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Ashford was founded in 1918 as Mount St. Clare College. The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredited Ashford in 1950, and the university has continued to maintain the accreditation. In 1979, the institution took a step forward when it received approval to award baccalaureate degrees. Since then, Ashford has expanded. It now awards associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees both online and at the physical Clinton, Iowa, campus.
As long as students meet the admission requirements, they can enroll in one of the degree programs, even if they do not have prior college experience. The associate can usually be completed in as few as nine months at Ashford. Students can broaden their education with a bachelor’s in an area such as accounting, business, education, psychology, biology, English, and more. The master’s degree takes research to a deeper level, and can be earned in education, management, or administration.
Transfer credits are welcome at this school. Ashford accepts up to 90 approved lower-division credits that can be applied towards a bachelor’s degree program. Students can combine previous coursework with up to 75 nontraditional credits to reach maximum transfer impact. All courses are evaluated for applicability based on the Transfer Guides conveniently available for download on the school’s website.
The Student Experience
Ashford offers flexibility to students looking to enrich their academic experience through distance education. The university makes it possible for students to learn at a speed at which they feel comfortable, rather than overwhelmed. However, it is possible to graduate from a bachelor’s program in less than four years, thanks to Ashford’s accelerated pace. In some cases, students can choose to take two classes at once, as long as they meet certain qualifications. Potential students should consult with an admissions counselor or academic advisor to make sure that this is a viable option.
Students can also expedite their education by turning their work and life experience into transferable credits through Ashford’s Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) initiative. The objective of Ashford’s PLA is to turn work training, workshops, and other sources of education into academic credits for learning experiences. The school allows its students to transfer up to 75 credits through the PLA Center. Students can apply these credits to their bachelor’s degree program. Consult the PLA Guide for transferability requirements.
While most schools break up classes in semesters, Ashford’s classes run in a continuous sequence. This means that students can take one class and move on to the next one upon completion without a break. With this non-stop learning style, students are always actively involved in their education, keeping the new content they have acquired fresh in their minds. Opportunities to enroll in a course sequence are available each week.
At Ashford, classes are administered strictly online. Students communicate with professors and classmates through the online platform. While this interaction does not take place in person, students are still able to develop strong relationships with their instructors and fellow classmates through email, chatting, and video conferencing. There are many learning tools available online, including assigned texts, digital materials, and supplemental reading. Students can log in to their class and access assigned texts and reading materials 24 hours a day. While there is no login limit, students must meet an attendance requirement in most of their courses, which entails checking in at least two times per week on separate days. This stipulation is designed to keep students focused on their academics, and can assist them in creating a working schedule that best fits their learning style.
A Military-Friendly Environment
At Ashford, students can work with a specialized military division that focuses on the educational needs of the military community. This division’s faculty is composed primarily of veterans of the armed forces. Ashford prides itself in being one of the top military-friendly online colleges around, and has the accolades to back up the claim. It was selected as a Top Military Friendly School by Military Advanced Education in 2008, Military Times Edge in 2009, and G.I. Jobs magazine in 2009. As further testament to the school’s commitment to the military, Ashford was also selected by the U.S. Army to participate as a Letter-of-Instruction (LOI) school in the GoArmyEd program.
Teaching at Ashford
Ashford provides each student with a personal academic advisor who will serve as a pillar of support throughout the education and graduation process. By having such an advisor, students are able to acquire support from someone who has the knowledge and experience to put them on the right path, and who will answer any questions they may have.
Ashford provides accessible, affordable, high-quality education that meets the diverse needs of students, regardless of background or profession. Ashford attracts students from all over, and gives them the opportunity to pursue their dreams and obtain a career in their fields of interest. The backgrounds of Ashford’s faculty members are as diverse as its students, with some having served in the military. Ashford.edu provides testimonials from students, faculty, and former military vets.
Ashford Graduates in the Real World
Many Ashford graduates credit the school for their career success. While the education at Ashford is designed to meet higher education standards, the benefits of a degree will depend on field, region, and work experience, among other factors. Nevertheless, those who earned their degree from Ashford University have gone on to become leaders in their respected industries.
Ashford provides support for graduates by offering career services that assist in developing resumes and finding job openings. The university also provides many alumni benefits, which include an alumni publication, discounts, access to the fitness center on the physical campus, and access to library materials. By providing these services, Ashford helps ensure that graduates will have what they need to be successful, and remains helpful even when the coursework has come to an end.
Website: http://ashford.edu/
