New Offerings Equip Students with In-Demand Skills for Leadership and Growth
Charles Town, WV – October 12, 2026 – To help prepare students for tomorrow’s opportunities, American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU) part of American Public University System are launching a new AI Certificate, two new finance programs, and six new micro credentials for first responders (called NanoCerts®).
Registration is now open for all offerings at both AMU and APU.
"We have an ongoing commitment to help our students become tomorrow’s leaders, and a significant part of that is providing academic pathways that align with rapidly changing workplace demands," said Dr. Elizabeth Joy Johnson, Provost of AMU and APU. “We are proud to expand our finance curriculum, add an innovative certificate focusing on AI and add several career-relevant NanoCerts® for first responders as we continue to educate those who serve us in our communities.”
The expanded career-relevant offerings include a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Science in Finance, which explore the principles of financial management and how they apply to businesses. This includes corporate finance, investment management practices, and the institutions and markets that shape global capital.
The undergraduate AI certificate program equips students with foundational knowledge of practical applications for generative AI and large language models (LLMs). Students will learn how to support complex tasks and solve real-world problems with artificial intelligence. This includes applying ethical, legal, and governance principles relevant to military and federal contexts.
The new offerings also include six new undergraduate NanoCert® programs:
- NanoCert® Basics of Emergency Management;
- NanoCert® Disaster Management Fundamentals;
- NanoCert® Emergency Management Communications;
- NanoCert® Community Risk Reduction Chief;
- NanoCert® Battalion Chief;
- NanoCert® Administration Chief.
NanoCerts® are three-course programs focused on upskilling to quickly meet career or professional development goals. These NanoCerts® can provide knowledge that federal, state, and local first responders need as they pursue leadership opportunities, build specialized expertise, or expand responsibilities in fire service and emergency management. In addition, the NanoCerts® are specifically designed to stack into the Bachelors in Emergency and Disaster Management, and the Bachelors in Fire Science Management offered at AMU and APU1.
The new offerings complement numerous related undergraduate and graduate programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence and other programs in emergency services and disaster management as well as homeland security. AMU further supports first responders through the Everyday Heroes Grant, a 20% special tuition grant designed for emergency services professionals and their extended families (spouses, dependents, parents, siblings, and legal partners).
To learn more about AMU and APU’s public-safety focused programs, click here. AMU and APU offer 200-plus programs from associate up to master’s and doctoral degrees, with monthly class starts. Visit here for more info.
About American Military University and American Public University
American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU) part of American Public University System provide high-quality, affordable higher education that helps transform lives and advance careers. AMU and APU’s workforce-relevant education is preparing nearly 90,000 active students for service and leadership worldwide. AMU and APU have a rich history and vibrant community of over 173,000 alumni from more than 80 countries.
American Public University System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. With approximately 109,000 students and over 250,0002 alumni worldwide, the System is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI). For more information, visit www.apus.edu.
1Students are not permitted to enroll concurrently in multiple programs. For example, they may not be enrolled in both a NanoCert and a Bachelor’s degree at the same time. However, if they previously completed the NanoCert in Cybersecurity/Cybercrime they may be able to apply those credits toward a Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity at AMU or APU.
2As of June 30, 2026.
