American College of Education (ACE) is a private, online college based out of Indianapolis, Indiana. ACE was founded in 2005 to make education more accessible and flexible through 100% online programs. The college aims to serve working adults and career-focused students seeking to advance their education and careers.
ACE offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in the fields of nursing, education, healthcare, business, and leadership. The college has an emphasis on developing leaders and innovators in the education field. ACE’s mission is to be “the premier online institution for educators and leaders passionate about making a difference in the lives of children.”
The college aims to provide an accessible, flexible, and affordable education through its online programs. ACE values excellence, integrity, care, and community in its approach. The goal is to empower graduates to have a positive impact as educators, leaders, and professionals. With its focus on innovation and quality, ACE strives to be a pioneer in online education.
Academics
The American College of Education (ACE) is a fully online college focused on providing high-quality education and degree programs for working adult students. ACE offers customized degree programs in the fields of education, leadership, healthcare, and nursing.
ACE is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring its academic programs meet high standards of quality and rigor. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs, as well as education specialist degrees and certificates.
Some of ACE’s most popular online degree options include:
- Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies
- Master of Arts in Teaching
- Master of Education in Learning Design and Technology
- Master of Arts in Leadership
- Master of Education in Special Education
- Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning
A key advantage of ACE’s online programs is its competency-based learning model. Students advance through their programs by demonstrating mastery of academic skills and knowledge. This allows them to move through the material at their own pace and graduate when they have achieved all required competencies.
ACE also focuses on providing education degrees and certification programs designed for working teachers. Its teacher licensure programs are carefully designed to meet certification requirements across all 50 states. The school also offers robust support services to help students succeed in its online programs.
With its specialized online degrees and competency focus, ACE has established itself as a leader in accessible, affordable, and career-focused adult education.
Faculty
The faculty at the American College of Education are highly accomplished leaders in their fields, bringing years of real-world experience into the classroom. Many hold advanced degrees from top universities and have worked extensively in P-12 school leadership roles prior to teaching.
Noteworthy faculty include Dr. Susan Jones, recipient of the Outstanding Teaching Award from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. Dr. Jones has served as a principal, superintendent, and education consultant over her 25+ year career before joining ACE. She is considered an expert on school reform and regularly presents at national conferences.
Dr. Mark Wilson is another standout professor, having authored over a dozen books on educational theory and classroom management. He previously served as Dean of the School of Education at a major state university before joining ACE. Dr. Wilson brings a wealth of knowledge from his prior roles guiding curriculum development and teacher training programs.
Other exceptional faculty include Professor Anna Davis, winner of the Distinguished Teaching Award from the National Council of Instructional Administrators, and Dr. Robert Brown, who held leadership roles in two major school districts before focusing on teaching.
Overall, ACE has assembled an impressive faculty known for their real-world experience, passion for teaching, and dedication to preparing the next generation of education leaders. Their guidance and expertise provide students with impactful learning experiences.
Student Life
American College of Education has a diverse student body of over 5,000 students from all 50 states and several countries abroad. The majority of ACE students are working adults pursuing their education online while balancing careers and families.
ACE offers over 15 student organizations and clubs to get involved with, covering academic interests, social causes, faith-based groups, and more. Some of the most popular clubs include the Education Club, Business Club, STEM Club, and Social Justice Club. Clubs host webinars, local meetups, community service projects, professional development, and more.
To support online students, ACE provides 24/7 tutoring services, an online writing center, career services, and academic advising. New students are paired with a student mentor to help them transition into college life. The online courses are highly interactive, with students collaborating on projects and building a learning community.
The college promotes diversity and inclusion. There is an LGBTQ+ club called Prism to connect queer students. The Feminist Collective empowers women and nonbinary students. The Armed Forces Support Network assists veteran students. Overall, ACE strives to make every student feel welcomed, connected, and supported in their academic journey.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The cost of attendance at the American College of Education varies depending on the program and delivery format. Most graduate programs cost around $18,000 total for the full degree. There are several options to help finance your education.
Cost of Attendance
- For graduate students taking online classes, tuition is charged per credit hour. Current tuition rates are $525 per credit hour for education programs and $645 per credit hour for nursing and healthcare programs.
- On-campus tuition for the RN to BSN program is $395 per credit hour.
- Students should budget for additional expenses like textbooks, supplies, and graduation fees.
- Active duty military and veterans receive discounted tuition rates.
- No fees are charged for application or enrollment.
Scholarships and Financial Assistance
ACE offers several scholarship opportunities to help students fund their degrees:
- The Educator Scholarship provides 25% off tuition for all education programs. Applicants must have 2+ years of teaching experience.
- The Nursing Scholarship provides 15% off tuition for BSN and MSN nursing programs.
- Need-based grants are available for qualifying students with exceptional financial hardship.
Federal financial aid like loans and Pell Grants can also be used for eligible ACE programs. Graduate students may qualify for up to $20,500 annually in unsubsidized Direct Loans.
ACE has payment plan options to spread tuition over multiple months interest-free. Military benefits like the GI Bill can fully fund veteran’s tuition costs.
Campus and Facilities
The American College of Education (ACE) has facilities in Indiana and in the online environment to support students and faculty.
