A Comprehensive Overview of National American University
Introduction and Historical Roots
Founded in 1941 by businessman and attorney Clarence Jacobson and his wife, Katherine, National American University (NAU) began as the National School of Business in Rapid City, South Dakota, just 20 miles from the iconic Mount Rushmore, which was completed that same year. In that inaugural year, Jacobson taught business courses to a class of just 13 students, focused primarily on secretarial and accounting education. The institution underwent several name changes—first to National College of Business, then to National College—before officially adopting its current name in 1997. In 1962, Harold D. Buckingham acquired the school and guided its growth for many years; his family remains actively involved in the university more than five decades later. For more than eight decades, NAU has provided quality higher education with a mission to “create opportunities, empower people, and transform lives.”
Academic Programs and Institutional Structure
National American University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with its most recent reaffirmation occurring in 2024–2025 and the next scheduled for 2034–2035. The university’s business programs have also received specialized accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). NAU is organized into three academic divisions: the College of Business, Technology, and Health Management; the Henley‑Putnam School of Strategic Security; and the Harold D. Buckingham Graduate School. Through these divisions, NAU offers over 100 relevant degree and certificate programs, ranging from certificate and associate degrees to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, across fields such as business administration, accounting, healthcare management, information technology, criminal justice, paralegal studies, strategic security, and aviation management. Most of NAU’s academic programs operate on an 11-week quarter system with monthly starts, providing students with multiple entry points throughout the year. Buy fake USA diploma online.
Pioneering Online Education and Current Operating Model
NAU has long been a pioneer in the development of online education, first beginning to develop online courses in 1996 and formally launching online course offerings in 1998. In March 2019, the university announced the closure of most of its 24 remaining physical campuses, including its Rapid City and Sioux Falls locations, and subsequently transitioned to operating as a completely online university. Today, NAU delivers all programs 100% online, with over 80% of its students receiving transfer or experiential learning credit, ensuring maximum flexibility for adult learners, military service members, and transfer students who are balancing education with professional and family obligations. The university continues to innovate, as demonstrated by its June 2025 launch of a reduced-credit Bachelor of Science in Information Technology—Focused, which allows students to choose from four IT specialty areas (Cybersecurity, Network Administration, Artificial Intelligence, or Cloud Computing) and complete the program in just three years. Additionally, a September 2025 expanded articulation agreement with the Aviation Institute of Management now offers pathway opportunities for AIM students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management at NAU.
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Challenges and Transformation
The university’s transformation has not been without challenges. In the years leading up to its pivot to online operations, NAU faced significant enrollment declines from a peak of 9,519 students in 2015 to 3,398 students by February 2019, as well as substantial financial and legal pressures, including a federal False Claims lawsuit that contributed to the decision to close most of its brick-and-mortar campuses. By voluntarily delisting from the NASDAQ and restructuring its operations, NAU successfully navigated this turbulent period and emerged as a focused, fully online institution serving adult and military-affiliated learners nationwide.
Conclusion
From its humble beginnings as a secretarial school in Rapid City to its current role as a fully accredited online university, National American University has demonstrated remarkable resilience and a steadfast commitment to accessible, career-relevant education. Through continuous innovation—pioneering online learning more than two decades ago, developing three-year bachelor’s degrees in IT, expanding aviation pathway partnerships, and fully embracing a digital delivery model—NAU remains focused on its core mission: providing caring, supportive, and flexible learning experiences that prepare graduates for success in technical and professional fields, no matter where their educational journey begins.