Choosing an online university is about more than earning a degree—it’s about preparing for a successful career. For many professions, one of the strongest indicators of program quality is recognition by respected professional organizations.
At American National University, several programs have earned specialized programmatic accreditation or approval from organizations that establish standards for education in their respective fields. These recognitions reflect an ongoing commitment to providing students with career-focused education that aligns with the expectations of today’s healthcare industry.
Health Information Management
American National University’s Associate of Science in Health Information Management is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). CAHIIM evaluates programs to ensure they prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed in today’s rapidly evolving healthcare information environment.
Health information professionals play an essential role in managing patient records, protecting health data, supporting healthcare technology, and improving the quality of patient care. Earning a degree from a CAHIIM-accredited program demonstrates that the curriculum has been independently reviewed against nationally recognized standards.
Medical Assisting
American National University also offers Medical Assisting programs that have earned specialized recognition through respected accrediting organizations.
The Virginia Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the nation’s largest programmatic accreditor for allied health education. CAAHEP evaluates programs against standards developed by healthcare professionals to help ensure graduates are prepared for entry into practice.
The Kentucky Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), another nationally recognized accrediting organization focused on allied health education.
These accreditations provide students with confidence that their education has undergone rigorous external review by organizations dedicated to advancing quality healthcare education.
Nursing
American National University’s nursing programs are approved by the appropriate state boards of nursing, reflecting compliance with state standards for nursing education and graduate preparation.
Current approvals include:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) – Approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing at the Pikeville, Kentucky campus.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – Initially approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing and the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
- Practical Nursing Certificate – Initially approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing.
State board approval is an essential component of nursing education because it verifies that a program meets the educational requirements established by the state for preparing future nurses. Students interested in licensure should always review the requirements of the state where they intend to practice, as licensure requirements vary by jurisdiction.
Paralegal Studies
American National University’s Paralegal Certificate and Associate Degree programs offered through the Salem, Virginia campus are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
The ABA approval process evaluates many aspects of a paralegal program, including curriculum, faculty qualifications, academic resources, and student outcomes. Because relatively few fully online or hybrid paralegal programs have earned ABA approval, this recognition reflects the program’s commitment to meeting nationally recognized standards for paralegal education.
Students enrolled in the program also benefit from coursework designed to develop practical legal knowledge, ethical decision-making, legal research skills, and professional communication—competencies that employers value in today’s legal environment.
Pharmacy Technician
American National University’s Pharmacy Technician diploma and Associate of Science programs are programmatically accredited by the Pharmacy Technician Accrediting Commission (PTAC), a collaboration between the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
PTAC accreditation recognizes programs that prepare students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to work in today’s pharmacy settings, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. This specialized accreditation serves as an additional validation of the program beyond the University’s institutional accreditation.
A Commitment to Career-Focused Education
Professional recognition is one of the ways American National University demonstrates its commitment to preparing graduates for today’s workforce.
Across healthcare, legal studies, and other career-focused disciplines, the University seeks specialized accreditation, approval, and recognition whenever appropriate. These external reviews provide students with added confidence that their programs have been evaluated by organizations dedicated to maintaining high standards within their professions.
When researching colleges, prospective students should look beyond tuition and scheduling. Institutional accreditation is important, but specialized programmatic accreditation and professional approvals can provide additional assurance that a program aligns with the expectations of employers, licensing boards, and professional organizations.
American National University is proud that many of its programs have earned recognition from respected organizations such as CAHIIM, CAAHEP, ABHES, PTAC, the American Bar Association, and multiple State Boards of Nursing—demonstrating a continued commitment to quality, accountability, and career preparation.
