Who? The EXCEL Degree Completion Program is a nontraditional program typically serving adults age 25 and older who want to complete their bachelors degree. It is aimed at students who have completed 62 semester credit hours of college with a cumulative 2.0 GPA or better. (Students who have completed fewer than 62 credits but believe they are interested in this kind of delivery system can consult with the EXCEL Office about options.)

What? Students may chose between either a BS in Psychology, a BS in Christian Ministry, or a BS in Business Leadership.

When? Because most adult students are employed in other vocations, classes are offered in the evening. It is possible to complete 40 hours of upper division classes by meeting in one four-hour session per week for 56 weeks (14 months).

How? Classes are taught in a manner that is conducive to learning for adults. An atmosphere of sharing experiences in family, career, and church promotes self development among the students.

A unique aspect of the EXCEL Degree Completion Program is the opportunity for students to earn life experience credits. (Students can earn up to 36 credits; the average is 6 to 10.) The Student Services Counselor guides the students through a complete assessment of prior learning including life experiences (in personal life, at home, on the job, and within the church), professional schools and training, and independent studies of the Bible.

While in the EXCEL Degree Completion Program, students will routinely spend 10 to 15 hours in preparation for each class.

Why? The EXCEL Degree Completion Program enables adult learners to develop:

1. intra personal and interpersonal skills;
2. written and oral communication skills;
3. problem-solving and decision-making skills;
4. understanding of biblical and professional research techniques and applications; and
5. evangelism and edification skills through servant leadership training.

The EXCEL Degree Completion Program operates on a semester hour basis with groups of adult learners (or cohorts) beginning seasonally each year, typically in August, January, and May. Each cohort consists of 6-12 students and is given a specific schedule that indicates the dates the group meets during the 14 month core program. This core program consists of three semesters with four classes each semester. Classes are either four or six weeks in length, offered sequentially. Included in the schedule is a two-week break for summer and Christmas plus occasional one-week breaks for other major holidays.

1. Completion of 62 or more semester hours of credit from an accredited college/post-secondary institution.
2. Normally 25 years of age or older.
3. Cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) on all prior academic work.
4. Completion of application paperwork (Application, Spiritual Life Reference, and Writing Sample) official transcript, and payment of $35 non-refundable application fee (The application fee is $20 if done online.).

When all of the above criteria have been met, the EXCEL Acceptance Committee will review the admission application.

The following is a detailed explanation of the application process.

Application for Admission
Submit a completed application form including a non-refundable application fee payable to Grace University.

Christian Character
Candidates for admission must give evidence of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The University has a general expectation that each student has been experiencing a vibrant walk with Christ for at least a year. The lifestyle and relationships of each candidate should reflect their commitment to Christ and a desire to obey directives found in Scripture. Applicants must sign a statement affirming their willingness to comply with the University’s lifestyle expectations.

Transcripts
The applicant must have official transcripts sent from all institutions/universities attended, including a military DD214, if applicable, to the EXCEL Admissions Office. Student copies are not official transcripts. Check with the Registrar from each institution for the appropriate transcript fee. The Assessment Officer completes an official transcript evaluation form for each student.

Spiritual Life Recommendation
One recommendation from the applicant's pastor or other spiritual leader is required as part of the application process. This recommendation deals with the personal characteristics and spiritual demeanor of the applicant.

Writing Sample
This one-to-two page essay is used to assess the applicant's ability to communicate effectively in written form.   Admission to the program is contingent upon the successful completion of this assignment.  An applicant who wishes to challenge the essay evaluation is given the opportunity to write another paper using a different topic.

Acceptance & Tuition Deposit
Once the applicant receives approval from the Acceptance Committee, a tuition deposit of $150 is required to reserve a seat in the next available cohort.

Exception
Recognizing that life experience may bring maturity, if a prospective EXCEL student has less than a 2.00 GPA and supplemental records reflect that the student is capable of performing at the college level, then the student may be admitted at the discretion of the Acceptance Committee.

Re-admission Criteria
Students who enroll in EXCEL, but then drop out for two or more semesters, will need to contact the EXCEL Student Services Counselor (402-449-2826) to learn how to return to the program.

• Any applicant whose first language is not English is required to take the TOEFL regardless of the age of the applicant or his/her residency status.
• Any applicant whose first language is not English is required to submit ACT scores so that the institution can assess previous educational preparation in addition to language proficiency, regardless of the applicant’s age.
• Any applicant whose first language is not English is required to complete an interview (either in person or over the telephone) with the ESL Coordinator or another faculty member (i.e., with inter-cultural experience and/or significant foreign language skills) to assess verbal comprehension as it relates to English language skills.
• Applicants who have lived in an English-speaking country for several years will not be considered exempt from the above requirements if English is not their first language.

International Students
International students who are interested in this program, please refer to the discussion under Undergraduate Academic Policies.

A total of 62 semester hours of credit are needed for a student to enter the EXCEL Degree Completion Program.  These hours must come from one or more of the following sources:

1. traditional academic courses at Grace or an accredited institution of higher education;
2. online academic courses or Independent Studies;
3. CLEP or Challenge Exams. For information about CLEP and Challenge Exams, see the discussion under Additional Credit Options.

Official transcripts must be submitted for all college or university studies.  All official transcript evaluations will be done by the EXCEL Assessment Officer.  The amount of credit, courses to be accepted, and the method of evaluation will be determined on an individual basis by the nature of the courses and the type of institution.

A “Credit-in-Escrow” policy permits students from non-accredited institutions to enter the EXCEL program with the possibility of having some transfer credits accepted in the future if they are successful in the EXCEL Core.  A minimum grade of “B” in the first three EXCEL core courses is required.  Upon satisfactory completion of this criterion, students are eligible to transfer applicable credits, with some limitations, from a non-accredited institution, provided they (1) received a grade of “C” or better in the course(s) in question, (2) the course(s) fits into academic requirements, and (3) no existing institution policies are violated.

Once a student is in the EXCEL Degree Completion Program, additional credits can be earned toward graduation by completing any of a number of options. These options should be discussed with the EXCEL Student Services Counselor, and can be contacted at (402.449.2826).

Traditional Undergraduate Courses
Traditional day courses at Grace University.

Independent Studies and Online Courses offered at Grace University
Courses accessed through the Grace web site.

Grace Intensives
Condensed evening/weekend courses through Grace University.

Petition for Credit
Professional Schools/Training/Certifications on a case-by-case evaluation. (Applies only to General Electives).

CLEP/DANTE
(College Level Examination Program/Military Equivalent of CLEP)

DELA
"Documented Experiential Learning Analysis:" Documentation of personal experiences integrated with current research and learning outcomes. (Applies only to General Electives)

Students can earn a maximum of 36 semester hours using Petitions for Credit or DELAs.  The average EXCEL Degree Completion Program student earns between six and ten hours of credit this way.