Nature of Business

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

American Public Education, Inc., or APEI, which together with its subsidiaries is referred to as the “Company,” is a provider of online and campus-based postsecondary education to approximately 83,500 students through two subsidiary institutions:


•	American Public University System, Inc., or APUS, provides online postsecondary education directed primarily at the needs of the military, military-affiliated and public service communities through American Military University, or AMU, and American Public University, or APU. APUS is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

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National Education Seminars, Inc., which is referred to herein as Hondros College of Nursing, or HCN, provides nursing education to students at five campuses in Ohio to serve the needs of the nursing and healthcare communities. HCN is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau for Health Education Schools, or ABHES. HCN voluntarily discontinued new enrollments in its Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, or RN-to-BSN Program subsequent to the start of the July 2018 term, at which time there were approximately 65 students enrolled in the program. Those currently enrolled in the RN-to-BSN Program may elect to complete the program at HCN or transfer to another institution, including APUS. HCN expects to begin enrolling students into a Medical Laboratory Technology program, or MLT Program, at its Cincinnati and Columbus campuses with classes beginning in April 2019.

The Company’s institutions are licensed or otherwise authorized, or are in the process of obtaining such licenses or authorizations, to offer postsecondary education programs by state authorities to the extent the institutions believe such licenses or authorizations are required, and are certified by the United States Department of Education, or ED, to participate in student financial aid programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, or Title IV programs.

The Company’s operations are organized into two reportable segments:


•	American Public Education Segment, or APEI Segment. This segment reflects the operational activities at APUS, other corporate activities, and minority investments.


•	Hondros College of Nursing Segment, or HCN Segment. This segment reflects the operational activities of HCN.