APUSAMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
American Public University System sits in Charles Town, West Virginia, and it reviews transfer credit through its registrar once official transcripts are on file. UPI Study courses are self-paced, online, carry ACE/NCCRS recommendations, and can be submitted through the registrar after completion. That matters for students trying to move prior learning into a degree plan without repeating the same material. ACE and NCCRS college courses are considered by 2,100+ US universities collectively.**
Take your courses with us, then transfer the credit to American Public University System — with the help of UPI.
Choose courses that cover your gen-ed or major requirements. Start the same day — no application, no waitlists.
Complete video lessons, quizzes, and a final exam at your own pace. No fixed deadlines. Study around your schedule.
Request your official ACE/NCCRS-recommended transcript and submit it to American Public University System's registrar for credit evaluation.
American Public University System recognizes ACE/NCCRS-recommended credits — the same standard used for military training evaluations and CLEP exams. The process is straightforward: complete your UPI Study course, request an official transcript, and submit it to the American Public University System registrar for evaluation. Final acceptance varies by program and department, so it's worth confirming with your academic advisor before you start.
Match UPI Study courses to American Public University System equivalents. Select courses to estimate transferable credits and tuition savings. Equivalencies are based on ACE/NCCRS recommendations and syllabus matching. Always confirm with your APUS academic advisor before enrolling.
Search by subject (e.g. "Python", "Calculus", "Psychology") or course code.
| UPI Study Course | Credits | APUS Equivalent Course | Credits | Enroll | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abnormal PsychologyUPI Study CourseSocial Science | 3 | PSY — Abnormal PsychologyAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Advanced Social PsychologyUPI Study CourseSocial Science | 3 | PSY — Social PsychologyAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Advanced Technical WritingUPI Study CourseSocial Science | 3 | COMM — Technical WritingAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Business CommunicationUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | COMM — Business CommunicationAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Business EssentialsUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | MGMT — Business EssentialsAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Business EthicsUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | PHIL — Business EthicsAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Business LawUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | BUS — Business LawAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Business MathUPI Study CourseMathematics | 3 | MATH — Business MathAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Calculus 1UPI Study CourseMathematics | 4 | MATH — Calculus IAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 4 | ||
| Calculus 2UPI Study CourseMathematics | 4 | MATH — Calculus IIAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 4 | ||
| Chemistry IUPI Study CourseScience | 3 | CHEM — General Chemistry IAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Computer Concepts and ApplicationsUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CIS — Computer Concepts and ApplicationsAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Current Trends in Computer Science and ITUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CS — Current Trends in Computer Science and ITAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| CybersecurityUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CIS — CybersecurityAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Data Structure and AlgorithmsUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CS — Data Structures and AlgorithmsAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Database FundamentalsUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CIS — Database FundamentalsAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Database ProgrammingUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CIS — Database ProgrammingAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Discrete MathematicsUPI Study CourseMathematics | 4 | MATH — Discrete MathematicsAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 4 | ||
| Educational PsychologyUPI Study CourseSocial Science | 3 | PSY — Educational PsychologyAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| EntrepreneurshipUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | MGMT — EntrepreneurshipAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Environmental ScienceUPI Study CourseScience | 1 | ENVS — Environmental ScienceAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 1 | ||
| Ethics in TechnologyUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | PHIL — Ethics in TechnologyAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Ethics in the Social SciencesUPI Study CourseSocial Science | 3 | PHIL — Ethics in the Social SciencesAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Financial ManagementUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | FIN — Financial ManagementAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Foundations of LeadershipUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | MGMT — Foundations of LeadershipAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Fundamentals of Information TechnologyUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | IT — Fundamentals of Information TechnologyAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Globalization and International ManagementUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | MGMT — Globalization and International ManagementAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Healthcare Finance and BudgetingUPI Study CourseScience | 3 | HCA — Healthcare Finance and BudgetingAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Healthcare Organization and ManagementUPI Study CourseScience | 3 | HCA — Healthcare Organization and ManagementAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Human Resource Management in HealthcareUPI Study CourseScience | 3 | HCA — Human Resource Management in HealthcareAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Human Resources ManagementUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | MGMT — Human Resources ManagementAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| International BusinessUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | MGMT — International BusinessAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Intro to Biology 1UPI Study CourseScience | 3 | BIOL — Introduction to Biology IAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Intro to Biology 2UPI Study CourseScience | 3 | BIOL — Introduction to Biology IIAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Introduction to Artificial IntelligenceUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CS — Introduction to Artificial IntelligenceAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Introduction to ComputingUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CIS — Introduction to ComputingAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Introduction to CriminologyUPI Study CourseSocial Science | 3 | CJ — Introduction to CriminologyAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Introduction to HTML and CSSUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CS — Introduction to HTML and CSSAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Introduction to JavaUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CS — Introduction to JavaAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Introduction to JavascriptUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CS — Introduction to JavaScriptAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Introduction to LinuxUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | IT — Introduction to LinuxAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Introduction to NetworkingUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | IT — Introduction to NetworkingAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Introduction to Operating SystemsUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | IT — Introduction to Operating SystemsAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Introduction to PsychologyUPI Study CourseSocial Science | 3 | PSY — Introduction to PsychologyAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Introduction to SociologyUPI Study CourseSocial Science | 3 | SOC — Introduction to SociologyAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Leadership and Organizational BehaviorUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | MGMT — Leadership and Organizational BehaviorAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Leading Organizational ChangeUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | MGMT — Leading Organizational ChangeAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| MacroeconomicsUPI Study CourseSocial Science | 3 | ECON — MacroeconomicsAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Managerial AccountingUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | ACCT — Managerial AccountingAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Marketing ResearchUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | MKTG — Marketing ResearchAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Medical TerminologyUPI Study CourseScience | 3 | HCA — Medical TerminologyAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| MicroeconomicsUPI Study CourseSocial Science | 3 | ECON — MicroeconomicsAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Network and Systems SecurityUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CIS — Network and Systems SecurityAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Physics IUPI Study CourseScience | 3 | PHYS — Physics IAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Principles of FinanceUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | FIN — Principles of FinanceAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Principles of ManagementUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | MGMT — Principles of ManagementAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Principles of MarketingUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | MKTG — Principles of MarketingAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Principles of PhilosophyUPI Study CourseSocial Science | 3 | PHIL — Principles of PhilosophyAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Principles of StatisticsUPI Study CourseMathematics | 3 | STAT — Principles of StatisticsAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Programming in CUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CS — Programming in CAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Programming in C++UPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CS — Programming in C++APUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Programming in PythonUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CS — Programming in PythonAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Project ManagementUPI Study CourseBusiness | 3 | MGMT — Project ManagementAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Psychology of DiversityUPI Study CourseSocial Science | 3 | PSY — Psychology of DiversityAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Psychology of PersonalityUPI Study CourseSocial Science | 3 | PSY — Psychology of PersonalityAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Quantitative AnalysisUPI Study CourseMathematics | 3 | MATH — Quantitative AnalysisAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Research Methods in PsychologyUPI Study CourseSocial Science | 3 | PSY — Research Methods in PsychologyAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| Software EngineeringUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CS — Software EngineeringAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 | ||
| System Analysis and DesignUPI Study CourseComputer Science | 3 | CIS — System Analysis and DesignAPUS equivalentConfirm course code with your university catalog | 3 |
American Public University System was founded in 1991 and is based in Charles Town, West Virginia. It’s an online university system, not a traditional residential campus, and it serves a large adult student population across the U.S. Enrollment has been well over 80,000 students in recent years, which makes it one of the larger online institutions in the country. The student body skews toward working adults, service members, and transfer students who need flexible course timing.
APUS is best known for its School of Security and Global Studies, along with strong programs in criminal justice, homeland security, intelligence studies, business, and nursing. The university also offers many graduate options through American Military University and American Public University, the two institutions that make up APUS. Its location near Washington, D.C. fits the school’s public-safety and national-security focus. Students often choose it for career-aligned degrees rather than a traditional campus experience.
APUS evaluates transfer credit from regionally accredited colleges, military training, CLEP, and ACE/NCCRS sources through the registrar and academic departments. Nontraditional credits usually post as elective or general education credit if they match the course level and degree requirements. The university has long been known for military transfer policies, and many students use JST or ACE-reviewed training to reduce the number of classes they still need. Credit limits can vary by degree, so the final audit matters more than the source alone.
Browse all UPI Study courses or talk to an advisor to plan which courses fit your American Public University System degree plan.
APUS uses rolling admissions, so there usually isn’t a fixed fall or spring transfer deadline. A transfer applicant typically needs a high school diploma or GED, plus official college transcripts for any prior coursework. The standard undergraduate transfer minimum is a 2.0 GPA, though some programs can be stricter. A competitive file is simple: complete application, send transcripts, and make sure any ACE/NCCRS coursework is documented before the registrar reviews it.
Unlimited access to all 70+ ACE & NCCRS-recommended courses. Study on your schedule — no deadlines, no campus required.
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Questions? Book a free 15-min call with the UPI team →
Pick your student type, choose your courses, and see an instant comparison against what American Public University System would charge.
Step 1 — What type of student are you?Real experiences from UPI Study students who transferred credits toward their degree.
I checked that APUS accepted ACE/NCCRS before I paid for anything. My son finished his UPI Study courses over the summer, and the credits transferred in without a fight. That saved us time and a lot of stress.
I worked full-time and studied at night. UPI Study fit my schedule when my university classes didn’t. I could keep moving without taking time off work.
I earned U.S. college credits from Nigeria while living at home. The credits transferred to my university, and that made finishing my degree much easier. The online format helped a lot.
I’m a paramedic, so my schedule changes fast. UPI Study let me work on credits between shifts. That flexibility mattered more than anything else.
These UPI Study courses have the highest transfer acceptance rates among APUS-accepted ACE & NCCRS-recommended credits — ideal for fulfilling general education requirements at American Public University System.
