Learner Designed Area of Study (LDAS)
What is a Learner Designed Area of Study (LDAS)?
The Learner Designed Area of Study provides students who have acquired diversified college level knowledge with the opportunity to create a new area of study that will optimize their educational goals and support career aspirations. College level knowledge may be acquired through transfer credit from other accredited institutions, Thomas Edison State College course work, Prior Learning Assessment, or any other credit earning method currently approved by the college. The purpose of the Learner Designed Area of Study is to permit students to combine multiple discipline knowledge fields or emerging disciplines into a single degree.
The Learner Designed Area of Study provides students who have acquired diversified college level knowledge with the opportunity to create a new area of study that will optimize their educational goals and support career aspirations. College level knowledge may be acquired through transfer credit from other accredited institutions, Thomas Edison State College course work, Prior Learning Assessment, or any other credit earning method currently approved by the college. The purpose of the Learner Designed Area of Study is to permit students to combine multiple discipline knowledge fields or emerging disciplines into a single degree.
How do I develop my LDAS?
- The student will examine their own educational and professional background to select an area of study they believe will accomplish their career goals.
- The student will research their desired area of study to determine if the area is coherent, distinct and unique and does not replicate existing Thomas Edison State College degree program areas of study.
- The student will write a one paragraph description of their LDAS that articulates in general terms, what their LDAS will accomplish.
- The student will develop a list of specific outcomes that he or she will achieve upon successful completion of their LDAS. Students should review outcomes from Thomas Edison State College other degree programs as well as from other regionally accredited institutions for examples of appropriate outcomes.
- The student will develop a coherent plan of study (list of specific, existing courses) to meet the unique learning outcomes of the LDAS.
- The student submits their application to the appropriate school for review and approval.
- Definitions:
- Description
- The description is a one paragraph narrative that describes the LDAS concept that you plan to complete. It must focus on your specific goal for the LDAS and will guide the development of your outcomes and plan of study.
- Outcome
- An outcome is a brief statement that clearly defines a college level skill, ability or result that will be achieved, based on successful completion of a learning activity. Your list of outcomes may range from 3 or 4 to as many as 6 or 7, but you must be sure that your outcomes can be achieved by completing your plan of study.
- Plan of Study
- Your plan will specify the specific courses that you will complete, or have completed, that will directly achieve your desired list of outcomes. These courses may be Thomas Edison State College courses, or courses that will be transferred in from another regionally accredited institution, or courses evaluated by the American Council of Education (ACE).
- Undergraduate Programs
