The university was founded by Major James P. Etter (USMC, retired) as the American Military University (AMU). Operations began in January 1993 with the enrollment of 18 graduate-level students.
Initially, the main goal of the university was to meet the unique educational needs of military personnel needing courses in specialized areas, such as counter-terrorism and military intelligence, that were not included in typical university offerings. In the early years, instruction was done through conventional correspondence.
In June 1995, AMU became nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). In January of the following year, the school introduced its first undergraduate programs. In 1998, AMU made the transition from conventional correspondence to an online learning format.
In 2002, AMU expanded to become the American Public University System and established American Public University, intended primarily for civilians and public service programs.
In 2006, AMU was granted regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
AMU students are active, working adults in the military, public safety and national security sectors, and beyond. Founded to provide relevant and affordable education to the military, AMU today serves a variety of students seeking liberal arts and professional studies degrees, and we place special program emphasis on programs in homeland security, national security, intelligence, and emergency and disaster management. Everyone associated with the University shares a passion for providing curriculum, class delivery, and service uniquely designed to meet the needs of those who serve others in their communities.
AMU offers an impressive curriculum with more than 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs including one of the most comprehensive military studies and national security curricula outside the Department of Defense. Other specialty courses in strategic intelligence, homeland security, security management, and transportation and logistics management cover just a few of the degrees our students pursue.
AMU faculty combines relevant theory with real-world experience. Their academic credentials include such institutions as the University of Chicago, University of Notre Dame, Stanford University, Cambridge University, and Harvard University. Many are executives in government, business and non-profit organizations, including the United Nations, the State Department, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
