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Choose Your Courses, Build Your Skillset

Gain the specific skills you need to advance your career with the Certificate in Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) program at American College of Education (ACE). Designed for students with a degree seeking a customizable post-master’s certificate, you’ll choose 10 doctoral-level courses that allow you to study topics in education, business, healthcare, nursing and more.

Earning a CAGS at ACE gives you relevant knowledge, with strategies and practices that immediately apply to your work. You can focus on a niche area, choosing courses in a specific field, or you can differentiate your courses to diversify your skillset. No matter how you customize your studies, this program supports you in reaching your personal and professional goals.

And should you choose to continue your studies and earn a degree, many of the CAGs courses may transfer into one of the many Ed.S. or Ed.D. programs at ACE.

Related Programs

Program Details

The Certificate in Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) is a post-master's certificate of advanced study. Students major in interdisciplinary educational studies, allowing them the ability to choose their courses. Structured for those seeking to enhance graduate level skills through a student-designed program of study, this certificate offers a range of selected courses tailored to align to personal and professional goals.

Courses

Here are the courses you’ll take when working towards this program.
Visit the College Catalog to see all courses.

This program consists of

30 credits

Core Courses

DIV6003 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Advancing DEI in Organizations

The concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has changed the climate and culture throughout various organizations in different industries. DEI principles have been implemented in organizational strategies leading to a competitive advantage. This course explores advancing the principles of DEI, engagement, inclusion initiatives, and greater effectiveness across organizational planning. At the end of the course, students will gain tools and expertise to advocate for DEI within their professional practices.

College Catalog

Return on Your Investment

Continuing your education is a big decision that involves an investment of your time and money. We recognize that, which is why we're committed to ensuring you experience a positive return on that investment.

You only pay the cost it takes for us to deliver your education, nothing more. By keeping our tuition low, we’ve helped our students see a $19.20 return in future higher earnings for every $1 they invested in their ACE education.¹

How to Pay for College

Because of our low tuition and total program cost, 87% of our students graduate debt-free.² Popular payment options include paying by course, paying by month or paying in full. Visit our payment options page to learn more.

$17,515

Average competitor total cost²

$9,655

Average ACE total cost^*

When we say low cost, we mean it

The proof is in the numbers. ACE’s commitment to keeping tuition and fees low means our price is a fraction of the cost of other comparable programs.

Why ACE?

Low-Cost, High Quality

You deserve a great return on your educational investment, and we deliver master's degrees at a total average cost of $10,000^*. We also award over $1.2M in scholarships and grants each year.

Tuition & ROI

$1.2M

in
scholarships

Quality You Expect

We are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Our faculty work in the industries where you work and are committed to your success, contributing to our 84% graduation rate.³ Our curriculum equips you with practical strategies you can apply right away, as well as skills to help you advance your career.

Success Stories

84%

graduation
rate³

Flexibility You Need

Our virtual campus and convenient start dates provide you the flexibility you need to achieve your goals at a time and place that works with your busy schedule. Our student support services are available 24/7 and tutoring is included at no additional cost.

Support Services

24/7

student support
services

View Our Accreditations

See How ACE Stacks Up

Graduation and Satisfaction Rates

ACE Graduates With No Debt² vs. Master’s Degree Holders From Private, For-Profit Institutions⁴

87%

31%

ACE vs. Comparison Group for Better Than Expected Overall Student Satisfaction or Higher³

97%

82%

Stay Within Your Budget

Because we don’t have a physical campus, our students don’t need to pay infrastructure or facility fees. We also keep our operational costs low by not participating in Title IV federal funding. We pass all these savings along to our students.

Network Across the Globe

Due to our engaging online format, you’ll connect and learn from industry peers worldwide. And even though you’re learning online, you won’t feel alone thanks to student discussion boards and online forums.

Gain Today’s In-Demand Skills

Learn strategies and skills you can apply immediately and leverage for future career advancement. Employers of ACE graduates report a 96% satisfaction rate,³ while 98% of our students felt their professional skills were stronger after graduation.³

Learn From Custom-Built Curriculum

Every course is created by our in-house curriculum and production team working in tandem with our academic leaders. Plus, all courses follow a consistent structure. No outdated coursework, no surprises.

See how we're different

Student Success Stories

Alumni

M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction

Jazzmyne Townsend

Read Jazzmyne's story »

Admission Requirements

¹Lightcast Study

²Internal research conducted November 2025

³Across all ACE Programs. See Student Right to Know. Accessed May 28, 2026

⁴Education Data Initiative. Accessed January 28, 2026

Let's Get Started

Our Enrollment Counselors are here to answer your questions and walk you through the enrollment process.

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