American Military University: A History of Online Education for Military and Public Service Professionals

The American Public University System (APUS) began with the establishment of American Military University (AMU) on June 11, 1991, in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Founded by retired Marine Corps Major James P. Etter, AMU initially served as a graduate school of military studies to provide military officers with the opportunity to pursue advanced degrees related to their profession. AMU offered its programs exclusively through distance learning to accommodate the unique needs of military students who frequently relocated and served under uncertain conditions.

Early Years and Accreditation

AMU's curriculum expanded to include disciplines such as Unconventional Warfare, Civil War Studies, Intelligence, Defense Management, and National Security Studies. In June 1995, AMU achieved initial accreditation with the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), making students eligible for Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Programs, Veterans Administration Entitlement Programs, and federal and corporate tuition reimbursement benefits.

In January 1996, AMU introduced its undergraduate program with initial areas of study in Military History, Military Management, and Intelligence Studies. An Associate of Arts degree in General Studies was later added. The university continued to expand its curriculum in response to student and military needs, introducing programs such as Criminal Justice, Management, International Relations, Homeland Security, Security Management, Transportation and Logistics Management, Sports Management, Emergency and Disaster Management, and a full range of liberal arts programs.

Transition to Online Learning and Expansion

In 1998, AMU began transitioning its programs and services from a correspondence format to online, leveraging the accessibility of online electronic classrooms, administrative services, and learning support facilities. The university also outsourced its bookstore and textbook fulfillment services and developed its proprietary student information system, Partnership At a Distance, or PAD.

In 2002, AMU expanded into the American Public University System and established American Public University to serve the educational needs of the public service community. The APUS Mission expanded “to serve the nation’s military and public service community with superior, relevant, and affordable distance learning programs which prepare them for leadership and service in a diverse, global society.”

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Mission and Accreditation

In 2007, the APUS Mission evolved into “to educate the nation’s military and public service communities by providing respected, relevant, affordable, and student-focused online programs, which prepare them for service and leadership in a diverse, global society.” APUS was established in West Virginia and underwent the process of accreditation, achieving regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) in May 2006.

From January 6, 1995, to April 30, 2012, the institution was also accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.

Academic Programs and Features

APUS offers more than 190 academic programs to students enrolled worldwide. Here's a glimpse into some of the courses and programs available:

Image Manipulation: Students can learn the principles and practices of image manipulation, image enhancement, and image storage. The course covers graphical file formats, color and perception, color balance, histograms, web-friendly colors, and the impact of image size and resolution. Students also learn about transparency, opacity, hue, saturation, image layering, color blending, and image transformation. Access to Adobe Photoshop is required for this course.
Language Courses: APUS provides introductions to various languages, including Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian, German, Japanese, and Brazilian Portuguese. These courses focus on developing reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills. They often utilize online immersion techniques and require specific technical specifications, such as the ability to download and install a speech component and a working microphone for speech recognition.
Humanities and Arts: Courses are available in world religions, photography history, visual arts, American film history, and ethics. These courses aim to enhance students' appreciation and understanding of different cultures, art forms, and ethical frameworks.
Literature: Students can explore American literature, British literature, and world literature, examining how historical events and societal changes have shaped authors and their works.
Music: Courses introduce students to popular American music and world music, exploring the cultural contributions of various groups and the relationship between music and culture.
Cybersecurity: APUS is a member of CYBERCOM’s Academic Engagement Network (AEN), collaborating with academia and CYBERCOM to enhance cyber defense capabilities.

APUS is an open enrollment institution with approximately 410 full-time faculty members and 1,800 part-time faculty members. Full-time professors are salaried employees without tenure.

Accreditation and Recognition

APUS has earned several accreditations and recognitions:

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Higher Learning Commission (HLC): APUS earned a reaffirmation of its accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP): The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs granted specialized accreditation for undergraduate and graduate programs in the School of Business.
Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA): APUS's Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and Master of Science in Sports Management degree programs have been awarded specialized accreditation by COSMA.
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH): APUS’s Master of Public Health program has been granted reaccreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): The Master's in Nursing (MSN) program has earned specialized accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE): The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security designated APUS as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC®): Associate, bachelor's and master's programs in fire science and in emergency and disaster management have earned recognition from the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress.
Best for Vets Colleges: Military Times recognizes the University with a “Best for Vets Colleges” distinction. The university has been honored since 2013.

Student Support and Resources

APUS offers various resources to support its students:

No-Cost eBooks: All undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students receive no-cost eBooks. A hard-copy textbook is provided if an eBook is not available.
Richard G. Trefry Archives: As part of the Richard G. Trefry Library, the archives preserve the university's growing institutional heritage.
Preferred Military Rate: Active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families are eligible for the Preferred Military Rate for undergraduate and master’s-level courses.
Veteran Grant: All veterans and family members are eligible to receive a Veterans Grant on standard undergraduate and master’s-level tuition.

Leadership

Key figures in the leadership of APUS include:

James P. Etter: Founder of American Military University.
Wallace E. Boston: Served as president of APUS for 15 years and later as CEO of APEI.
Karan Powell: Succeeded Wallace E. Boston as APUS president in July 2016.
Wade Dyke: Named president of APUS in July 2020.
Katherine Zatz: Appointed as Acting President in 2022.
Nuno Fernandes: Officially assumed the presidency of APUS on Sept. 1, 2022.

Campus and Facilities

APUS maintains corporate and academic offices in Charles Town, West Virginia.

APUS Academic Center: The 45,000 square-foot, all-brick Academic Center was built on the site of a vacant metal salvage yard in Charles Town, WV. The building earned LEED Gold Certification.
APUS Finance Center: The APUS solar array utilizes 1,660 solar panels which generate approximately 50 percent of the Finance Center building’s energy requirements.
APUS Information Technology Building: The Planewave CDK24 telescope opens on top of the APUS Information Technology building in Charles Town, WV.

Controversies and Challenges

APUS has faced some challenges and controversies:

Enrollment Decline: From 2013 to 2017, APUS' enrollment declined from 127,000 to 84,000 students.
Massachusetts Settlement: In 2018, APUS paid the state of Massachusetts $270,000 after an investigation into allegations that it violated the state's for-profit and occupational school regulations.

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