CLINTON, Iowa, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Ashford University today announced that two of its communication courses have been recognized by The Quality Matters™ program for the university's commitment to course quality.

The certified courses are part of Ashford University's Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies degree program. Communication Theory (COM 321) and Intermediate Composition (ENG 325) meet all qualifications of the stringent, standards-based review process. Ashford University offers associate, bachelor's and master's degrees that range from business administration to sociology.

Ashford University Provost Dr. Elizabeth Tice said, "Quality Matters has provided an industry-wide standard designed to certify the quality of online courses. While excellence is of utmost importance to us internally, independent third party validation is an endorsement of our commitment to quality and adds reassurance to our faculty and our students."

According to Quality Matters, for a course to be recognized, "it must have met a set of 40 specific elements, distributed across eight broad standards." The eight broad standards include: course overview and introduction, learning objectives, assessment and measurement, resources and materials, learner engagement, course technology, learner support and accessibility.

In addition, a team of three independent peer reviewers is trained to use the Quality Matters Rubric to review the quality of each online course. To receive the recognition, a course must demonstrate all essential review elements and receive a combined total score of 68 out of 80 possible points or a minimum score of 85 percent.

COM 321 examines theoretical perspectives and research findings concerning human communication and examines classic approaches and new theories and research in interpersonal, group, organizational and public communication. ENG 325 is designed for students who have experience with college-level writing but want to further develop their capabilities.

For more information about Ashford University, please visit www.ashford.edu. Enrollment advisors may be reached at 1-800-877-1192.

About Ashford University

Founded in 1918, Ashford University is a coeducational institution regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, with programs in education, business, accounting, criminal and social justice, computer animation and graphic design, and other areas. The University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as a range of student activities and athletics, at its Clinton campus. Online degree programs are available in education, organizational management, business administration, and psychology. The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable on-campus and online programs, with tuition fees among the lowest in the U.S. compared to other private institutions. Its tagline is: "Higher Education Made Affordable" SM. For more information on Ashford University, please visit www.ashford.edu.

About The Quality Matters Program

The Quality Matters™ program is a faculty-centered peer course review Quality Assurance process. Review criteria are linked to external standards; criteria and process are supported through instructional design principles; and the process is vetted by faculty experts. The goals of the program are to increase student retention, learning and satisfaction in online courses by implementing better course design. Quality Matters is sponsored by Maryland Online and has been adopted by hundreds of higher education institutions across 35 states and Canada.

    Contact: Shari Rodriguez, Director of Public Relations
    858.513.9240 x2513 - shari.rodriguez@bridgepointeducation.com
    or
    Ana Tackett, Mullen Public Relations
    602.222.4343 - atackett@mullenpr.com

SOURCE: Ashford University

Web site: http://www.ashford.edu/