Excelsior: no majors for Liberal Arts?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by HikaruBr, Feb 4, 2010.

Loading...
  1. HikaruBr

    HikaruBr Member

    I'm totally confused with Excelsior right now.

    I've tried to apply just to see how many of my credits would be applicable to a Second BA in Communication Media Studies.

    But, for my surprise, in the application form in CANNOT choose this degree program or any other "major" from the Liberal Arts Catalog. The only option for Liberal Arts is Criminal Justice Major or "no major".

    So, I'm really confused here. Are those "majors" in the Liberal Arts catalog not really majors?

    Of course I've sent a email to Excelsior about this, but I'm still waiting for a reply.
     
  2. TMW2009

    TMW2009 New Member

    Once you apply and have your unofficial evaluation done (which can take three weeks or more,) if you enroll in the school, you can then choose a Major from the list for the Liberal Arts degree.

    I believe this is because of the way the unofficial evaluations are done, and the fact that you don't have access to anyone other than the Admissions Advisors during this time (to get you 'in the door' as it were.) The enrollment advisors have more specific knowledge and experience working with the majors.
     
  3. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Excelsior BA/BS degrees are available with a major - descriptions of majors start on page 30 of their School of Liberal Arts catalog.

    Note that you can't use credits that have been applied previously to a degree. A second bachelors degree needs a minumim of 30 semester units. Plus if you have a graduate degree I believe you need permission to enroll in a second BS/BA degree
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 4, 2010
  4. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Strike the last sentence.
    Rules on 2nd degrees are described on page 35 of this document:
    https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/Publications/Student_Policy_Handbook.pdf
     
  5. HikaruBr

    HikaruBr Member

    Ian, I'm pretty aware what the catalog says about the majors (just re-read my original post). My point is that although they have the major in the catalog, when you apply online YOU CANNOT CHOOSE a Liberal Arts with major.

    THe option is not there.

    I've just received a reply from Excelsior - they told me the online application form doesn't let me choose the majors (that odd if you ask me...) for that I have to apply by mail and ask my application to be evaluated for the major I want.

    I don't know, that just doesn't give me a good impression of the school - Excelsior is supposed to be a "virtual" college and they can't even setup a proper application system online?
     
  6. Alissa

    Alissa New Member

    They removed the major options from the application a year or two ago. They still offer all of their major options, but they prefer that students wait to make their decisions pending an official evaluation and discussion with an adviser.
     
  7. TonyM

    TonyM Member

    I wish they would change their terminology

    Excelsior should drop the term "application" and replace it with something like "request for evaluation of credits" or something that lets people know they're not yet enrolling. Excelsior's "enroll" is the same as what other schools call "apply". I think it slows people down who are ready to sign up. Usually, when someone decides on a college they "apply" and wait to be accepted. If they "apply" to Excelsior they get an evaluation that tells what might happen if they enroll.

    I graduated with a BLS from Excelsior in 2002. My initial evaluation was much different (much more conservative) than what Excelsior awarded when I enrolled. Once I enrolled the advisors moved me along quickly. Every time I'd have an idea for a class or test to fill a requirement they'd give a quick answer and I'd get started. At the end we put together a plan for me to take my last 21 semester hours in CLEP and Dantes tests and I was done in a few weeks!

    I'd gotten involved with the school when I was an undergraduate online at K-State and wanted to apply for a job that required a 2-year degree. I'd looked over the requirements and realized I have the right credits for an A.S. I sent my transcripts and the degree came so quickly that I wondered why I was bothering with a standard semester system. I then enrolled in the Excelsior BLS and knocked a couple of years off my education. I finished in Oct. 2002 and was working on a master's at Tiffin by Jan, 03 and had the master's done when I probably would have otherwise still be working on my BS!

    As a side note, I will say that Excelsior has treated me very well over the years and was one of the best decisions I've made. I was able to turn a lot of false starts into a BLS degree with a history focus and get accepted into the graduate programs I've wanted. Another nice thing has been the transcript updates. Every time I've taken a class or earned some type of credit they've let me add the courses to my transcript for a $25 fee. So, basically any alumnus can add new CLEP, college credit or any type of credit the school awards for a lifetime. It just shows up after the degree award on the transcript. It's basically their credit banking service for alumni. I'm planning on turning my history/social-science background into a math/science one for some new plans I have. I mention all this because the original poster seems maybe to be a lifelong learner.
     
  8. HikaruBr

    HikaruBr Member

    You're right, I am one and as you I had so many false starts...

    I ended up finishing a BA in History (on campus, in a prestigious brazilian university) just to graduate in something but I have never worked nor do I want to work with History academically.

    (I've been working with Media/3d/Film/Tv for the last six years)

    But I do have so many Communication/Media/3d credits under my belt that I think I could get a BA in Communications Media Studies from Excelsior really fast.

    It's not something that I really need but if I can get a second one so fast, why not?

    That's why I wanted the evaluation and that's why I was disappointed with the no major option.
     
  9. datapoly

    datapoly Member

    Just for info.

    I have verify with Excelsior College Admission office before. For the School of Liberal Studies, the degree conferred for a major in Psychology , for example is titled :

    Bachelors of Science in Liberal Arts with a major in Psychology.
     
  10. TMW2009

    TMW2009 New Member

    According to the catalog and people who've received degrees with majors from Excelsior, the degree itself says 'Bachelors of Science in <Major>'
    (for a BSPsy, it would be 'Bachelors of Science in Psychology')
     
  11. datapoly

    datapoly Member

    interesting. I know the degree is printed just as " bachelor of science".

    However, what are the wording in the transcript?
    Is it bachelor of science major in abc or bachelor of science in liberal studies major in abc?

    Can someone confirmed please?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 6, 2010

Share This Page