American Public University System
Higher EducationWest Virginia, United States1001-5000 Employees
American Public University System, based in Charles Town, West Virginia, operates through American Military University and American Public University as part of a larger corporate structure owned by APEI. It was established to provide online, degree-granting programs for military personnel (AMU, founded 1991) and for nonmilitary adult learners (APU, founded 2002), with an emphasis on public service education and career relevance. The system offers degree programs across fields such as homeland security, military studies, criminal justice, IT management, business administration, emergency and disaster management, and related disciplines, with a model designed to be affordable and flexible. Its primary customers include U.S. military personnel and civilian public-service learners seeking online education to advance careers, delivered entirely through distance learning. In 2026, APUS was recognized with the Distance Learning Compass Award for Mental Health and Wellness by USDLA, reflecting attention to student well-being.