Ashworth College
| Company type | Private, for-profit |
|---|---|
| Industry | Online education |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Peachtree Corners , United States |
| Parent | Penn Foster Group (owned by Bain Capital) |
| Website | ashworthcollege |
Ashworth College is a private, for-profit online institution located in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. It holds accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission and is officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
The college is a part of the Penn Foster Group, which operates under the ownership of Bain Capital. Ashworth College functions alongside other subsidiaries within the digital education sector.
History
Originally established in 1987 as the Professional Career Development Institute (PCDI), the organization began by creating distance education courses focused on high school diplomas, career training, and degree programs.
In 1996, PCDI introduced James Madison High School (JMHS), designed to offer an alternative curriculum culminating in high school diplomas.
Ashworth College was founded in 2000 with the goal of providing associate degrees through distance learning. The institution expanded its offerings to include master's degrees in 2004 and bachelor's degrees in 2007. By that year, all schools under PCDI were unified under the Ashworth College name.
In May 2015, Ashworth reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission following accusations concerning deceptive advertising about career readiness and credit transferability. The FTC disputed claims regarding eligibility for certain professions and the assurance of credit transfers without adequate proof.
Penn Foster acquired Ashworth College in 2019, incorporating it into its suite of online educational providers.
By 2021, Ashworth discontinued enrollment for new students in its graduate-level programs.
Academics
Ashworth provides various educational pathways including career certificates, diplomas, undergraduate certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees; however, it no longer offers graduate-level programs.
Accreditation and licensing
The institution maintains accreditation through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. Specifically, its veterinary technician associate degree program has received accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). Additionally, Ashworth College is authorized by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission to deliver career-focused programs, undergraduate certificates, associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and master's degree curricula.
Rankings
In Newsweek's "America's Top Online Colleges 2024," Ashworth College is positioned at number 52 out of 200 evaluated online institutions.
Admissions and financial aid
Prospective students must be at least 16 years old or have parental approval to apply. Enrollment in degree programs requires possession of a high school diploma or GED certificate.
Ashworth does not participate in federal student aid programs nor does it provide student loans, consistent with its objective to maintain affordable tuition rates for all enrollees.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Private universities and colleges in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Distance education institutions based in the United States
- Distance Education Accrediting Commission
- For-profit universities and colleges in the United States
- Educational institutions established in 1987
- 1987 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Bain Capital companies