National American University-Rapid City

National American University-Rapid City, originally established as the National School of Business in 1941, has a long history of adapting to student needs. With a motto focused on providing "Quality higher education in a caring and supportive environment," the institution evolved from a traditional campus to a leader in distance learning. In 1996, NAU began developing online courses and degree options, making higher education accessible to students across the United States and internationally.

NAU became recognized for its comprehensive online offerings, spanning associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees in high-demand fields such as accounting, business, information technology, strategic security, and health care. It innovated with programs like the "One" initiative in the early 2000s, allowing full-time students to attend classes just one day or night per week, balancing education with life's demands. This commitment to flexibility and accessibility saw a rapid increase in online enrollment, with the majority of its student body studying exclusively online by 2018.

As the university transitioned fully to an online model, it faced significant institutional changes, including the closure of most ground campuses to centralize resources on its robust online platform. Throughout its transformation, NAU has aimed to provide extensive campus resources to all students through a comprehensive student portal, including learning resource center services, tutoring, counseling, and computer support, ensuring a supportive educational journey.