Ashworth University

[d1684]

Ashworth is a good school. I enrolled last year for A.S. in Security Management, but I've since changed to Psychology. I've been happy with it so far. It is nationally accredited through DETC. WHen I switched degrees they didn't charge me the remaining balance of what I owed. The advisors I talked to over the phone were able to answer my questions, and I wasn't on hold for very long. The course materials are actual college textbooks, and not just booklets (as ICS had when I took some courses with them a few years ago). They have a monthly payment plan too. They allow you to tranfer credits, as long as they were earned within 10 years. You can take your exams online, which is always handy.

[manuelrodriguez]

That was pretty nice university...

[courtellis]

Can any of their credits be transferred over to a traditional institution? I recently received information on their Nutrition course. Although it is very inexpensive, I was worrying about spending money on a degree that would be useless if I decided to further my education in this field. One last question, do they offer only an Associates, and Certificates?:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[floppydee]

I had a TERRIBLE experience with them. I did their program about 6 years ago, maybe they are better now?? The workload was a joke, you took tests (multiple choice) online which were both open book and you could retake each test over once if you didn't like your grade! It was completely at your own pace. I never spoke to an instructor, because I don't think there were any! I never learned anything. I never wrote a paper. I never interacted with a teacher or other students. I felt like I was paying for a fake degree.

Then when I was finished, I owed them like $100, and I didn't know. Well they sent me to collections, I paid the collection agency RIGHT AWAY and I still call them all the time because they won't give me a "degree" or my transcript!!!! They keep saying I owe them money. I sent them my cancelled check over and over. Totally wasted thousands of dollars for NOTHING!

Basically if you just want a "degree" that most places won't take seriously, and can do without any deadlines this is the place for you. If you actually want to learn something go somewhere else!

I hate to be harsh to those who luckily had a good experience, but this was a complete nightmare for me!

[Dennis Ruhl]

I

Then when I was finished, I owed them like $100, and I didn't know. Well they sent me to collections, I paid the collection agency RIGHT AWAY and I still call them all the time because they won't give me a "degree" or my transcript!!!! They keep saying I owe them money. I sent them my cancelled check over and over. Totally wasted thousands of dollars for NOTHING!


Pop these guys an email telling your story. You might want to stick with the fact that they billed you and you paid it and you proved it multiple times.

http://www.detc.org/accred.html

[scaredrain]

Can any of their credits be transferred over to a traditional institution? I recently received information on their Nutrition course. Although it is very inexpensive, I was worrying about spending money on a degree that would be useless if I decided to further my education in this field. One last question, do they offer only an Associates, and Certificates?:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:


Check with your state to see what qualifies you to become a licensed nutritionist, some states require RA degrees, while for others an NA degree is fine. Ashworth is NA so it may not allow you to work in the nutritionist field.

[cklapka]

Check with your state to see what qualifies you to become a licensed nutritionist, some states require RA degrees, while for others an NA degree is fine. Ashworth is NA so it may not allow you to work in the nutritionist field.

To Scaredrain's point this is true for any state licensed profession and not just for nutritionist. I know that the OP is looking into that field, I just thought I would bring it up here as an aside.

[scaredrain]

To Scaredrain's point this is true for any state licensed profession and not just for nutritionist. I know that the OP is looking into that field, I just thought I would bring it up here as an aside.

I did a bit of digging at the hospital, where I currently work and one of the dietians said that most programs need to be accredited by the American Dietetic Association:

http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/index.html

Also the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Department of labor has some other stats about becoming a licensed Nutritionist:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos077.htm#training

[johann]

Hi -

I'm talking about a field I don't know all that much about (AGAIN) but here goes....

Nothing against Ashworth, but I'm SURE we're talking a DIPLOMA course in nutrition here, NOT A DEGREE OF ANY KIND, RA NA or otherwise. I don't believe Ashworth offers an associate degree in that field.

