming increasingly vital.
For more information regarding the Credit for Prior Learning Program, prospective students and parents can contact the Professional Learning Review office at CPL@tesu.edu.
