Ashland University

Ashland University is a non-profit university that focuses on the success of each individual student as part of its mission. It was founded in 1878 by the German Baptist Brethren Church; they promised the people of Ashland, Ohio that the college would open there if they raised $10,000 for the cause and on September 17th, 1879, the college opened its doors to its first students. The college reached 2,500 students in 1970 from its modest beginnings at only 60 students. Throughout their history, Ashland University has focused on liberal arts and sciences. They have four academic colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business and Economics, Education, and Nursing and Health Sciences. They also have an expansive online college with a variety of majors to choose from.

Ashland University Accreditation Details

Ashland University's accreditation is provided by the Higher Learning Commission. The university is also a member of the North Central Association. The university is also authorized to grant baccalaureate, Master's and doctorate degrees with approval from the Ohio Board of Regents. The university's individual programs are accredited by a number of reputable organizations, including the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, the American Chemical Society and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Additionally, the university's online programs are accredited by a number of reputable organizations, including the ACBSP, the Council on Social Work Education, CACREP, the NCATE and others.

Ashland University Application Requirements

To apply as a student at Ashland University, you need the following:

• Minimum 2.5 GPA; minimum 3.0 GPA if you want to major in nursing
• Minimum ACT score of 18 or an SAT score of 860
• Minimum ACT score of 20 or an SAT score of 940 for nursing majors
• Fill out an online application form
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Payment of a $300 enrollment deposit

Tuition and Financial Aid

Ashland University's tuition rate is dependent upon how many credit hours students take during their current semester. Their base credit hour rate is $886 per credit hour, with a few caveats. If the student takes fewer than 12 credit hours in a semester, they are charged $909 per credit hour. If the student goes above 19 credit hours in a semester, they are charged $886 for each credit hour they go over by. If the student takes classes fully or partially online, they are charged an additional $15 per credit hour, resulting in a base rate of $901 per credit hour.

As far as financial aid options go, Ashland University recommends all of its students fill out the FAFSA. This makes students eligible for a number of financial aid types, including Pell grants, Stafford loans, work-study programs and much more. Graduate students are also eligible for FASTChoice Private Education Loans, Federal Graduate PLUS Loans and Federal Parent PLUS Loans, all of which are based on your current credit score.

Online Degrees Available

Ashland University has a decent variety of academic programs available online, ranging from associate's to doctorate level. Associates degrees that the university has available include General Studies, Business and Criminal Justice. An associate's degree in General Studies prepares students for careers in sales, customer service, project management and bank branch management. An associate's degree in business prepares students for careers in marketing, management, human resources and, naturally, business. An associate's degree in criminal justice prepares students for careers in private investigation, positions within the police and paralegal careers. Some of the course offerings for these degrees include topics such as informational technology, financial accounting, criminal law and communication.

Bachelor's degrees that the university offers include Business, Criminal Justice, Multidisciplinary Studies, and Nursing. A bachelor's degree in business prepares students for positions like chief financial officer, labor relations manager and strategic planner. A bachelor's degree in criminal justice prepares students for positions like security manager, mental health counselor and correctional officer. A bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies prepares students for a plethora of potential positions, depending on which areas of studies they decide to take. A bachelor's degree in nursing prepares students for positions like nursing research, nursing consulting and nurse case manager. If you are interested in becoming a school nurse, students can obtain licensure online as well. Some of the course offerings in these fields include financial accounting, criminology, health care systems and informatics in health care.

Master's degrees that Ashland University offers include Business, Educational Technology, Corporate and Strategic Communications, and various topics taught by the Ashland Theological Seminary. A master's degree in business prepares students for careers as accountants, city managers and public relations specialists. A master's degree in Educational Technology trains students in how to develop curriculums, employee training websites, educational websites and much more. A master's degree in corporate and strategic communications prepares students for careers including risk communication specialist, health communication specialist and safety training and development officer. The Seminary also has many master's degree programs of its own, including chaplaincy, practical theology and divinity. Some of what students will learn about include international business management, supply chain management, instructional design and public relations.

Ashland University has one doctoral degree program available, in nursing practice. This degree program prepares its students for careers dealing with nurse management, patient education, medical research and medical policy. The Seminary also has a doctoral program in ministry. Some of the subjects students will learn about include healthcare informatics, advanced pharmacology, religious literature and religious history.

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What makes Ashland University so unique is that it has a unique partnership with the Ashland Theological Seminary, providing a unique perspective on a variety of subjects. It is also unique in that community engagement is a cornerstone of the university's academic approach. This, combined with its unique focus on spirituality, character development and academic freedom, make Ashland University a uniquely spiritual university indeed, lending it a unique focus on ethics and creed throughout.