Yup - I just checked. They DON'T offer a degree. I'm pretty sure that what we're discussing is the diploma program like the former PCDI handled, 15 lessons, $594. It's there on the website:

http://www.ashworthuniversity.edu/programs/healthcare/vm/outline.html

(PCDI and Ashworth were always parts of the same organization. They've just dropped the PCDI name.)

I have the benefit of precisely ONE college course on nutrition (I needed 3 credits in anything in a hurry - and my first FIVE choices weren't running!) It was unexpectedly interesting and taught by a registered Dietitian. In this part of Canada, she explained that being a Dietitian requires - among other things - a Master's degree.

Conversely, my instructor explained that at the time (1989) ANYONE could call him/herself a nutritionist - there were absolutely no qualifications required. I have no idea if/how that has changed. (At that time there were two women in the class, each with six weeks' training from the weight-loss org. that employed them. They could legally call themselves "nutritionists" and they did. I guess they could legally have done so at that time without the 6 weeks of training!)

Check with your state. Nutritionist and Dietitian are two different jobs. I've noticed that at least two reputable correspondence schools besides Ashworth have nutrition diploma programs. Could it be possible there (as it is/was here) that a person can be a nutritionist without a degree?

Just asking.... :-)

Johann

[scaredrain]

Hi -

I'm talking about a field I don't know all that much about (AGAIN) but here goes....

Nothing against Ashworth, but I'm SURE we're talking a DIPLOMA course in nutrition here, NOT A DEGREE OF ANY KIND, RA NA or otherwise. I don't believe Ashworth offers an associate degree in that field.

Yup - I just checked. They DON'T offer a degree. I'm pretty sure that what we're discussing is the diploma program like the former PCDI handled, 15 lessons, $594. It's there on the website:

http://www.ashworthuniversity.edu/programs/healthcare/vm/outline.html

(PCDI and Ashworth were always parts of the same organization. They've just dropped the PCDI name.)

I have the benefit of precisely ONE college course on nutrition (I needed 3 credits in anything in a hurry - and my first FIVE choices weren't running!) It was unexpectedly interesting and taught by a registered Dietitian. In this part of Canada, she explained that being a Dietitian requires - among other things - a Master's degree.

Conversely, my instructor explained that at the time (1989) ANYONE could call him/herself a nutritionist - there were absolutely no qualifications required. I have no idea if/how that has changed. (At that time there were two women in the class, each with six weeks' training from the weight-loss org. that employed them. They could legally call themselves "nutritionists" and they did. I guess they could legally have done so at that time without the 6 weeks of training!)

Check with your state. Nutritionist and Dietitian are two different jobs. I've noticed that at least two reputable correspondence schools besides Ashworth have nutrition diploma programs. Could it be possible there (as it is/was here) that a person can be a nutritionist without a degree?

Just asking.... :-)

Johann

The US Department of Labor says the following about certification as a nutritionist or dietition:

Licensure. Of the 48 States and jurisdictions with laws governing dietetics, 35 require licensure, 12 require statutory certification, and 1 requires registration. Requirements vary by State. As a result, interested candidates should determine the requirements of the State in which they want to work before sitting for any exam.

In States that require licensure, only people who are licensed can work as dietitians and nutritionists. States that require statutory certification limit the use of occupational titles to people who meet certain requirements; individuals without certification can still practice as a dietitian or nutritionist but without using certain titles. Registration is the least restrictive form of State regulation of dietitians and

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos077.htm#training

[doudou]

it's Ashworth university and PENNfoster are the same school?

[scaredrain]

it's Ashworth university and PENNfoster are the same school?

No they are 2 separate schools. Penn Foster consists of Penn Foster Career School and Penn Foster College.

www.pennfoster.edu

Ashworth University used to consist of James Madison High School, PCDI, and Ashworth University. Now all 3 have been folded into Ashworth University.

www.ashworthuniversity.edu

The school are similar in degree offerings at the certificate, diploma, and associate degree level. But Ashworth offers bachelors and masters degrees. The payment plans are smiliar also, except I have talked to an Ashworth admissions counselor for my mom, and they said that you have to pay off a semester before you obtain the next semesters course materials. Penn Foster, which my mom decided to go with for her associates, will send the materials as long as payments are current. It could be that the admissions counselor didnt know what he was talking of, because I have heard from some Ashworth students who say this isnt the case.

