In 1941, the university, then known as National School of Business, opened its doors in South Dakota to students who desired specialized business training. Located on a Rapid City main street, the school offered primarily secretarial and accounting classes and programs.
Through World War II and the Korean War years, the university remained in its original location. Ground was broken at 321 Kansas City Street, Rapid City, South Dakota, in the latter part of 1960 for a new two-story brick building containing classrooms, a bookstore, a small library and administrative offices. In 1963, the construction of a student residence hall, the College Inn was completed.
Anticipating a post-war demand for business curriculum with new classes in accounting, marketing and management,
when the demand came, the university was ready with programs geared toward the educational needs of returning veterans who wanted business training, and men and women who sought an expanded role in the business world.
Faculty and staff increased in number and, with National American University's growing stature in the educational community, new and transfer students from across the United States and foreign countries came to study.
The university soon expanded its base of programs.
On the campus in Rapid City, several buildings have
since been added, including a library, a gymnasium, and additions to the Administration Building and the College Inn.
In past years National American University campuses have been established in Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado; Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Independence and Zona Rosa (Kansas City), Missouri; Bloomington, Brooklyn Center and Roseville
(Minneapolis), Minnesota; Overland Park and Wichita, Kansas and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. There is also an extension location at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota and an education center in Watertown, South Dakota.
In 1996 National American University began to develop online courses to be offered through the emerging resource of the World Wide Web. Since that time the NAU Distance Learning program has created a virtual campus offering degree programs in several academic areas. With the addition of online course offerings and degrees, students have access to learning 24-hours a day from anywhere that the Internet can be accessed.
The curricular offerings include degrees in accounting, general education studies, information technology, paralegal studies, medical assisting, medical administrative assistant, applied management, business administration, therapeutic massage, athletic training, health care management, nursing, organizational leadership, and veterinary technology.