APUS Backgrounder

American Public University System (APUS) www.apus.edu, through its member universities American Military University and American Public University, is a leading provider of relevant and affordable distance learning to more than 50,000 working adults worldwide. Degree programs offered include disciplines related to education, technology, business administration, liberal arts, national security, military studies, intelligence, homeland security and criminal justice. APUS is regionally accredited and is one of the nation’s largest providers of higher education to the armed forces.

Originally founded as American Military University (AMU) www.amuonline.com in 1991 by a former Marine Corps officer and instructor, APUS focused on meeting the unique educational needs of the military — a very mobile population with extended, irregular schedules and limited financial resources. At its launch, AMU enrolled 18 students in 22 courses and offered only graduate degrees.

Over time, AMU expanded program offerings in response to demand by military students for post-military career preparation. With these new programs, AMU extended its outreach to the greater public service community, primarily police, fire, emergency management personnel and national security professionals. In 2002, the American Military University was reorganized into the current university system and began operating through two brands, AMU and American Public University (APU) www.studyatapu.com. The reorganization established an institutional brand – APU – that would appeal to non-military markets, including public service professionals such as teachers.

In November 2007, American Public Education, Inc., which wholly owns APUS, conducted a successful IPO launch and now trades as a public company (Nasdaq: APEI) www.americanpubliceducation.com.

Academic excellence
APUS offers 76 associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The Homeland Security program was one of the first programs of its kind to be offered and remains one of the largest Homeland Security degree programs in the nation. Program expertise extends to intelligence, national security, criminal justice and emergency management.

Over 200 full-time and more than 700 adjunct faculty members combine relevant theory with real-world experience to the subjects they teach. Many are executives in government, business and non-profit organizations, including the United Nations, the State Department, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

APUS students
APUS students — most of whom are working adults — study in all 50 states and more than 100 foreign countries. More than 80 percent are active duty U.S. military, serve in the National Guard, or are Veterans. Most other students are working full-time in a variety of public and private sector positions. About 70 percent are pursuing undergraduate degrees and about 25 percent are pursuing master’s degrees. The median age of an APUS student is 31.

More than 9,000 students have earned degrees since the university was founded. Graduates are working in a variety of fields including intelligence, security management, military management, government agencies, contractors and elsewhere.

Online, Affordable Programs to Educate Those Who Serve™
APUS’s courses and programs are designed specifically for the online environment. Because students are located around the world, APUS emphasizes asynchronous, interactive instruction through the Web. This approach provides students the flexibility to study and interact during the hours of the day or days of the week that suit their schedules.

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