Answers to what students actually search for before they enroll.
Yes. APUS reviews ACE and NCCRS recommendations through its registrar, along with CLEP and military training. The key is that the course has to fit the degree and carry the right documentation. For example, a UPI Study course in psychology might come in as an elective or gen-ed credit if the content lines up with the program audit. Students should expect the registrar, and sometimes the academic school, to make the final call.
APUS lets undergraduates apply a large amount of transfer credit, but the exact cap depends on the degree. For many bachelor’s programs, you can bring in up to 90 credits from outside sources, with at least 30 credits earned through APUS for the degree itself. Some majors have tighter rules for upper-level major courses. Nontraditional credits like ACE/NCCRS often count best as electives or lower-division general education credit.
APUS accepts credits from regionally accredited community colleges, and many students transfer in from schools across Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and beyond. Common transfer work includes general education classes, business courses, and military-friendly pathways. UPI Study credits are treated differently because they’re not transcripted college courses; they’re evaluated as ACE/NCCRS-recommended learning. That means they can still help, but the registrar checks the recommendation and the degree fit before posting credit.
First, request your official UPI Study transcript after the course is completed. Then send it to APUS’s registrar or admissions office for transfer review. From there, the registrar evaluates the ACE/NCCRS recommendation and routes the credit for posting if it matches your program. Most students see the credit after the transcript is received and the evaluation is finished, and it’s smart to ask for a preliminary review if you want to know where the credit will land.
APUS undergraduate tuition is about $350 per credit hour, so 30 credits would cost about $10,500 at the university. If you complete those 30 credits through UPI Study’s $499 yearly plan, the direct course cost is far lower. That difference is real money, especially if those credits cover gen eds or electives you’d otherwise pay APUS to teach. The savings are even bigger if the credits move you closer to graduation faster.
APUS is especially known for criminal justice, homeland security, intelligence studies, business, information technology, and nursing. Those programs sit inside schools that are used to transfer students and military learners, which makes credit review part of the normal process. UPI Study credits can clear space in your schedule by covering general education or elective requirements. That leaves more room for the courses APUS wants you to take inside your major.
The usual undergraduate transfer GPA at APUS is 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Some programs, especially in nursing or other selective areas, can ask for stronger academic records. UPI Study course grades don’t usually factor into APUS’s transfer GPA the same way graded college coursework does, but the transcript still helps show academic readiness. If your prior college GPA is weak, strong recent work can still help your file.
APUS uses rolling admissions, so there usually isn’t a hard fall or spring transfer deadline. You can apply throughout the year, and classes start on a frequent schedule. That said, getting your UPI Study courses finished and transcripted before you apply gives the registrar more time to evaluate the credit. If you wait until the last minute, you can still be admitted, but your transfer audit may lag behind your start date.
APUS uses rolling admissions and frequent start dates, not a single fall intake. Transfer students can usually begin multiple times during the year. That setup works well for adults who don’t want to wait for a semester boundary.
There usually aren’t fixed fall and spring deadlines at APUS because it runs on rolling admissions. Students apply, send transcripts, and start when the next session opens. If you’re transferring, earlier is better because it gives the registrar time to evaluate prior credit before classes begin.
Yes. APUS was built around adult, military, and transfer students, so credit evaluation is part of the normal process. A large share of the student body comes in with prior college or military training. The university also has long-standing pathways for nontraditional credit, which helps students finish faster.
No, APUS does not usually require SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate admission. Transfer applicants are generally reviewed on prior college work instead. That makes the application simpler for adults who’ve already been out of high school for a while.
Yes, APUS offers online orientation for new students. It’s designed for distance learners, so you don’t need to travel to Charles Town. Transfer students can usually use the same online onboarding tools, with some extra help around degree planning.
APUS is primarily online. It doesn’t operate as a traditional residential university with dorms and a live-in campus culture. The Charles Town address is its administrative home, but most instruction happens online for students across the country and overseas.
APUS offers several tuition discounts and scholarship options, including military-related aid and some transfer-friendly awards. The school also works with employer and partnership discounts in certain cases. Transfer students can qualify, but the exact award depends on your background and program.
Most students finish a single course in 2–4 weeks studying a few hours per day. There are no deadlines. You can go faster if you already know the material, or spread it out over a couple of months if you're working full-time. The self-paced format means your schedule decides the timeline, not a semester calendar.
ACE (American Council on Education) and NCCRS (National College Credit Recommendation Service) are organizations that evaluate non-traditional coursework and recommend it for college credit. They're the same bodies that evaluate military training and CLEP exams. Over 2,100 US universities have policies to accept credits from ACE/NCCRS-evaluated sources. The recommendation doesn't automatically mean a specific university will take every course — each registrar evaluates independently — but it's the standard credential for this type of transfer.
Once you pass a course, you can request an official transcript through the UPI Study portal. Transcripts are processed within a few business days and sent directly to your university's registrar, or provided as a PDF for you to submit yourself. The transcript lists completed courses, credit hours, grades, and the ACE/NCCRS recommendation reference.
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