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First-Time Undergraduates

If you are a first-time college student, you’ll be applying for admission to one of our undergraduate programs.

Associate Degrees
The General Studies degree is designed to provide a solid foundation for further academic achievement. Degree-specific associate programs provide students an opportunity to focus on courses that develop knowledge, skills, and abilities that are readily applicable to the student’s personal or professional interests. All students who enroll in the associate degree program must enroll in COLL100 - Foundations of Online Learning as their first course.

Note: Students pursuing the Associate of Arts in General Studies may not use Federal Student Aid to finance their program.

Bachelor's Degree
The bachelor’s degree program is open to students who possess a high school diploma or its equivalent. This minimum 120- to 124-credit-hour program is the standard “four-year” undergraduate degree desired by most employers and prepares students for graduate study. All students who enroll in the bachelor's degree program must enroll in COLL100 - Foundations of Online Learning as their first course.

Undergraduate Certificates
AMU offers certificate programs at the undergraduate level to applicants who have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Certificate programs allow students to focus on a particular topic of interest through a six- to nine-course program of study. Students choosing certificate programs usually have either an associate or bachelor’s degree and seek specific knowledge in one subject area.

Choosing Your Academic Program
Selecting the right degree plan is a key step in ensuring a smooth admissions process and a successful educational experience. Many students come to us unsure of which program to choose and where to begin. Our Admissions Representatives can help you make this important decision. To speak with an Admissions Representative, call 877-777-9081 or e-mail us at info@apus.edu

Tips for Successful Degree Selection
As you’re browsing the degree program pages, keep these tips in mind:

• Associate and bachelor's level programs are both undergraduate degrees.
• Though it seems logical to earn an associate degree first and then go on to the bachelor's degree, that may not always be the best choice.
• Keep your end goal in mind and choose the degree that best matches your career goals; this may not be the one that nets you the most in transfer credit.
• Once you’ve narrowed your options, talk with an Admissions Representative; he or she can assist you in getting a preliminary evaluation of your previous transcripts so you can make a more informed choice.

Admission Requirements
First-time college students are admitted upon completion of the online application and orientation. They may then register for their first course(s). 

For more details on official documentation needed for admission, here.

Click here to begin an application for Admission.

Transfer Credit for First-time College Students
All students with American Council on Education (ACE)-evaluated military or professional experience and education that they need to have evaluated for credit should submit a Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE) form and supporting documentation. When emailing scanned documents, please make sure they are saved in one of the following formats:  .jpg, .tif or .pdf.  We are unable to accept Word documents. AMU will consider military or civilian training evaluated by the ACE as well as approved examinations, such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). For full instructions on TCE, please click here.

Coming Soon! Students requesting evaluation of the SMART (Sailor Marine ACE Registry Transcript) document are no longer required to submit this documentation. APUS will request the SMART on behalf of the student once the TCE application has been submitted.

Note: Undergraduate students who apply at the associate level may transfer up to a maximum of 45 credit hours; those applying at the bachelor's level may transfer up to 90 credit hours. Students with no prior college experience may have their ACE-evaluated military or professional experience considered for transfer credit.

Mail or Fax Documents to the following address:
American Public University System
Attn: Student Records
10110 Battleview Parkway, Suite 114
Manassas, VA 20109
Documents Fax: 304-724 3788
E-mail: documents@apus.edu