Ashworth College Offers Career-Specific Education With New Vocational High School Program

/PRNewswire/ -- Ashworth College, parent company for Ashworth High School, announced today the addition of vocational high school curricula to its roster of high school programs.

The vocational program at Ashworth High School (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu/programs/high-school) offers students the opportunity to match personal interests to a selection of career programs in one of three vocational tracks - computers, health care or skilled trades. Each track allows students to acquire career-relevant learning prior to entering the job market.

"Most everyone understands the importance of a high school diploma," said Dr. Milton Miller, Ed.D., Vice President of Education at Ashworth College. "However, not everyone chooses to immediately go on to college."

"There are many high school graduates out there who simply prefer to enter the workforce and start earning income," Dr. Miller added. "By providing students a practical, real-life education, Ashworth can help these students get a head start on their careers."

Vocational Career Tracks

Upon selecting a track, a student has the freedom to select two different career courses or to pair a career course with a business course.

"Through Ashworth High School's vocational career tracks, students can gain skills that are applicable across a variety of business types," said John Riser, Education Operations Director. "This educational experience will give many an advantage when looking for their first job."

Riser also points out that these courses are not merely overviews, but rather specialty concentrations.

"Our career programs are developed by working professionals, who are considered experts in their respective fields," he added. "Ashworth students are able to benefit from career-specific learning that is not always available in a traditional high school program."

Each of Ashworth High School's career tracks offer as many as ten career courses to choose from. Additionally, students also can choose from a list of six business courses. Available courses include:

-- Computers
-- Computer Programming with Visual Basic
-- Computer Network Security
-- Computer Network Technician
-- Graphic Design
-- PC Service and Repair -- A+
-- Web site Design
-- Health Care
-- Fitness and Exercise
-- Health Records Specialist
-- Massage Techniques
-- Medical and Dental Office Assisting
-- Medical Billing
-- Nutrition Specialist
-- Pharmacy Tech
-- Physical Therapy Aide
-- Skilled Trades
-- Auto Mechanics
-- Carpentry
-- Electrician
-- Gunsmithing
-- Heating and Air Conditioning
-- Home Inspection
-- Landscape Design
-- Locksmith
-- Motorcycle Repair
-- Plumbing
-- Business
-- Introduction to Financial Statements
-- Introduction to Sales
-- Online Business Management
-- Accounting
-- Computer Accounting
-- Small Business Management

About Ashworth College


Ashworth College, a leader in distance education, offers students worldwide more than 100 career-focused High School and Career online diploma programs; undergraduate and graduate online certificate programs; and Associate, Bachelor's and Master's online degree programs that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of working adults. Ashworth also offers specialized programs to corporate partners, active duty military personnel, military spouses, and homeschoolers.

Headquartered in Norcross, GA, Ashworth is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), a division of the US Department of Education. Ashworth High School is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). For more information visit http://www.ashworthcollege.edu/programs/high-school

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Distance Education Leader Ashworth College Breaking New Ground as First Online Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter

/PRNewswire/ -- Ashworth College and Habitat for Humanity proudly announced today that the distance education leader has become the first institution of its kind to establish an online Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter.

A Campus Chapter is a student-led organization on a high school or college campus that partners with a local Habitat affiliate to fulfill four primary functions - building, fundraising, advocating and educating.

The Ashworth Campus Chapter, who will align with Habitat for Humanity's North Central Georgia affiliate, has become its first-ever distance education campus chapter and will operate primarily through online forum and social community groups. Habitat's student groups traditionally have been at brick and mortar institutions.

"Because our students interact mostly online, we find that they are more organized and have a higher commitment level to student organizations than their traditional campus-based counterparts," said Ryan Rode, Ashworth Director of Social Media and faculty advisor. "The only real difference is that instead of holding regular meetings in an on-campus classroom, our members will meet in chat rooms."

Rode is optimistic that the Ashworth College Campus Chapter will create new opportunities for Habitat. "The typical college student doesn't have the resources that our student does," he said. "Ashworth students tend to be working adults with established personal and professional networks -- this will make a big difference when it comes time to participate in any fundraising and advocacy initiatives."

Rode went on to mention that Ashworth offers a wide range of diploma, certificate and degree programs in the skilled trades to include carpentry, construction management, electrician, heating and air conditioning, landscape design, plumbing; as well as interior decorating. "We hope that students in these programs will seize the opportunity to not only give back, but to gain some hands-on experience that will help them professionally," Rode added.

Within the first month, the Ashworth College Chapter recruited more than 25 members, both in the US and abroad. "Partnering with Ashworth College will create an entirely new dynamic for Habitat," said Bill Campbell, Engagement Specialist for Habitat for Humanity International. "Habitat supports affiliates all over the world. There is a good chance that wherever an Ashworth student calls home, there will be an opportunity to participate in project nearby."

Habitat for Humanity is known for building homes for under-privileged families and Ashworth has already made plans to participate in a local build. As part of its upcoming 2009 Graduation weekend activities, the Chapter is co-sponsoring a house in North Atlanta.

"Ashworth does an amazing job at providing the students opportunities to enhance our education as well as our outreach efforts. It really makes us proud of our school," said Anne Cox, president of the Ashworth Campus Chapter. "The build is also an opportunity for Ashworth students, alumni, faculty and staff to meet face-to-face and work side-by-side for a worthwhile cause."

