Graduating from a program that is accredited by CAHIIM signifies to employers that the student attended an institution that gave them up-to-date, quality knowledge and experiences in the modern electronic health record (EHR) environment. Students are eligible and equipped with the knowledge to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT®️)* examination. At ANU, students are trained as HIM professionals capable of managing patients’ medical data, patient care records, as well as how to operate electronic records and accompanying software programs.

To qualify for CAHIIM accreditation, the institution must meet CAHIIM’s rigorous program standards for curricula, faculty, resources, and continuing education.

The 100% online program, institutionally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, joins the campus-based program at the Louisville, Kentucky campus (institutionally accredited by the Allied Bureau of Health Education Schools).  ANU’s Louisville program has been CAHIIM-accredited since 2001.

Upon successful graduation, with ANU’s stackable degree pathways, the student can seamlessly advance to the next level into the Medical and Health Services Management bachelor’s degree.

*RHIT®️ is a trademark of American Health Information Management Association.

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Amazon has recognized the need for more cloud computing professionals. To bridge this gap, they have developed the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Academy. AWS collaborates with higher education institutions, like American National University, to bring software developers up to the industry-standard in an evolving technological business environment. This makes them a more competitive candidate in the modern job market.

Students enrolled in the Master of Information Technology program’s Advanced Web Development (IT672) course will participate in this career-developing program.

The delivery of the AWS Academy is offered through lecture modules, hands-on labs, knowledge checks (quizzes), and project exercises. This High-Tech/High-Touch technology allows the student to become a cloud expert whenever and wherever is convenient to you.

Several ANU professors are fully trained and certified in Academy Cloud Foundations to prepare students for their own AWS certifications. Over the course of an intensive 4-day instructor-led residency, students will receive an introduction to components of AWS in a live computing environment. Students will receive a solid foundation of cloud computing technologies and will gain the understanding required to assess the business and technical elements of the software.

ANU places value on evolution and progress. The university is consistently updating programs to ensure that students receive up-to-date software and information for a changing world. AWS is one example of incorporating modern industry standards into the curriculum. For more information on ANU’s eLearning and High-Tech/High-Touch technologies, click here.

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American National University has recently been re-approved for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I program. The WIOA program provides government funds for laid-off workers to enroll in approved programs for additional education that will give them greater opportunities. By helping them learn and develop new skills, we prepare unemployed workers for careers in the evolving global economy.

WIOA program approval extends to the following courses:

• Pharmacy Technician (Diploma and Associate’s)
• Paralegal (Diploma and Associate’s)
• Phlebotomy & ECG Diploma
• Network Support Associate’s
• Business Administration Associate’s
• Business Administration – Accounting (Diploma and Associate’s)
• Medical Coding & Billing Diploma
• Medical Assisting (Certificate and Associate’s)
• Health Information Management Associate’s
• Administrative Medical Assisting Associate’s

The application was approved by the Western Virginia Workforce Development Board (WVWDB) and Chief Local Elected Officials (CLEO) in Local Workforce Development Area 3 (LWDA3).

For more information on how you may qualify, call 833.388.1100, click, or Zoom an admissions representative today!

The post Unemployed Students May Be Eligible for Workforce Development Grant appeared first on American National University.

• #4 in 10 Best Online Schools for Bachelor’s in Computer Systems and Network Administration Degree Programs for 2020-2021 by Online Bachelor Degrees
• #5 Best 15 Online Medical Assisting Associate’s Programs for 2020 by Best Health Degrees
• #5 Top 10 Paralegal Programs in Washington DC for 2020 by Online Paralegal Programs
• #2 in the Virginia for Secretary school in 2022 by Secretary-Schools.com
• Named to the Cheapest Colleges in VA by Out of State Tuition 2021 list by CollegeCalc
• Named the Best Paralegal Certificate Program for Student Support by The Balance Careers
• #22 Best Online Associate in Medical Assisting Programs by Intelligent.com
• Best Stackable Degrees for Online Bachelor’s in Network Administration Programs by Intelligent.com

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Tonya Peak

Tonya’s experience teaching in the online educational environment spans over 21 years of continuous involvement. She is currently a general education instructor, teaching the online math courses, and has professional experience as a staff accountant in a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firm. Initially an online education student herself, upon her graduation in 2005 with a Master of Business Administration (MBA), she decided to begin teaching them. Tonya enjoys teaching students who are seeking to achieve their education goals, regardless of previous educational experience.

Pamela Hooper

Pamela is an instructor in the information technology programs. Enjoying 19 successful years instructing and mentoring students, she strives to assist and encourage students in finding academic success. She is always engaging students in her classes by staying up to date with best practices in instructional design, information technology, and instruction.

Pamela graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theory and later a Master of Information Technology from Virginia Tech. She hopes to begin doctoral studies in adult learning and higher education in the near future.

Wendy Notz

Teaching for 11 years and having over 25 years of legal experience, Wendy, the dean and department chair of the paralegal studies program, is the third and final recipient of this award. Known to go above and beyond for her students, she gives in-depth explanations to all student questions and even going so far as to pick up the phone during time off. She does all this and more to ensure their mastery of the course material. She earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology, paralegal certificate, and law degree (juris doctorate).

