Admission and Enrollment
Applicants are admitted to Excelsior University degree and certificate programs when they meet all admissions requirements for the specific program of study. Some degree programs have special criteria for admission. See school catalogs for details.
Admitted students who register for Excelsior course(s) that have a term start date within the next two 8-week terms after the term in which they became admitted will be considered enrolled in their certificate or degree program when they have successfully remained in at least one of these courses past the cancellation period. Students who fail to register and remain enrolled in their first class by the end of the previously mentioned time frame must reapply to pursue enrollment.
To remain enrolled, students in degree programs or certificates are expected to maintain continuous enrollment in Excelsior coursework. Students may only take off a maximum of either a) two consecutive 8-week terms or b) one 15-week term from first term of enrollment or reactivation.
As an exception, to remain enrolled, Associate in Science or Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts students are expected to attempt a minimum number of six (6) credits per year. Excelsior credit and/or newly earned transferred from approved sources which applies to students’ programs of study will be applicable to the credit minimum. The capstone, the cornerstone, and the information literacy courses are the only required Excelsior courses for the Associate in Science or Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts.
Students who do not meet expectations to remain enrolled will be withdrawn from the program. Students will no longer be expected to maintain the minimum credits per year when they meet the requirements for graduation.
Excelsior students who have been approved for graduation (i.e., Specialist Approved – SA Status) may apply to an undergraduate or graduate program if they meet admissions requirements for that program. After a student with a status of “SA” has been accepted for admissions, the student is considered to be admitted in the new program.
Statement of Procedure
Admission Expiration
If a student’s admission expires and they are registered for a future course term, the course registration team will cancel the course(s), and a refund will be processed. Students will be notified that a new application must be submitted via the admissions process to return. Students should remain in contact with their admissions counselor regarding their admission status.
Credit Accumulation Dismissals – Extension and Reactivation
Prior to being withdrawn for not meeting credit accumulation standards, students can proactively request a one term extension to the credit accumulation policy, giving them a fourth term to be active. If the student has not previously been granted an extension and the reason for it meets established criteria, students can contact their academic advisor to discuss an extension. The student’s academic advisor will send a detailed email explaining the conditions for the exception to the policy and include the next available term date and course(s) that the student should be registered for. If the academic advisor denies the appeal, the student will have to reapply to the university and will be subject to the current curriculum at the time of readmission.
Students have 90 days from being withdrawn from the university due to credit accumulation to request reactivation into their previous program. The academic advisor will work with the student to develop a plan for how they will maintain their enrollment moving forward. For a reactivation to be approved, the student should be prepared to take a course in the next available term. If the academic advisor denies the appeal, the student will be advised they have to reapply to the university and will be subject to the current curriculum at the time of readmission.
Leave of Absence
Students who need a temporary leave from pursuing their degree should try to take advantage of the formal Leave of Absence Policy. The Leave of Absence Policy and Procedure remains under the Ombudsperson and is subject to the requirements thereof.
