American College of Education (ACE) is a private, for-profit online institution focused on education and healthcare degrees. Founded in 2005, ACE is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, and emphasizes flexibility and affordability in its programs.
ACE offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, teaching certificates, and continuing education courses, all delivered fully online. Degree programs focus primarily on education, with options like Elementary Education, Special Education, Educational Leadership, and Nursing Education. ACE also offers programs in healthcare fields like Nursing and Public Health.
The college aims to provide working adults and career-changers access to accredited degree programs that fit into busy lives. ACE highlights its small class sizes, flexible scheduling, accelerated courses, and affordable tuition. Its mission is to be “the premier provider of high-quality, online degree programs for educators and healthcare professionals.” The school’s values include integrity, innovation, transformation, care, and community.
ACE enrolls over 13,000 students across all 50 states and is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The college has expanded significantly since its founding in 2005, adding new programs and partnerships while maintaining its focus on online education for working professionals.
Academics
American College of Education focuses on online education, offering several degree programs at the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
ACE offers over 20 online education degree programs, allowing students across the country to advance their education and career from anywhere. Programs are taught by credentialed faculty who have experience as educators, administrators, and leaders in P-12 schools and higher education. All instructors possess a doctoral or master’s degree in their field.
Students benefit from ACE’s online course delivery, which provides flexibility for working professionals. Online courses are facilitated by faculty through weekly discussions, assignments, and lectures. Students interact with classmates and professors through online forums and virtual meetings.
Some notable online degrees at the American College of Education include:
- Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies
- Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
- Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration
- EdD in Community Care and Counseling
The college focuses its academics on providing quality, accessible education degrees to help students achieve career advancement and improve as educators. The online format allows working teachers and administrators to earn their degrees remotely.
Admissions
The American College of Education has a streamlined admissions process designed to get students started on their degrees as quickly as possible. Requirements for admission include:
- Completed online application
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Official transcripts
- Copy of valid teaching license for some programs
Once all requirements are met, admission decisions are usually made within 1 week.
The student body at ACE is predominantly female, with women making up around 75% of students. The average age of students is 35 years old. Most students study part-time while working full-time jobs. Geographically, a majority of students are from the Midwest region.
ACE serves a diverse student body, with around 40% identifying as ethnic minorities. There is a mix of students including recent undergrads, career changers, and working education professionals pursuing advanced degrees. The flexible online format appeals to non-traditional students balancing work, family, and education.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The cost of attendance at the American College of Education varies based on the program. Here are some examples of estimated tuition costs:
- Master’s degrees: $18,900
- Doctoral degrees: $31,704
- Graduate certificates: $9,450
American College of Education offers several types of financial aid to help students pay for their education:
- Federal Student Loans – Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Direct PLUS Loans are available to graduate students who complete the FAFSA.
- Scholarships – The College offers competitive scholarships for qualifying students, such as the Distinguished Scholar Award.
- Military Benefits – Veterans, active duty military, and family members may be eligible for GI Bill and Tuition Assistance benefits.
- Employer Tuition Reimbursement – Many employers offer tuition reimbursement programs that students can take advantage of.
Students work closely with financial aid advisors to explore all options and put together a financial plan to cover educational expenses. Counselors can help students understand eligibility requirements and application processes for the various aid programs.
American College of Education aims to provide an affordable education. Their online model helps keep costs lower than traditional colleges. Financial aid helps make attending this accredited institution possible for many students.
Student Experience
The American College of Education offers a robust student experience, even though classes are 100% online. Students have access to a range of support services and extracurricular activities to enhance their time in the program.
Campus Life
While there is no physical campus, ACE fosters a strong sense of community among students through online groups, chat forums, and video conferencing. This allows students to connect with their peers across the country and form valuable networking relationships. Many collaborative projects and group assignments also bring students together regularly.
Student Activities
The college provides various virtual events and programs for students to participate in. These include professional development workshops, alumni networking events, social mixers, and more. There are also student government and activity groups students can join based on their interests and goals. This gives online students ways to get involved just like on a traditional campus.
Support Services
ACE offers excellent academic support, including one-on-one tutoring, writing assistance, research help from librarians, and peer mentorship opportunities. There is also robust career counseling to help students prepare for jobs after graduation. For any non-academic needs, the college has counselors available for mental health, disability accommodations, and general advising. With all these services, online students have the resources to succeed.