The post The winners of ANUs 2021 Faculty Instructional Excellence Award appeared first on American National University.

1. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) | Through ANU’s pharmacy technician diploma and associate’s degree programs, students learn topics explored in the computer-based exam, covering “recordkeeping, basic math, pharmaceutical laws, ethics, medical terms, and insurance.”
2. CompTIA Security+ Certification | ANU’s Associate of Network Support or Bachelor of Network Administration programs prepare students for success in the Security+ certification, beneficial for entry-level professionals in information security. This certification proves to employers that the individual certified is capable of tasks such as “managing risk, cryptography, identifying threats and working with network components.”
3. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) | Indeed.com deemed CISSP as “arguably the most popular network security certification” due to its’ international recognition. The Master of Cybersecurity at ANU gives you sufficient background to pass the exam, “boost[ing]… your resume for managerial roles in the cybersecurity industry.” The University of Fairfax also offers a CISSP prep class for those who already meet the experiential requirements to take the certification exam.
4. Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) | An internationally acknowledged certification, the PMP certification gives the applicant leverage “as it gives employers confidence in your knowledge and project management skills.” The University of Fairfax’s Project Management and Quality Assurance Certificate prepares students for this exam – no prior higher education experience is required.  In addition, ANU’s Bachelor of Business Administration degree program provides a path to achieving the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® designation, an entry-level certification for project management specialists.
5. Medical Assisting | At ANU, our Medical Assisting certificate and associate’s degree have been designed to prepare students for national certifications, such as the Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC). Students will work on developing the skills and techniques needed for employment as a medical assistant or phlebotomist in a wide variety of healthcare facilities.

See the ANU and UF websites for further information on the courses offered or speak with an admissions representative today to find out how you can begin the courses that can help to leverage your career.

The post Increase Employability and Leverage your Career with these Certifications appeared first on American National University.

“By learning works skills, you become a better student, and the knowledge from classes helps you to become a better worker,” said Juan Carlos Mejia, a student currently enrolled in a CPT program as an international admissions representative for ANU. Other students have worked in roles as accountants, software developers, business process analysts, and web developers during their CPT program.

The difference between CPT and OPT is that CPT is only available to students during their enrollment in academic programs, whereas students are eligible for OPT for one year after graduating from their institution.

CPT fulfills the practicum requirement for students in graduate programs at ANU. Students must therefore find a sponsoring employer to offer them a temporary position that conforms with the student’s curriculum requirements. The approval is as simple as sending the practicum form and employment offer letter to the student’s academic department chair.  Because ANU’s graduate curricula include a practicum, it is possible for students to start CPT from day one of their programs, subject to departmental approval.

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Medical Assistant Advice (MAA) notes the “student-centric benefits” both students and graduates are assured with an ANU education. MAA also ranks ANU highly due to the flexibility our classes allow within students’ schedules as we offer day, evening, or weekend classes, for your convenience. Another perk of an ANU education is that it allows refresher courses for graduates at no additional tuition cost to keep our graduates up to date with the latest and emerging trends within the industry.

We understand that students want to be on their way to their careers as quickly as possible while still receiving a quality education to fully prepare them for their industry. The Medical Assisting certificate can be completed in as few as 10 months and the associate’s degree in 20 months because of ANU’s rolling terms.  The frequent term starts also mean you don’t have to wait around for the next semester to start. Additionally, we offer a progressive learning format so as you earn your degree, you can immediately use your training to advance your career as you continue your education in pursuit of a higher degree level. ANU offers labs and externships which offer further opportunities to apply learned skills and competencies. Regardless of whether you are in the certificate or associate’s degree program, you are eligible to take the certification exam to earn your Registered Medical Assistant credential, recognized nationwide.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistant training will give you the experience and confidence to succeed in one of the fastest-growing occupations.

Click here to learn more about our Medical Assisting programs.

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Here’s what you should look for in online education.

Accreditation.  American National University’s distance education programs are accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.  If you’re considering other distance education programs, how are they accredited?

Delivery.  Another question you should ask yourself is “How will I complete my assignments?” We at ANU offer much more than simply an “online degree,” but a High-Tech / High-Touch^TM education. We bring the university to you through ZOOM conferencing, at-home lab kits, virtual simulations, discussion boards and more.

Student Experience.  What do real students and graduates say about the program?

“It’s very cut and dry… eBooks are easy to navigate.”- Regina Goodman

“Canvas is a really good set up that lays everything out real well, so it is easy to keep up with.” – Kala Day

“When I was [working on] my bachelor’s degree, I had a baby, so… it was easier for me to do my online classes while taking care of my child” – Fatou Souare

More stories from our students can be read here.

If you’re looking for an accredited and proven distance education program that offers degree programs for today’s most in-demand career fields, including business, healthcare, legal studies, and information technology, apply to American National University. Check our website or speak with an admissions counselor for more information about our programs and certifications.

[1] Reporter, Joí Dean | Campus, and Bailey Vianello | Contributor. “Students Continue to Struggle with Online Learning as End of Semester Draws Near.” The News Record, 13 Nov. 2020, www.newsrecord.org/news/students-continue-to-struggle-with-online-learning-as-end-of-semester-draws-near/article_ddca1eac-2561-11eb-a9ee-5318abbffca7.html.

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