ACE FAQs

Students wishing to take a course load exceeding the regularly scheduled number of credits are welcome to complete the Course Addition Request form with ACE before they are eligible to request multiple courses.

A separate Multiple Course Request form must be submitted for each term a student wants to take multiple courses. Please do not submit a request for a term more than two terms in advance. Have further questions? Contact an Enrollment Counselor at 800-280-0307, option 2.

American College of Education reserves the right to cancel any course. All tuition and fees paid for such a course will be refunded or applied to the following term. ACE also has the right to set maximum limits on the number of students allowed to enroll in any particular course or section is reserved. Have further questions? Contact an Enrollment Counselor at 800-280-0307, option 2.

The recipient will receive:

• Travel expenses (up to $1,000) to and from commencement. Please note the recipient is responsible for transportation expenses in excess of $1,000, as well as meals and incidentals.
• An Alumni Achievement Award plaque at commencement.
• The opportunity to present a speech at commencement.
• Publicity via a press release, mention with previous Alumni Achievement Award recipients on the ACE website and announcement on ACE social media outlets.

An award committee composed of academic leaders within American College of Education reviews the nominations and selects the honoree.

Demonstrating exceptional leadership is open to any context. It can be within your school, district, community or state/country. Outstanding service to ACE can be applied in any number of ways, such as sharing about opportunities for professional growth through ACE, reflecting ACE’s values in your community or demonstrating an eagerness to give back.

The next Alumni Achievement Award will be presented during the 2023 ACE Commencement Ceremony, which is slated to take place during the summer of 2023. More information about how to submit a nomination and nomination deadlines will be sent out via email and posted on our website as we get closer to our next commencement date.

All American College of Education alumni are eligible to apply for the Alumni Achievement Award. An ACE student must be in graduate status at the time of the nomination deadline to be considered for the award.

The recipient must provide a professional biography and headshot photograph for use in ACE marketing materials, including, but not limited to, a press release announcing the award winner, the ACE website and ACE social media channels. The winner must attend the ACE Commencement ceremony and give a speech during the ceremony. The speech content customarily is an adaptation of the award submission and should be submitted prior to the ceremony for review and approval.

Our courses have a consistent design, with a familiar look and feel throughout your program. Most courses include presentations, readings, assessments and discussions. Some courses have simulations, depending on the content. Due dates are also consistent. Differences reflect faculty style, course goals and responses to student feedback and performance.

Yes, as long as you have an Internet connection and the latest version of your browser. We ensure that Canvas is compatible on the latest versions of Chrome, Internet Explorer and Firefox.

Contact Student Services at 800-280-0307, option 1 or [email protected].

The Capstone Experience is a culminating project designed to measure your growth and competency in learning the skills associated with your selected field of study. It contains a measure of self-reflection but also insights from faculty experts who know and understand the challenges of a given discipline you use to improve and expand your thinking. Learning is dynamic. Your skills in thinking, writing, applying scholarly thought and a range of other abilities should improve with each course, documented in the assignments you select to become artifacts. When you have reached your goal, the completed capstone becomes a source of pride as you document your expertise. Throughout your program, you will want to keep all of your assignments and make revisions based on your instructor’s feedback to help you prepare for your Capstone Experience course, which will be completed during your last term of your program.

Reading lists can be found in each individual class in the syllabi and in each weekly module. Additionally, you can access course syllabi in the “Syllabi Repository” located in Students Commons.

Yes. Consult your syllabus for specific information or contact your instructor with any questions you may have relating to due dates, etc. Contact Student Services at [email protected] or 800-280-0307, option 1 for a schedule of courses and for the start date for your program.

Students wishing to withdraw from a program should contact Student Support at [email protected] or 800-280-0307, option 1.

All academic papers at ACE should be written and formatted in APA. If you have questions about APA 7th edition, please visit the ACE Writing Center in Student Commons and our resources through Tutor.com.

Your syllabus will detail all assignment due dates. At the beginning of the week, be sure to look at the requirements for that week and build a study and homework schedule.

Instructors are required to use Turnitin® software. Coursework submissions are uploaded automatically within the Canvas LMS.

Your instructors can answer any questions you have about due dates.

Please see the introductory post located in the Discussion Directions of each module’s discussion.

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership program requires all mentors to be currently licensed and practicing principals or assistant principals with at least two years’ experience in a leadership role.

Mentors must be located within close proximity to the student. Family members are not permitted to serve as mentors. Students will complete a mentor information survey during their first course, but no later than their second term.

