When students search for American University of Florida, they may come across information that is easy to confuse with American University in Washington, D.C. Despite the similar name, these are two separate institutions.
The American University of Florida (AUF) is a Florida-based institution that focuses heavily on flexible and online education. Its current website describes programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, along with graduate certificate programs. AUF says its mission is centered on providing professionally focused education to students through flexible delivery models, particularly online learning.
AUF is therefore quite different from a conventional residential university where most students attend classes on a large physical campus every day.
The university currently promotes programs in areas such as business, computer science, healthcare administration, social science, human-resource management and educational leadership. It also offers MBA, EMBA, master’s and doctoral-level options.
For prospective students, however, there is another issue that deserves careful attention: accreditation.
AUF states that it is licensed by the Florida Department of Education’s Commission for Independent Education and lists accreditation from several organizations. At the same time, its international-student information says that it is currently pursuing accreditation from one or more agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
That distinction is important for anyone considering spending money on a degree.
What Is American University of Florida?
American University of Florida, abbreviated AUF, is an institution based in Florida that emphasizes flexible higher education and online learning.
The university’s official website describes its educational model as designed for students who want to continue working while completing their degrees.
AUF says its mission is to provide access to professionally focused programs while developing critical thinking, communication skills, disciplinary knowledge and a global perspective.
Rather than requiring students to follow a traditional semester-based schedule, AUF promotes an open-enrollment and self-paced model.
According to its current website, students can begin their studies throughout the year without traditional semester restrictions and can progress through their program at their own pace.
This type of structure can be particularly attractive to:
- Working professionals
- Adult learners
- International students
- Students changing careers
- Students who need flexible scheduling
- People who cannot attend a traditional full-time campus program
American University of Florida vs American University
One of the first things prospective students should understand is that American University of Florida is not American University in Washington, D.C.
The names are similar, but the institutions are different.
| Feature | American University of Florida | American University |
|---|---|---|
| Common abbreviation | AUF | AU |
| Location | Florida | Washington, D.C. |
| Primary model | Online/flexible education | Traditional residential + other formats |
| Institution type | Private institution | Private research university |
| Major profile | Professional and flexible programs | Research, international affairs, public affairs, business, communications |
| Washington, D.C. campus | No | Yes |
| Online education | Major part of AUF’s model | Offered alongside traditional programs |
American University in Washington, D.C. describes itself as a student-centered research institution and was founded in 1893.
AUF, on the other hand, describes its mission around professionally focused programs delivered through flexible and online education.
So if you are researching American University of Florida, don’t accidentally use rankings, admissions statistics or tuition information belonging to American University in Washington, D.C.
Where Is American University of Florida Located?
AUF identifies its flagship campus as being in Tampa, Florida, while also emphasizing its global and online education model.
Its Global Campus page describes the university as having a flagship campus in Tampa and delivering programs internationally through blended and online methods.
This is an important difference from traditional Florida universities such as the University of Florida, Florida State University or the University of Central Florida.
AUF’s current educational model places considerable emphasis on distance learning and flexibility.
For a student living outside Florida, that can make the location less important than it would be for a conventional residential college.
American University of Florida Online Programs
Online education is one of AUF’s central features.
The university’s website currently promotes a virtual campus through which students can:
- Register for classes
- Communicate with instructors
- Interact with classmates
- Conduct research
- Meet with mentors
- Access grades
- Request transcripts
- Order textbooks
- Manage parts of their student experience
AUF describes this model as a way to allow students to study without being tied to a traditional classroom schedule.
The university’s admissions page currently describes a flexible learning model that can include online instruction and, depending on the program, hybrid delivery.
Students should therefore check the specific program before enrolling because the exact delivery format can vary.
American University of Florida Degree Programs
AUF offers degree programs at multiple levels.
Its current website lists bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and certificate programs.
The main academic areas include:
- Business
- Computer and information science
- Criminal justice
- Health science
- Healthcare administration
- Human resources
- Educational leadership
- Management
- Finance
- International business
- Marketing
Bachelor’s Degree Programs at AUF
The university currently lists several bachelor’s degree options.
Bachelor of Science in Business
Business students can choose concentrations including:
- General Business Administration
- Finance
- International Business
- Marketing
These programs are designed for students who want business knowledge applicable to professional careers.
The university describes its bachelor’s programs as combining academic knowledge with practical preparation for employment and career development.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Computer science is another major area offered by AUF.
The university lists:
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Management Information Systems
The MIS option is particularly relevant for students interested in the relationship between technology, business and organizational decision-making.
Students considering this degree should carefully examine the actual course curriculum, programming requirements, laboratory components and career pathways before enrolling.
For technology careers, the specific content of the degree can matter as much as the university name.
Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration
AUF also offers a bachelor’s program in healthcare administration.
The university describes this area as preparing students for administrative and managerial positions in healthcare organizations.
Potential work environments can include:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Healthcare organizations
- Insurance companies
- Healthcare administration offices
AUF’s School of Health Sciences and Healthcare Administration says its curriculum includes health sciences, clinical sciences, humanities and mathematics.
It is important to distinguish healthcare administration from becoming a licensed healthcare professional. A healthcare-administration degree does not automatically qualify someone to practice medicine, nursing or another regulated clinical profession.
Bachelor of Science in Social Science
AUF also lists social-science programs with concentrations including:
- Criminal Justice
- Human Resource Management
These programs can be relevant to students interested in organizational management, human resources, public-sector work or criminal justice-related careers.
Master’s Degree Programs
AUF offers several master’s-level programs.
Its current master’s listing includes:
Business
- MS in Business Administration
- MS in Finance
- MS in International Business
- MS in Marketing
- MBA
- Executive MBA
Computer Science
- MS in Computer Science
- MS in Computer Science / Management Information Systems
Criminal Justice
- MS in Social Science – Criminal Justice
Healthcare
- MS in Healthcare Administration
Human Resources
- MS in Social Science – Human Resource Management
Education
- MS in Educational Leadership
The university positions these programs toward professionals who want to advance their education while continuing to work.
MBA and Executive MBA at American University of Florida
Business is one of AUF’s largest academic areas.
The university offers:
- MBA
- Executive MBA
- MS in Business Administration
- MS in Finance
- MS in International Business
- MS in Marketing
For working professionals, the flexibility of an online or hybrid business degree can be an important consideration.
However, students should compare the program’s curriculum, faculty, accreditation, employer recognition and total cost against other MBA programs before making a decision.
Doctoral Programs
AUF also advertises doctoral-level programs.
Its website currently lists a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Managerial Science.
The university’s admissions requirements state that DBA applicants must generally have both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from an accredited or Ministry-approved institution.
The published requirements also include an application essay, résumé/CV and, in some circumstances, a research-paper sample.
AUF says the DBA requires substantial post-bachelor’s study and sets specific requirements for transfer credit.
Students considering a doctoral degree should pay particular attention to the recognition of the institution and degree for their intended career, professional licensing or future academic plans.
American University of Florida Tuition
One of the more unusual aspects of AUF’s tuition structure is that the university describes tuition on a per-course basis.
According to AUF’s current tuition page:
Undergraduate
The listed undergraduate tuition rate is:
$525 per course
The university says a bachelor’s degree requiring 120 credits is structured as 36 courses and gives an estimated total program tuition of:
$21,000
Graduate
AUF lists graduate tuition at:
$1,500 per three-credit course
For a 36-credit master’s program, the university lists an estimated total program tuition of:
$18,000
The university also lists different rates for certain advanced master’s programs.
AUF Tuition Compared With Traditional Universities
This is one of the areas where AUF’s model looks very different from many traditional American universities.
A conventional private university can have annual tuition running into tens of thousands of dollars.
AUF instead publishes program-based tuition figures.
For example:
| Program | AUF published tuition |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | About $21,000 total |
| Standard Master’s, 36 credits | About $18,000 total |
| MS Educational Leadership | $25,200 total |
| Graduate certificate examples | Around $4,000 |
| DBA | Separate doctoral tuition structure |
These figures are published tuition estimates, not necessarily the final amount every student will pay.
Books, administrative fees, transfer-credit evaluations, retakes and other charges may apply.
AUF also says it offers no-interest payment plans.
American University of Florida Admission Requirements
AUF’s admissions requirements differ depending on the level of study.
Bachelor’s Admission
Applicants for bachelor’s programs are required to:
- Identify their intended program
- Submit a 1–2 page narrative describing their reasons for pursuing a degree and professional goals
- Provide an official secondary-school transcript or GED documentation
- Submit official transcripts for previous college-level study where applicable
This means prospective undergraduate students should prepare their academic records before beginning the application process.
Master’s Admission Requirements
For master’s programs, AUF says applicants must provide:
- The selected master’s program
- An official university transcript
- Evidence of completion of a bachelor’s degree
- Additional graduate transcripts where applicable
- Documentation required for transfer-credit evaluation if requesting transfer credit
The university also specifies that academic documents may need to come directly from the issuing institution.
International Student Requirements
International students may have additional requirements.
AUF says international academic records may require credential evaluation and that documents must be provided in English or appropriately translated.
Its published English-language requirements include IELTS and TOEFL thresholds for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs.
International students should confirm the current requirements directly with AUF before applying because requirements can change.
American University of Florida Accreditation
This is probably the most important section for anyone researching AUF.
