Excelsior College (Trocaire)

360 Choate Ave, Buffalo, NY

Excelsior College is located in Albany, New York.  It is an online, long-distance learning institution that provides access to higher education for the adult learner.  Excelsior places an emphasis on educating those historically underrepresented in higher education.  This mission to encourage the goals and aspirations of those who might not normally have access to higher education is reflected in its name: Excelsior means "ever upward" in Latin.

Excelsior College is the largest educator of nurses in the United States.

History

Excelsior College was founded in 1971 as Regents College.  It was chartered as a private, non-profit institution in 1998.  It was renamed Excelsior College in 2001. 

Academics

Excelsior College allows students around the world the opportunity to earn academic credit at a distance and also assesses their previously earned college credits that may be applied toward one of its degree or certificate programs.  Students fit their studies into their busy schedules of work and family life, through courses that are available on CD-Rom or online 24/7.  15-week semesters or accelerated 8-week semesters are available.  Most courses are offered every other month.

Excelsior College awards undergraduate and graduate degrees through 27 flexible degree programs, and professional certificates through eight credit-bearing certificate programs.  Associate and bachelor's degrees are awarded in liberal arts, nursing, business, technology, and health sciences.  Master's degrees are awarded in liberal studies, nursing and business.  The schools of Business & Technology, Health Sciences, Liberal Arts and Nursing offer certificates.

Schools

Excelsior College offers more than 30 degree and certification programs across four schools:

• School of Nursing
• School of Business and Technology
• School of Health Sciences
• School of Liberal Arts

Excelsior College's Centers of Learning provide access to resources, services and training for professional and career development.

• Center for Professional Development - Online, non-credit programs for career enhancement or professional certificates.
• Center for Technology Leadership - Onsite professional development programs that provide training, advising and networking for aspiring chief information officers (CIOs) and those new to the CIO position.

Student Life

Excelsior College meets students where they are, both academically and geographically.

More than 85 percent of Excelsior College's students live outside of its home state of New York.  More than 25 percent of the College's students are active-duty or reserve military personnel.  The average age of students at Excelsior is 39. The more than 136,000 graduates of Excelsior College have benefited from education that is accredited, affordable, flexible and convenient.

Fraternities and Sororities

Due to its status as a long-distance education institution and focus on adult learners, Excelsior College has no fraternities or sororities.

Community Life

Excelsior College's resources and services can be accesses from anywhere and include academic advisors, tutoring and writing services, a library, career center, and student online success guide.  For those seeking more peer-oriented support and community, there is a Study Buddy Finder that helps you locate study partners, as well as the My Excelsior Community, which provides students the opportunity to interact socially and academically online.

Graduates are encouraged to volunteer for many of the Excelsior community's programs and activities.  Students are encouraged to come to commencement in Albany, NY, or to attend regional events to meet and socialize with fellow alums.  Excelsior College's "Live & Learn" magazine, available online, includes interviews with past graduates and provides and annual report of highlights and achievements.