National American University

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National American University
Motto: Quality higher education in a caring and supportive environment.
Established: 1941
Type: Private
President: Dr. Jerry L. Gallentine
Location: See below
Colors: Royal Blue and White
Mascot: Marvin the Maverick
Website: national.edu
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National American University (NAU) is a private, for-profit university with multiple campuses in the United States. NAU has undergraduate and graduate programs.

Contents

[edit] Academics

National American University offers core academic programs in accounting, applied management, business administration, health care, and information technology. The graduate degree programs available include a M.B.A. and a Master of Management degree. Degree offerings vary by region.

[edit] Campus life

National American University’s first campus in Rapid City, still located at 321 Kansas City Street, has on-campus housing, a gymnasium, several classroom buildings and a library.

The dormitory, at 121 Kansas City Street, is open year-around and houses a cafeteria-style dining room. Other features include public computers in the commons area and available WiFi access. It is within walking distance of most downtown businesses and has easy access to the cities’ bus routes. Other campus locations (listed below) offer a wide variety of degree programs, but no on-campus housing is available.

[edit] Athletics

NAU’s Rapid City campus was home to two collegiate sports – volleyball and rodeo. The mascot is the Maverick.

The Maverick women won the NAIA National Volleyball Championship in December 2006 at the end of a perfect season — 41-0. It was the second national title in volleyball since the arrival of Coach Todd Lowery in 2002. Lowery was named 2006 NAIA Region III Volleyball Coach of the Year.

NAU’s Maverick rodeo team—both men and women—competed in the Great Plains Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. With the fall season of competition completed, both are in the number one position. Several NIRA champions call NAU Rapid City home.

On March 17, 2008, NAU CFO & COO Ronald Shape announced "effective at the end of the spring term 2008, National American University will no longer offer the mens’ and womens’ rodeo programs or the womens’ volleyball program. These changes will allow the university to realign its resources and focus on maintaining quality academic programming in healthcare, business and business-related fields in accounting, applied management, athletic training, business administration, information technology, legal studies, and veterinary technology."[1]

According to an article in the Rapid City Journal, published March 20, 2008[2], "[t]he NAU governing board said the decision to drop both volleyball and rodeo was made at a January board meeting, and was made because of dwindling numbers of high school graduates and an shift in enrollment to older students."[3] However, notice to the athletes and coaches was not given until March 17th, causing controversy on the Rapid City campus and in the Rapid City area.

[edit] History

National American University was established in 1941 as a one-year secretarial school by Clarence Jacobson. It was called National College of Business and was located in a downtown Rapid City building. In 1960, Jacobson had the building that now houses administration for the Rapid City campus constructed at 321 Kansas City Street and moved National College to that location.

In 1962, NCB was acquired by Harold D. Buckingham and members of his family. Shortly after the Buckinghams purchased the school, a period of growth began which led to the construction of the classroom buildings, dormitories, a library, gymnasium, and an auditorium.

NCB was granted collegiate accreditation as a junior college by the Accrediting Commission of the Association of Independent Colleges and Schools in 1966. Senior college accreditation was granted in 1970.

The 1970s brought another period of growth, this time with the addition of several branch locations in the Midwest and Rocky Mountain regions. This trend toward reaching out to other communities resumed in the 90s with the addition of more campuses nationwide and continues today (See below for a complete listing of National American university campuses.)

In 1985, NCB earned accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and in 1997 the university name was changed to National American University.

The university made its first foray into the world of online education in 1998 and currently offers many classes and several degrees completely online through its Distance Learning campus.In 2000, the growth of the university system resulted in the creation of Central Administration which is located south of Rapid City.

[edit] Locations

Campuses are located in Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado; Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Independence and Zona Rosa Mall in northern Kansas City, Missouri; Bloomington, Brooklyn Center and Roseville, Minnesota; Overland Park, Kansas; and Ellsworth AFB and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. NAU has opened education centers in Watertown, South Dakota and Wichita, Kansas, and, in the near future, will open a campus in Austin, Texas.

[edit] Distance learning

National American University began to develop online courses in 1996 and now offers degree programs in a number of academic areas.

[edit] Accreditation

NAU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

[edit] Student services and activities

There are many student organizations, both university based and national, that NAU students can join. The Rapid City campus has several club and intramural sports.

[edit] External links

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