Distance Education Degree Programs for Adult Learners. Accredited. Affordable. Flexible. FINISH AHEAD SM An education for life. The School of Liberal Arts. > More than 100,000 students already graduated!
Fast Facts and Figures No residency requirement means getting a jump-start on your degree. Apply many of the credits you ve already earned. (Excelsior College has repeatedly been ranked #1 by U.S.News & World Report for credit acceptance.) Earn your degree in the most efficient way possible, and save time and money. Learn at your own pace online, via CD-ROM, with credit-by-exam or even in the classroom. It s your choice. Liberal Arts Degree Programs Associate in Arts Associate in Science Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Science Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Our criminal justice major offers five areas of emphasis, including Homeland Security. Make a positive impact on your personal and professional life like more than 100,000 Excelsior College graduates. Indicates testimonial Indicates online availability Copyright 2005 Excelsior College. Excelsior College is a registered servicemark of Excelsior College. All rights reserved.
This is your opportunity to do something you ve always wanted. Make the most of your ambition, earn your degree and move your career forward. Excelsior College is just the place. As one of the leading accredited distance learning institutions in the country, we offer everything you want from higher education. Take on the same kind of challenge and energy of a traditional education. Benefit from respected, high quality academics. And join alumni who are valued by employers and widely accepted into graduate programs and management positions. More important, we give you what you need from higher education, such as the flexibility to fit learning into your life. We also provide you with the opportunity to transfer many of the credits you ve already earned so you can finish ahead of expectations. You ll come away from this experience enriched and ready to take on any personal or professional challenge you choose. All with the satisfaction of knowing you ve achieved your goal. Go for it. 1
Ruben Acevedo, Jr. Bachelor of Science, Liberal Studies Getting my degree wasn t so much a luxury as it was the key to my livelihood. I needed a four-year degree in order to receive a promotion and continue my career. Thanks to Excelsior College s flexible programming, I was able to study anytime and did it. All anyone has to do is make it a priority. Earn a degree that earns respect. Current. Relevant. Practical. The quality of the Excelsior College curriculum is excellent, developed by our outstanding faculty drawn from some of the finest colleges, universities and other institutions in the country. 2
Afford the education you ve always dreamed of. Excelsior College isn t just accredited and highly respected, it s affordable. That s because we accept many of the credits you may have already earned. And, we let you complete your degree in the most efficient way possible, saving you time and money. Flexibility makes Excelsior College a great option for adult learners especially if you re self motivated. Being able to study when and where I needed to made earning my degree possible. That, and an incredibly affordable program. Dale Freeman Bachelor of Science, Liberal Studies 3
Rosie Henton Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Studies As a single mom with a special needs child, earning my Excelsior College degree was a long haul there were lots of late nights and early mornings spent studying. But I wanted to better myself, and now I can say that I have. The commencement ceremony with my family and friends made it all feel like a dream come true. 4 Design a degree completion plan that fits your life. Beyond the convenience of our distance education with credit-by-exam, portfolio assessment and coursework online, on CD-ROM or in the classroom at an institution of your choosing* Excelsior College lets you design a degree completion plan that s compatible with your work and home life. *Excelsior College accepts credits from a wide variety of sources represented by those listed on our Sources of Undergraduate Credit chart in our academic catalogs. In general, Excelsior College accepts credits from those colleges and universities that are regionally accredited; those recognized by the New York State Education Department; and those that have been evaluated by the Excelsior College faculty and are found to follow acceptable educational practices and apply toward our degree programs.
