American National University & National College
Evolution 2086
In 1886, a group of visionary educators and business people saw a need for focused, career-based training in the southeastern United States. Roanoke National Business College was thus born, to fulfill the need for trained business, banking, accounting, administrative, and other professionals.
Through its first century, National College steadily developed a reputation for providing men and women with an efficient and effective education preparing them for the world of professional work. Students from many states made the trek to Roanoke, Virginia, to receive a practical education that was more focused and relevant than that offered by other colleges and universities of the time.
As the college's first 100 years drew to a close, however, changes had already been underway that would give the institution a different appearance even as it continued to remain true to its original purpose. The dormitories and large central campus gave way to multiple community-based campuses throughout Southwest Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Business curricula were supplemented by career-focused programs in computers and healthcare. Certificate programs were no longer the norm-students pursued more in-depth study leading to associate's degrees and the college's first baccalaureate programs had been introduced.
Today, National College has developed into a master's-level career college offering more than 45 academic programs through 31 community-based campuses in six states. A burgeoning online courses program serves a growing number of students, while thousands of international students have turned to National for both academic degree programs and English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction. The college's reputation for excellence has been affirmed through numerous awards and acknowledgments; including awards for grassroots student advocacy (Association for Private Sector Colleges & Universities TOPS Award, 2012), support for veterans (Top 15% Military Friendly School, 2010-2013), and a Lifetime Achievement Award (Imagine America Foundation, 2012) recognizing National College President Frank Longaker's 40 years of service to the career college sector — to name just a few.
As we enter 2013, the college continues to evolve. In an effort to recognize the college's continuous history of adapting to change in the worldwide economy and provide a vision for our anticipated development to carry us to our 200th anniversary in 2086, we introduce our theme of "Evolution 2086."
Evolution 2086 guides our development to continue meeting the workforce needs for the 21st century and beyond. Today's workforce demands career education at increasingly higher degree levels, which we will meet with additional master's and doctoral programs. We will serve additional communities in additional states with local campuses. We will expand and explore additional teaching methodologies, including online delivery, hybrid courses, and open-enrollment online courses.
While continuing to focus on the fundamentals of business, computers, and health care, we will expand our offerings in developing fields. We will continue our leadership in health informatics, offering bachelor's and master's degree programs in this important field. Cyber security and information assurance will expand our depth and breadth of offerings in information technology. And we will continue to pursue programmatic accreditation in those fields for which such accreditation is essential as we do for current programs.
It is therefore appropriate to recognize the substantive differences in the evolution of National College with a new name: American National University. American, recognizing our role as a leading American institution for career-focused education for students from around the world; National, acknowledging our historical name and nationwide reputation; University, representing our status as a graduate-level institution offering diverse academic, online, international, ESL, and corporate training programs.
What does not change are the hallmarks of the experience our tens of thousands of graduates have enjoyed since 1886. American National University does not replace National College; our 29 community-based campuses, and additional campuses we will open in other communities, will continue to operate as National College. Our flagship campus and institutional headquarters in Salem and Roanoke, Virginia will take the American National University name. Other facilities, such as our new academic center in Fairfax County, Virginia, offering ESL instruction and corporate training through the School of Professional Development, will also operate under the American National University name.
With this name change, current students will not see dramatic changes. American National University will continue to offer the career-focused, hands-on learning environment that has characterized our 126 years of excellence, while steadily evolving new programs, venues, methods of instruction, and educational fields appropriate to the 21st-century global economy. Students will continue to reap the benefits of our decades of tradition and experience as well as new opportunities and resources.
- Success Stories
- Accreditation
- Consumer Disclosure Information
- Common Questions
More Success Stories:
- Grandview Pharmacy Supports Campus’s Pharmacy Technician Program
- Radio & TV Broadcasting Graduate Lands Job of His Dreams with ESPN Sports Radio
- Couple’s Future as Husband and Wife Looks Bright Thanks to Career Training from National
- Florence Campus Class Achieves 100% Pass Rate on the RMA Exam
- Campus Celebrates New Graduates and Their Academic Achievements
- Graduate Offers Sound Advice When Featured in “Work It, Lynchburg”
- Pikeville Campus Celebrates Achievements of the Class of 2013
- City of Richmond Employee Receives National College Alumni Hall of Achievement Award
- Graduate Flourishes in Medical Billing & Coding Career with Physiotherapy Associates
- ISE Graduate Starts New Business Offering Web and Facebook Support
Campus Celebrates 100% RMA Exam Pass Rate
Accreditation
The Roanoke Valley Campus of National College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to award master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and diplomas. The Louisville, Bristol, Danville (VA), Lynchburg, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Indianapolis, Parkersburg and Princeton Campuses are accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and diplomas. All other campuses of National College are accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees and diplomas.
