SAN DIEGO, Jan. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Furthering its mission to provide accessible, affordable, innovative, and high quality learning opportunities, Ashford University has announced that students may earn credit for courses offered through massive open online course (MOOC) providers Coursera and Udacity.

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The American Council on Education (ACE) has evaluated select courses from Coursera and Udacity and provided credit recommendations to students on ACE transcripts, which can be submitted to colleges and universities for credit evaluation. Ashford recognizes and accepts all ACE credit recommendations. The evaluated courses from Coursera and Udacity have been articulated to fulfill general education requirements in undergraduate degree programs at Ashford University. These new opportunities for program completion make the degree process more affordable for students and may also shorten the completion time.

"Requiring students to assume debt and repeat course content they have already mastered does not serve the individual student, the future employer, or the community," said Dr. Lori Williams, Ashford University provost. "Our job as an educational institution is to maximize learning and facilitate development for each student. In turn, students are more likely to complete their programs, have greater independence from debt, and ultimately get into the workforce more quickly."

Embracing learning experiences – and the accompanying knowledge and skills that today's students gain from a variety of sources – is at the heart of Ashford's mission. Ashford understands that meeting the needs of its learners requires assessing the knowledge and skills they bring with them.

About Ashford UniversityAchievement belongs to all of us at Ashford University. By offering a traditional college campus as well as online degree programs, Ashford meets the diverse needs of individuals pursuing integrity in their lives and in their communities. Students may earn an associates, bachelors, or master's degree online, while campus students in Clinton, Iowa may earn a bachelor's degree. Whether on campus or online, Ashford students enjoy the same supportive community. For more information, please visit ashford.edu or call Shari Winet, Vice President of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.

Contact: Shari Winet, Vice President of Public Relations858.513.9240 x2513  shari.winet@ashford.edu

SOURCE Ashford University

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