Students in the M.A. in Teaching and Transition to Teaching programs do not self-select a mentor. The selection of a mentor teacher for student teaching is done in collaboration with the ACE student teacher supervisor with the supervisor’s approval.

Incompletes should be very rare in graduate school. If you experience an unanticipated event (e.g. a medical emergency), you may request an incomplete from your instructor. Granting of incompletes is at the discretion of the instructor and will be formalized between you and your instructor in writing.

The amount of time you will spend completing coursework will vary by week, course and by individual. However, we typically tell our students to plan, on average, to spend around 25 hours a week completing coursework. As you become more familiar with our learning management system and course structure, that time may decrease.

Please contact us right away at [email protected] or call us at 800-280-0307, option 1 if you have not had a response within 24 hours.

Courses and programs vary in length. Find estimated time to completion information for your program of interest by visiting the online degrees & courses page. The majority of bachelor’s and master’s-level courses are five weeks in length and the majority of doctoral-level courses are 10 weeks in length.

At the beginning of each term, look for the welcome letter or announcement from your instructor in the Instructor’s Studio or in the link on each course’s homepage. If you cannot locate this, please contact [email protected] so we can ensure that you are able to connect with your instructor.

First, try logging in using a different browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome). If that does not work, you can contact Technical Support at 800-280-0307 or [email protected].

While applying for a state certification or endorsement, you may need a verification of having completed your program at ACE. Please fill out the Certification Request Form. Students with holds on their accounts will not receive a verification.

If you have any questions about your degree completion status or your grades, contact Student Support at [email protected] or 800-280-0307, option 1.

To view and update your record for accuracy, log into the MyACE Portal. Under personal information, you will be able to update your address, phone number and email address. If you need to request a name change, you will have to submit a Change of Student Information Form, and mail it to us along with notarized supporting documentation. The Change of Student Information form is also located under Student Request Forms. Additional information can be found on the form.

If students or graduates need official print, digital or additional copies, they may be ordered here through Parchment.

The degree conferral process takes three to five weeks after students complete their last course as long as all academic and financial obligations have been met. If that is the case, you will receive a congratulatory email from the Office of the Registrar.

Commencement is a ceremony that celebrates our graduates. ACE typically holds one commencement ceremony each year. Watch for commencement information on the Graduation and Commencement page of the website. Additional information about commencement is sent to eligible candidates and graduates prior to graduation.

Information about commencement is sent to eligible candidates and graduates prior to graduation.

Graduates can request official paper or electronic transcripts through Parchment here.

Electronic transcripts cost $8 per transcript and can be sent a specific destination of your choosing (e.g. another institution). Paper transcripts cost $10, which includes domestic first class mailing charges. There are additional charges for choosing express shipping, if applicable.

All transcripts issued to the student are official and they will state “Issued to Student.” If you’re ordering official transcripts electronically for an employer or academic institution, please order a copy to be sent directly to the employer or school. Do not forward an electronic copy.

The Degree Map feature located under the My Academics menu in MyACE Portal will help you evaluate how many more courses you must complete before you have met the requirements for your degree. Every degree program also requires completion of a Capstone Experience (created in the Portfolio). You will receive a congratulatory email from the Office of the Registrar once your degree has been conferred.

A diploma takes up to 12 weeks to process and deliver from the end of a student’s last course. To ensure that you get your diploma, make sure your mailing information is correct in MyACE Portal. Note: Diplomas will not be issued if there is a balance or hold on your account.

You will see an Anticipated Graduation Date in MyACE Portal. This date is not your official graduation date. It may reflect a projected date when you began your program, but it will be adjusted when the Registrar completes a degree audit and confers your degree.

ACE has eight graduation dates per year (and typically one commencement ceremony each year), so your degree conferral is scheduled around those dates. Once you have completed all coursework and internship or student teaching (where applicable), your degree will be conferred by the Office of the Registrar, and you will receive a congratulatory email. If a single item is missing (e.g. review of your capstone or payment on your account), your degree will not be conferred. ACE starts the degree conferral process early, with a degree audit two terms before the end of your coursework. If you stay on track with scheduled courses and submit your capstone with plenty of time for review, then the degree conferral is completed within six weeks after completion of all requirements. Keep in mind that diplomas take longer to arrive in the mail.

Capstone reviews are due in week three of the final course, which gives faculty committees time to evaluate your portfolio. You will have control over when you submit your portfolio and early submissions are allowed. Plan with your capstone chair how you will meet the deadline.

