American Public University System: American Military University and American Public University
2012/2013 Catalog

As of Sept 2012

 

Download Undergraduate Catalog (PDF)

Accreditation

Accreditation
The U.S. Department of Education formally recognizes accrediting commissions that meet all federal standards. Further, the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) extends recognition to accrediting bodies and their institutions that meet established quality standards. Generally, accrediting bodies fall into three major categories: national, regional, and specialized/professional. 

Accreditation within higher education is a voluntary, nongovernmental process that gives public recognition to institutions that meet certain published standards of academic and administrative quality. The purpose of accreditation is to assure the public as to the quality of an institution and its commitment to high standards through a system of continuous improvement.

APUS cannot guarantee that its credit will be accepted as transfer credit into another university. Accreditation does not provide automatic acceptance by an institution of credit earned at another institution, as acceptance of credit is always the prerogative of the receiving institution.

Regional Accreditation
American Public University System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association (www.ncahlc.org, 312-263-0456). The Higher Learning Commission accredits degree-granting institutions located in a 19-state region, including West Virginia. The Higher Learning Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA.

As an accredited institution, APUS is eligible to participate in federal educational entitlement programs such as military tuition assistance, government tuition reimbursement programs, the Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill, and many corporate education assistance programs.

Credits and degrees earned through APUS may be recognized for promotion, assignment, and position qualification standards within the military and federal government. For students transferring to other colleges, APUS credit is considered transfer eligible based on our accreditation, but it is up to each receiving school whether or not they will accept individual transfer credit for courses completed at APUS. APUS cannot guarantee that another school will accept our credit, as all transfer credit decisions are made by the receiving school. In addition, APUS has been granted approval by the Department of Education to participate in Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs.

For questions, please contact Accreditation@apus.edu.

Further information on recognition policies and standards may be found on the following web sites:

Licensure
The American Public University System is authorized to operate as an institution of higher education by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC). APUS is also permitted to operate as an out-of-state institution in the Commonwealth of Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). These are the states in which the University System maintains a physical presence and conducts its academic and service operations. Additionally, the American Public University System is engaged in a continuous process to certify that it is recognized as an accredited institution of higher learning by all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In this regard, the University is committed to ensuring that its academic programs, business practices, and operational activities remain in compliance with applicable regulations specific to each jurisdiction.

State-specific Details
The American Public University System is approved to operate in most U.S. states, either through licensure, registration, or exemption. Some states require that the University post approval-related statements on the APUS website, and some states list “approved” institutions on their websites.

Alabama:  The University has received a Private School License from the State of Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education. The University has received a Certificate of Approval from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. The ALHE requests that all marketing material describing the degree requirements in the College of Education contain the following disclaimer: “Alabama Students: Contact the Teacher Education and Certification Division of the Alabama State Department of Education at 334-242-0035 or www.alsde.edu to verify that these programs qualify for teacher certification, endorsement, and/or salary benefits.”

Alaska: APUS is exempt from authorization under AS 14.48 and 17.015 because the program is online or distance delivered and does not have a physical presence in the state.

Arizona: The programs of the University are not under the jurisdiction of the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. This exemption states the University does not have any physical presence in Arizona.

Arkansas: The Arkansas Department of Higher Education approved initial certification of the Associate of Arts in General Studies, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Arts in Management, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Associate of Arts in Management, Bachelor of Arts in General Studies, Bachelor of Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management, Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security, Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies, Bachelor of Science in Sports and Health Science, Master of Arts in Homeland Security, Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts in Transportation and Logistics Management, Associate of Arts in Business Administration, Associate of Arts in Childhood Care and Education, Bachelor of Science Environmental Science, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, and Master of Arts in History. Any advertisement or published materials using the name Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board or the Arkansas Department of Higher Education must contain the following statement: “Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board certification does not constitute an endorsement of any institution or program. Such certification merely indicates that certain criteria have been met as required under the rules and regulations implementing institutional and program certification as defined in Arkansas Code §6-61-301. In order to meet Arkansas Department of Higher Education requirements, Arkansas students will be expected to take 35 hours of general education coursework that meets the Arkansas general education requirements including 8 hours of science and one course in U.S. History OR one course in Government.

California: The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education regulates through licensure all private colleges and universities that are not formally accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. APUS is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; therefore the university is not required to be licensed by the Bureau.

Colorado: No regulatory authorization required: the University does not meet the Colorado requirement for physical presence. The University is not required to and cannot be authorized to operate in Colorado. This does not limit the University from enrolling students that happen to live in Colorado.

Connecticut: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Delaware: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Florida: The University maintains a current agent license for Danny Roby and Daniel Allen, Education Coordinators in Florida. The University was required to submit the Orientation and Training Module that was developed to support the university’s admissions, marketing and recruiting personnel; and the Florida Agent Training Questionnaire.