There is a difference between state authorization/licensure and accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
AUF states that it is licensed by the Florida Department of Education’s Commission for Independent Education under Florida law.
AUF also states that it has accreditation from the Latin American and Iberoamerican Board of Higher Education and Accreditation and from the International Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (IQAHE).
However, AUF’s own international-student page says that it is pursuing accreditation with one or more agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA.
That distinction should not be ignored.
Why does recognized accreditation matter?
Accreditation can affect issues such as:
- Transfer of credits
- Acceptance of a degree by another university
- Professional licensing
- Employer recognition
- Eligibility for certain forms of financial aid
- Admission to another graduate program
- Recognition of a qualification in another country
The exact consequences depend on the program and the institution receiving the credential.
Therefore, a student should not simply read the word “accredited” and assume that every type of accreditation has the same meaning.
Before paying tuition, prospective students should independently verify:
- Who accredits the institution?
- Is the accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education?
- Is the accreditor recognized by CHEA?
- Is the specific degree recognized for the student’s intended career?
- Will another university accept the credits?
- Will the degree meet licensing requirements if the profession is regulated?
AUF itself says it is pursuing accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA.
That is an especially important point for students planning to use an AUF degree for further education, professional licensing or employment.
Is American University of Florida Accredited?
The most accurate answer requires some nuance.
AUF says it is licensed by Florida’s Commission for Independent Education and holds accreditation from organizations it identifies on its website.
At the same time, AUF says it is pursuing accreditation from one or more agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA.
Therefore, prospective students should not interpret AUF’s accreditation page as meaning that it currently holds institutional accreditation from a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditor.
That distinction is particularly important for international students.
Does American University of Florida Have a Ranking?
AUF does not have the same type of widely published national ranking profile as large research universities such as the University of Florida, Florida State University or the University of Miami.
This is partly because AUF has a different institutional model and profile.
Students searching for:
“American University of Florida ranking”
should therefore be careful about websites that accidentally combine AUF with:
- American University in Washington, D.C.
- University of Florida
- Florida International University
- University of Miami
- Other universities with similar names
The ranking of one institution should never be presented as the ranking of another.
American University of Florida Student Experience
AUF describes its student experience around flexibility, online interaction and academic support.
The university says students can communicate with instructors, participate in discussions, use online resources and receive support through its student-services structure.
This makes the experience quite different from a conventional residential university.
There is less emphasis on:
- Large campus traditions
- Residential college life
- Daily in-person lectures
- Large athletic programs
- Traditional dormitory culture
Instead, the model is designed around flexibility and accessibility.
For a working professional, this could be an important advantage.
For an 18-year-old student looking for a traditional four-year residential college experience, the model may feel very different.
American University of Florida for Working Professionals
AUF’s flexible format is particularly relevant to working adults.
A person working full-time may not be able to attend classes during normal university hours.
An online program can potentially allow that student to:
- Continue working
- Study from home
- Avoid relocating
- Complete coursework around work responsibilities
- Progress through a degree program more flexibly
AUF explicitly promotes its programs as suitable for people who want to balance education and professional responsibilities.
American University of Florida for International Students
AUF also markets its programs internationally.
The university says students from outside the United States can apply and provides information about credential evaluation, English proficiency and admissions documentation.
For international students, however, there are additional questions that should be answered before enrollment.
These include:
Will the degree be recognized in my country?
Recognition rules vary by country.
Can I use the degree for another university?
Transfer and graduate-admission decisions are made by the receiving institution.
Can I use it for professional licensing?
For regulated professions, licensing authorities may have specific requirements.
Is the degree eligible for U.S. federal financial aid?
This should be independently verified rather than assumed from the existence of state authorization or non-federal accreditation.
American University of Florida Computer Science
Computer science is likely to be one of the programs attracting international and working students.
AUF offers:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
and
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Management Information Systems.
It also lists master’s programs in computer science and MIS.
Before choosing the program, students should examine:
- Programming courses
- Data structures and algorithms
- Databases
- Software engineering
- Operating systems
- Computer networks
- Mathematics
- Artificial intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Projects
- Internship opportunities
The name “Computer Science” alone doesn’t tell you how technically intensive a degree is.
American University of Florida Business Programs
Business is another major area of AUF’s curriculum.
Undergraduate students can study:
- General business
- Finance
- International business
- Marketing
Graduate students can choose among:
- Business administration
- Finance
- International business
- Marketing
- MBA
- EMBA
For working professionals, the MBA and EMBA options may be particularly relevant.
American University of Florida Healthcare Administration
Healthcare administration is another area offered at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
AUF describes its healthcare programs as preparing students for administrative and managerial roles rather than direct clinical practice.
