Brief Accounts of Institutional Philosophy

Established in Clinton, Iowa over 90 years ago, Ashford University (AU) serves a growing local and global educational constituency. 

AU students enjoy a modern, real-world education with a rich liberal arts heritage.  Courses are implemented in semesters and accelerated modalities on campus and online.  Undergraduate programs offer professional learning opportunities and graduate programs emphasize professional competence.  Campus- and online-based students experience accessible, vigorous, and diverse learning environments shaped by contemporary life needs and cultural changes. Fair transfer-of-credit policies and recognition of experiential learning support adult learners.  The selection of outstanding instructors, rigorous course design, and the collaborative academic governance model creates interactive learning environments.  AU is committed to intellectually engaging students, social responsibility, service, and personal integrity. 

AU's degree programs are based on solid programmatic and institutional outcomes.  AU's culture promotes continuous student learning assessments, carefully creating program maps, and the embedding of programmatic and institutional outcomes into all course assignment rubrics.  AU is a member of the Quality Matters consortium and was the first institution in the country to earn QM endorsement for its curriculum plan.  Constant measurement of learning outcomes is used for curriculum improvement and innovations in learning to prepare graduates for responsible, effective professional leadership.

The mission of Ashford University® is to provide accessible, affordable, innovative, high-quality learning opportunities and degree programs that meet the diverse needs of individuals pursuing integrity in their lives, professions, and communities.