Mavericks – A Tradition in Being Different
National American University was established in 1941 as a one-year secretarial school by Clarence Jacobson. It was called National College of Business and was located in a downtown Rapid City building. In 1960, Jacobson had the building that now houses administration for the Rapid City campus constructed at 321 Kansas City Street and moved National College to that location.
In 1962, NCB was acquired by Harold D. Buckingham and members of his family. Shortly after the Buckingham’s purchased the school, a period of growth began which led to the construction of the classroom buildings, dormitories, a library, gymnasium, and an auditorium.
NCB was granted collegiate accreditation as a junior college by the Accrediting Commission of the Association of Independent Colleges and Schools in 1966. Senior college accreditation was granted in 1970.The 1970s brought another period of growth, this time with the addition of several branch locations in the Midwest and Rocky Mountain regions. This trend toward reaching out to other communities resumed in the 90s with the addition of more campuses nationwide and continues today (See below for a complete listing of National American university campuses).
In 1985, NCB earned accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and in 1997 the university name was changed to National American University.
The university made its first foray into the world of online education in 1996 and currently offers many classes and several degrees completely online through its Distance Learning campus. In 2000, the growth of the university system resulted in the creation of Central Administration which is located south of Rapid City.
Campuses are located in Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado; Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Lee’s Summit, Independence, and Zona Rosa in northern Kansas City, Missouri; Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville, Rochester and Roseville, Minnesota; Overland Park and Wichita, Kansas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Allen, Lewisville, Mesquite,Georgetown, Richardson,and Austin,Texas; and Rapid City, Ellsworth AFB and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. NAU has also opened education centres in Centennial and Colorado Springs, Colorado; Watertown, South Dakota; Lee’s Summit and Weldon Spring, Missouri; Minnetonka, Minnesota; Bellevue, Nebraska; and Wichita, Kansas.
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Cybersecurity
- Information Technology
- Medical
- Office Technology
- Paralegal
- Tourism and Hospitality
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
coming soon.
coming soon.
coming soon.