[diva]

so how long it will take to finish a bachelor with them (A.U)

[scaredrain]

so how long it will take to finish a bachelor with them (A.U)

I dont think there is really no set time limit. Time will be dependent on the time it takes for Ashworth to grade written assignments, the time for your proctor to receive your proctored exams at the end of each semester and the time for Ashworth to grade your proctored exams. You really could fly through your studies, but I would give a rough estimate and say a bachelors degree would probably take you anywhere from a year to 2 years with Ashworth. This is a rough estimate, some may finish sooner than others. I know that Penn Foster has the option of you receiving all materials for an associates degree with them, if you prepay the entire amount off, you can receive all books and exams, all but the proctored ones.

I am not sure Ashworth has that option. Ashworth does have 8 semesters for their degree programs.

You may want to ask your question at the official Ashworth forum for students:
http://www.auforumspot.com/

Yahoo also has an active Ashworth University group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ashworthcollege/

[MelanieM]

Hi everyone,

I know that Ashworth does not have a FAFSA code, but does anyone know why?

They said on their forums that it is because they are private, but lots of private schools have FAFSA codes.

Also, if you have completed a degree how has it helped your job search. I'm in the process of completing an AS in Paralegal, but I want to go on to complete an undergrad and then a MA degree.

Any input would be great.

Thanks!

Melanie

[Tedmeister]

Hi everyone,

I know that Ashworth does not have a FAFSA code, but does anyone know why?

They said on their forums that it is because they are private, but lots of private schools have FAFSA codes.

Also, if you have completed a degree how has it helped your job search. I'm in the process of completing an AS in Paralegal, but I want to go on to complete an undergrad and then a MA degree.

Any input would be great.

Thanks!

MelanieParticipation in Federal financial aid programs is voluntary. It may just be that they choose not to participate.

[MelanieM]

Does anyone know the specific reason?

I'm pretty sure I will eventually drag a comprehensive answer out of them (they are being suspiciously resistant in providing one), but I am wondering what others have heard. Thanks

[BrandeX]

I seriously doubt you will get anyone there to tell you "Because we are not a good enough school to be Title IV." Even though Ashworth, and other schools in its class (I am a PFC student myself), are "legal" and decent enough. We are still talking about the bottom of the barrel here. The only thing lower really, would be unaccredited schools, followed by mills.

[scaredrain]

Does anyone know the specific reason?

I'm pretty sure I will eventually drag a comprehensive answer out of them (they are being suspiciously resistant in providing one), but I am wondering what others have heard. Thanks

The main reason is probably because of the low cost payments they offer and flexible start dates for the programs. There are no set semesters for classes to end or begin at either Penn Foster College or Ashworth University.


Penn Foster and Ashworth University both do not participate in Title IV funding, for the longest time, neither did Excelsior College and now they do.

[MelanieM]

I did actually get an answer out of them for this. They say that they do not want to deal with the administrative aspect of offering FAFSA. They say they are offering Sallie Mae, which apparently is in trouble at this point.

Overall, I like that Ashworth is self paced, but hope that you never need to speak with a tutor or their customer service, which are sub par at best!

One plus is that they DO transfer relevant credits, CLEP, and life experience under certain circumstances.

[MelanieM]

I

You may want to ask your question at the official Ashworth forum for students:
http://www.auforumspot.com/

Yahoo also has an active Ashworth University group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ashworthcollege/

That forum is to promote the university mostly. They also help to compensate for the horrid CS.

[scaredrain]

That forum is to promote the university mostly. They also help to compensate for the horrid CS.

The forum features students of Ashworth, so while it may be a promotion of the university, it is quite helpful. I agree about the horrid CS.