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NAU History Timeline Infographic

An infographic showing a brief history of National American University. 1941 – National School of Business (NSB) opened its doors in Rapid City, SD, in 1941, offering specialized business training to students in western South Dakota. With an inaugural class of 13 students, local businessman and attorney, Clarence Jacobsen, began offering secretarial and accounting classes and programs on the second floor of a small office building located in downtown Rapid City. 1953 - NSB was granted initial accreditation by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as a one-year school of business offering primarily secretarial and bookkeeping diplomas. During the 1960s, NSB achieved junior college status offering associate degrees in secretarial, business and accounting programs. 1963 - In January 1963, Mr. Harold D. Buckingham purchased National School of Business. A passionate advocate for higher education, he steadfastly embraced a philosophy that quality educational opportunities should exist for every person who desired them. Our graduate college bears his name and honors his legacy. 1964-1969 - It was under the watchful eye of Mr. Buckingham that NSB evolved and expanded in many ways. Under Mr. Buckingham’s leadership, the university experienced two name changes (from National School of Business to National College of Business and then to National College). The more inclusive name of National College allowed for program expansion to broaden the curriculum into programs other than business. 1974 - National College became a pioneer in the creation of branch and extension campuses with the addition of its first branch campus in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. National College offered conveniently scheduled courses that would lead to a degree that appealed to employed, nontraditional students. Night classes, the quarter system, and instructors who were professionals in the fields attracted transfer students, veterans, and active duty military personnel. 1985 – National College received regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. We have maintained and renewed accreditation with HLC since then. In addition to the university’s regional accreditation, a number of its strongest degree programs also hold specialized accreditation or approvals. 1996 – National College began developing online courses through the new technology known as the Internet. 1997 – National College became National American University. 2013 – Earned approval from HLC to offer programs at the doctoral level, with our Doctor of Education in Community College Leadership degree program. 2018 – NAU acquired Henley-Putnam University, an online institution with programs focused on strategic security. With this purchase, NAU created the Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security, which offers the Doctor of Strategic Security, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in intelligence management, counterterrorism, and strategic security and protection management, as well as many related certificates. 2019 – National American University decided it was time for a new look. We changed our colors from light blue and white, to a strong navy, red, yellow and white. We updated our logo, style, and website. As a university, we created new mission and purpose statements, centered around the ideal student experience. 2019-2020 – NAU continued to expand our online degree offerings. With the majority of our students being non-traditional, working, adult-learners, we realized we needed to focus on our online programs. All of our classes are 100% online, offering convenience and flexibility to our students. 2020 – With the addition of new programs, National American University re-organized the colleges within the university. We maintained the Harold D. Buckingham Graduate School and Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security and added the College of Undergraduate Studies and the College of Legal Studies.
Posted on February 23, 2021February 23, 2021Full size 800 × 2000

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Rapid City, SD 57709

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