Explore Ashford University

Admissions

Like many online programs, Ashford University is geared towards adult students with busy lives who benefit the most from the convenience of self-paced learning. Before applying, prospective students should make sure they meet Ashford’s requirements for admittance.

All students must hold at least a high school diploma, or its equivalent, such as a General Education Development (GED) certificate. Since Ashford’s programs are centered around adult education, all students must also be at least 22 years old, a graduate of Ashford’s Associate of Arts in business degree program, or have completed the university’s “Under 22 Appeal” process and received documented approval. Those who need to begin the “Under 22 Appeal” process should contact the school’s registrar office. This ensures that all members of the Ashford student community have at least some professional work experience. Finally, all applicants must also be proficient in English.

Students can complete the application process online. Admissions are on a rolling basis so there is no fixed application deadline. Courses run continuously, rather than in semesters, to allow students the convenience of starting classes almost any week they choose. Ashford’s admissions counselors are available to assist prospective students in this process and, as long as the above requirements are met, enrolling should be a quick process. According to the College Board, approximately 67% of applicants are admitted to Ashford University.

The Online Classroom

After enrollment, students can access the virtual classroom through Ashford University’s online platform. Classes are asynchronous to allow for maximum flexibility. With no scheduled class times or lectures to attend, students are free to login and post to the discussion forum, browse course materials, or turn in an assignment at any time, within the parameters provided by the instructor, that fits into their busy schedule.

“I have balanced professional, educational, and personal responsibilities with ease,” said Ashford alumna Sarah Hoback. “The structure is so easy to follow and I never have to look at a calendar because of the way Ashford has set up their course schedules. I know what’s due and when based on the day of the week.”

On the learning platform, students can communicate with instructors and peers, view assigned reading materials, and turn in assignments. Students are expected to meet participation requirements for their courses by engaging in weekly discussion forums and completing all necessary assignments. Additionally, students must login once every seven days for undergraduate introductory courses or once every 14 days for all other courses to meet attendance requirements. Attendance is defined as either posting in a discussion forum, submitting a written assignment, or submitting a quiz or exam. Students who do not meet these requirements risk being administratively dropped from the class.

Faculty

Professors for online courses are typically required to have at least a master’s degree, with prior teaching experience preferred. In addition, Ashford seeks to hire instructors with professional experience related to the subject they teach. Most online colleges provide professors with training sessions on how to manage an online course, but familiarity with teleconferencing, video-sharing, and presentation-making software, such as PowerPoint, is an advantage.

Although online professors often have the same educational background as those at traditional colleges, teaching in the online learning environment “requires a very different skill set,” according to Michelle Rogers-Estable, a doctoral student in instructional technology and distance learning. “In many online learning settings, the teacher will give few or no lectures, and thus the students become the leaders and guides of their own learning, and the teacher becomes the aide, mentor, and facilitator of learning.”

This means students must adapt their study habits as well. They need to be prepared to commit to their education by staying organized, self-motivated, and reaching out for help when necessary.

The curriculum at Ashford University, like many other online colleges, is pre-designed before instructors are assigned to teach a course. This is in part to keep courses consistent, easy to follow in an asynchronous format, and available at a low cost. However, this type of course design does have its drawbacks. Some professors express concerns about the difficulty of implementing changes in discussion topics and homework assignments that might enrich the students’ learning experience. So while this education model does open up many doors for busy students, there are certainly trade-offs for this type of curriculum.

What Makes Ashford University Stand Out?

• Ashford University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

“The challenges I have faced as an online student would be the same if I were at a brick and mortar school, but attending online has helped me tremendously [÷]. I had my second child, underwent surgery, traveled out of state for family events, moved about nine times, all with the support of Ashford,” said alumna Sarah Hoback, who graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in organizational management.

• Students can transfer up to 90 credits toward their bachelor’s degree, including credit for dual credit courses, life experiences, and advanced placement (AP) courses.”I was moving around every two years and I was worried about transferring credits. Ashford accepted every single credit I had previously earned through other schools and CLEPs,” said Hoback.
• Ashford has a strong commitment to assisting military families. They have a specialized division, comprised of prior military members, dedicated to helping military and veteran students with GI Bill aid, course selection, and degree planning.
• The admissions counselor helps prospective students get started and decide what type of program is best for them.
• The financial advisor assists students with questions about making education as affordable as possible.
• The academic advisor provides students with options for earning college credits through alternative means, such as transfer credits, national testing programs, and prior learning assessments.
• Ashford offers a mobile iPhone App that allows students to post in course discussions, communicate with professors and peers, and stay updated on news and alerts from their mobile device. Academic and career advisement services and an invitation for all online students to participate in commencement ceremonies held in May and December at the main campus in Clinton, Iowa are also offered at Ashford.

Financial Aid

There are a variety of financial aid and payment options available to students who qualify, such as Federal Stafford loans, PLUS loans, military discounts, GI Bill discounts, and tuition payment plans. Working students should also check with their employer about the possibility of tuition reimbursement programs.

Online education is growing at an exponential rate, and individuals looking to pursue higher education will find a variety of different options available to them. By doing their research ahead of time, students can find a program that fits their needs best. More information about Ashford University and the online programs they offer can be found at their website.