American Public University System

The university was founded in 1991 by Major James P. Etter (USMC, retired) as American Military University. In 2016, the university was listed as tied for 58th place in U.S. News & World Report ranking of online bachelor's degree Programs. In July 2016, long-time president Wallace E. Boston was succeeded as APUS president by former executive vice president and provost Karan Powell, while continuing his leadership role as CEO of APEI to provide strategic and leadership support to APUS and other APEI ventures. In September 2016, Vernon Smith was named senior vice president and provost, succeeding Powell. In September 2017, Boston was reappointed APUS president. In September 2019, Angela Selden was named CEO of APEI, succeeding Boston as head of the parent company. APUS had a partnership with Walmart from 2010 to 2019. Walmart spent $50 million on the "Lifelong Learning Program, chiefly for tuition grants for Walmart workers to 'further develop a pipeline' for leaders". From 2013 to 2017, APUS' enrollment declined from 127,000 to 84,000 students. In 2018, APUS paid the state of Massachusetts $270,000 after an investigation by the state's attorney general into allegations that it violated the state's for-profit and occupational school regulations, which are aimed at protecting students from the deceptive and unfair business practices by for-profit schools. In July 2020, Wade Dyke, former president of Kaplan University was named president of APUS; he was replaced by long-serving APUS board chair Dr. Katherine Zatz on November 4, 2021, who was the acting president until Nuno Fernandes took over on September 1, 2022. In October 2020, parent company APEI began the process of acquiring Rasmussen College, later named Rasmussen University. Under the 90–10 rule, schools are required to get funds that are not federal funds. In 2021, Congress closed the loophole in the 90–10 rule that previously excluded DOD Tuition Assistance funds and GI Bill funds. The Veterans Education Project reported that American Public University System would be the largest for-profit college chain negatively affected by the modified rule. == Accreditation ==

APUS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. In 2018, the accreditation status was designated "under governmental investigation" as a result of an investigation by the Massachusetts state attorney general into deceptive and predatory recruiting practices. The investigation ended in a settlement in which APUS paid $270,000 to the state to provide relief to eligible AMU students, and has agreed to change its disclosures to prospective students, The university's School of Business is accredited by, and several business programs have specialized accreditation from, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. The university's Bachelor of Science in nursing (RN to BSN) program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. APUS' Master of Public Health program was accredited in July 2017—retroactive to 22 July 2015—by the Council on Education for Public Health. Professional recognition and affiliation Select APUS programs are also affiliated with and/or recognized by such professional organizations as: • Society for Human Resource Management • American Sport Education Program • Council on Education for Public Health • National Academy of Sports Medicine • NSA's Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation • National Council on Family Relations • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. == Academics and finances==

APUS is an open enrollment institution. The system employs approximately 410 full-time faculty members and 1,800 part-time faculty members. Beginning in May 2017, the university began awarding doctoral degrees in the following courses of study: Doctor of Global Security (DGS) and Doctor of Strategic Intelligence (DSI). According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the 6-year graduation rate is 29%. Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges American Military University participated in the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges program before it was disbanded in 2019, with eligible bachelor's degrees in Homeland Security, Intelligence Studies, Emergency and Disaster Management (Coast Guard only), Criminal Justice, Management, and Business Administration. AMU is also a Navy College Program Distance Learning Partner. ==Student outcomes==

According to the College Scorecard, American Public University has an 8-year graduation rate of 22 percent, with a salary after completing ranging from $15,650 (AA in Human Development) to $76,460 (Bachelors in Fire Protection). Of those two years into student loan repayment, 27% were in forbearance, 21% were not making progress, 19% defaulted, 13% were in deferment, 8% were making progress, 6% were delinquent, 3% were paid in full, and 3% were discharged. == Notable faculty ==

• Wendy B. Lawrence, retired Space Shuttle veteran and Navy aviator with 25 years of service; professor of Space Studies • Dan Caine, 22nd Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff == Notable alumni ==

• Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, Palestinian American activist • Anthony Angelozzi, schoolteacher, union activist and member-elect of the New Jersey Assembly • Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff • Monique Marie Chouraeshkenazi, scholar, chairwoman of the National Security Program • Mike Giallombardo, Member of the Florida House of Representatives • Yasser Harrak, Canadian writer, columnist, and human rights activist • Nicole Malachowski, United States Air Force Colonel and the first female pilot selected to fly as part of the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Thunderbirds • Cory Mills, businessman, defense contractor, and member of the United States House of Representatives • John Wills, Iowa State Representative • Brandon Wolff, mixed martial artist, former Welterweight fighter of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and former Navy SEAL ==Educational institutions owned by American Public Education, Inc.==

Each institution listed here is separately incorporated and accredited. • American Public University System, which uses the brands American Military University and American Public University • Graduate School USA • Hondros College of Nursing • Rasmussen University ==References==