Potential career areas can include:
- Hospital administration
- Healthcare operations
- Insurance administration
- Clinic management
- Healthcare project management
- Healthcare business operations
Students seeking a clinical career should instead research degrees that lead to the appropriate professional license.
American University of Florida Graduate Certificates
In addition to full degrees, AUF offers graduate certificate programs.
Examples include:
- Project Management
- Healthcare Administration
- Information Technology for Management
- International Project Management
For example, AUF lists a graduate certificate in project management as a four-course, 12-credit program with published tuition of $4,000.
The university says certain certificate courses may be transferable into related AUF graduate programs when the specified conditions are met.
Pros of American University of Florida
There are several features that may appeal to particular students.
Flexible learning
The online/self-paced model can be useful for working adults.
Published program costs
AUF publishes relatively straightforward program-level tuition figures for several degrees.
Multiple professional fields
Students can choose from business, technology, healthcare, social science and education-related programs.
International access
The university actively accepts applications from international students.
Open enrollment
AUF says students can begin at different times rather than being restricted to a traditional semester calendar.
Things to Check Before Enrolling
The most important consideration is not simply tuition.
Prospective students should investigate accreditation and degree recognition carefully.
This becomes particularly important if you plan to:
- Apply to another U.S. university later
- Apply for a PhD
- Work for a government agency
- Enter a regulated profession
- Transfer credits
- Seek professional licensure
- Use the degree outside the United States
The university itself states that it is pursuing accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA.
That statement should be considered carefully before making a substantial financial commitment.
Is American University of Florida Legit?
The word “legit” can mean several different things.
AUF states that it is legally organized in Florida and licensed through the state’s Commission for Independent Education.
That is different from saying that its degrees have the same accreditation status as degrees from universities accredited by U.S. Department of Education-recognized institutional accreditors.
So the practical question for a prospective student is not simply:
“Is AUF real?”
A better question is:
“Will an AUF degree meet the recognition requirements I need for my particular career or educational goal?”
That is something students should verify before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is American University of Florida?
American University of Florida is a Florida-based higher-education institution offering bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and certificate programs, with a strong focus on online and flexible education.
Is American University of Florida the same as American University in Washington DC?
No. They are separate institutions.
American University is located in Washington, D.C., while American University of Florida is a separate Florida institution.
Is American University of Florida online?
Yes. Online education is a major part of AUF’s current model, and its website promotes a virtual campus and flexible learning options.
How much does American University of Florida cost?
AUF currently lists undergraduate tuition at $525 per course and estimates approximately $21,000 in tuition for its 120-credit bachelor’s degree structure. Its standard 36-credit master’s program is listed at approximately $18,000.
Does American University of Florida offer computer science?
Yes. AUF offers bachelor’s and master’s programs in computer science, including a Management Information Systems option.
Does AUF offer an MBA?
Yes. The university lists both an MBA and Executive MBA, as well as master’s programs in several business concentrations.
Does AUF offer doctoral programs?
Yes. AUF currently advertises a Doctor of Business Administration program in Managerial Science.
Is American University of Florida accredited?
AUF states that it has accreditation from organizations including the Latin American and Iberoamerican Board of Higher Education and Accreditation and IQAHE. Its website also states that it is pursuing accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA.
Students should therefore distinguish state authorization and the accreditation AUF lists from accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized institutional accreditor.
Does AUF accept international students?
Yes. AUF has a dedicated international-student section and publishes requirements relating to academic credentials and English proficiency.
Can I study at AUF while working?
The university specifically promotes its flexible learning model for students who want to balance education with professional responsibilities.
Final Thoughts
American University of Florida is an institution with a very different model from the large, traditional American universities that most people recognize from national rankings.
Its focus is strongly connected to flexible education, online learning and professionally oriented degrees.
The university offers programs in areas such as business, computer science, healthcare administration, criminal justice, human resources, educational leadership and related fields. It also offers master’s, MBA, EMBA, doctoral and certificate options.
The tuition structure is another distinctive feature, with AUF currently listing $21,000 in estimated tuition for its bachelor’s degree structure and $18,000 for a 36-credit standard master’s program.
However, accreditation and degree recognition deserve particularly careful attention.
AUF states that it is licensed by Florida’s Commission for Independent Education and lists accreditation from several organizations. At the same time, AUF explicitly says it is pursuing accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA.
For that reason, prospective students should evaluate AUF according to their specific goal.
If the goal is flexible professional education, the online model and published tuition may be attractive.
If the goal involves transferring credits, obtaining professional licensure, entering a competitive graduate program or using the degree internationally, verification of the exact recognition and accreditation requirements should come before enrollment.
That is ultimately more important than simply looking at a university name or a tuition figure.