Service. Leadership. Relevance in a global society. These values define our mission at American Public University System. They guide how we educate and support more than 100,000 distance learners studying in 50 states and more than 100 countries. They shape the growth of our two institutions, American Public University and American Military University. They are a roadmap for how we prepare you for successful careers.

How do we set ourselves apart from other distance learning and traditional “brick-and-mortar” universities?

Our Programs, Your Career

Above all, we exist to serve you. Our students quickly discover a tight-knit community of professors, staff, and fellow students.You’ll engage in one-on-one discussions with professors. You may work on a project with other students who live in your town or join online chats to discuss coursework with classmates who live across an ocean.

We continuously strive to keep the learning environment creative, demanding and relevant to what's happening in the world today.

In fact, we commit ourselves to providing the best in career-relevant programs. We offer an impressive curriculum, with more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including homeland security, intelligence, education, and emergency management.

The professors teaching these programs are truly “real-world” experts who incorporate knowledge they learn from the field. Many are executives in government, business and non-profit organizations, including the State Department, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, CIA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the United Nations.

Join Us

Since our founding in 1991 as American Military University, we’ve grown to become a leader in distance education. Our students have always been the best of the best.

I encourage you to learn more about us. Talk to one of our students. Chat with a professor or department chair. Explore our Web site. Find out how American Public University System is helping others and how we can help you grow, achieve and succeed.

Dr. Wallace E. Boston, President and Chief Executive Officer

Mission Statement

To provide quality higher education with emphasis on educating the nation’s military and public service communities by offering respected, relevant, accessible and affordable, student-focused online programs, which prepare them for service and leadership in a diverse, global society.