Located in West Virginia, American Public University System (APUS) is authorized to operate as an institution of higher education by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC). Additionally, 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. In this regard, the University is committed to ensuring that its academic programs, business practices, and operational activities remain in compliance with applicable regulations specific to each jurisdiction.
We work through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) process and with states directly to ensure that when authorization or licensure is necessary, required approvals are secured. West Virginia is a member of SARA and APUS is an approved SARA institution. Participation in SARA is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. For more information about SARA, and the individual state portal agencies, please visit http://www.nc-sara.org/.
State Specific Details
Alabama: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Alabama regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Alaska: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Alaska regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Arizona: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Arizona regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Arkansas: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Arkansas regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
California: Effective July 1, 2017, an out-of-state private postsecondary educational institution must register with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) to enroll California students. APUS has been registered as an out-of-state institution with the BPPE to enroll California students.
Colorado: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Colorado regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Connecticut: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Connecticut regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Delaware: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Delaware regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
District of Columbia: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with the District of Columbia regulations to offer programs to residents of the District.
Florida: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Florida regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Georgia: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Georgia regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Hawaii: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Hawaii regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Idaho: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Idaho regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Illinois: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Illinois regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Indiana: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Indiana regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Iowa: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Iowa regulations to offer programs to residents of the state. Note to Students: A student seeking an Iowa educator license is advised that successful completion of this institution’s program(s) of educator preparation does not qualify you for initial educator licensure by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. A candidate seeking licensure in the State of Iowa must first be licensed/certified as an educator in the state in which preparation was completed. This institution shall assist a candidate in contacting the appropriate licensing board in the state in which the candidate’s preparation was completed. This institution shall assist the candidate in understanding the requirements of the appropriate licensing board prior to the candidate’s completion of this institution’s program(s) of educator preparation. A candidate seeking subsequent licensure from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners must contact that Board (515/281-5849; http://www.boee.iowa.gov/ for licensure requirements in Iowa).
Kansas: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Kansas regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Kentucky: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Kentucky regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Louisiana: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Louisiana regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Maine: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Maine regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Maryland: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Maryland regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Massachusetts: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Massachusetts regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Michigan: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Michigan regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Minnesota: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Minnesota regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Mississippi: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Mississippi regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Missouri: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Missouri regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Montana: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Montana regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Nebraska: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Nebraska regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Nevada: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Nevada regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
New Hampshire: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with New Hampshire regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
New Jersey: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with New Jersey regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
New Mexico: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with New Mexico regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
New York: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with New York regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
North Carolina: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with North Carolina regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
North Dakota: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with North Dakota regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Ohio: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Ohio regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Oklahoma: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Oklahoma regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Oregon: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Oregon regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Pennsylvania: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Pennsylvania regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Rhode Island: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Rhode Island regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
South Carolina: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with South Carolina regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
South Dakota: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with South Dakota regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Tennessee: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Tennessee regulations to offer programs to residents of the state. The R.N. to B.S. in Nursing and the Master of Science in Nursing programs are not currently open for admission to Tennessee residents.
Texas: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Texas regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Utah: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Utah regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Vermont: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Vermont regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Virginia: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Virginia regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Washington: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Washington regulations to offer programs to residents of the state. Washington State residents: The R.N. to B.S. in Nursing and the Master of Science in Nursing programs are not currently open for admission to Washington State residents.
West Virginia: The University has received Category II status from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, which represents the final step in achieving full authorization to operate in the state.
Student Complaints: The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission acts as the SARA Portal Entity for APUS. The Commission encourages students to seek first informal resolution of any concern or issue. If the issue cannot be resolved informally, the student should follow the institution’s formal complaint or grievance procedure. If, after exhausting the institution’s internal grievance procedures, the institution has not responded to the student’s satisfaction or a satisfactory remedy has not been found, the student may contact the Commission for further investigation into the issue. Upon receipt of a complaint, the Commission may conduct an investigation or refer the issue to another agency that is authorized to address the issue. The Commission may contact institution officials to discuss a possible resolution. Instructions for filing a complaint with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission can be found at http://www.wvhepc.edu/inside-the-commission/special-initiatives/state-authorization-reciprocity-agreement-sara/
Wisconsin: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Wisconsin regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Wyoming: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Wyoming regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
Territory Specific Details
Puerto Rico: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with Puerto Rico regulations to offer programs to residents of the territory.
U.S. Virgin Islands: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is in compliance with U.S. Virgin Islands regulations to offer programs to residents of the territory.