Highlights
- Extension of Ashford University, a liberal arts school founded in 1918
- Reported by the school to have one of the lowest online degree program costs
- Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
About the School
Ashford University Online is a part of Ashford University, a liberal arts school situated on a scenic bluff above the Mississippi River in Clinton, Iowa. Established in 1918 as Mount St. Clare College, the college was renamed Ashford University in 2005.
Ashford University Online offers Associate, Bachelor, and Master degrees programs in liberal arts, sciences, and business. These programs are aimed at working adults and those that have not yet finished their degree.
Academic Programs
The university offers a wide range of educational programs across its online degree areas. Its liberal arts programs include accounting, business, education, communication, education, health care, psychology, marketing, social sciences, sports and recreation management, and more.
The Master of Business Administration program's goal is to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to become upper-level managers in any type of business or organization. Business students delve into various aspects of a market-based economy including finance, human resources, marketing and information management.
Learning Options
The University runs its online courses asynchronously to maximize scheduling flexibility for students. This approach is like email in that students can login at any time of day to communicate with classmates and teachers and to post completed assignments. Students typically login at least two times per week per class.
Through its online programs, Ashford offers the possibility of earning degrees at an accelerated pace. The school runs classes continuously in five to six weeks segments. Online students usually take one at a time and immediately begin the next course without a break. Students can often begin course sequences for a degree program every week. Students can transfer previously completed coursework and in some cases can graduate in less than two years for Bachelor's degrees.
Faculty
Ashford's online faculty typically have doctorate degrees and for business courses they have practical work experience.
Student Notes
Since Ashford University Online students are typically working adults, the school provides Academic Advisors that support each student through their entire education process. Students also can receive no-cost tutoring.
High achieving Ashford online students have the opportunity to be a member in the school's chapter of the Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society. Members are seeking their first Bachelor's degree, are in the top 10 percent of their class, and complete a minimum level of coursework
For the graduation, each online student is invited to the school's ceremonies held in May and December at its campus in Clinton, Iowa.
Admissions, Loans, Grants and Scholarships
The school reports that it offers one of the lowest-cost online program of its type. Financial aid is available for those that are qualified. The school's Financial Services Advisors work with students to review their options and assess eligibility. These options can include educational loans, grants, and scholarships.