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 accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association, www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602, 800.621.7440.

The Higher Learning Commission accredits degree-granting institutions located in the 19-state north central region, including West Virginia. The Higher Learning Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

National Accreditation
The American Public University System is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).

DETC's Accrediting Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

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:

US 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, D.C. 20009
(202) 234-5100

Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association at http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.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.