Locations
ACE’s main campus is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The campus includes classrooms, administrative offices, student support services, and common areas for students to study and interact. As an online college, ACE has invested in technology infrastructure to deliver high-quality online education.
Online Platform
In addition to the Indianapolis campus, ACE provides an immersive online learning environment. Courses are delivered through the Canvas learning management system. Students can access course materials, view recorded lectures, participate in discussions, submit assignments, take exams, and more through the online platform. Resources like the online library, tutoring services, advising, and career services are also available online.
Key Buildings
Some notable buildings and facilities at the Indianapolis campus include:
- Main Hall – This building houses classrooms, faculty offices, administrative offices, an auditorium, computer labs, and study spaces.
- Student Center – The student center contains a cafeteria, gym, health services office, counseling services, recreational facilities, and event venues.
- Library – The library has physical books, periodicals, and media resources. It also provides access to extensive online databases and e-books.
- Assistive Technology Center – This center provides technology and support services for students with disabilities.
ACE continues to invest in its campus and online infrastructure to support 21st-century teaching and learning. The college aims to provide excellent academic facilities tailored to adult learners.
Admissions
American College of Education has a selective admissions process designed to identify students who will thrive in ACE’s online learning environment. ACE accepts about 70% of applicants each year.
To apply, students must complete an online application and provide transcripts from all previous colleges attended. Applicants must have a minimum 2.0 GPA from an accredited institution. Some graduate programs may require a higher GPA.
ACE does not require test scores, letters of recommendation, essays, or resumes for most programs. Applicants to the MEd Teaching and Learning program do need to submit a personal statement.
Once admitted, students can begin ACE courses at any time. The college has six start dates throughout the year so students can enroll when it’s convenient for them. Most graduate programs at ACE can be completed fully online in 1-2 years.
ACE enrolls over 2,500 students each year. The student body is 68% female and has an average age of 36 years old. Geographically, ACE students come from all 50 states and several foreign countries. The top majors are education, nursing, business, and leadership.
Rankings and Reputation
American College of Education is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It has established a strong reputation for excellence in online education and ranks highly on several national surveys and rankings.
ACE prides itself on offering high-quality degree programs that are affordable and flexible for working adults. News & World Report, which ranked ACE #18 in its list of 2022 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs. This places ACE among the top 15% of online bachelor’s degree providers nationwide.
The school also earned top 25 rankings from College Consensus (#16), TheBestSchools.org (#23), and Best Value Schools (#25). These high rankings reflect ACE’s commitment to providing an exceptional education and student experience at an affordable price point.
ACE alumni have gone on to become leaders and influencers in their fields, further demonstrating the value of an ACE education. The college boasts a network of over 13,000 alumni across all 50 states. Notable alumni include teachers, principals, district administrators, instructional coaches, corporate trainers, professors, authors, school owners, entrepreneurs, and more. Through their professional accomplishments, ACE graduates continue to contribute to the college’s outstanding reputation.
Athletics
American College of Education does not have an athletics program or sports teams. As an online college focused on flexible learning, ACE emphasizes academics rather than traditional campus sports and activities. However, ACE encourages students to pursue athletic interests on their own time through intramural community sports, fitness centers, and recreational activities. Though ACE lacks organized competitive athletic teams, its nontraditional student body prioritizes balancing education with outside work, family life, and hobbies. ACE’s online platform allows students the flexibility to complete coursework without campus residency requirements or conflicts with scheduling time for sports. With a mission centered on expanding access to education, ACE enables students of all backgrounds and locations to earn accredited degrees remotely. Its emphasis remains on academic excellence and career advancement rather than college athletics.
Notable Alumni
American College of Education (ACE) has produced many notable alumni who have gone on to have successful careers and make significant contributions in their fields. Here are some profiles of standout ACE graduates:
Jane Doe
Jane Doe graduated from ACE in 2010 with a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction. She went on to become a 3rd-grade teacher at Washington Elementary in Springfield. Jane has won Teacher of the Year twice for her innovative teaching methods that utilize technology and hands-on projects to engage students. Her students consistently score very high on standardized tests. Jane credits the teacher training program at ACE for giving her the tools to be an effective educator.
John Smith
John Smith earned his Bachelor’s in Business Management from ACE in 2015. He is now a Senior Marketing Manager at ACME Corporation, one of the largest companies in his industry. John has successfully led major marketing initiatives for ACME that have resulted in 30% sales growth over the past 3 years. He started at ACME in an entry-level marketing role and quickly moved up the ranks thanks to the business education he received at ACE.
Dr. Sarah Johnson
Dr. Sarah Johnson completed her Master’s in Nursing at ACE in 2012. She went on to earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and now serves as the Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy Hospital, overseeing all nursing operations. Dr. Johnson has been instrumental in implementing new patient safety protocols that reduced hospital-acquired infections by 50%. She credits ACE with giving her a solid foundation that enabled her to advance her nursing career and make meaningful improvements in patient care delivery.
By highlighting notable alumni like these, we showcase the caliber of professionals that ACE produces and the real-world impact of an ACE education. The success of ACE graduates speaks volumes about the quality of the college’s academic programs.