What Are the Areas of Study at Excelsior University?

So, you’ve decided you’re ready to earn your degree? Congratulations! And if you’ve just discovered Excelsior University, welcome! Higher education is a big step, but it’s one that will positively impact your life and your career in countless ways for years to come. And what comes next in your educational journey is deciding just what to study. As an online university, Excelsior offers dozens of degree programs at every level in business, health sciences, liberal arts, nursing, public service, and technology.

Since 1971, when we were founded by the New York State Board of Regents and known as the Regents External Degree Program, through our transformation into Regents College and later Excelsior College, finally becoming Excelsior University in 2022, our focus has always been on providing education opportunities to adult learners. Whether you want to start a new career or take your current career to the next level, we’ll guide you through each of Excelsior’s six areas of study, along with their degree programs and career paths, so you can find your perfect fit.

Excelsior’s Areas of Study
Business
Health Sciences
Liberal Arts
Nursing
Public Service
Technology

What Can You Do with a Business Degree?

The beauty of a business degree is its versatility. Because core business skills like critical thinking, analytics, and strategy are sought after in every industry, your career options won’t be limited, but some of the most common business careers include positions in finance, marketing, and human resources. You could find yourself working in health care administration, nonprofit leadership, or even government positions. A business degree can also help you start or grow your own business as an entrepreneur. A perk of continuing your education is that a graduate business degree remains a sought-after qualification for leadership positions in most industries, ensuring possibilities for career growth.

What Business Degrees Does Excelsior University Offer?

From general to specialized, business degrees run the gamut. Students just starting their careers should consider the AAS in Administrative and Management Studies for a foundation in business basics. At the bachelor’s level, the BPS in Business and Management and the BS in Business are both designed to take your existing skills further as you grow your career or continue your education. The MBA, MS in Human Resource Management with an Emphasis in Diversity and Technology, MS in Management, and MS in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Technology and Data Analytics are excellent fits for industry veterans seeking to hone their leadership skills and keep their resumes competitive.

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What Is a Health Sciences Degree?

Degrees in health science apply scientific principles to understand and improve health and wellness of communities and individuals. Students can expect a curriculum that includes topics like math, ethics, and science as well as courses that focus specifically on health care policy, research methods, and health care systems. This degree is perfect for someone who has a talent for combining analytical and scientific knowledge with empathy and communication skills. However, it’s not specific to nursing or patient care. If that’s your focus, see Excelsior’s nursing programs below.

What Health Sciences Degrees Does Excelsior University Offer?

Excelsior offers an AS in Health Sciences, for students entering the health care field, and three bachelor’s programs for professionals to continue their education. The BS in Health Sciences prepares you for a career in a spectrum of health care settings, from hospitals to treatment centers to nonclinical health organizations; the BS in Health Care Management program focuses on the higher-level skills needed to manage large health care systems and programs; and the BS in Public Health program explores public health challenges, past and present, to cultivate the leadership and critical thinking necessary to advocate for healthier communities. Master’s-level programs in health sciences and health care administration are designed for those who and seeking positions of leadership and influence in both health care business and public policy making.

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What Is a Liberal Arts Degree?

A liberal arts degree is all about developing the intellectual building blocks designed to shape students into critical thinkers, effective communicators, and considered problem-solvers. You’ll study subjects across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences to cultivate broad knowledge and intellectual curiosity. Although a liberal arts degree might not directly prepare you for a specific profession like engineering or nursing, it does pave the way for the advanced education of your choice and can lead to a surprising variety of careers in fields like psychology, marketing, and law.

What Liberal Arts Degrees Does Excelsior University Offer?

Excelsior’s AS in Liberal Arts and BS in Liberal Arts are both broad and flexible programs that let you use your professional training and life experiences to build the educational path that works for your goals. The BS in Psychology, also included in the liberal arts area of study, examines human thought and behavior, helping students gain interpersonal insight they can apply to any career.

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What types of nursing degrees are there at Excelsior University?

Nursing is Excelsior’s most popular area of study, and it makes sense: What’s not to like about a lucrative, in-demand profession that also gives you the opportunity to make a difference at both the individual and community levels? And studying at an online university is a natural choice for busy working nurses. We offer 10 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, tailored to help nurses at every level of experience advance their careers.

  • AAS in Nursing
  • AS in Nursing
  • LPN to BS in Nursing
  • RN to BS in Nursing
  • MS in Nursing Education
  • MS in Nursing Informatics
  • MS in Nursing Leadership and Administration of Health Care Systems
  • RN to MS in Nursing Education
  • RN to MS in Nursing Informatics
  • RN to MS in Nursing Leadership and Administration of Health Care Systems

What Are the Different Levels of Nursing?

Nurses can be found working in nearly every medical specialty, but there are defined professional designations that require certain licenses and education levels to attain.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): CNAs monitor vital signs and provide basic care to patients, under the supervision of licensed nurses and doctors.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): LPNs can administer medications, give injections, and change dressings. They also work closely with doctors and nurses to develop and implement care plans for patients.

Registered Nurse (RN): RNs are the backbone of the nursing profession. They provide a wide range of care, including patient assessment, developing and implementing care plans, and administering medications. To become an RN, you need to complete a registered nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed in your state.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN): APRNs are registered nurses who have completed extra specialized education and training. In addition to regular patient care, they can order and interpret tests, prescribe medications, and perform procedures. Nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists are all considered APRNs. To become an APRN, you need to complete a master’s degree in nursing.

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What Is a Public Service Degree?

Public service isn’t a single, specific course of study; it’s an academic area that prepare students for careers in government agencies and nonprofit organizations and includes fields like public administration, social work, and criminal justice. Your coursework might vary depending on the degree you choose, but most public service degrees include the study of economics, social science, and ethics to develop ways to meet the needs of communities.

What Public Service Degrees Does Excelsior University Offer?

Excelsior offers online public service degree programs for the student passionate about building policies, programs, and systems that better people’s lives. Criminal justice degrees are available at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels. The BS in National Security is well suited for students with military training, and the MS in Public Administration is an excellent choice for students pursuing careers in government agencies or nonprofit organizations.

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What Can You Do with a Technology Degree?

An education in technology is the gateway to a highly in-demand sector of jobs that shape the way we play, work, and communicate. There is consistent demand for trained professionals in established career paths like IT, cybersecurity, data, and electronics, but with new opportunities always emerging, a technology degree can also prepare you to work in developing fields like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, or virtual reality.

What Technology Degrees Does Excelsior University Offer?

Technology degrees span specialties as diverse as energy, electronics, engineering, and programming, but all match students with strong skills in problem-solving, creativity, and project management. Excelsior offers an AAS in Technical Studies, which helps students new to the field to discover their interests and start their careers. Bachelor’s degrees in technology management, computer science, cybersecurity, electrical engineering technology, information technology, and nuclear engineering technology help students grow their skills in a technical specialty. And, for cybersecurity professionals looking to take the lead in their careers, Excelsior offers a master’s degree program.

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You may already know you’re drawn to the dynamic world of technology or the challenge of nursing, or you may be still exploring all your interests. But wherever you are in your education journey, Excelsior is the online university with the programs designed to equip you with the knowledge you need to succeed. So, explore our many areas of study, discover your passion, and take that first step. With Excelsior University as your guide, you’ll be well on your way to finding your fit and achieving your goals.