National American University

National American University (NAU) is a private for-profit online university with locations at Ellsworth Air Force Base, Joint Base Charleston, and Naval Submarine Base King's Bay. NAU is owned by National American University Holdings, Inc. (NAUH). The university is headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota. Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security (formerly Henley Putnam University) is a part of National American University.[1]

Not to be confused with American National University.
National American University
MottoQuality higher education in a caring and supportive environment.
TypePrivate for-profit online university
Established1941
PresidentRonald L. Shape (CEO)
Location
Rapid City
,
South Dakota
,
United States
ColorsNavy and Red
Websitewww.national.edu

National American University is organized into three academic divisions: College of Business, Technology, and Health Management; Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security; and Harold D. Buckingham Graduate School. Over 100 associate degree, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs are offered. Most of NAU's academic programs are on the 11-week quarter system and have monthly starts. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.[2]

Financial issues and retrenchment

In 2018, Robert Gravely, a former NAU official, filed a lawsuit alleging that the school defrauded the United States government out of millions of dollars in a student aid program, unlawfully paid bonuses to university employees for recruiting students and rigged the accreditation for its medical assisting program.[3] NAUH also mortgaged real property for $8 million in loans.[4] Campus closings were planned[5] and the university agreed to voluntarily delist from the NASDAQ.[6]

The following year, NAUH announced that "the Company had $0.5 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and a working capital deficiency of $8.7 million. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern."[7] On February 15, 2019, NAUH announced Thomas Bickart as their new Chief Financial Officer. Bickart was CFO at TCI College of Technology from 2013 to 2016 and later worked at EdisonLearning, Inc. to restructure its operations. In March, the university announced that most of its 24 ground campuses would be closed, except for Ellsworth Air Force Base and King's Bay Naval Submarine Base.[8][9][10]

On April 15, 2019, National American University reported that they must post a letter of credit for either 50% ($36.7 million) or 15% ($11 million) of its Title IV awards in order to continue participating in the program. [11][12] The operation faced further pressure with an $800,000 debt payment due the following month and an ongoing federal False Claims lawsuit.[13][14] Students at National American University had been surprised that campuses were closing.[15]

Academics

Enrollment

Total student enrollment has declined from 9,519 students in 2015 to 3,398 students in February 2019. [11] In March 2019, National American University announced that it was closing most of its remaining 24 campuses, including its campuses in Rapid City [9] and Sioux Falls.[8] and is now an online university.

Programs

National American University offers Bachelor of Science degrees, Associate of Applied Science degrees, and diplomas in accounting, management, business administration, allied health, criminal justice, healthcare management, health and beauty management, and information technology. In August 2008, NAU's graduate studies program was renamed the Harold D. Buckingham Graduate School, in honor of the late owner. Graduate degree programs include an M.B.A., a Master of Management degree, a Doctor of Education (EdD), and Master and Doctoral degrees in Strategic Security, Terrorism and Counterterrorism Studies, and Intelligence Management.

Distance learning

In 1996 National American University began to develop online courses and degree options for students across the United States and internationally. Online programs include associate’s, bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting, business, information technology, strategic security, and health care. Students are also provided access to classes and extensive campus resources including learning resource center services, tutoring services, counseling services, and computer support through a student portal.

In 2012, 53 percent of NAU's students were studying online, with an additional 17 percent taking some classes online.[16] In 2018, 77 percent of NAU's students were studying online, with an additional 12 percent taking some classes online.[17]

Accreditation

NAU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.[18] Several NAU programs are separately accredited by multiple national, educational and professional associations. NAU's baccalaureate and master's degree programs in nursing are also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education [19]

Former names

Originally called "National School of Business" in 1941, it changed its name to "National College of Business," then "National College," and is currently "National American University." [20]

Locations

Remaining locations
  • Online
  • Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security

*Georgia

  • Kings Bay Naval Base

*South Carolina

  • Joint Base Charleston

*South Dakota

  • Ellsworth Air Force Base

Closed campuses

Colorado

  • Centennial (Denver Metro)
  • Colorado Springs (North)
  • Colorado Springs (South)

Indiana

  • Indianapolis

Kansas

  • Garden City
  • Overland Park
  • Wichita (East)
  • Wichita (West)

Minnesota

  • Bloomington
  • Brooklyn Center
  • Burnsville
  • Rochester
  • Roseville

Missouri

  • Independence
  • Lee's Summit
  • Zona Rosa (Kansas City)

Nebraska

  • Bellevue

New Mexico

  • Albuquerque (East)
  • Albuquerque (West)

Oklahoma

  • Tulsa

South Dakota

  • Rapid City
  • Sioux Falls
  • Watertown

Texas

  • Austin
  • Georgetown
  • Houston
  • Killeen
  • Lewisville
  • Mesquite
  • Richardson

National American University Holdings, Inc.

National American University Holdings, Inc., was a publicly traded corporation (NASDAQ: NAUH) holding company for NAU and other assets. The corporation was established in 2009 and is located in Rapid City, South Dakota.[21]

References
  1. "National American University Holdings, Inc. Announces Closing of the Henley-Putnam University Transaction, Provides Update on Operational Consolidations Other OTC:NAUH". Globenewswire.com. 2018-03-22. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  2. "Smart Catalog". National. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  3. "National American University accused of defrauding federal student aid program". Argusleader.com. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  4. "Blueprint". Sec.gov. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  5. "Blueprint". Sec.gov. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  6. "Blueprint". Sec.gov. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  7. Ben Unglesbee @Ben_Unglesbee (2019-01-24). "For-profit National American U raises doubts about survival". Education Dive. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  8. Published 3:18 p.m. CT March 25, 2019 (2019-03-25). "National American University in Sioux Falls to close as classes shift online". Argusleader.com. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  9. "NAU closing Rapid City, other campuses | Local". rapidcityjournal.com. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  10. Associated Press March 26, 2019 — 7:20am (2019-03-26). "National American University transitions to online courses". StarTribune.com. Retrieved 2019-10-20.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. Ben Unglesbee @Ben_Unglesbee (2019-04-16). "As National American U faces possible closure, Ed Dept tightens oversight". Education Dive. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  12. "National American University is latest for-profit chain to face financial turmoil". Insidehighered.com. 2019-04-26. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  13. Ben Unglesbee @Ben_Unglesbee (2019-02-26). "Will National American U's online pivot be enough to keep it alive?". Education Dive. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  14. "National American University spells out challenges to investors as student enrollment declines | Local". rapidcityjournal.com. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  15. Kreighbaum, Andrew (2019-05-24). "National American Students Surprised by Closures". Insidehighered.com. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  16. "For Profit Higher Education: The Failure to Safeguard the Federal Investment and Ensure Student Success". U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. pp. 671–692. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  17. "Blueprint". Sec.gov. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  18. "Higher Learning Commission".
  19. "Home". 9 September 2016. Archived from the original on 1 July 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  20. "About NAU Canada - NAU". National American University. The NAU Story. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  21. "National American University Holdings Inc".
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