SAN DIEGO, July 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE: BPI), a provider of postsecondary education services focused on providing higher access to higher education, has announced that Ashford University has been selected by the Coast Guard to become a SOCCOAST-4 member and its courses will now be scheduled for peer review.

Once the peer review process is successfully completed, Ashford University will join more than 40 other colleges and universities in the SOCCOAST-4 degree network in offering bachelor degree programs to Coast Guard students, their adult family members and Coast Guard civilian personnel.

SOCCOAST colleges and universities have joined together to form degree networks in which each college accepts credits from all of the others. This guarantees the ability for Coast Guard students and their adult family members to continue with their degrees even though they may be transferred by the Coast Guard several times.

SOCCOAST colleges and universities act as "home colleges" for students. Students begin their studies at the home college. When students are transferred to new duty stations, they may continue to take courses from other schools in the network, acquire credit for their military experience, and then have their test scores transferred back to the "home college".

Ashford University, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, provides online and on-campus undergraduate and graduate degree programs to students all over the world. Based in Clinton, Iowa, more than 97 percent of its 42,000 students are earning their degrees online.

SOCCOAST students may pursue their degrees through traditional classroom settings, distance learning, or the learning assessment option -- an external degree option that consists of approved curricula that does not require academic residency for graduation.

"At Ashford University, we are dedicated to providing higher education opportunities for the men and women in uniform as well as for their adult family members," K.C. Haight, the university's associate vice president of military and corporate development, said. "It's an honor to be included in the SOCCOAST network."

In addition to SOCCOAST students, Ashford University provides education benefits to all qualified military personnel including active-duty members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, National Guard and Reserves. These same benefits are available to the spouses of active duty members, National Guard and reserve members, veterans or retirees utilizing VA benefits, vocational rehabilitation students, college-age spouses and dependents utilizing survivor benefits, and Department of Defense employees.

Ashford University's military grant also waives application and technology fees and pays for all books and applicable shipping costs for qualified military students.

As a part of the military program, Ashford University also provides a specialized team of advisors who assist students with enrollment, academic and financial needs.

Last year, Ashford University was selected as one of the Military Advanced Education Magazine's Top Colleges and Universities. The distinction placed Ashford in the top three percent of military-friendly colleges in the nation.

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

    Contact: Shari Rodriguez, Director of Public Relations
    858.668.2580 - shari.rodriguez@bridgepointeducation.com

SOURCE Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

SOURCE: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

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