The American Public University System is authorized to operate as an institution of higher education by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC). 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 also work through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) process to ensure that when authorization or licensure is necessary, the 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; however, SARA has no effect on state professional licensing requirements. For more information about SARA, please visit http://www.nc-sara.org/.
State Specific Details
Alabama: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Alabama.
Alaska: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Alaska.
Arizona: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Arizona.
Arkansas: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Arkansas.
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 authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Colorado.
Connecticut: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Connecticut.
Delaware: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Delaware.
Florida: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Florida.
Georgia: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Georgia.
Hawaii: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Hawaii.
Idaho: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Idaho.
Illinois: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Illinois.
Indiana: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Indiana.
Iowa: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Iowa.
Kansas: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Kansas.
Kentucky: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Kentucky.
Louisiana: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Louisiana.
Maine: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Maine.
Maryland: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Maryland.
Massachusetts: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Massachusetts.
Michigan: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Michigan.
Minnesota: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Minnesota.
Mississippi: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Mississippi.
Missouri: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Missouri.
Montana: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Montana.
Nebraska: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Nebraska.
Nevada: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Nevada.
New Hampshire: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of New Hampshire.
New Jersey: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of New Jersey.
New Mexico: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of New Mexico.
New York: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of New York.
North Carolina: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of North Carolina.
North Dakota: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of North Dakota.
Ohio: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Ohio.
Oklahoma: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Oklahoma.
Oregon: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Oregon.
Pennsylvania: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Rhode Island.
South Carolina: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of South Carolina.
South Dakota: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of South Dakota.
Tennessee: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Tennessee. 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 authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Texas.
Utah: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Utah.
Vermont: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Vermont.
Virginia: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Virginia.
Washington: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Washington. 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 authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Wisconsin.
Wyoming: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Wyoming.
The District of Columbia: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of The District of Columbia.
Territory Specific Details
Puerto Rico: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of Puerto Rico.
U.S. Virgin Islands: As an approved SARA institution, APUS is authorized to offer online programs to the residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands.