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Is Ashworth College Legit?

Written by Des Sinkevich on Friday, 01 September 2023. Posted in Why Ashworth

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Information updated on 8/21/2023

Continuing your education is at the top of your to-do list. But with a busy work schedule, family, and other responsibilities, a traditional classroom setting may not be right for you. That’s where a more flexible learning option comes in. More people than ever are learning online, with at least 2.8 million students attending fully online colleges. But, with learning options at your fingertips how do you know what’s right for you? Or, most importantly, how do you know you’re getting what you’re paying for and receiving an education that will help you reach your goals? Before you enroll, you may wonder, “Is Ashworth College Legit?” Here’s your answer.

How do I know if an online college is legitimate?

Just like any other school, online schools need accreditation to be considered legitimate. So, what’s accreditation? Accreditation is conducted through an assessment and ensures the school in question is meeting best practices. This means that an institution or program meets the standards held by accreditors. Accreditors review all types of higher education, such as colleges, universities, and technical and online schools.

Besides accreditation, you want to look at what licenses or approvals, if any, the school has. Most schools, whether online or in-person, public or private, need some sort of licensing to operate as a legit school. Ashworth College, for example, is Authorized by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission to offer instruction in career programs, associate, and bachelor's degree programs. That means it’s recognized as a legitimate school.

You’ll also want to check out reviews and stories from students and alumni to learn more about their experiences with the school. What current and former students say can help you get a clear picture of whether or not Ashworth College is a good school.

Is Ashworth accredited?

Yes, Ashworth College is accredited! In just over 30 years Ashworth has grown from a family business to one that serves more than 300,000 students and alumni. Striving to meet the highest standards of school performance, Ashworth’s online degrees, certificates, and career training programs are accredited by the following organizations:

Ashworth is nationally accredited through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)—a national board that evaluates and accredits distance and online education providers. There’s a renewal period with the DEAC to ensure that the quality of education meets their expectations. Ashworth is also accredited through the Better Business Bureau with a BBB Rating of A.

While all Ashworth programs are nationally accredited through the DEAC, some programs have their own industry-specific accreditations, too. Our Nursing RN-BSN online degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Additionally, our Veterinary Technician degree program is accredited through the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), ensuring we meet the standards for veterinary medical education.

Read more: Your Frequently Asked Questions About Ashworth College, Answered

Additional Ashworth recognitions you should know about

Ashworth is authorized to offer instruction in college and career programs by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission. Additionally, Ashworth has been approved by Georgia to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements—an approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.

Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Studying for Online Classes

Is Ashworth college a good school?

Yes, many students and alumni consider Ashworth College a good school! A good school isn’t defined just by how it’s recognized, but what the school can actually do for you. When you’re taking an online college course, you know what you want: a better job, a higher wage, and more options for your future. If a school is good, you should be able to see that in the outcomes of students who’ve graduated from the programs offered.

For these alumni, Ashworth helped them reach their goals, making it the right fit for them!

Garrick Haynes, Ashworth College Graduate of the Year in 2023, graduated from three degree programs! With his experience in the military, he was already aware of online courses and researched Ashworth to see if it was the right fit for him. “I liked what I saw and I jumped right in,” he said.

Right now, he’s the CEO of his own motivational company, a captain with the Kansas City, Missouri police department, and he’s working on a series of motivational videos and books. For him, Ashworth College worked around his busy schedule and allowed him to earn his degrees on his terms.

“With the self-paced part, I could do a certain amount this week and skip the next week if I wanted to,” he mentioned. “When I get in, I get going and don’t stop. It works perfect for my schedule because it allows me to take a break.”

Tiffany Whitter, who graduated from the Psychology Bachelor’s Degree, immediately saw how what she was learning applied to her job.“

“Working as a behavioral specialist, a psychology degree works hand in hand. I could see how it was actually applicable to my job. It increased my knowledge on so many levels.”

Now, she’s taking what she learned with Ashworth and taking the next step to reach her goals: pursuing a Master’s Degree.

Still not sure that Ashworth College is a good school or worried that it’s not the right fit for you? Check out more student stories on our Alumni Spotlight Podcast!

Read more: Going Back to School as an Adult

How does online school work?

Online college works pretty similarly to a traditional, in-person college or university. The big differences? You can work on your own schedule, there are no set class times or due dates, and you don’t have to submit an application and hope you’re accepted. If you graduated high school, you’re in!

Once you’ve enrolled, you’ll have access to your Student Portal where you’ll find all your classes and study material – no need to buy textbooks or supplemental reading; it’s all right there for you!

After enrolling, you’ll start your classes whenever you’re ready and set your own schedule. You’ll have access to your classes 24/7 so you can study at 3am if that’s what best fits your life.

And, just like a “regular” school, you can transfer credits from any previous college coursework. Not all credits are guaranteed to transfer in, but if your credits on your official college transcript meet the requirements, you can save some time in your degree.

Will my diploma or undergraduate certificate say I got my degree online?

No, just like a traditional college degree doesn’t display the address of the campus you attended, your online degree won’t say that it was done online.

Do online degrees look bad?

Online degrees are more accepted than ever. After the pandemic, more and more students transitioned to online colleges and classes to continue their education and stay safe. Because of that experience, more and more people recognize online schools as a legitimate way to pursue higher education. Of course, you want to make sure the school you attend is legit and accredited!

In general, though, most employers aren’t looking to see if you graduated from an online school or an in-person college; they want to know that you have the skills to get the job done and having a degree on your resume can help with that!

Read more: How to Upskill Yourself, Earn More, and Grow Your Career

Who goes to Ashworth College?

Ashworth College is for everyone, so we have a diverse group of students and alumni! From single moms to folks who work multiple jobs, self-paced, online degree programs work for most students.

We have students from all over the country, but about 60% of them live in the south.* Our students are also busy with their lives while they’re studying, with 41% having at least one child under 18 to take care of. And, our students are very busy balancing work with education; over 50% work full time.

Ashworth College is also for any age! We have students from 18 years old to over 55!

What does this all mean? It means that whoever you are, wherever you are, you can pursue your goals and earn a degree that can help you take the next steps in your life – from getting a new job or a promotion to taking your education even further!

Read more: 3 Reasons to Enroll in Online College

Why Ashworth?

The convenience of learning online can’t be beat. With knowledge at your fingertips, it’s easier than ever to earn an education online at your own pace. Be at ease knowing you can learn when and where you want with an accredited school. If you’re ready to reach your goals with Ashworth call an Admissions Advisor at 1-800-957-5412.

*Data sourced from internal survey of students and graduates of Ashworth College in 2022.

Let's talk about your educational goals. Call 1-800-957-5412