Diplomas will be ordered and printed for eligible students with the name listed on your current College record. For name changes, in accordance with FERPA regulations, American College of Education will require a Change of Student Information Form to be filled out and notarized for legal documentation, provided in order to update your record. Please note the rules below regarding name changes prior to making this request. Notarized copies of acceptable legal documentation must be mailed to the College address listed on the form. A diploma may be ordered with a new name in expectation of a name change. If this is done, the diploma will not be delivered until an official Request for Name Change is provided to the Office of the Registrar with supporting documentation. Any cost associated with the reprinting of a diploma caused by a name change will be charged to the graduate. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] or call 800-280-0307, option 1.

Please contact Student Support at [email protected] or 800-280-0307, option 1.

Yes! However, the ACE Military Support Grant will provide reduced tuition rates to eligible veterans and their spouses for ACE micro-credential, certificate and degree programs. The grant is available to military (active, retired or veteran) and their spouses who meet admission requirements, provide evidence of eligibility and successfully enroll in and remain continuously enrolled in an eligible ACE program. Please contact an Enrollment Counselor at 800-280-0307, option 2 for more information.

For financial holds, please contact Student Support at [email protected] or call 800-280-0307, option 1.

Note: Having a hold on your account will prevent you from receiving a transcript, diploma or verification/certification for your state license (where applicable).

ACE does not accept federal financial aid. While many of our students are able to pay as they go because of our affordable tuition, we understand that you may need to seek a private loan. Please check with your financial institution or any of the lenders listed on our Payment Options page to determine loan availability and eligibility.

Course costs must be paid in full prior to the start of class. Otherwise, access to online coursework will be denied and you may be administratively withdrawn. Please visit the payment page for information on acceptable payment options.

Use MyACE Portal to pay.

Please contact Student Services at [email protected].

Yes.

Be sure that you understand the licensure requirements in your state prior to enrolling in a degree program. Most educators working in P-12 schools are required to have a license, although the same may not be required in some private, parochial or charter schools.

Before calling your state licensing office, read your state’s licensing requirements and jot down your questions. Record the name and phone number of the person with whom you speak, along with the date and time of your conversation. Make notes of the questions you ask and the responses you receive. Compare the information you are given with the information you found on the website or in the regulations. Request for the licensing office to send a written confirmation email, reiterating your conversation.

Always contact your state licensing board. The staff members in the licensing office are charged with knowing the state regulations and are there to help individuals like you understand what is needed in order to obtain and maintain your license.

American College of Education strives to have the most up-to-date information on professional licensure in all states. However, due to the complexities of licensure and the frequent changes in regulations and requirements, the most accurate sources of information are the state licensing boards. All licensure-track programs at ACE are approved by the Indiana Department of Education, but as with many states, there are additional requirements a candidate must meet outside of the educational program requirements in order to qualify for licensure in Indiana. Therefore, ACE will provide you with state licensing board website resources to help you begin your research. You will want to refer to your state licensing website periodically throughout your program to determine if licensure requirements have changed and if the changes impact you.

Every state has different licensing requirements. However, common requirements include earning a degree that includes specific coursework, background checks and fingerprints, field experiences like internship or student teaching, or state qualifying exams – sometimes more than one. It is important for you to know your specific state licensure requirements.

That depends on the state. Some states recognize a degree from an out-of-state institution. Other states require that the program be approved by a state licensing board. Still other states require that the program be approved by that state. All licensure-track programs offered at ACE are approved by the Indiana Department of Education. The Educational Leadership program is also approved in Arizona, Ohio, Florida and Texas.

“Reciprocity” is a term that is frequently misused and/or misunderstood. So, rather than use that term, the response to the above question is as follows: If you reside in a state other than Arizona, Indiana, Florida, Ohio or Texas, you are considered an out-of-state graduate. Many states will accept these program approvals or a license from another state, but additional requirements may have to be fulfilled, such as a course in the state constitution, CPR training, etc. This is why it is imperative that you be well versed in your own state’s licensure requirements.

Professional licensure in the field of education is granted by a state licensing agency (often the Department of Education), not by an institution. ACE provides education. States issue licenses.

