SAN DIEGO, July 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE: BPI), a provider of postsecondary education services focused on providing higher access to higher education, has announced a new partnership and articulation agreement between Ashford University and the Colorado Community College System (CCCS), headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Through the partnership, CCCS students will now be able to transfer up to 99 units into one of Ashford's online and campus bachelor's degree programs.

"This arrangement is an exciting opportunity for students of both Ashford University and the Colorado Community College System," said David Vande Pol, senior director of academic partnerships for Ashford University. "At Ashford, we seek to provide all students across the nation with affordable, high-quality learning opportunities. Now, Colorado Community College System students who are interested in pursuing a four-year degree program will have ready access to Ashford's undergraduate degree programs, expanding their academic options and chances for collegiate success."

The Colorado Community College System comprises the state's largest system of higher education. Its career and academic programs in the 13 state community colleges serve more than 107,000 students annually and offer associate's degrees and various certifications in a number of career-related and technical fields. CCCS is comprised of 13 community colleges throughout Colorado.

"The Colorado Community College System has a long-established student body, with current enrollment at about 107,000 students per semester," said Dr. Geri Anderson, the Colorado Community College System's provost. "We have a diverse student population, with a high concentration of military students and many others taking classes online. This articulation agreement is especially beneficial for our Web-based students in that it provides them with another option to continue their education online," she said.

To date, Ashford University has 30 articulation agreements representing 118 colleges.

About Bridgepoint Education

Bridgepoint Education's postsecondary education services focus on offering associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in the disciplines of business, education, psychology, social sciences and health sciences. Bridgepoint Education's regionally accredited academic institutions - Ashford University and University of the Rockies - deliver their programs online as well as at traditional campuses located in Clinton, Iowa, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, respectively. For more information about Bridgepoint Education, visit www.bridgepointeducation.com or call Shari Rodriguez, director of Public Relations at 858/668-2580.

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, contact Shari Rodriguez, Director of Public Relations, at 858/513-9240 x2513 or visit www.ashford.edu.

About The Colorado Community College System

The Colorado Community College System comprises the state's largest system of higher education. Its career and academic programs in the 13 state community colleges serve more than 107,000 students annually. In addition, CCCS oversees 1200 secondary and 800 postsecondary career and technical programs in more than 150 school districts and seven other post-secondary institutions across the state. The Colorado Community College System has a proud tradition of helping people get a fresh start; a start toward completion of a degree, a start towards a better job, a start towards a better and more enriching life. Statistics have proven that CCCS students who transfer to local four-year colleges do better than students who start at the four-year college. Small classes taught by professors offer an unparalleled experience for undergraduate students. For more information, call 303/620-4000 or visit http://www.cccs.edu.

SOURCE: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Web site: http://www.bridgepointeducation.com/
http://www.ashford.edu/
http://www.cccs.edu/