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.

Regional Accreditation
The American Public University System is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. 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.

National Accreditation
The American Public University System is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting 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 are therefore recognized for promotion, assignment, and position qualification standards within the military and federal government. In addition, APUS has been granted approval by the Department of Education to participate in Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs.

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

• U.S. Department of Education at www.ed.gov

• Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) at www.chea.org
  1601 18th St. NW
  Washington, DC  20009
  (202) 955-6126

• Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) at www.detc.org
  1601 18th Street, NW
  Washington, DC  20009
  (202) 234-5100

• The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools at www.ncahhlc.org
  30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
  Chicago, IL  60602
  (800) 621-7440

• Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES) at www.voled.doded.mil

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 Certificate of Exemption 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: No requirement for exemption or authorization

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, and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. 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.

California: The Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Reform Act became inoperative on June 30, 2007 and was repealed on January 1, 2008. Currently, in California, there is no regulatory body with oversight of private postsecondary schools. No approval is required.

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: No regulatory authorization required: the University does not meet the Connecticut requirement for physical presence.

Delaware:  No requirement for exemption or authorization.

Florida:  The University maintains a current agent license for Danny Roby, Education Coordinator 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:  No requirement for exemption or authorization.

Idaho: No regulatory authorization required: the University does not meet the Idaho requirement for physical presence.

Illinois: No regulatory authorization required: the University does not meet the Illinois requirement for physical presence.

Indiana: No requirement for exemption or authorization.

Iowa: No requirement for exemption or authorization.

Kansas: Certificate of Approval, #2009063.

Kentucky: No requirement for exemption or authorization.

Louisiana: No requirement for exemption or authorization unless the University advertises in “local” media outlets.

Maine: No requirement for exemption or authorization.

Maryland: No regulatory authorization required: the University does not meet the Maryland requirement for physical presence.

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

Michigan: No regulatory authorization required: the University does not meet the Michigan requirement for physical presence.

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: No regulatory authorization required: the University does not meet the Mississippi requirement for physical presence.

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: No regulatory authorization required.

New Hampshire: No regulatory authorization required: the University does not meet New Hampshire requirement for physical presence.

New Jersey: The University is a registered as a foreign agent; currently the University does not meet the New Jersey requirement for physical presence.

New Mexico: The University is exempt from licensure; however we are officially registered with the NMHED to actively recruit and solicit students.

New York: The University continues to monitor emerging legislation.

North Carolina: No requirement for exemption or authorization.

North Dakota: No regulatory authorization required: the University does not meet the North Dakota requirement for physical presence.

Ohio: the University continues to monitor emerging legislation.

Oklahoma: No regulatory authorization required: the University does not meet the Oklahoma requirement for physical presence.

Oregon: Oregon does not regulate degree programs offered by regionally accredited institutions. Recruiting for non-degree programs; however does require state approval by the Private Career School Office of the Oregon Department of Education.

Pennsylvania: The University has received a Certificate of Authority for the purpose of marketing and recruiting in the state.

Rhode Island: No regulatory authorization required: the University does not meet the Rhode Island requirement for physical presence.

South Carolina: No requirement for exemption or authorization.

South Dakota: No requirement for exemption or authorization.

Tennessee: No requirement for exemption or authorization.

Texas: No regulatory authorization required: the University does not meet the Texas requirement for physical presence.

Utah: According to the Utah Postsecondary Proprietary School Act, a school or institution which is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education is exempt.

Vermont: No regulatory authorization required: the University does not meet the Vermont requirement for physical presence.

Virginia: The University is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

Washington: No regulatory authorization required: the University does not meet the Washington State requirement for physical presence.

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: The University is included in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Wisconsin Educational Approval Board and the Distance Education Training Council.

Wyoming: The University maintains a Private School Registration from the Wyoming Department of Education (Certificate number 10-130-30).

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