Национальный американский университет: от кампусов к онлайн-обучению и финансовые трудности.

University in South Dakota and Georgia

National American University (NAU) is a private for profit online university. It is owned by National American University Holdings, Inc. (NAUH). In 2018, NAU acquired the assets of Henley Putnam University and now offers strategic security programs. Most of NAU's academic programs are on the 11 week quarter system and have monthly starts. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Originally called "National School of Business" in 1941, National American University changed its name to National College of Business, then National College, before adopting its current name. In 1996 National American University began developing 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% of NAU's students were studying online, with an additional 17% taking some classes online. In 2018, 77% of NAU's students were studying online, with an additional 12% taking some classes online.

In 2018, NAUH mortgaged real property to secure an $8 million loan which was subsequently paid in full. Campus closings were planned as NAU transitioned to an online university and the NAUH agreed to voluntarily delist from the NASDAQ. 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." 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. 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 to continue participating in the program. It faced further pressure with an $800,000 debt payment due the following month and an ongoing federal False Claims lawsuit. NAU's students were surprised that the campuses were closing. National American University received $1,453,446 under the first round of the 2020 CARES Act, $390,269 under the second round of the Covid Relief Bill, and $207,146 under the 2021 American Rescue Plan. In October 2021, Minnesota Office Plaza filed a lawsuit against NAUH, claiming that NAUH hid assets to avoid paying $2.3 million in back and future rent. In January 2022, NAUH reported $8.2 million in assets, $15.9 million in liabilities, and less than $400,000 in cash. In April 2022, NAUH reported less than $50,000 in cash. In October 2023, NAUH reported no available cash. The school is currently on Heightened Cash Monitoring by the US Department of Education.

According to the College Navigator, National American University has no full time instructors and 172 part time instructors.

Total student enrollment has declined from 9,519 students in 2015 to 3,398 students in February 2019.

According to the College Scorecard, NAU's Rapid City campus has a 16 percent graduation rate. Salary after completing ranges from $25,484 (AA in health and administrative medical services) to $56,163 (BSN). Two years after completion, student loan debt borrowers were 31% in forbearance, 26% not making progress, 17% defaulted, 9% in deferment, 8% delinquent, 5% making progress, 2% discharged, and 1% paid in full.

NAU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Several NAU programs are separately accredited by multiple national, educational and professional associations.

National American University Holdings, Inc., was a publicly traded corporation (NASDAQ: NAUH) holding company for NAU and other assets. The corporation is located in Rapid City, South Dakota. National American University Holdings, Inc. is now an "Over The Counter" traded company listed on the OTCQB since January 2019.