Skip Navigation
2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Accreditation and Licensure

Accreditation

Accreditation within higher education is a voluntary, nongovernmental process that gives public recognition to institutions that meet established quality standards. 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. The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) formally recognizes accrediting commissions that meet all federal standards and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) extends recognition to accrediting bodies and their institutions that meet these established standards. American Public University System (APUS) has obtained institutional accreditation as well as programmatic accreditation. More specific information on both institutional and programmatic accreditation can be found here: https://www.apus.edu/about/accreditation.

Credits and degrees earned through APUS may be recognized for promotion, assignment, and position qualification standards within the military, federal government, and private sector. For students transferring to other colleges, APUS credit is considered transfer eligible based on its accreditation. However, APUS cannot guarantee that its credit will be accepted, as acceptance of credit is always the prerogative of the receiving institution.

If you have questions or need further information on accreditation, please contact the Office of Institutional Accreditation at [email protected], Telephone: 304-724-3778.

Institutional Accreditation

American Public University System (APUS) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). APUS is comprised of American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU). The Higher Learning Commission is an institutional accrediting body recognized by the USDE and CHEA. Accreditation requires a significant amount of self-study and presentation of evidence to satisfy the demanding requirements of accrediting organizations. Obtaining accreditation demonstrates that APUS is focused on academic excellence and providing the best possible educational experience for its students.

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

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. In addition, APUS has been granted approval by the Department of Education to participate in Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official website: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Licensure

The American Public University System is authorized to operate as an institution of higher education by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC). 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. We also work through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) process to ensure that when authorization or licensure is necessary, the required approvals are secured. West Virginia is a member of SARA and APUS is an approved SARA institution. Participation in SARA is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state; however, SARA has no effect on state professional licensing requirements. For more information about SARA, please visit http://www.nc-sara.org/.

Alabama: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of  Alabama.

Alaska: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of  Alaska.

Arizona: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of  Arizona.

Arkansas: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Arkansas.

California: Effective July 1, 2017, an out-of-state private postsecondary educational institution must register with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) to enroll California students. APUS is registered as an out-of-state private postsecondary institution with the BPPE and able to enroll California students.

Colorado: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Colorado.

Connecticut: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Connecticut.

Delaware: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of  Delaware.

Florida: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Florida.

Georgia: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Georgia.

Hawaii: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Hawaii.

Idaho: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Idaho.

Illinois: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of  Illinois.

Indiana: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of  Indiana.

Iowa: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Iowa.

Kansas: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Kansas.

Kentucky: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Kentucky.

Louisiana: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Louisiana.

Maine: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Maine.

Maryland: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of  Maryland.

Massachusetts: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Massachusetts.

Michigan: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Michigan.

Minnesota: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of  Minnesota.

Mississippi: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Mississippi.

Missouri: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Missouri.

Montana: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Montana.

Nebraska: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of  Nebraska.

Nevada: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Nevada.

New Hampshire: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of New Hampshire.

New Jersey: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of New Jersey.

New Mexico: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of New Mexico.

New York: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of New York. All Master of Science in Nursing programs and Nursing Graduate Certificates are not currently open for admission to New York residents. 

North Carolina: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of  North Carolina.

North Dakota: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of  North Dakota.

Ohio: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Ohio.

Oklahoma: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Oklahoma.

Oregon: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Oregon.

Pennsylvania: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Pennsylvania.

Rhode Island: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Rhode Island.

South Carolina: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of South Carolina.

South Dakota: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of South Dakota.

Tennessee: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Tennessee. 

Texas: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Texas.

Utah: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Utah.

Vermont: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Vermont.

Virginia:As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of  Virginia.

Washington: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Washington. All Nursing programs are not currently open for admission to Washington State residents.

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.

Student Complaints: The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission encourages students to seek first informal resolution of any concern or issue. If the issue cannot be resolved informally, the student should follow the institution’s formal complaint or grievance procedure. If, after exhausting the institution’s internal grievance procedures, the institution has not responded to the student’s satisfaction or a satisfactory remedy has not been found, the student may contact the Commission for further investigation into the issue. Upon receipt of a complaint, the Commission may conduct an investigation or refer the issue to another agency that is authorized to address the issue. The Commission may contact institution officials to discuss a possible resolution. Instructions for filing a complaint with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission can be found at https://www.wvhepc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Student-Complaint-Process.pdf.  

Wisconsin: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Wisconsin.

Wyoming: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of  Wyoming.

The District of Columbia: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of  The District of Columbia. The RN-BSN is currently not open for admission to District of Columbia residents.

Territory Specific Details

Puerto Rico: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of  Puerto Rico.

U.S. Virgin Islands: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

If you're ready to move forward, we're ready to take you there.

APPLY TO AMU APPLY TO APU