The American Council on Education (ACE) has evaluated all four of the NJATC apprenticeship programs. The Inside Apprenticeship Program evaluation has been performed and awarded up to 60 semester credit hours, the Outside Apprenticeship Program has been awarded 25 semester credit hours, the Residential Apprenticeship Program has been awarded 17 semester credit hours and the Telecommunications Installer-Technician Apprenticeship Program has been awarded 37 semester credit hours.

Pellissippi State Technical Community College (PSTCC) offers two online degrees of interest to all IBEW and NECA members. The first is an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in general technology with an emphasis in Electrical Construction. This degree can run concurrent with your apprenticeship or be started as a journeyman. The degree is comprised of 15 - 17 credits in general education, 9 - 10 credits of a technology core and 36 credits of major and guided electives. Thirty of the thirty-six elective credits will be granted with proof of completion of your apprenticeship as ACE credits. All education core credits are available online. The AAS in General Technology is a terminal degree and only 16 to 20 credits are likely to transfer to a 4 year institution.

The second degree option is a two year Associate of Science Degree (AS) which will meet the general education requirements for the four year baccalaureate degree in Construction Management Technology. You may switch to this degree path at any time; however, the sooner you make this decision the less credit you will lose. This AS degree is offered entirely online through PSTCC. You must complete college English and math at a local institution before being admitted to PSTCC. This online degree program is designed to meet most four year institution general education requirements. It will transfer seamlessly to the four year degree in Construction Management Technology at Middle Tennessee State University.

Middle Tennessee State University began admitting students into this program in Fall 2003. The MTSU Construction Management Degree, with an emphasis in electrical construction, is designed to teach electrical theory and practice, electronics, construction laws, codes and materials and other topics relevant to construction management. The degree requires 120 credit hours to graduate. Thirty-three semester hours must be completed through MTSU. Work experience and apprenticeship training will be evaluated and considered toward 20 upper division credits required by MTSU. This particular program is designed for individuals who have already completed some college coursework. Students should have completed 50 transferable semester hours from an accredited institution. Included in those hours should be: two transferable, college-level English courses and; one transferable, college-level math course.

Courses for the MTSU program are designed to meet the needs of distance learners. Both video tapes and online methods will be used to teach the courses. The program may also require that the individual spend one week per year at the MTSU campus during the summer in conjunction with the National Training Institute for some courses. This week will be a time of presentations, hands-on projects and some examinations.

For more information on the Middle Tennessee State University Bachelor's Degree Program, you can contact Dr. David Hatfield, Construction Programs Director at dhatfiel@mtsu.edu. To be placed on the mailing list for updates on these programs and any future opportunities or if you have additional questions, you may call Steve Anderson at the NJATC's International Training Center at (865)380-9044 x 12.

The NJATC continues to offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the University of Tennessee to those participating in NJATC skills upgrade training courses being taught on the local level, as well as all NJATC sponsored training programs. This program DOES NOT apply to the regular apprenticeship curriculum, but does count for credit for apprentices who complete other NJATC courses offered by the Local JATC. CEUs are an excellent way to record an individual's course work in transcript form. It also provides a record that can be accessed at any time as proof of courses completed. Many states require individuals to take additional course work to keep certifications and credentials active. All programs should be taking advantage of this opportunity. Local programs wishing to offer CEUs for specific courses should contact the NJATC for details on how to establish CEU qualifying courses.