Move your career forward. Exceed your own expectations. No matter what degree program you choose, Excelsior College offers the perfect combination of quality academics and real convenience so you can balance work, family and education. It s no wonder our graduates excel. Thanks to Excelsior College accepting my previous credits, I ve become the first in my family to earn a degree and advance my career. Now I want to pursue a master s degree in public administration and inspire my young son into following in my footsteps. Linda Anderson Bachelor of Science, Liberal Studies 5
Open your mind to the liberal arts. In many ways, a liberal arts education is an education for life it prepares you to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world. And the Excelsior College School of Liberal Arts offers a breadth of academic experiences designed not just to open your mind, but to open opportunities for personal and professional growth. All it takes is discipline. For each of the associate and bachelor s degrees, you can choose from nearly 50 areas of focus. Bachelor s degree students can choose from these majors: - Area Studies - Biology - Chemistry - Communication - Journalism - Rhetoric and Public Address - Theatre - Professional and Organizational Communication - Radio, TV, Video and Film Get ahead right from the start. - Criminal Justice* - Administration of Criminal Justice - Corrections - Law and Society - Law Enforcement and Public Safety - Homeland Security - Economics - Geography - Geology - History - Literature in English - Mathematics - At enrollment, students may transfer in previously earned credits. - Most of the requirements for these programs may be met through Excelsior College courses offered online and via CD-ROM and Excelsior College Examinations. - Music - Philosophy - Physics - Political Science - Psychology - Sociology - World Language and Literature *Bachelor of Science degree only. 6
Delve into the human experience. Associate Degrees in Liberal Arts The Associate in Liberal Arts curriculum teaches students to write effectively and think analytically, while allowing you to explore the nature of the various liberal arts fields of study and provides the basis for bachelor s degree studies or career advancement. Associate in Arts Degree The Associate in Arts degree requires a minimum of 60 semester hours comprising at least 48 hours in the arts and sciences, and another 12 hours in applied professional courses, additional arts and sciences courses or a combination of both. Associate in Science Degree The Associate in Science degree requires a minimum of 60 semester hours comprising at least 30 hours in the arts and sciences, and another 30 hours in applied professional courses, additional arts and sciences courses or a combination of both. What graduates are saying about a Liberal Arts degree. Since earning my degree, I ve been promoted from a lab technician at General Dynamics to a research biologist with a 50% increase in salary! Pok Cha Samarrai Bachelor of Science, Liberal Studies Learn more about the resources available to liberal arts students from live chat with study partners, Excelsior College Virtual Library and Excelsior College Bookstore, to practice exams. Go to www.excelsior.edu. 7
Pursue a program you feel passionate about. Bachelor s Degrees in Liberal Arts The principal objectives of the Bachelor of Science degree programs are to provide you with fundamental knowledge of your chosen field of study, as well as to prepare you for graduate specialization. The Bachelor of Arts Degree The Bachelor of Arts degree requires a minimum of 120 semester hours comprising at least 90 hours (30 upper level) in the arts and sciences, and another 30 hours in applied professional courses, additional arts and sciences courses or a combination of both. The Bachelor of Science Degree The Bachelor of Science degree requires a minimum of 120 semester hours comprising at least 60 hours (21 upper level) in the arts and sciences, and another 60 hours (9 upper level) in applied professional courses, additional arts and sciences courses or a combination of both. Flexible Liberal Studies option. Rather than focus your major on a specific study area, go ahead and pursue a broader range of courses that match your interests. Visit www.excelsior.edu for complete program details! 8 Many of the requirements for these degree programs may be met by taking Excelsior College Examinations and courses.
What graduates are saying about Excelsior College. Excelsior College accepted credits from the nine different colleges I d attended all over the world. Now with my degree, I can look at becoming a government contractor and earn about $12,000 more a year. David Michaud Bachelor of Science, Liberal Studies 9
Become an expert. The Master of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies For personal or career growth, our interdisciplinary master s degree (MALS) program lets you combine theory with real world application empowering you with the knowledge and skills necessary to become an expert in an area of your interest. The Master of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies lets you apply up to 15 graduate-level credits to fulfill requirements and is entirely online, allowing you to study and learn from home or work. This interdisciplinary program is divided into three tiers totaling 33 credits: Tier I: 12 credits Start with a strong, interdisciplinary core. You begin the master s degree program by working one-on-one with a faculty member in our Graduate Research and Writing tutorial (3 credits) to learn how to conduct scholarly research, write in an academic voice and format a graduate paper or thesis. You then continue with three of our core courses. Tier II: 15 credits Focus on your studies with flexible options. You may fulfill part of this requirement by choosing any or all of the courses available in Tier I that you have not yet taken. And earn 6 of the required 15 credit hours from non-liberal disciplines such as technology, management or education, if the subject matter relates to the thesis topic you choose for Tier III. Tier III: 6 credits Complete your degree with individualized study. You customize the final component of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program, along with your Academic Advisor and Faculty Mentor. And you complete your core study with research on your focus topic distilled through either a thesis, creative project or in-depth investigation of a current real-world issue. Five ways to focus your MALS. Work with an Academic Advisor to select an appropriate course of study in one of five optional tracks: Issues in Today s Society Global Strategies Educational Leadership Natural Science and Society Self-Design Here are a few sample thesis topics from several of our program candidates. - Ordinance as it relates to Civil War strategy - Factors affecting the success of inner-city children - Conflict in Kashmir - The effect of instant news 10
