Excelsior University: An Objective Look at the Pros and Cons
Excelsior University, formerly Excelsior College, is an online institution that caters to adult learners seeking to advance their education. While it offers flexibility and accessibility, it's crucial to consider both its advantages and disadvantages before enrolling. This article aims to provide a balanced perspective based on student experiences.
Accessibility and Flexibility: The Allure of Excelsior
Excelsior University's online format is a significant draw for students balancing work, family, and other commitments. The university is known for:
- Generous Credit Acceptance: EC is very generous in accepting credit. They try to plug every college credit you have into some hole. They accept CLEP/DSST/ACE credits, they give credit for many nursing specialty certifications.
- Reasonable Pricing: They are pretty reasonably priced compared with others.
- Online Program: The program is done online.
These factors make Excelsior an attractive option for individuals seeking a flexible and affordable path to a degree.
The CPNE Experience: A Contentious Issue
One of the most significant points of contention surrounding Excelsior University, particularly its nursing program, is the Clinical Performance in Nursing Examination (CPNE). Many students have reported negative experiences with this exam, citing:
- Long Wait Times: They make you wait over a year to take the CPNE. Waited over a year to do my cpne. 20 month wait for the CPNE.
- High Costs: Which costs $2500 just to take the test. Spent over $12,000 and no RN degree!
- Arbitrary Grading: CPNE was graded in a very arbitrary manner.
- Low Pass Rates: I would NEVER have spent time OR money on a school that had a pass rate that low!!!
- Lack of Preparation: Nothing in the courses they force you to take and pay for prepares you for the CPNE.
- Subjectivity: The CPNE is hit or miss, depending on the examiner's mood , roll of the dice knowledge has nothing to do with it.
Some students felt that the CPNE was a "SCAM," alleging that the college intentionally made it difficult to pass to generate revenue. Others described the grading as "arbitrary" and expressed frustration with the lack of clear expectations.
Read also: Eligibility for the Excelsior Scholarship
Accreditation Concerns: A Cloud Over Nursing Graduates
Another major concern raised by nursing students is the accreditation status of Excelsior's nursing program. Some students reported that:
- Loss of Accreditation: During my wait to re-schedule the school lost it's ACNE accreditation.
- Licensure Issues: A lot of us are screwed on getting licensed in our home state even when we get the miserable degree because we didn't graduate from an ACNE accredited program.
The loss of accreditation can have significant consequences for graduates seeking licensure in their home states, potentially hindering their career prospects.
Academic Quality and Faculty: Mixed Reviews
Student opinions on the quality of instruction and faculty at Excelsior University are mixed. Some students praised the professors, while others expressed concerns about their qualifications and teaching abilities.
- Positive Experiences: Overall reasonable quality of professors. I had quite a few outstanding professors.
- Negative Experiences: School also looks for the cheapest teachers and usually ends up with ones that have no idea of what they are doing or know the subject. Instructor spent most of the class accusing everyone of plagiarism. No clinical for students and intimidation than teaching.
- Lack of Clinicals: I was in shock that in order to be an Rn you don't go throug clinicals, but I had no choice.
Some students also felt that the curriculum did not adequately prepare them for the CPNE or for real-world nursing practice.
Bureaucracy and Customer Service: Areas for Improvement
Several students reported negative experiences with Excelsior University's administrative processes and customer service. Common complaints included:
Read also: Excelsior Eligibility
- Technical Issues: Tech dept refused to fix the problem with my student account.
- Poor Communication: This college never gives you the truth until you get to the point that is too late to back off.
- Delays in Crediting Courses: When a professor posts final grades for a semester, it shouldn't take a week or two to give you official credit for this course.
These issues can create frustration and impede students' progress toward graduation.
Alternative Perspectives: Success Stories
Despite the criticisms, some students have had positive experiences with Excelsior University. These students often highlight the university's flexibility, affordability, and credit transfer policies as key advantages.
- Positive Outcomes: I recommend Excelsior since I am a returning alumni.
- Generous Credit Transfer: EC is very generous in accepting credit (except with that writing course and information literacy). They try to plug every college credit you have into some hole. They accept CLEP/DSST/ACE credits, they give credit for many nursing specialty certifications.
- Proper Schooling: This is no fly-by-night diploma mill. You will get "properly schooled" and if you are open to it, you will actually be exposed to excellent material that can elevate the level of your practice.
These success stories demonstrate that Excelsior University can be a viable option for certain students who are able to navigate the challenges and take advantage of the university's strengths.
Degree Programs and Curriculum Structure
Excelsior University offers a variety of degree programs, including bachelor's degrees in areas such as psychology, law, and criminal justice. The university also has specific requirements for its RN to BSN program, such as:
- Information Literacy Course: You can't start any online courses until you finish their Information Literacy course which runs over 8 weeks.
- Expository Writing Course: You can't take any BSN nursing courses until you take the expository writing course ENG 201 Writing for the Professions which is given as a 15 week course.
- Statistics Prerequisite: You can take Research (the course or the exam) until you finish Statistics.
- Capstone Course: You must finish all the rest of the nursing courses before you take the final course; Capstone.
These requirements can impact the time it takes to complete the program.
Read also: Learn About the SUNY Excelsior Scholarship
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