Online Learning
The American College of Education (ACE) is an exclusively online college that offers flexible and convenient degree programs for working professionals. ACE utilizes a user-friendly online learning platform that provides students with access to course materials, assignments, discussions, and other resources.
Some of the key benefits of ACE’s online programs include:
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Accessibility – Online courses can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection, allowing students to learn on their own schedule. This is ideal for working adults balancing careers and families.
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Flexibility – Students can log in and complete coursework during the times that work best for them. There are no set class times.
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Collaboration – The online platform features discussion boards and group projects that allow for collaboration and engagement with classmates.
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Cost-savings – Online programs help students save on costs like commuting and room and board. Tuition rates may also be lower for online courses.
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Various tools – ACE provides students with all the tools needed for online learning like video lectures, document sharing, virtual simulations, and more.
By leveraging technology and online delivery, ACE provides a high-quality yet flexible education option for non-traditional students seeking to earn their degree while working. The user-friendly platform and wealth of online resources help support student success.
Accreditation
In addition to regional accreditation, many of ACE’s education programs hold program-specific accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). CAEP is the gold standard for educator preparation programs, ensuring quality and continuous improvement through rigorous standards. The IDOE also reviews and approves all educator licensure programs in the state of Indiana.
Having both regional and program-specific accreditation gives students confidence that ACE’s programs meet high standards and will be recognized for licensure and transfer credit. It also allows students to qualify for federal financial aid. Accreditation is a voluntary process that confirms academic quality and institutional effectiveness. ACE’s accreditations speak to its commitment to excellence in online education.
Rankings
American College of Education has received high rankings and awards on a national scale for its online education programs. In 2022, ACE was ranked #1 for online graduate education programs by U.S. News & World Report. This marked the 7th consecutive year that ACE earned the #1 spot in this ranking.
U.S. News also ranked ACE’s online MBA program in the top 15 nationally in 2022. This demonstrates ACE’s strength across multiple disciplines, from education to business.
In 2021, ACE won a Silver Stevie Award for Company of the Year in the Education category from the American Business Awards. Stevie Awards recognize outstanding organizations and business leaders worldwide. ACE was honored for its innovative approach to online learning.
ACE has also been named as one of the best online colleges in the nation by leading publications like The Princeton Review. Their accolades highlight the accessibility, flexibility, and academic excellence that ACE provides through online education.
By earning top rankings across various prestigious organizations, American College of Education has proven its status as a leading online college nationwide. Their commitment to innovation and student outcomes continues to be recognized at the highest levels.
Career Outcomes
American College of Education prepares students for success in their careers. The college has an excellent job placement rate for graduates. According to self-reported data, over 90% of graduates are employed within 6 months of completing their degree.
Many ACE alumni move on to leadership positions and advance their careers after earning their degrees. The practical coursework equips students with applicable skills to thrive in the workplace. Hands-on learning, research projects, and field experiences make ACE graduates highly valued.
ACE provides career support services to help students and alumni achieve their professional goals. Advisors assist with resume writing, interview preparation, job searching, salary negotiations, and more. There are also resources on networking, personal branding, and developing an online presence.
The college partners with school districts, healthcare organizations, and companies to connect students with job opportunities. ACE has built strong relationships with employers over its history. Graduates have gone on to work for top school systems, hospitals, corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies across the country.
Earning an ACE degree provides a major boost to career advancement and salary potential. Alumni consistently report that their degrees opened doors to new positions and opportunities. Many graduates have doubled their salaries within a few years of completing their program. ACE prepares students for leadership and success.
Conclusion
The American College of Education (ACE) is a private, for-profit college focused on online education and training for teachers and educators. Founded in 2005, ACE has become one of the largest online universities in the nation, now serving over 8,000 students across all 50 states.
ACE offers affordable tuition and flexible online degree programs in education, tailored for working adults and career-changers. Its academic focus is on training quality teachers and school administrators. Programs range from bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees to doctoral degrees and professional certifications.
According to surveys, 96% of ACE graduates feel prepared to enter the classroom.
Overall, the American College of Education has built a strong reputation as a quality online school for aspiring and current teachers. Its graduates praise the supportive faculty, relevant curriculum, and flexibility of online learning. For students interested in becoming educators or advancing their education careers, ACE is an affordable and respected choice.