Allied American University: A Rise and Fall of Its Online Programs
Establishment and Purpose
Allied American University (AAU) was a private, for-profit institution based in Laguna Hills, California. Established in 2008 as the higher-education arm of Allied Schools (which had provided distance education since 1992 and online learning since 1996), AAU aimed to deliver career-focused degrees fully online Wikipedia+1.see this here
AAU was nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) from its inception and operated under licensure from California’s Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) Wikipediaplexuss.comdeac.org.
Academic Offerings
The university offered a range of undergraduate programs—a mix of associate and bachelor’s degrees—in fields such as business administration, criminal justice, general studies, computer information systems, and allied health. It also offered numerous certificate programs; accounts indicate there were around seven undergraduate degree programs and ten certificate programs Wikipediaplexuss.com.
Among its distinguishing features was a low student-to-teacher ratio—approximately 10:1—which AAU maintained to offer more individualized attention and support Wikipedia.
Recognition and Accolades
AAU appeared to have some recognition among military student communities. For example, Plexuss mentions that G.I. Jobs magazine ranked AAU among top Military Friendly Schools for six consecutive years, and the university also earned mentions in Military Advanced Education’s Guide to Colleges and Universities plexuss.com.
Closure and Its Impact
Despite its structured foundation and niche positioning, AAU ceased operations at the end of 2016. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission lists the university as closed as of December 31, 2016, and confirms that the institution had submitted a teach-out plan for student completion deac.org. Wikipedia also concurs with the 2016 closure, stating that as of December 31, 2016, AAU could no longer serve students and had officially closed Wikipedia.
The broader context reflects a wave of for-profit college closures during this period—AAU being one among many such institutions shuttered amid falling enrollments, regulatory pressures, and financial difficulties within the sector cappsonline.org.
Student Perspectives
Though firsthand accounts are limited, some testimonials on GradReports highlight positive experiences with AAU before its closure. One student noted: “The school was very good… I learned so much. The staff was very good always making sure the help needed was provided.” This echoes the university’s emphasis on support and delivery quality gradreports.com.
Legacy of Online Programs
AAU played a specific role in the evolving landscape of online, career-oriented education. Its programs reflected early efforts to provide flexible, workforce-aligned learning opportunities online, particularly for adult learners and military students.
However, like many for-profit and online-focused institutions of its time, AAU ultimately succumbed to shifting regulatory environments, market saturation in online education, and intensified scrutiny over student outcomes and financial viability.
Institutional Context: Allied Schools
AAU was part of a larger enterprise—Allied Schools, which began as a vocational distance education provider and branched into online platforms by 1996. AAU represented the extension into accredited degree programming—and is remembered as the university division that operated from 2008 to 2016 before closure Wikipediaplexuss.com.
Summary
In summary, Allied American University was a for-profit institution launched in 2008 to deliver online associate and bachelor’s degrees and certificate programs in career-focused fields. Accredited by DEAC and noted for its small class ratios and military-friendly reputation, AAU nonetheless closed on December 31, 2016, as part of a broader wave of closures in the for-profit education sector.
While its direct print programs are no longer available, AAU’s history offers insights into the challenges and lifecycle of early online higher education models—especially those operating within volatile regulatory and market conditions.navigate to these guys