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Welcome to the APUS Help Center

Applying for Admission to the University

The university uses an online application which should take you about 15 minutes to complete. There is no cost to apply, no admission fee, and you are under no obligation to register for courses by applying.

You can stop the application process at any time after creating your account, and you can return to our login page and use your username and password to login and finish the application.

Step One: Choose Your Academic Program

Selecting the right degree program is a key step in ensuring a smooth admissions process and your successful educational experience.  Many students come to us unsure of which program to choose and where to begin. Our admissions coaches can help you make this important decision. To speak with a coach call 877-755-2787 or email [email protected].

Tips for Successful Program Selection

As you're browsing the academic programs, keep these tips in mind:

  • Associate and bachelor's level programs are both undergraduate degrees.
  • Though it seems logical to earn an associate degree first and then go on to the bachelor's degree, that may not always be your best choice.
  • Keep your end goal in mind and choose the degree that best matches your career goals; this may not be the one that nets you the most in transfer credit.
  • Once you've narrowed your options, speak with an admissions coach; he or she can assist you in getting a preliminary evaluation of your previous transcripts (if applicable) so you can make a more informed choice.

Before you begin your application for admissions, review the admissions requirements for your program of choice.

Step Two: Submit Your Admissions Application

Complete and submit the online application for admission. There is no application fee and the form takes about 15 minutes to complete. During the application you will:

  • Create a username and password, which you will use to log into the student ecampus/classroom.
  • Provide information about your previous educational experiences, your current employer, and if you have any military affiliation.
  • Declare your academic program (major), which is why step one above is so important.

After application, you will be prompted to complete Orientation. This is the best way to learn about our academic and financial policies and understand your rights as a student. After you acknowledge that you read the rights and responsibilities content, your application will be considered submitted and you will receive a student ID number at this time.

Step Three: Submit Documentation

All documents are due within 8 weeks from the start date of your first course. Log into your ecampus to view your document log where you can see a complete list of documents you’ll need to provide and track their progress.

Undergraduate Students

You must have a high school diploma or equivalent to apply to the university. New students may be asked to self-certify on their application and may be asked to submit a copy for verification. If you have a non-US high school credential, you will be required to submit an international evaluation of your high school credential. Those who have earned 60 college credits or more that are applicable to their current degree plan may be eligible to get this requirement waived. 

Graduate Students

  • If you are a new graduate student with no master’s level credits, you are not required to submit any transfer credit documentation.  Students with prior graduate level credit may submit a transfer credit evaluation (TCE) application. Visit our Transfer Credit Evaluation Center for more information about the TCE process and acceptable sources of transfer credit.
  • As a graduate student, you’ll need to submit your official bachelor's degree transcript showing conferral of the degree from an accredited university.
  • You will be asked to submit a legible color copy of your valid government-issued photo ID before registering for courses.

Postal Address for Documents

Unless you are prompted to submit an online document or form, you should mail your documents to:

American Public University System
Attn: Document Services
111 West Congress Street
Charles Town, WV 25414

Step Four: Register for Your Courses

Log into the student ecampus and click the Register Now button. Click on the course(s) you'd like to take and follow the prompts to register.

  • If you are using Federal Student Aid (FSA) make sure you register for all the courses you intend to take for the entire academic semester to comply with FSA regulations.
  • FSA will not cover funding for the A.A. or B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies degrees, some certificate and learning track programs, or courses taken as a non-degree seeking student.

Need to speak with us?

We offer student support 7 days a week. Read Contacting Student Support and University Staff for phone numbers and hours of operation.

Please visit our admissions information section on the university's website for more details on all admission requirements and to apply.