
American National University is institutionally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Institutional accreditation applies to the university as an institution; it does not, by itself, establish that every individual program holds a separate professional accreditation or meets every state's licensing rules.
DEAC is a federally recognized accrediting agency. Accreditation is relevant to institutional oversight and can be one condition of participation in federal student aid programs, but a student's aid eligibility also depends on the institution's participation, the program, and the student's circumstances. Another college decides whether to accept ANU coursework in transfer.
Applicants to nursing or another regulated field should check the exact program's current approvals and any applicable programmatic accreditation with the relevant state licensing board and accreditor. This is particularly important for students studying outside Virginia: institutional accreditation and permission to enroll do not automatically establish eligibility for a professional license in another state.
American National University reports an open-admission policy, but applicants still need to meet the requirements for their chosen credential. Degree-seeking entrants generally need evidence of high school completion or an accepted equivalent, such as a GED, and must complete the university's application process.
Open admission should not be read as automatic entry into every program. A health-related program may have additional academic, clinical, background-check, or licensing-related conditions. Applicants should confirm which transcripts are required, whether previous college study changes their applicant category, and whether any placement or English-language requirements apply to them.
Before submitting an application, ask admissions for the current requirements and start dates for the specific program and delivery format. A general university admissions policy may differ from the rules governing a clinical placement or another restricted component.
Applicants should confirm American National University's current application charge, if any, before submitting payment. An application fee is a charge for processing an application; it is distinct from tuition, a registration charge, or a later enrollment deposit.
If a charge applies, ask admissions whether it differs by program or applicant category and whether a waiver is available. Anyone seeking a waiver should obtain the eligibility criteria and approval procedure before submitting a paid application; paying first may not make a later refund possible.
Prospective students should not assume that American National University operates an Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC unit on its Salem campus. Participation through a nearby host institution would require a confirmed cross-enrollment arrangement, a workable class schedule, and the host program's approval.
ROTC is separate from using military or veterans' education benefits. Students interested in commissioning should ask the relevant ROTC host program whether ANU students can participate, which courses and physical training are required, and how scholarship eligibility and any service obligation would apply.
Transfer applicants should obtain an individual credit evaluation from American National University before relying on previous coursework to shorten a program. Admission to ANU and acceptance of particular credits are separate decisions.
Applicants should be prepared to provide official transcripts from each college attended and, when requested, high school completion records. The receiving program must determine whether prior courses match its requirements; a credit accepted as an elective may not replace a required course. Professional programs may also impose recency, grade, lab, or clinical requirements.
Ask for a written evaluation showing which credits apply to the intended credential, how many ANU credits remain, and the resulting course sequence. Students transferring from another institution should also check how the change could affect financial aid and whether any previously earned credits count toward satisfactory academic progress.
Study abroad should not be assumed to be a standard part of an American National University program. Students hoping to take courses overseas need advance approval for both participation and credit toward their particular degree.
That distinction matters even when a student finds an outside program independently: enrollment in a third-party course does not mean ANU will accept its credits or that financial aid will cover it. Ask the academic program for written guidance on course equivalencies, residency requirements, scheduling, and aid eligibility before committing to travel expenses.
Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoHigh school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredOpen admission policy
YesDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
YesAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
NoOff-campus study
NoStudy abroad
NoWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
NoPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
NoData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.