American College of Education Programs Overview

The American College of Education (ACE) is a private, for-profit online college founded in 2005. Specializing in education, healthcare, nursing and business fields, ACE offers a wide range of fully online degree programs. These include Bachelor’s degree completion programs, dozens of master’s degrees, Education Specialist (Ed.S.) and doctoral (Ed.D.) programs, plus numerous certificate options. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ACE emphasizes practical, career-focused coursework. In this overview we summarize ACE’s key programs, fields of study, costs and outcomes, helping prospective students understand what American College of Education has to offer.

Program Levels and Degrees

ACE’s portfolio spans all degree levels, with programs designed for working professionals and educators. Key offerings include:

• Bachelor’s Completion Programs: ACE provides accelerated 100%-online Bachelor’s programs aimed at adult learners. For example, students can complete a B.A. in Education Studies, or a B.S. in Healthcare Administration. There are also bachelor’s programs in business and leadership (such as a B.S. in Business Administration & Leadership), plus accelerated nursing pathways (RN-to-BSN) for registered nurses.

• Master’s Degrees: The college offers dozens of master’s programs in education, business, healthcare and leadership. On the education side, popular M.Ed. and M.A. programs include Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, STEM Education, ESL (Teaching English Learners) and many more. Business and leadership master’s include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), M.S. in Organizational Leadership, M.Ed. in Educational Business Administration, Master of Healthcare Administration and others. Notably, ACE also offers combined pathways like the BSN-to-MSN and RN-to-MSN which let nursing students earn both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Nursing in an accelerated format.

• Education Specialist (Ed.S.) Programs: For advanced professional certification beyond the master’s level, ACE has Ed.S. programs in various subjects. These include Educational Leadership (Ed.S.), Instructional Technology, Special Education, and Nursing Education (Ed.S.), among others. Ed.S. degrees are often used by educators seeking leadership or specialized credentials.

• Doctoral (Ed.D.) Programs: ACE offers Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degrees in multiple fields. Examples include Ed.D. in Leadership, Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, Ed.D. in Educational Technology, Ed.D. in Second Language Instruction, and Ed.D. in Nursing Education. These terminal degrees prepare experienced educators and administrators for top-level roles.

• Certificate & Micro-Credential Programs: In addition to degrees, ACE has short certificate programs to build targeted skills. These include graduate certificates in English as a Second Language, Bilingual Education, Teacher Leadership, Principal Preparation, Content Area Instruction, and more. Micro-credentials (like “Early Childhood Special Education” or “Public Health and Health Leadership”) allow fast, modular learning for specific competencies.

Collectively, ACE’s programs are tailored to certified teachers, nurses, and other professionals looking for career advancement. Many programs align with licensure requirements (though students should verify state-specific rules). All coursework is delivered online, with multiple start dates each year and flexible pacing to accommodate working students.

Fields and Specializations

While education is ACE’s primary focus, the college has expanded into several major fields:

• Education & Teaching: Core programs prepare teachers and administrators. From early childhood to secondary education, students can pursue M.A. and M.Ed. degrees in subject-specific teaching (e.g. History, English, Science, Math) as well as broad fields like Curriculum & Instruction or Literacy. Leadership degrees (M.Ed., Ed.S., Ed.D.) train principals and district leaders. Specialized offerings include STEM Education, Integrated Curriculum, and Special Education.

• Healthcare & Nursing: ACE’s healthcare programs range from administration to nursing. At the Bachelor’s level, the B.S. in Healthcare Administration is one key degree. On the graduate side, there is a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) and a Master of Public Health (MPH). Nursing programs are a highlight: ACE offers an RN-to-BSN-to-MSN pathway, allowing registered nurses to earn both a Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN) and a Master’s in Nursing (MSN) in about three years. It also has a standalone M.Ed. in Nursing Education for nurse educators. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits the BSN and MSN programs.

• Business & Leadership: Business and leadership degrees complement the education and healthcare fields. ACE offers an MBA (Master of Business Administration) as well as specialized business master’s like M.S. in Organizational Leadership and M.Ed. in Educational Business Administration. These programs teach management, finance, and leadership skills for roles in schools and corporations. At the bachelor’s level, the B.S. in Business Administration & Leadership helps undergraduates build foundational business acumen. In the doctoral/Ed.S. realms, there are leadership tracks (Ed.D. in Leadership, Ed.S. in Leadership) for advanced career educators.

• Other Specializations: ACE also includes niche areas like Public Health Education (Ed.D. and Ed.S.), Instructional Technology, and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). These allow educators to focus on trending fields like STEM education, technology integration, and global teaching strategies. The variety of specializations means nearly every student can find a program that fits their career goals.