Here are a few ideas for you to consider:

• You will want to see what types of licenses your state issues. You may see terms like “provisional,” “temporary,” “full,” etc. The type of your current teaching license may determine if you can obtain an administrative license. Or, it will help you know which type of teaching license you may obtain by transferring an Indiana initial teaching license after completion of the Transition to Teaching or Master of Arts in Teaching programs.
• Should you desire to become a school administrator, you will also want to determine whether you need a specific number of years of teaching experience, and what type of teaching license you need in order to obtain an administrative license.
  
• Some states offer alternative paths to administrative licenses. Research the requirements to determine whether an alternative path is a good option for you.
  
• Confirm whether or not the ACE program in which you are interested meets the licensure requirements in your state. Pay attention to statements like, “must have graduated from a regionally-accredited institution,” or “must have graduated from a state-approved program.”

You will need to alert Technical Support at [email protected] as soon as you experience problems. If you do not receive a response within 24 hours, please call 800-280-0307. You will also need to notify your instructor about your technical issues. Extensions are granted on an individual basis based on your specific circumstance, and your instructor will be the one to determine whether an extension is warranted.

Please contact the Office of the Registrar at [email protected].

If you have enrolled within a day of the deadline, you may experience as much as a 24-hour delay in accessing your course. If the delay is longer than this, please alert us at [email protected] or by calling 800-280-0307, option 1.

It can be helpful for you to email as well as leave a voicemail message. Below is a list of departments and their respective email addresses. If you have not heard back from someone within 24 hours of sending an email, please contact our Office of Academic Excellence at [email protected].

Enrollment Services: [email protected] or 800-280-0307
Library: [email protected] 
Student Services, Support, and Tuition payment: [email protected] or 800-280-0307, option 1
Admissions: [email protected]
Registration and Records: [email protected]
Office of Field Experiences: [email protected]

Your first point of contact should be your instructor. You will want to first ensure that the reading has been made available and to alert the instructor that there may be an issue.

An unofficial transcript can be accessed or downloaded at any time in your MyACE Portal. To order a transcript to be sent directly to your employer, request a transcript through Parchment Exchange.

If you are uncomfortable placing an order over the Internet, you can call Credentials Inc. at 847-716-3005 to place your transcript request. There is an additional operator surcharge for placing orders over the telephone.

A comprehensive list of technology requirements are listed on the Canvas Computer Requirements page.

Your student ID is a 10-digit all numeric ID, located within your MyACE Portal. Once you are logged into MyACE, go to the “My Profile” tab and select “My Information.” Your student ID will be located on the right-hand side of the page.

Yes, but you must have an Internet connection and a standard browser.

Contact Support Services at [email protected]. If you have not had a response within 24 hours, call us at 800-280-0307, option 1.

Alert Technical Support as soon as you experience problems at [email protected] or at 800-280-0307. You will also need to alert your instructor to your technical issues. Extensions are granted on an individual basis, depending upon your specific circumstance and at the discretion of your instructor.

Contact [email protected] or call us at 800-280-0307.

Visit these links at the Canvas website for information:

• Browsers that Canvas supports
• Basic computer specifications for Canvas

First, try logging in using a different browser (i.e. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome). If that does not work, you can contact Technical Support at [email protected]. If you have not had a response within 24 hours, please call us at 800-280-0307.

Your username and password for starting your course will be emailed to the address you have provided to us in your application. If you need further assistance, contact [email protected] or call at 800-280-0307.

• Go to MyACE Portal.
  • Select “Student Users.”
  • Type in the name of the student and click “Search.”
  • Select the appropriate student and click “Edit.”
  • Enter a new password on the right side of the screen and click “Update” on the left side of the screen.
• The application will give the message “User successfully saved.”

Federal financial aid is not currently accepted. However, ACE intentionally provides affordable tuition so that many of our students can pay on a course-by-course basis and a majority graduate without student loans. Qualifying students also have the option to arrange a loan through a private lender. See the payment options page for details.

For financial holds, please contact Student Services at [email protected] or 800-280-0307, option 1. Diplomas, official transcripts or program completion verifications to state agencies will not be issued until all financial obligations are paid in full.

No. ACE does not have any international fees.

Course costs must be paid in full prior to the start of class. Otherwise, access to online coursework will be denied and you may be administratively withdrawn.

We take pride in making costs transparent to students. To see costs for each program, click on the Tuition tab on the page of your program of interest. To find your program’s page, click here. The commons fees are application fees and library and technology fees. However, please know some programs have specific fees. You may also refer to the Tuition and Fees page on our website for more information.

If you still have questions, then please contact Student Support at [email protected] or 800-280-0307, option 1.