Monday, June 1, 2009

AMERICAN HERITAGE UNIVERSITY SETS GRADUATION


A year ago, American Heritage University of Southern California held a grand opening on the back portico of 255 D Street to celebrate its move to the current larger location. Before moving, AHU had established a successful online program of university education. It will award doctorate and bachelor’s degrees to some of its online students on Saturday, June 6 at this same location. AHU will also present honorary doctorate degrees to Hajia Turai Yar’ Adua, the First Lady of Nigeria and Chief Alao Bayo Akala, the governor of Oyo State in Nigeria. Photo by Chris Sloan

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) American Heritage University of Southern California will hold its 2009 graduation 10 a.m. Saturday, June 6 at 255 N. D Street, San Bernardino.

Hajia Turai Yar’ Adua, the First Lady of Nigeria, will receive an honorary doctorate degree from American Heritage University of Southern California. Baba Gana Wakil, the Nigerian ambassador to the United States at its Washington, D.C Embassy will accept on her behalf.
 

Also receiving an honorary doctorate degree, is Chief Alao Bayo Akala, Governor of Oyo State, Nigeria.
 
“American Heritage University of Southern California wishes to recognize the contributions our honorary doctorate recipients have made to the betterment of their countries and their people,” said AHU President Dr. Tony Ogiamien, who is a native of Nigeria. “We have a relationship with those countries through the students attending our university, and we appreciate the work these officials have done to provide these students a highly favorable future.”
 
The graduation honors students from the United States, Nigeria and Malaysia who have completed requirements for one of the degrees offered by AHU. These students will be receiving Doctor of Juris Prudence (law) and both bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in business administration.
 
Prior to 2008, American Heritage University of Southern California offered its degrees through online instruction only, which is how these graduates obtained their education.
 
Last year, it moved to a new location at 255 N. D Street, and began offering in-class instruction as well. This year, to expand that program, it offered full scholarships to seven Inland Empire residents.
 
 American Heritage University offers bachelor’s and graduate degrees in Law, Public Policy, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Media Studies, and Criminal Justice.”
 
Undergraduate degree programs at AHU are designed to allow students to proceed at their own pace. In the case of the popular Doctor of Jurisprudence program offered online by the School of Law, the California Bar requires four years of continuous study.
 
The School of Law also offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law, with courses covering such subjects as contracts, criminal law, criminal procedure, legal writing, torts, Constitutional law, civil procedure and real property law.
 
For both online and in-class students, electronic communication is important. Students can discuss assignments on a message board, or address instructors by email and will be answered within 24 hours. Students living in the San Bernardino area can join study groups that meet at the college or in online forums.
 
A weekly Grade Book is posted as well, and students can access not only their test grades, but can also review any errors while studying the correct answers. Online students are graded based on test results, quality of work and their demonstration of knowledge through the assignments.
 
“We pride ourselves in providing adult students with the in-depth courses they need to complete their university education,” notes Ogiamien. “Our online program even permits them to do their work at any time from anywhere there’s a computer with Internet access. And in the classroom we have instructors who have reached the highest academic levels of their professions.”
 
American Heritage University has been granted full approval to operate by the California State Bureau for Postsecondary and Vocational Education.
 
For more information, call (909) 884-9000.

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