Is an Ashworth High School Diploma Legitimate?

Answer 1

Preliminary investigation would not lead one to think so. If you are wishing to pursue a degree, doing so at a place where there isn't a page of Scam Alert advisories to be found online would probably be safer.

Answer 2

Answer 1: Ashworth College offers three programs...

1) A high school diploma program

2) A career diploma program

3) A college degree program

...all of which are accredited by agencies approved by either or both of the US Department of Education (USDE), and/or the USDE-sanctioned Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

With online career diplomas and college degrees it's not quite as important which accrediting agency has accredited the program as long as said agency is USDE- and/or CHEA-approved. However, at the high school level it's better for the online program to be what's called "regionally" accredited by one of the United States's six big USDE- and CHEA-approved "regional" accreditors. These are the same accreditors who accredit local elementary and middle schools, high schools, and both public and private state colleges and universities. "Regional" accreditation is the most common kind... the one that most people have heard of. But it is by no means the only kind of USDE- and/or CHEA-approved accreditation there is; and at the career diploma and/or college/university level, it's not quite as important that the program be "regionally" accredited. But at the high school level it does: Where most colleges and employers might be willing to accept a college degree that is not "regionally" accredited (but which is nevertheless still accredited by a USDE- and/or CHEA-approved agency), they tend to only accept high school diplomas that are "regionally" accredited.

In recognition of that trend, Ashworth made sure that its high school program is, indeed, "regionally" accredited... by the big "regional" accreditor which covers the southern US states: The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), which is also known, for whatever it's worth, as one of the tougher and better of the six big "regional" accreditors.

Ashworth's career diplomas and college degrees, though, are not "regionally" accredited (though they are accredited by an agency approved by USDE and CHEA). So Ashworth's career diplomas and college degrees are also accredited, but just not "regionally" accredited. Instead, they're "nationally" accredited by the USDE- and CHEA-approved Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), which is an excellent accreditor.

So, fear not! If one gets a high school diploma from Ashworth, it will be just as acceptable to any employer or college as a diploma from any local city or county high school that's right down the street from you.