History University of the State of New York

a key former initiative of board of regents, created better bring higher education new york state s nontraditional adult learners, board of. regents regents external degree program, or rex, became regents college in 1984 , separate , independent excelsior college in 1998–2001. program outgrowth of practice of giving world war ii veterans school , college credit in recognition of military education , experience. in 1963 regents introduced college proficiency examinations, called excelsior college examinations (eces), teachers , nurses complete educational requirements. first named regents external degree program, established in 1971 financial support ford , carnegie foundations. degrees granted based on combination of college proficiency exams , classroom , correspondence courses, or on variety of exams alone. first degrees conferred in 1972. program became independent of education department in 1991 continued governed board of regents until 1998 when separated board of regents become private, independent college. school, prohibited terms of independence agreement continuing use name regents college, adopted name excelsior college in 2001. excelsior college constituent member of usny in same way, , same way, other colleges , universities in new york state are. them, has own charter , board of trustees.