The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, founded in 1912, is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education. Its accreditation of degree-granting institutions is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
The mission of ACICS is to advance educational excellence at independent, nonpublic career schools, colleges, and organizations in the United States and abroad. This is achieved through a deliberate and thorough accreditation process of quality assessment and enhancement as well as ethical business and educational practices whereby ACICS attempts to maintain minimum standards, policies, and procedures leading to institutional effectiveness.
The Council's evaluation and accreditation activities are directed to post-secondary institutions offering non-degree programs and degree programs through the Master's degree level that are designed to train and educate persons for careers or professions where business applications, business concepts, supervisory or management techniques, or professional or business-related applications or disciplines support or constitute the career or professional activity.
National College is also approved for the training of Veterans and Vocational Rehabilitation students, and is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. The Virginia campuses are recognized by the State Council of Higher Education; the Kentucky campuses are licensed by the Kentucky Council on Post-secondary Education; the Tennessee campuses are authorized for operation by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. The Dayton Area Campus, Columbus Campus, Cincinnati Campus, Stow Campus, Cleveland Campus and Youngstown Campus have received the Certificate of Registration and Program Authorization from the State of Ohio Board of Career Colleges and Schools located at 35 East Gay Street, Suite 403, Columbus, OH 43215, and can be reached at (877) 275-4219. The Ohio registration number for the Dayton Area Campus is 04-01-1700B, 08-11-1884B for the Columbus Campus, 04-05-1718B for the Cincinnati Campus, 07-01-1811B for the Stow Campus, 09-07-1905B for the Cleveland Campus and 07-03-1816B for the Youngstown Campus. The Indiana campuses are regulated by the Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education, 302 W. Washington St., Room E201, Indianapolis, IN 46204, and can be reached at (317) 232-1320 or toll free (800) 227-5695. Advertising code is AC-0054. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission has assigned the Princeton, West Virginia Campus of National College the status of Category II to offer degree programs and has assigned the Parkersburg, West Virginia Campus the status of Category III to offer degree programs.
Contact Information
Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
750 First Street, NE, Suite 980
Washington, DC 20002-4241
Tel: (202) 336-6780
Fax: (202) 842-2593
E-mail: info@acics.org
Web Site: www.acics.org
Consumer Disclosure Information
Click here to view the 2013 Minger Report.
Click here to view the 2012 Minger Report.
Click here to view the 2011 Minger Report.
Click here to view the 2010 Minger Report.
Click here to view the 2009 Minger Report.
Click on each campus location for Consumer Disclosure Information.
Virginia / West Virginia
Indiana
Ohio
Kentucky
Tennessee
National College of Business & Technology is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. In order to view detailed job placement and graduation information on the programs offered by National College of Business & Technology, please visit www.state.tn.us/thec and click on the Authorized Institutions Data button.
For Drug/Alcohol Abuse information for each campus, please click here.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Review:
- Bristol, Charlottesville, Cincinnati, Columbus, Danville VA, Dayton Area, Harrisonburg, Knoxville, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Online, Parkersburg, Princeton, Roanoke Valley, Stark Co (Canton), Youngstown
- Bartlett, Madison, Memphis, Nashville, Akron Area (Stow), Cleveland
- Danville KY, Florence, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Lexington, Louisville, Pikeville, Richmond, South Bend
Miscellaneous Related Disclosure and Important Information:
Common Questions
Considering a career education at National College? Here are the answers to some common questions.
Q: I don't want to get lost in the crowd. How big are the classes?
A: National College doesn't treat a student as just another body. We offer small classes in a friendly environment, with an average of about 15 students per instructor.
Q: How much time would it take me to complete a career program at National College?
A: We offer four educational levels to fit the needs of people at various points of their careers, starting with several short-term diploma programs that can be completed in just nine months to a year. Associate's degree programs take about two years. Bachelor's degree programs build on the Associate's degree and may require another two years to complete. The Master of Business Administration may be completed in as little as 18 months.
Q: If I find myself struggling in some classes, can I get extra help?
A: We want to be sure our students have all the tools they need to get the most out of their education. For students who need a little extra help with their studies, we can arrange for individual tutoring at no extra charge.
Q: Will my National College education really prepare me for the real world?
A: We focus on the skills necessary for your chosen field, tailoring our programs to fit the demands of today's employers. What's more, our instructors are practicing professionals in their fields, and their knowledge and experience help prepare our students to enter the job market with confidence.
Q: What assistance is available to help me find a job after graduation?
A: National College has an excellent reputation with employers, and we take pride in assisting in job placement for our students. Plus, our Career Center is available as a resource for all our graduates throughout their professional lives.
Q: I am concerned about paying for a college education. Can I get help?
A: A number of options for financial assistance are available for those who qualify, including scholarships, grants, and loans. Our student services representative will sit down with you to determine which resources you can take advantage of, eliminating the confusion of applying for aid.
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