Excelsior's degree programs and the credit is within an allowed time limit. Since 1998 Excelsior is well known for its flexible, online degree programs. Sources of college credit that can be used towards an Excelsior degree program, and to which advisors will refer an Excelsior student, include Excelsior distance learning courses, courses from other accredited institutions, college-level subject-matter examinations (including CLEP exams, and DSST/DANTES exams), non-collegiate training (including corporate, governmental, and military training) that has been evaluated for college-level credit by the American Council on Education (ACE) and National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS), and assessments of prior learning portfolios. Unlike most colleges, Excelsior sets minimal limitations on the amount of allowable transfer credit. Excelsior is a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. SOC institutions are dedicated to helping servicemembers and their families earn college degrees. Military students can take courses in their off-duty hours at or near military installations in the United States, overseas, and on navy ships. Additionally, Excelsior College has repeatedly been nominated as a top military-friendly school by multiple organizations. Excelsior is one of several accredited colleges operating on a model similar to Thomas Edison State University in New Jersey and Charter Oak State College in Connecticut. Accreditation Excelsior University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Its bachelor's and master's nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN). The School of Nursing has twice been designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Its baccalaureate degree programs in electrical engineering technology, information technology, and nuclear engineering technology are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc.The bachelor's and master's degree programs in business are accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). Notable alumni Deborah A. Ashenhurst (Class of 1994), adjutant general of the Ohio National Guard (2011-2015), appointed Director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services in 2019 Edward D. Baca, Chief of the National Guard Bureau from 1994 to 1998 Charles W. Bowen (Class of 2002), 10th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, 2006–2010 Benjamin Bryant (Class of 2006), Obama administration communications official, television producer, host of The Brink with Benjamin Bryant television specials and podcast Joe R. Campa Jr., 11th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, 2006–2008 Stacey Campfield,