"This demonstrates that online students share many of the same interests as those at campus-based school," Cox, a forensic science student, added. "Attending school online doesn't mean that you're missing out."

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Ashworth College Partners With GoArmyEd to Offer Online Education to Enlisted Service Members

/PRNewswire/ -- Ashworth College, today announced that it has partnered with the United States Army to provide online college degree programs to military service members via GoArmyEd.com.

Active-duty soldiers and military families often are deployed at a moments notice. This can create a barrier to pursuing a degree. A distance education institution like Ashworth is a viable solution for Army personnel, allowing soldiers and their families the opportunity to study anywhere in the world.

"As a leader in distance education, Ashworth College is able to easily deliver degree and course offerings and service soldiers anywhere in the world," explained John Riser, Director, Ashworth Education Operations, about the new GoArmyEd.com partnership.

To participate in the GoArmyEd program, Ashworth underwent an extensive application process. "We were able to demonstrate that Ashworth College offers accredited military-friendly programs that are relevant to soldiers," Riser added. "As a recognized institution, service members can now immediately enroll in our programs directly from the GoArmyEd portal. And through the Army's tuition assistance program there are zero out-of-pocket expenses."

By removing common obstacles like money, time and locale, non-commissioned officers looking to move up, as well as military personnel preparing for re-entry to civilian life, have additional opportunities to pursue a college education.

Riser pointed out several subject areas with great appeal to today's military personnel, such as health care, technology, and legal studies. Also consistently popular are the business and skilled trades programs.

Established as a virtual gateway for active-duty personnel, GoArmyEd is a one-stop location for managing a soldier's college education online. This portal allows military service members and their Army Education Counselors the opportunity to conveniently research participating colleges. Soldiers can also enroll in programs and request tuition assistance directly through the site.

"Ashworth programs meet the flexibility requirements of today's soldiers," said Melissa Maddox, Ashworth Military Advisor. "Because we're open year-round, service members can take classes on their terms. Compared to institutions that operate on a semester or quarter system, we have new classes starting every week, so as soon as one class has been completed, the next one can begin."

Translating experience into college credits.

Ashworth College recognizes that military experience can often translate to college credits. Ashworth works closely with a number of organizations to review and apply credit for military training to include: American Council on Education (ACE), Defense Activities for Non-traditional Educational Support (DANTES) and Service members Opportunity Colleges (SOC).

"We also consider a soldier's life/work experience and try to award college credit whenever possible," said Maddox. "Students have the option of providing CLEP certification or passing a proctored examination. These credits can help military service members reach their goals that much faster."

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Ashworth College Partners with Project Working Mom...and Dads Too! To Offer $2 million in Full-Ride Scholarships to Working Parents

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ashworth College, today announced that it has partnered with "Project Working Mom...and Dads Too!" to award more than $2 million in full-ride online college scholarships to working moms and dads. "Project Working Mom...and Dads Too!" is a national scholarship initiative to help remove the barriers of money, time and confidence, which often keep people from returning to school.

Project Working Mom...and Dads Too! is the third in a line of campaigns to help working parents return to school to better their lives and the lives of their families. The two previous Project Working Mom campaigns in 2008 received more than 120,000 applications, awarded more than $4 million in scholarships, and sent nearly 100 working moms back to school. This year, the campaign has added dads to the mix as a result of considerable interest from fathers in the scholarship offers during the first two campaigns.

"Partnering with Project Working Mom...and Dads Too! is an opportunity for Ashworth College to help make a difference. Through education, we can help deserving, hard-working parents improve their lives," said F. Milton Miller, Ed.D. and Ashworth Vice President, Education.

"A college degree can set an employee or business owner apart as a professional and demonstrate business knowledge to peers, potential customers and employers," Miller added. "Education can take skills - and income - to the next level."

Ashworth College is one of five accredited universities participating in Project Working Mom...and Dads Too! The other schools involved in the campaign are Ashford University, Capella University, Everest University, and Virginia College Online. Combined, the schools will be awarding more than $2 million in full-ride online college scholarships, bringing the total of Project Working Mom scholarships awarded to more than $6 million.

"Project Working Mom started as a single campaign to help working moms go back to school, but the response was so large that we decided to launch another campaign. This time however, in response to the voices of many dads, we have added a father-focused element," said Helen MacDermott, content director for Project Working Mom.

eLearners.com, an online education resource that connects learners with online education and created the Project Working Mom campaigns, also created a complementary, interactive, and in-depth web site to help learners tackle their questions and fears about returning to school. The site is designed to empower working parents and offers advice on going back to school, self-assessment quizzes on numerous subjects including how to determine what subjects to study, an online support community, numerous articles and a database with $15 billion in financial aid opportunities.

"This campaign is a much needed resource for many moms and dads who would love to pursue a new career path, but don't have the money to get the degree they need," said Carey Casey, CEO of the Kansas City-based National Center for Fathering and fathers.com. "Many dads I've talked with would love to go back to school, but they don't know where to begin and for many the biggest barrier is definitely cost. It's great to see action underway to help remove these barriers."

The full-ride online college scholarships through Project Working Mom...and Dads Too! are for online programs from the associate's to Ph.D. level. To apply for a scholarship, working moms and dads can submit a short application at www.projectworkingmom.com. They will also need to complete an essay with their life, education and/or career goals and explain how an online education will allow them to achieve those goals. The deadline to apply for a scholarship is April 30, 2009.

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