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North American University (NAU) is a private university in Stafford, Texas. NAU offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Computer Science, and Education. In the fall of 2013, the university changed its name from Texas Gulf Institute to its current name.

History

NAU is an institution of higher education founded as Texas Gulf Institute in April 2007. The institute offered certificate programs for the first two years of its inception. Upon approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to offer bachelor's degree programs in July 2010, the school applied to change its name to North American College (NAC).

During the 2010–11 academic year the college moved into its new administrative and educational building located at 3203 N. Sam Houston Pkwy West in Houston, Texas. In 2017, physician Serif Ali Tekalan was appointed the third president of the university, succeeding Recayi "Reg" Pecen, an engineer, who had been appointed in 2012.

In May 2013, the college had its first commencement. The class of 2013 included twelve students; nine graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration and three with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies in education.

In the fall of 2013, NAC changed to its name to North American University (NAU). There are more than 800 students in its ESL, bachelor's degree and master's degree programs. Students come from over 33 U.S. states and over 54 countries.

Academics

NAU offers three bachelor's degree programs: Interdisciplinary Studies in Education, Computer Science, Criminal Justice and Business Administration. Bachelor's degree programs are organized under a different administrative department. NAU also offers five master's degree programs: M.Ed. in educational leadership, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, M.Ed. in School Counseling, MBA, and an M.S. in Computer Science.

The university is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and approved by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to award bachelor's and master's degrees. The Gulf Language School is accredited by The Commission on English Language Program Accreditation.

In June 2023 the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools educational accreditor rejected the university's application for accreditation. The accreditor's board found NAU unable to comply with the board's standards for hiring full-time faculty, financial resources and financial documentation.

Athletics

The North American athletic teams are called the Stallions. The university competes as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) as an associate member since the 2023–24 academic year, while their football team competes as an associate member in the Sooner Athletic Conference. The Stallions previously competed as an NAIA Independent within the Continental Athletic Conference during the 2022–23 school year (when the school joined the NAIA).

North American competes in eight intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include basketball, football, soccer and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, soccer, cross country and track & field. They are looking to add more sports in the near future: esports, cheerleading, volleyball, and wrestling.

Football

Their football program competed without affiliation for a few years. Their first season was during the COVID pandemic in fall 2020.

Student services

University dorms, which are located on the main campus, provide housing and meal services for its residential university students. In addition, there is an academic resource center supported by Student Success. In 2015, NAU added Career and Alumni Services to its student service list and now offers career counseling.

References

1. "Academics". North American University. Retrieved 2016-02-28.
2. "Accreditation". ACICS. Retrieved 2013-11-22.
3. "Biography of Pecen". North American College. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2013-05-12.
4. "Commencement Brochure" (PDF). North American College. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
5. "International Students". College Navigator. Retrieved 2016-02-28.
6. "Disclosure Statement Regarding the Status of NORTH AMERICAN UNIVERSITY" (PDF). Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
7. "North American University Joins RRAC as 14th Member Institution". Red River Athletic Conference. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
8. "NAU joins the NAIA". North American University. 13 April 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
9. "North American Athletics". North American University. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
10. "North American University: Creating history during a pandemic". USA Football. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
11. "Housing - North American University". www.na.edu. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
12. "Dining at NAU - North American University". www.na.edu. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
13. "Student Success".
14. "Career Counseling".

External links

• Official website
• Official athletics website

• 2007 establishments in Texas
• Educational institutions established in 2007
• Universities and colleges in Houston
• Private universities and colleges in Texas