American Public University System (APUS) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). APUS is comprised of American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU). The HLC accredits degree-granting institutions nationwide and is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
ED formally recognizes accrediting commissions that meet all federal standards, and CHEA extends recognition to accrediting bodies and their institutions that meet these established standards. Accreditation is important to students because it determines a school’s eligibility for federal and state financial aid and may influence acceptance of transfer credits and admission to accredited graduate schools.
Institutional Accreditation
This level of accreditation requires a significant amount of self-study and presentation of evidence to satisfy the requirements of accrediting organizations. Obtaining accreditation with HLC demonstrates our focus on providing academic excellence and the best possible experience for our students.
As an accredited institution, our universities are 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.
View the APUS HLC 2021 Reaccreditation Letter.
Further information on recognition policies and standards may be found on the following websites:
- U.S. Department of Education (ED)
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202
(800) USA-LEARN (800-872-5327)
- Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 510
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 955-6126
- The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
(800) 621-7440
*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Have questions? Call or email the Office of Institutional Accreditation for answers.
Credits and degrees earned through APUS may be recognized for promotion, assignment, and position qualification standards within the military, federal government, and the 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.
Specialty Accreditation
The academic programs listed here have additional specialty accreditation granted from external industry governing organizations. Specialty accreditation adds a level of rigor to the curriculum and demonstrates to employers that graduates of these programs have achieved the required knowledge and skills to perform in their professions.
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP®) accredits business, accounting, and business-related programs at the associate, baccalaureate, master, and doctorate degree levels. Recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in 2001 and again in 2011, ACBSP was the first to offer specialized business accreditation at all degree levels. These programs at the University have achieved ACBSP accreditation:
- Accounting (AS, BS, MS — with additional ACBSP-specialized accounting accreditation)
- Business (BA)
- Business Administration (AA, BBA, MBA)
- Business Analytics (BS), Applied Business Analytics (MS)
- Entrepreneurship (BA, MA)
- Government Contracting and Acquisition (BA)
- Hospitality (AA), Hospitality Management (BA)
- Marketing (BA)
- Management (AA, BA, MA)
- Real Estate Studies (AA)
- Retail Management (BA)
- Reverse Logistics Management (BA, MA)
- Supply Chain Management (AA, BA, MA)
- Technical Management (AAS, BAS)
- Transportation and Logistics Management (BA, MA)
ACBSP® is a registered trademark of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE®) is an autonomous accrediting agency that ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing. As a voluntary, self-regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self-assessment by nursing programs and supports continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education and post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs.
The baccalaureate and master's degree programs in nursing at American Public University System are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
The sport management degree program at the American Public University System has received specialized accreditation through the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) located in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. The sport management program in the following degrees is accredited by COSMA:
- Bachelor of Science in Sports Management
- Master of Science in Sports Management
The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH®) is an independent agency recognized by the US Department of Education to accredit schools of public health and public health programs offered in settings other than schools of public health.
Our Master of Public Health is accredited by CEPH through December 31, 2029. A copy of the self-study and the final report from CEPH can be requested by emailing [email protected].
CEPH® is a registered trademark of the Council on Education for Public Health.
The International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC®) is a peer-driven, self-governing system of both fire service certifying entities and higher education fire-related degree programs. IFSAC's mission is to plan and administer a high-quality, uniformly delivered accreditation system with an international scope. IFSAC has accredited these programs at the university:
- Fire Science (AS)
- Fire Science Management (BS)
- Emergency and Disaster Management (BA)
- Emergency and Disaster Management (MA)
- Dual MA Emergency and Disaster Management & Homeland Security
IFSAC® is a registered trademark of The Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges.
The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM®) strives to provide the public with effective and consistent quality monitoring of academic programs in health information management (HIM) and health informatics (HI) through maintenance of accreditation policies and processes.
The Baccalaureate Degree Health Information Management program at American Public University System is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
CAHIIM® is a registered trademark of the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education.
Professional Recognition and Affiliation
Human Development and Family Studies
National Council on Family Relations (NCFR)
Cybersecurity
National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education
Management and Human Resource Management
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Sports and Health Sciences
Human Kinetics Coach Education
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
Frequently Asked Questions
Institutional accrediting bodies evaluate an entire institution in terms of mission and adherence to the agency’s standards and criteria. They accredit an institution as a whole through either regional or national associations. There are 19 institutional accreditors recognized by Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education (ED).
Specialized accreditation, also called programmatic accreditation, is often connected to professional associations or specific disciplines, evaluating particular units, schools, or programs within an institution. There are approximately 60 of these specialized accrediting organizations recognized by CHEA and ED.
State Authorization
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. For more information on state-specific details, visit our State Authorization page.