A regional higher education panel has extended the accreditation of National American University, the Rapid City-based private school, for another 10 years.

The Higher Learning Commission ruled that NAU's academic programs meet nationally recognized criteria. NAU provost Dr. Samuel Kerr said the process took two years and involved on-site reviews last fall by a team of evaluators.

"Receiving this accreditation is a testament to the high quality of academic programming that NAU offers at both the undergraduate and graduate levels," Kerr said in a news release.

The university has multiple approvals by other national professional and educational associations.

NAU has 17 locations throughout the central U.S., including branches at Ellsworth Air Force Base, Sioux Falls and Watertown. It offers associate, bachelor's and master's degrees, with courses at its campuses and online.