Start with
No loans
End with
No debt
Graduate with
a Bachelor's
in 2.5 years
2 Phases. 30 Months
In Phase 1, build a foundation for the rest of your life as you come to understand our common human calling. In Phase 2, discover and pursue your personal kingdom calling through hands on experience in the field of your choice.

Gain hands-on
experience
in the field of your choice
Education is not just theory
In the Practicum phase, we help you discover your passions, gifts, and strengths while you get hands on experience in the field of your choice through an apprenticeship, internship, or self-directed research study.

Learn how to
thrive in the context of community
Grow deeper with God and His Body
Learn to thrive in real homes (not dorms), prepare and eat real meals (not cafeteria food) and build real, lifelong friendships in a community of like-minded people following Jesus into a life of flourishing.

Become wise, mature and productive...
...through Holistic Education & Discipleship
We’ve cultivated an environment that encourages growth in every aspect of life – intellectually, spiritually, practically, professionally, and missionally.
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The Excel College Bachelor's Program
The Excel College Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Studies, Integrated Economy, and Critical Thinking allows you to gain hands on experience in the field of your choice while providing you with the context to grow intellectually, spiritually, practically, professionally, and missionally.
phases of learning
months of
growth
Phase 1: The Core
Build a foundation for the rest of your life as you journey with your cohort through what has been traditionally called, “the Liberal Arts” and come to understand our common human calling.
Phase 2: The Practicum
Discover and pursue your personal kingdom calling through hands on experience in the field of your choice. All while you: live in community, flourish through discipleship, and grow by experiential learning.
PHASE 1
The Core
Discover Our Common Human Calling
As carriers of the “Imago Dei,” each and every one of us is called to represent God to the world and bring His Kingdom to Earth. In The Core Program, we study one subject at a time in the flow of the biblical narrative to lay a foundation for this common human calling – a foundation from which to build your life.

In the current system, knowledge is fragmented. But our modular, sequential curriculum restores the unity of knowledge through the flow of the biblical narrative. From Theology to Biology and even on to Anthropology and Fine Arts, our unique Core Curriculum walks you through what has traditionally been called “the Liberal Arts” in a way you’ve never experienced before.
PHASE 2
The Practicum
Discover Your Personal Kingdom Calling
For most people, your calling is not about what you do – it’s about who you are. And then what you do flows out of who you are. In the Practicum phase, we help you discover your passions, gifts, and strengths while you get hands on experience in the field of your choice through an apprenticeship, internship, or self-directed research study.
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Emphasize In Your Field of Study
Excel College’s partner network offers students a broad variety of emphases across multiple industries while earning their degree. Current fields of study through our network partners include: web design, community and program development, entrepreneurial leadership, missions, biblical studies, construction, property management, photography and videography, and bookkeeping.
Don’t see the field you are interested in? We are constantly adding new partnerships as we help students build out advancement plans. Talk to our admissions team to see if we can help you pursue an emphasis that is right for you! Contact admissions.
The Practicum is a
3 Step Process
That Helps You...
Discover
Our team will help you identify your unique callings and understand how they could be exercised for the benefit of the marketplace and community around you.
Plan
After discovering your calling, we'll walk alongside you to craft a personalized plan to achieve proficiency in your field of choice. The focus is on achieved outcomes — not test scores.
Advance
The most important part of any plan is execution. In the Advance Stage, you’ll grow through hands on experience, accountability, and one on one coaching all the way through.
Throughout Your Time, You Will...
Live Within Community
Phase 1 (The Core) and for many, Phase 2 (The Practicum), takes place on our Excel Black Mountain campus in the beautiful mountains outside of Asheville, North Carolina. You’ll learn to thrive in real homes (not dorms), prepare and eat real meals (not cafeteria food) and build real, lifelong friendships in a community of like-minded people following Jesus into a life of flourishing.
For many, our community has been the biggest part of their growth journey. Whether it’s hiking or visiting waterfalls, playing soccer and grilling out on the weekends, interacting with the faculty and staff who live on campus, worshipping together and getting to know God deeper in one of our community gatherings, or experiencing the eclectic culture of Asheville, your time here will be full of moments that help you come to life.
Flourish Through Discipleship
Discipleship is at the core of what we do. From the classroom to the marketplace, the home, and our community gatherings, we’ve cultivated an environment that encourages growth in every aspect of life – intellectually, spiritually, practically, professionally, and missionally. Our team of coaches and mentors lives and works from Excel Black Mountain, and it’s our joy to walk with students through each step of their journey. You’ll be encouraged, challenged, and strengthened as you learn what it’s like to participate in a healthy, flourishing community focused on discipleship.
Grow by Experiential Learning
True education must go beyond the classroom. That’s why experiential learning is a key component in BOTH phases of the program. You’ll discover truth together in a unique classroom experience, learn to manage and take care of a home, and build practical, marketable skills in your place of work – all while building the character and characteristics needed to be a flourishing member of a community. Below are just a few of the network of employers and ministry partners that make experiential learning possible for Excel students.
Testimonials
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