American College of Education was formally incorporated in Illinois on February 25, 2005. Following incorporation, it purchased the intellectual property (the academic programming) of Barat College. American College of Education immediately applied to the Higher Learning Commission to
continue the accreditation of Barat College under its new name and ownership. The Higher Learning Commission approved this request in March 2006.
In March 2016, American College of Education announced a partnership[5] with the National Institute for STEM Education (NISE) and Accelerate Learning, inventors of STEMScopes, to provide a pathway to STEM certification and degree programs. Educators who earn the National Certificate for STEM Teaching from NISE are able to transfer their certificate coursework to American College of Education to complete an M.Ed. in STEM Leadership.
In September 2016, American College of Education received its Certified B Corporation distinction[6] from the nonprofit B Lab, becoming the first and only Certified B Corp and Benefit Corporation in the state of Indiana.[7] American College of Education was recognized for its partnership with nonprofits like Kids in Need Foundation and Teachers' Treasures, and its donation drives for organizations like Feeding America and Indianapolis School of Wheels.
Following its B Corporation certification, American College of Education was awarded the 2017 Best Places to Work distinction by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce[8] for its dynamic work environment and progressive workplace policies. They received the award again in 2018[9] and 2019. In 2018, American College of Education also received the When Work Works Award from the Society for Human Resource Management for exceptional employee satisfaction.
In support of its expanding healthcare offerings, American College of Education announced a transfer agreement with Ivy Tech Community College in April 2018, allowing Ivy Tech students who earn associate of science or associate of applied science degrees in the School of Health Sciences to transfer to American College of Education to complete a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration.[10]
In June 2018, the college formally announced its intention to expand into the nursing field with the RN to MSN program, a pathway program that allows registered nurses to complete both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing degree in a three-year span.[11] The first cohort of the nursing program sat during the August 2018 term.
In February 2019, a Master of Special Education was added to the college's program offerings.
In April 2023, the college partnered with the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO), Lexia Aspire, and the National Virtual Teacher Association (NVTA); these partnerships allow ASBO, Aspire, and NVTA members to receive tuition reduction grants that apply toward ACE's master's and doctoral programs.[12][13][14]
In June 2023, ACE was recertified again as B Corporation through B Lab.[15]
Academics
American College of Education offers master's degrees,[16]doctoral andspecialist degree programs,[17] and bachelor's degree completion programs specializing in education, healthcare, nursing, and business.[18] The college also offers several graduate-level certificates, including programs in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education, Content Area Instruction, and Virtual Instruction.[19] As of 2022, ACE currently has a 85.3% graduation rate. Although ACE is eligible to participate in Title IV funding, the college does not participate in order to keep educational costs low.[2]
