APUS Expands Associate Degree Programs

AA degree concentrations are now stand alone degrees for online university system.

Charles Town, WV (Vocus) June 4, 2008 -- The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools has given approval to American Public University System (www.apus.edu) (APUS) www.apus.edu to enhance its associate degree programs. One Associate of Arts degree in General Studies, with multiple concentrations, has now been changed to several stand alone associate degrees in those fields. With HLC’s approval of these changes, APUS may now award Federal Student Aid (FSA) funding under Title IV to students enrolled in the stand alone associate degree programs.

“These changes give more choices to APUS students,” said Dr. Frank McCluskey, provost and executive vice president for APUS. “In addition, we are pleased that the new stand alone associate programs are eligible for Federal Student Aid, which will help more students gain access to higher education."

Regionally accredited, APUS serves more than 33,000 part-time students who live and work in all 50 states and more than 100 foreign countries. With the addition of the new associate degrees, APUS now offers 73 degree programs in fields ranging from homeland security, military studies, intelligence, and criminal justice to technology, business administration, public health, and liberal arts. Current and prospective students may begin to register for the new stand alone associate degree programs later this summer.

“Improving associate degree programs will help further the APUS mission of providing relevant, affordable and student-focused online degree programs to those who serve,” said Wallace E. Boston, Jr., president and chief executive officer of APUS.

The approved changes to the Associate of Arts in General Studies are as follows:

2007 AA Degree Concentrations         

Associate of Arts in General Studies             

with a concentration in:    

Accounting        

Business Administration        

Communication             

Computer Applications        

Counter-Terrorism Fundamentals        

Explosive Ordnance Disposal        

Fire Science        

Health Services Administration        

History        

Hospitality Restaurant Operations        

Infant and Toddler Care        

Military Studies        

Paralegal Studies        

Personnel Administration             

Real Estate Management        

Weapons of Mass Destruction Preparedness

2008 Approved Changes

Associate of Arts in General Studies     

AA in Accounting

AA in Business Administration

AA in Communication    

AS in Computer Applications

AA in Counter-Terrorism Studies

AS in Explosive Ordnance Disposal

AS in Fire Science

AS in Public Health

AA in History

AA in Hospitality

AA in Early Childhood Care & Education

AA in Military History

AS in Paralegal Studies

AA in Personnel Administration

AA in Real Estate Studies

AA in Weapons of Mass Destruction Preparedness

AA – Associate of Arts

AS – Associate of Science

About American Public University System

American Public University System (www.apus.edu) is comprised of American Military University (http://www.amu.apus.edu/index.htm) (http://www.amuonline.com) and American Public University (http://www.apu.apus.edu/index.htm) (http://www.apu.apus.edu). Courses are taught by professors who are experienced in the real-world subjects they teach. APUS’s curriculum, affordability and flexibility helps working adults pursue degrees in homeland security, national security and emergency and disaster management. APUS also offers programs in professional studies, management, and liberal arts. A university book grant supplies textbooks at no cost for eligible undergraduate students. Eligible students may apply for Federal Student Aid. APUS is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc., (NASDAQ: APEI). For more information, please visit www.americanpubliceducation.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release regarding American Public Education, or its subsidiaries, that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about American Public Education and the industry. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future events or results to differ materially from such statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "should", "will" and "would". Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the various risks described in the "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 as filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

Contact:

Renée Williams Hockaday

American Public University System (http://www.apus.edu/)

703.334.3868

rhockaday @ apus.edu

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