American Military University

A PROUD HERITAGE OF EDUCATING THOSE WHO SERVE.
 

About us

 

In 1991, retired Marine Corps officer James P. Etter founded the American Military University and broke new ground by offering career-relevant distance education to a mobile population of military students with unique needs. Over the next 10 years, many more undergraduate and graduate programs were added to help prepare students for leadership roles both within the military and to transition to post-military careers.

 

In 2002, AMU was reorganized into the American Public University System (APUS) and the American Public University (APU) was founded to provide the same quality, affordable and flexible education to a broader audience of motivated working adults.

 

Today, the university system is one of the largest providers of online higher education, offering more than 190 academic programs to enrolled students around the world. The AMU student body is filled with ambitious professionals from all fields who share a common motivation to further their education and prepare to reach their career potential.

 

OUR MISSION

 American Military University's mission is to provide high-quality higher education with an emphasis on educating the nation's military and public service communities by offering respected, relevant, accessible, affordable, and student-centered online programs that prepare them for the service and leadership in a diverse, global society.

 

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 American Military University seeks to promote social, economic, and environmental well-being through the transformative power of education with:

 

*Dynamic, attractive and quality learning experiences.

*Best-in-class student interfaces

*Diverse and career-relevant degree programs.

*Communities of lifelong learners and practice in selected disciplines

*Assessment of credit transfer and competency-based learning

*Affordability relative to public institutions

*Strategic alliances with key players

*Thought leadership that contributes to effective change in higher education.

 

History

 

Founded as American Military University in 1991, APUS proudly celebrates approximately 90,000 current students and more than 108,000 alumni who inspire student-centered education and innovation

Charles Town, WV, June 11, 2021 – Thirty years ago, retired US Marine Corps Major James P. Etter had the vision and determination to create a university that broke new ground by providing Affordable and relevant distance education to active duty service members.

 Over the next decade, the American Military University (AMU) became a pioneer in higher education. Added numerous undergraduate and graduate programs for highly mobile students with irregular work schedules and deployments. In 1999, AMU moved all of its undergraduate programs completely online, with graduate programs moving online a year later.

 Today, the American Public University System (APUS) celebrates its 30th anniversary with much the same mission: to provide high-quality, student-centered higher education with an emphasis on educating the military and public service communities by offering services online. respected, relevant, accessible and affordable.

Programs that prepare students for service and leadership. APUS, through AMU and American Public University (APU), offers more than 200 online degree and certificate programs in numerous relevant fields, including homeland security, business management, criminal justice, and environmental science.

 

“Years ago I met with faculty in my living room,” said APUS Board of Trustees Chairman Gen. Alfred M. Gray, the 29th commandant of the US Marine Corps, who has been involved with the University for almost 25 years. “An auditorium would be needed today!”

 With more than 108,000 alumni worldwide and nearly 1,800 full-time and part-time faculty, APUS is the leading provider of higher education for U.S. military and veterans. It has been named repeatedly a "Best for Veterans" school by Military Times (online and non-traditional category)*.

 “We are proud of our purpose-driven beginnings and rich heritage, and we are excited about our future,” said APUS President Dr. Wade Dyke.

“For three decades, we have provided accessible and affordable online education for service-minded adults, active duty military, veterans and more. We have seen again last year how necessary it is, and we intend to continue Building on our track record for many years to come."