National American University

About National American University (NAU)

In-Demand Career Programs and Experienced Faculty

National American University (NAU) offers the career programs that today's industries are most demanding. NAU is committed to preparing you for a rewarding career directly out of college. They do that by implementing highly qualified instructors who have actively worked in the fields in which they teach, offering you their "real-world experience"; perspective. Another example of their commitment to your career education is their use of program advisory boards. These key individuals make recommendations to the existing programs, ensuring the material they teach stays current and up-to-date. They realize that their programs need to continually evolve as industry changes.

Dedicated To Your Success

Their staff is devoted to helping you balance your education with your personal and professional commitments. NAU will be with you every step of the way ---it's a key part of their personal relationship with you. From the moment you contact them, you will be personally guided through the admissions and financing process, and provided academic advising assistance throughout your college career to ensure a timely graduation. They are there to help you find ways to make life work outside of the classroom so you can focus on your success inside the classroom.

Flexible Scheduling

National American University understands the needs of the adult learner. Most of their students are juggling their time between school, work and family. That is why they offer on-site day, evening and weekend classes, as well as completely online degree programs. For even greater scheduling flexibility, they offer a blended model of learning that incorporates on-campus classes with online classes. This allows you the face-to-face support that campuses offer, while still providing the convenience of taking classes online. In addition to the online campus, they have campuses in seven different states, so you can choose the location that fits your schedule and lifestyle.

Excellent Degree Completion Options

You may be able to finish your degree in less time than you think! With year-round classes and multiple start dates, you have the ability to move through your degree program faster than you can at a traditional school. Not only that, NAU offers an inverted curriculum. This unique format lets you get started in your major your first year so you don't have to wait the typical two years to get immersed in your major. You can find out right away if you have chosen the degree program that suits you the best. National American University also offers personalized transcript evaluations. What does this mean to you? Your prior coursework and specialized, professional, vocational or military training could turn into college credit, saving you time and money.

NAU Worldwide

When you become a student at NAU, you not only join a community of students throughout the United States, but also from around the world. NAU has affiliate partnerships with academic entities in many countries such as Bolivia, Greece, India, Japan, Chile, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, and the Czech Republic, just to name a few. Exclusive to NAU, the Best of Both Worlds IDP™ program offers those students the opportunity to combine their study at a local university with online courses from NAU, earning an accredited U.S. degree.

Career Services

NAU wants to ensure that you are ready for the job market when you graduate. They do this by providing you a career management class that will assist you in preparing your resume and portfolio and developing job interview and job search techniques. This class also provides you with networking strategies. Plus, their staff will help you to seek out employment opportunities that fit your individual needs before you graduate. National American University knows they offer employers something that is highly sought after, graduates who have classroom and real-world training in their fields. As a graduate, you will be prepared to make immediate contributions in your chosen career.

History of NAU

In 1941, the university, then known as National School of Business, opened its doors in South Dakota to students who desired specialized business training. Located on a Rapid City main street, the school offered primarily secretarial and accounting classes and programs.

Through World War II and the Korean War years, the university remained in its original location. Ground was broken at 321 Kansas City Street, Rapid City, South Dakota, in the latter part of 1960 for a new two-story brick building containing classrooms, a bookstore, a small library and administrative offices. In 1963, the construction of a student residence hall, the College Inn was completed.

Anticipating a post-war demand for business curriculum with new classes in accounting, marketing and management, when the demand came, the university was ready with programs geared toward the educational needs of returning veterans who wanted business training, and men and women who sought an expanded role in the business world.

Faculty and staff increased in number and, with National American University's growing stature in the educational community, new and transfer students from across the United States and foreign countries came to study. The university soon expanded its base of programs.

On the campus in Rapid City, several buildings have since been added, including a library, a gymnasium, and additions to the Administration Building and the College Inn.

In past years National American University campuses have been established in Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado; Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Independence and Zona Rosa (Kansas City), Missouri; Bloomington, Brooklyn Center and Roseville (Minneapolis), Minnesota; Overland Park and Wichita, Kansas and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. There is also an extension location at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota and an education center in Watertown, South Dakota.

In 1996 National American University began to develop online courses to be offered through the emerging resource of the World Wide Web. Since that time the NAU Distance Learning program has created a virtual campus offering degree programs in several academic areas. With the addition of online course offerings and degrees, students have access to learning 24-hours a day from anywhere that the Internet can be accessed.

The curricular offerings include degrees in accounting, general education studies, information technology, paralegal studies, medical assisting, medical administrative assistant, applied management, business administration, therapeutic massage, athletic training, health care management, nursing, organizational leadership, and veterinary technology.

Accreditations/Approvals/Affilliations

National American University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, www.ncahlc.org, (312) 263-0456.

In addition, the following National American University programs are separately accredited or approved by national educational and professional associations.

The athletic training education program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), on recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Athletic Training (JRC-AT).

The medical assisting programs offered at Colorado Springs, Denver and Sioux Falls are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs on the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE). The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs can be contacted at 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756, phone (727) 210-2350, fax (727) 210-2354.

Initial approval has been granted by the Kansas State Board of Nursing for the university’s Practical Nurse Diploma and Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Mobility program.

Initial approval has been granted by the Missouri State Board of Nursing for the university’s Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program.

Interim approval has been granted by the Colorado Board of Nursing for the university’s Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program.

Full approval has been granted by the South Dakota Board of Nursing for the university’s online RN to BSN program.