Bridgepoint Education's Ashford University Receives IACBE Accreditation for Nineteen Degree Programs in Its College of Business and Professional Studies

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE: BPI), a provider of post-secondary education services focused on providing higher access to higher education, announced today that Ashford University has earned accreditation from the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) for 19 of the degree programs offered at the school's College of Business and Professional Studies. Accreditation for all 19 majors has been granted for seven years, the maximum length for which the IACBE bestows accreditation.

The degree programs that received IACBE accreditation are the Master of Arts in Organizational Management, Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration, Bachelor of Applied Science in Accounting, Bachelor of Applied Science in Management, Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics, Bachelor of Arts in Business Information Systems, Bachelor of Arts in Entrepreneurship, Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources Management, Bachelor of Arts in International Business, Bachelor of Arts in Operations Management and Analysis, Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management, Bachelor of Arts in Professional Accounting, Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Marketing, Bachelor of Arts in Sports and Recreation Management and Associate of Arts in Business.

"Accreditation from a respected outside agency such as the IACBE is important to Ashford because it provides our students with additional confidence that they are receiving a high-quality education that will prepare them for the business world once they graduate," said Jane McAuliffe, Ashford University president and chief executive officer. "This accreditation is a testament to the faculty and staff who have worked diligently to create strong programs in our College of Business and Professional Studies."

The IACBE is a highly respected professional accreditor for business programs in student-centered colleges and universities throughout the world. Accreditation from the IACBE provides external assurance of quality in an institution's business programs and ensures that its academic business unit exhibits the characteristics of excellence in business education.

As the Ashford College of Business and Professional Studies adds additional programs to its extensive list of degree offerings, it will seek IACBE accreditation for those programs as well.

About Bridgepoint Education

Bridgepoint Education's postsecondary education services focus on offering associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in such disciplines as 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. For more information about Bridgepoint Education, visit www.bridgepointeducation.com or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations at 858.668.2580.

About Ashford University

Founded in 1918, Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.

SOURCE Bridgepoint Education, Inc.