Nature of the Business

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

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 100,350 students through the operations of two subsidiary institutions:


•	American Public University System, Inc., or APUS, provides online postsecondary education directed primarily at the needs of the military and public safety communities through American Military University, or AMU, and American Public University, or APU. APUS has regional institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.

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National Education Seminars, Inc., which is referred to in these financial statements as Hondros College of Nursing, or HCON, provides nursing education to students at four campuses in the State of Ohio as well as online to serve the needs of the nursing and healthcare community. HCON is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools and the RN-to-BSN Program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. HCON was acquired by APEI on November 1, 2013.

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 Company believes 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.

Our 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 HCON Segment. This segment reflects the operational activities of HCON.