excelsior-college

Degrees Offered at Excelsior College

Excelsior College appears in our ranking of the Top ten Online Colleges for Adults.

Areas of study available at Excelsior College include business, liberal arts, public service, technology, nursing, and health sciences. Students can earn degrees that range from the associate level to the graduate level. Some of the most popular degrees at Excelsior College include those in nursing and business. The college awards nearly 5,000 degrees to its online students each year. Those students graduate with degrees like a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, an Associate in Science in Criminal Justice, or a Master of Science in Health Care Administration.

One of the benefits of enrolling in a degree program at Excelsior College is that the school encourages students to bring transfer credits from other institutions. This liberal transfer policy allows students to complete their degrees with fewer credits required from the college. The college also belongs to the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Consortium, which provides additional opportunities to assist servicemembers and their families in earning college degrees.

For students interested in studying business at Excelsior College, there are associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees available, as well as some valuable dual degree tracks that allow enrollees to earn their bachelor’s and graduate degrees in less time. Students who want to earn an MBA and don’t yet have their bachelor’s degree may enroll in the dual degree track for the Bachelor of Science in Business and Master of Business Administration.

One area of study that awards degrees that come with excellent future employment potential is the area of public service. Available degrees include an Associate in Science in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and a Master of Public Administration. Excelsior College describes its online degrees in public service as flexible and affordable for students interested in advancing their careers.

Students interested in studying technology at Excelsior College and who have a military background may want to enroll in the Associate in Applied Science in Technical Studies program. Students in the military or who have served may bring their military experience into the program as transfer credits. Most degree programs at Excelsior College allow students of all backgrounds to transfer their previously earned credits toward the earning of their degree.

Other programs in technology at Excelsior College include a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Technology Management, a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology, and a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology. Graduate degrees in technology include a Master of Science in Cybersecurity, which also features a general concentration or a specialty concentration in information assurance.

About Excelsior College

Excelsior College was established in 1971 and delivers its degrees via online study. The college is private and non-profit and is divided into three different schools. Divisions include the School of Undergraduate Studies, the School of Nursing, and the School of Graduate Studies. Most of the students who attend the college are adults and are currently working in various states across the country. The college also has students studying from various international locations.

The total size of the college is around 36,000 students, and all students are enrolled online. The school was originally founded through a grant from the Ford Foundation and the Carnegie Foundation. Until 1984, the school was known as Regents College but would eventually transform into a private, non-profit institution to become Excelsior College.

Excelsior College Accreditation Details

Accreditation for Excelsior College comes from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The accreditation is valid through the 2022 school year. All programs offered by Excelsior College are also registered and approved for delivery by the New York State Education Department. In addition to state and regional approval, the college also has programs accredited by individual agencies.

The degrees in nursing at Excelsior College are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. The programs in electrical engineering technology and nuclear engineering technology have received accreditation from the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. Similarly, the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology has earned accreditation from ABET.

Excelsior College Application Requirements

Students interested in applying to Excelsior College will need to check the application requirements for their intended program. There are different requirements for programs in business, health sciences, liberal arts, nursing, public service, and technology. Documentation required generally includes the names of all colleges attended; a list of certifications held, training completed, and exams taken; and official transcripts from all college-level work.

For specific program requirements, additional items may include graduate tests like the GMAT or GRE. To complete the official application form at Excelsior College, students will create an account at MyExcelsior. Students should also submit their FAFSA form early during the application process, even if they aren’t sure yet whether they want to enroll.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Excelsior College offers half-time and full-time enrollment options to students. For a half-time student who enrolls in 12 credits during each of two trimesters, the expected cost of tuition is $6,120 for undergraduate study. Students should expect to pay around $560 for books and supplies. For a full-time student, the tuition rate for 15 credits each trimester is $15,300, and students should expect to pay $1,400 for books and supplies.

For graduate-level study, the tuition rate for full-time enrollment is $7,740, which assumes a credit load of 6 credits per trimester and a rate of $645 per credit. Students will also pay approximately $560 for books and supplies. Students may have their annual fee waived if they complete the recommended number of credits for the year. Military students and veterans will receive a reduced rate for tuition.

Financial aid at Excelsior College is available through the federal Direct Loan program, as well as through programs administered through the State of New York. Students may also qualify for scholarships from Excelsior College, as well as externals scholarships, private loans, and grants from various sources. Students will begin the financial aid process with the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Not only can students qualify for financial aid through the federal loan program, but some students may also earn scholarships from the college. Scholarships are generally awarded based on financial need, enrollment in specific degree programs, and to veterans and their family members. Some of the scholarships available at Excelsior College include the those from the Alumni Association Fund, the Citizens Bank Scholarship Fund, and the Partners in Lifelong Learning Scholarship.

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