New Opportunities for Continuing Education thorough the LASPAU-Excelsior College Program

By Carolyn Morse

Increasingly, workers in the knowledge-based, global economy of the 21st century are searching for training, lifelong learning opportunities, and recognition of work experience. Through distance learning technologies, these workers can earn U.S.- accredited degrees without leaving their home countries. We at LASPAU want to play a constructive role in the formation of high-quality offerings in the context of this new educational paradigm. Working with Excelsior College is our opportunity to do so.

Excelsior College, formerly Regents College, was founded in 1971 as a program of The University of the State of New York by the New York State Board of Regents and in 1998 received an absolute charter from the Regents as an independent institution. Excelsior College has more than 90,000 graduates worldwide and is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Excelsior students earn credit for degree programs through a variety of means, including validation of previous college coursework, evaluated corporate training, equivalency examinations, independent study, portfolio assessment, and traditional classroom or distance education courses taken at regionally accredited colleges or universities.

Last year, Excelsior College formed a collaborative venture with FT Knowledge to support existing programs and develop new programs for business, management, and information technology professionals worldwide. FT Knowledge and Excelsior College, two world leaders in distance education, are blending an international scope and expertise in courseware development with outstanding strengths in assessment and advising.

LASPAU will use its experience in distance learning and knowledge of Latin American and Caribbean higher education in order to make Excelsior College programs in business and computer information systems more accessible to individuals in the region. The programs enable working adults who have previous tertiary coursework to pursue U.S. undergraduate degrees.

LASPAU’s role will involve outreach to Latin American and Caribbean individuals and institutions, evaluation of student credentials, student advising, and other administrative and financial services. It is expected that 300 students will benefit from the LASPAU–Excelsior College Program during its initial two years.