Prospective students must have a high school diploma or an equivalent. Applications must be made online through the Excelsior College website and be accepted prior to enrolling in the psychology program. High school transcripts or college transcripts (for transfer students) are sent directly to the college to complete the application. An application fee is required.
General education requirements vary depending on the student's choice of a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree. The Bachelor of Science requires a minimum of 24 credits distributed in humanities, social science and history, natural sciences and mathematics. The Bachelor of Arts requires a minimum of 33 general education courses. Excelsior College is very specific about how the credits may be met. Students should speak with a school counselor before selecting courses for the semester. At least two credits must be in mathematics or statistics.
Each student must complete a three-credit capstone course that Excelsior College designates. According to WorldWideLearn: "Some colleges require all graduates to complete a school-wide capstone course that takes students from various majors and places them together to work on a single project. Other schools require capstone courses only for those in a particular major. Some universities require students to participate in both." Check with the academic advising department to determine which capstone courses are available.
For both the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Arts, a minimum of 42 credits is required in psychology. Students may take courses in social psychology, psychology of diversity, human motivation and human systems to fulfill the major requirement. Upper-level courses must comprise 18 of the 42 credits required for the major.
Bachelor of Arts students must take 30 credits worth of applied professional courses. Bachelor of Science students must take 59 applied professional courses. Courses may include practicum and technology workshops.
Students must complete one, three-credit course in information technology to satisfy either the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. Courses can include Internet programming, business data communications and integrated technology assessment.
Elective requirements vary for Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science students. Bachelor of Arts students need 51 arts and science electives to complete 120 credits toward the degree. Bachelor of Science students need 30 arts and science electives to complete the degree.