Georgia: The University maintains a Certification of Authorization from the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission in Georgia.
Note to Georgia Students: All academic appeals will be handled in accordance with the normal University hearing process. Grievances that are not resolved through normal, APUS administrative processes should be referred to the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission. Students may contact the Commission at 2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 220, Tucker, GA  30084; (770) 414-3300 (www.gnpec.org).

Hawaii: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Idaho: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground in the state.

Illinois: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Indiana: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Iowa: NOTE TO STUDENTS:  A student seeking an Iowa educator license is advised that successful completion of this institution’s program(s) of educator preparation does not qualify you for initial educator licensure by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. A candidate seeking licensure in the State of Iowa must first be licensed/certified as an educator in the state in which preparation was completed. This institution shall assist a candidate in contacting the appropriate licensing board in the state in which the candidate’s preparation was completed. This institution shall assist the candidate in understanding the requirements of the appropriate licensing board prior to the candidate’s completion of this institution’s program(s) of educator preparation. A candidate seeking subsequent licensure from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners must contact that Board (515/281-5849; http://www.boee.iowa.gov/ for licensure requirements in Iowa

Kansas: Certificate of Approval, #2010254.

Kentucky: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Louisiana: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Maine: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Maryland: The University is registered with the Maryland Higher Education Policy Commission to enroll Maryland students into its fully online programs.

Massachusetts: The University has registered as a foreign corporation in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. No formal application for licensure has been submitted.

Michigan: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Minnesota: The University is approved to offer the Master of Arts in Homeland Security. Catalogs, applications and enrollment material must contain the following language: “The American Public University System is registered as a private institution with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may or may not transfer to all other institutions.”

Mississippi: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Missouri: No formal application for licensure has been submitted.

Montana: The University submitted regional accreditation notification to the Office of Commissioner of Higher Education. This will serve as evidence that the University has complied with all of the laws and regulations concerning out-of-state institutions that come into Montana to offer coursework and programs.

Nebraska: The University submitted to the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education an Affirmation of Intent to offer on-line courses in Nebraska – No physical presence in the state.

Nevada: APUS has been approved by the Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education to offer educational courses in Nevada.

New Hampshire: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

New Jersey: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

New Mexico: The University is registered as an out-of-state proprietary institution with the New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) to actively recruit students in New Mexico.
NOTE: New Mexico Higher Education Department will receive complaints that were unable to be resolved through the institution’s internal complaint process. Generally, in order to file a complaint with NMHED, you must have already filed with and received a response from the institution which you are complaining against. If you have legitimate reasons preventing you from filing a complaint with the institution, you must provide supporting documentation to that regard. Please visit this website for additional information: http://hed.state.nm.us/Complaint.aspx.

New York: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

North Carolina: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

North Dakota: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Ohio: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Oklahoma: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Oregon: Oregon does not regulate degree programs offered by regionally accredited institutions.

Pennsylvania: The University has received a Certificate of Authority for the purpose of marketing and recruiting in the state. NOTE to Pennsylvania students: Teacher education programs, have not been reviewed or approved by Pennsylvania, and candidates will have to apply for certification and meet requirements for certification as out-of-state candidates. 

Rhode Island: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

South Carolina: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

South Dakota: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Tennessee: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Texas: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Utah: APUS has received The Accredited Institution Certificate of Exemption. Certificate #8072345-9985.

Vermont: APUS is exempt from licensure since it does not maintain physical facilities or offer instructional programs on the ground within the state.

Virginia: The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) has certified the school to operate in Virginia.
Note to Virginia students: Students have the right to file a grievance with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).  A representative from SCHEV can be reached at the following:  101 N. 14th Street, James Monroe Building, Richmond, VA  23219; telephone (804) 225-2600.  Retaliation against any individual who, in good faith, reports or who participates in the investigation of alleged violations is strictly forbidden.

Washington: American Public University System is authorized by the Washington Student Achievement Council and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree-Granting Institutions Act. This authorization is subject to periodic review and authorizes American Public University System to advertise, recruit and offer field placements for specific degree programs. The Council may be contacted for a list of currently authorized programs. Authorization by the Council does not carry with it an endorsement by the Council of the institution or its programs. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the Council at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430.

West Virginia: The University has received Category II status from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, which represents the final step in achieving full authorization to operate in the state. No further action is required.

Wisconsin: APUS has been approved by the State of Wisconsin Education Approval Board (EAB) as a private school, subject to the provision of Wisconsin Statues 38.50. A representative for the EAB can be reached at 201 W. Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Madison, WI 53703-2579; telephone (608) 266-1996; email eabmail@eab.state.wi.us .

Wyoming: The University maintains a Private School Registration from the Wyoming Department of Education (Certificate number 12-002-30).

The District of Columbia: The University maintains an Agent’s License to operate in the District of Columbia.