Accreditation, Quality & Recognition

American College of Education is fully accredited and recognized. It holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), ensuring all degrees meet national quality standards. ACE’s education programs are also approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and its nursing degrees are CCNE-accredited. This means graduates are eligible for licensure and certification in most U.S. states (though state requirements vary).

ACE emphasizes quality teaching and industry relevance. According to the college, “faculty work in the industries where you work and are committed to your success”. In other words, instructors are active educators or administrators, which helps coursework stay practical and up-to-date. The college is also known for its social commitment: ACE is a Certified B Corporation, reflecting its focus on social impact and partnerships with nonprofits in education. These accreditations and recognitions underscore that the American College of Education is a reputable institution for online learning.

Affordability & Student Support

ACE is positioned as an affordable online college. It famously offers master’s programs at an average total cost of about $10,000far lower than many traditional universities. The school keeps tuition low partly by not taking federal Title IV funds, passing savings on to students. Additionally, over $1.2 million in scholarships and grants are awarded annually to help students reduce costs. U.S. News & World Report has noted ACE as “one of the most affordable online college options” with tuition about one-third the price of comparable programs.

Support services at ACE further increase value. The online campus offers multiple start dates (so students can begin at convenient times) and 24/7 access to tutors and advisors. All courses are designed for busy schedules, and students receive academic and career support throughout their studies. These resources help explain ACE’s strong outcomes: ACE’s graduation rate is 84.6% (as of 2025), well above the average for many online colleges. In short, American College of Education programs combine low cost, flexibility, and support, aiming to deliver a great return on investment.

Key Features of ACE Programs

• Fully Online, Flexible Learning: All programs are 100% online with multiple start dates, so you can study whenever and wherever. No campus visits are required, making it ideal for working professionals.

• Industry-Experienced Faculty: Professors and instructors are current practitioners (teachers, principals, nurses, etc.), ensuring that what you learn applies directly to your career.

• Personalized Support: ACE provides 24/7 student support services (tutoring, tech help, library) at no extra cost, so online students are never on their own.

• Accredited and Recognized: Degrees are accredited (HLC, CAEP, CCNE) and meet certification requirements in most states, making ACE graduates eligible for teacher/nurse licensure.

• Affordability: With master’s programs around $10K total and significant scholarship funding, ACE is designed to be budget-friendly. Students graduate with less debt and high completion rates.

These features make ACE stand out among American online colleges of education. In fact, among American college of educations, ACE distinguishes itself through affordability and student success metrics. Prospective students should weigh these highlights when choosing an online program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What degree programs are available at American College of Education?
A: ACE offers a broad spectrum of programs. At the undergraduate level, there are Bachelor’s completion degrees in Education, Healthcare Administration, Business and Leadership (e.g. B.A. in Education Studies, B.S. in Business Admin). For graduate students, ACE has many Master’s degrees (M.Ed., M.A., M.S., MBA, MHA, etc.) in education, leadership, healthcare and business. It also provides Education Specialist (Ed.S.) programs and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs in specialized fields like Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership, Public Health Education and Nursing Education. Additionally, there are graduate certificate tracks (e.g. ESL, Bilingual Ed, Teacher Leadership) and micro-credentials for targeted training.

Q: Is American College of Education accredited?
A: Yes. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Its education programs have CAEP approval and the nursing programs have CCNE accreditation. These accreditations ensure ACE degrees are respected and meet licensing requirements.

Q: How affordable is ACE?
A: ACE is known for low tuition. Master’s degrees average about $10,000 total, and substantial scholarships are available (over $1.2M awarded yearly). U.S. News reports that ACE’s tuition is roughly one-third of similar online colleges. By not relying on federal Title IV funding, ACE passes savings to students. This makes ACE programs very affordable compared to many alternatives.

Q: Are ACE’s programs fully online?
A: Yes. All ACE programs are delivered fully online with no on-campus requirements. Courses are offered in an asynchronous format (often with weekly modules), and students can access lessons and submit work on their own schedule. This 100% online format provides maximum flexibility for working adults.

Q: What are ACE’s graduation and success rates?
A: ACE reports an 84.6% graduation rate as of 2025, which is very high for an online college. This suggests that most students who enroll are able to complete their degrees. Combined with supportive services and flexible pacing, ACE helps students achieve strong completion outcomes.

Conclusion

In summary, the American College of Education offers a comprehensive range of online programs for educators and professionals in various fields. From bachelor’s completion degrees to doctoral programs, ACE’s offerings are accredited, flexible, and career-focused. Its emphasis on affordability ($10K master’s programs) and student success (84.6% graduation rate) makes it a competitive choice among online colleges. Whether you’re aiming to become a school leader, a healthcare administrator, or a specialized educator, ACE provides options to advance your career.

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