Everything you need to succeed. Excelsior College sponsors a wide range of academic and financial resources, so no matter what your discipline from science to arts you have all the support you need to complete your degree. Academic Advisors When you enroll, you re assigned a team of Academic Advisors to guide you through degree completion. And they re available to you however you need them to be by phone, email or fax. Electronic Peer Network (EPN) Our EPN is an online community where you can interact with other students and Excelsior College staff. It s a great way to find study partners, join study groups, discuss course topics with peers, buy and sell textbooks, prep for exams and more. Excelsior College Virtual Library Our Virtual Library is available to you in collaboration with the Sheridan Libraries of The Johns Hopkins University giving you access to millions of the world s most current and authoritative resources, plus staff librarians who can help with your research and study needs. Excelsior College Examinations Excelsior College Examinations are among the most affordable ways to earn college credit toward your degree. You can choose from over 40 upper- and lower-level exams and earn three or more college credits each! MyEC Create your own MyEC account at our state-of-the-art Web site to customize a variety of online services according to your individual degree requirements including a course library offering a wide variety of courses and exams. Excelsior College Bookstore This is your place to purchase textbooks, Guided Learning Packages to study and prepare for exams, software and other study supplies. Available online or via fax or phone. Online Writing and Tutoring Services Take advantage of experienced tutors who can help you practice for select Excelsior College Examinations and improve your writing skills. Excelsior College Payment Plans Budget your tuition and fees affordably with the Excelsior College Payment Plans and simply spread your costs over an easy payment schedule. Or, work with our Financial Aid Office for help accessing alternative funding.* *Excelsior College is not Title IV eligible. 11
Finish ahead. (You re this close.) Find out how many of your credits apply.* When you enroll at Excelsior College, the first thing we do is determine how many of your previously earned credits will apply to your degree program so you don t have to repeat courses you ve already completed. Graduate! Excelsior College degrees are conferred throughout the year, so as soon as your Academic Advisors say you ve met your degree requirements, you ll graduate and come celebrate at our annual commencement ceremony. Enroll and design your degree completion plan. Submit your enrollment form with your fee and official transcripts. Once enrolled, you ll work with a team of Academic Advisors to design a degree plan. And they ll guide you through to completion. Meet your requirements at your own pace. Choose the credit-earning options that work best for you. Take courses. Study independently. Have your portfolio assessed. Take your Excelsior College Examinations whenever you re ready and stay on track. You ll see, it ll be worth the effort. *If you re still deciding whether to enroll, you also have the option to send us your Undergraduate Application for Admission and official transcripts, to find out how many of your previously earned credits may apply. For complete program details, visit www.excelsior.edu. 12
APPLY TODAY. FINISH AHEAD. Visit www.excelsior.edu and go to MyEC to customize your Web experience. Or call 888-647-2388 or 518-464-8500; at the prompt press 2-7.
7 Columbia Circle, Albany, New York 12203-5159 Phone: toll free 888-647-2388 or 518-464-8500 TDD: 518-464-8501 Fax: 518-464-8777 www.excelsior.edu Accreditation Regional accreditation signifies to all that a college or university maintains standards that qualify its graduates for professional practice and admission to higher or more specialized institutions. Excelsior College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. This regional accreditation is the standard in the U.S. and is a preferred status because it means that a geographically centered governing agency regularly witnesses the College s performance and adherence to standards and offers ongoing approval. Excelsior College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-662-5606. The Commission of Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Excelsior College accepts students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin. The associate, baccalaureate and master s degree programs in nursing are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, 800-669-1656. The NLNAC is a specialized accrediting agency for nursing recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The baccalaureate degree programs in electronics engineering technology and nuclear engineering technology are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202, 410-347-7700. The TAC of ABET is a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program has been accepted into full membership by the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs. This constitutes accreditation in the field of graduate liberal studies. All of the College s academic programs are registered (i.e., approved) by the New York State Education Department. Excelsior College Examinations are recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE), Center for Adult Learning and Educational Credentials, for the award of college-level credit. Excelsior College Examinations in nursing are the only nursing exams approved by ACE. Excelsior College accepts students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin. 2005 Excelsior College EX0190; 06/05