Ashworth College (formerly known as Ashworth University) is a for-profit college based in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, USA, that offers several different types of higher education and secondary education. All career training and college programs are offered through the college’s online platform.
History
Since its founding in 1987, Professional Career Development Institute (PCDI) has developed a large selection of distance-learning programs and has enrolled more than 2 million students in its high school, career, and degree programs.
James Madison High School (JMHS) was established in 1996 to aid students who need an alternative approach to a high school education. JMHS provides the curriculum needed for students to complete one to four years of high school course work leading to a high school diploma.
In 2000, PCDI established Ashworth College to offer associate degree programs to students who need a relaxed approach to a college education. Ashworth College started offering master’s degree programs in 2004 and bachelor’s degree programs in 2007.
In 2007, all schools under PCDI merged under the Ashworth College umbrella.
Accreditation and licensing
Ashworth College is nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. DEAC is recognized as an accrediting agency by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the United States Department of Education. Ashworth College is also authorized by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission to offer instruction in career programs, undergraduate certificates, associate's degree, bachelor's degree and master's degree programs.
Although Ashworth College is not itself regionally accredited, it operates James Madison High School which is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement.
Academics
Overview
Ashworth offers 3 high school programs, 10 career certificates, over 60 career diplomas, 15 undergraduate certificates, 30 associate's degrees, 8 bachelor's degrees, 6 graduate certificates, and 10 master's degrees. Its programs are non-synchronous, meaning they can be started at any time.
Ashworth Community
The Ashworth College Community gives students the opportunity to participate in online study groups, clubs and organizations and receive tutorial assistance, career advice and student support. Students connect through discussion threads, email, chat and webinars. The Ashworth College student body includes students from all 50 states and many countries. These students range from home-schooled students, working adults, members of the U.S. Speedskating Team, the military and military spouses.
Admissions and Financial Aid
To be accepted to Ashworth College, students must be at least 16 years old or have an enrollment form filled out by a parent or guardian. College degrees require a high school diploma or a GED to enroll. Many career diplomas and certificate courses have no prerequisites. As a mission to make the tuition affordable to all, Ashworth College does not accept or offer federal or financial aid or provide student loans.
Reception and public perception
Ashworth College is an accredited business by the Better Business Bureau with a 4.2 (out of 5.0) ranking as of August 2016.
As of September 2016, Ashworth students and graduates had given an approval rating of 3.8 (out of 5.0) on the rating website gradreports.com.
Ashworth College graduates are frequently interviewed to give their first hand video testimonials about the college on the Ashworth College YouTube channel. The channel also has tutorials on how to use the college’s student portal to gain access to their classes.
In May 2016 the Federal Trade Commission released a report stating that Ashworth College had entered a settlement in which it agreed to alter its advertising claims. The Commission had charged the College with deceptively marketing its online college degree and career-training programs; it stated that some Ashworth programs failed to meet the basic educational requirements set by state licensing boards for careers or jobs such as real estate appraisers, home inspectors, elementary school educators and massage practitioners. The Commission claimed that the college's credits were represented as fully transferable, although it lacked supporting data that other colleges and universities would accept their credits.
References
External links
- Official website