Akamai University

What Akamai University does

Akamai University is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit distance-learning institution founded in 2002 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, with an active administrative and academic office relocated from Hawaii in September 2024. It delivers higher education globally through a mentored distance-learning platform in which students and faculty communicate electronically, working under individualized learning contracts that allow students to progress at a self-paced cadence while maintaining employment and family responsibilities. The university structures its offerings across four colleges: the College of Integrative Health (covering Complementary and Integrative Health, CAM, Energy Medicine, Energy Psychology, BioEnergetic Wellness, and Transpersonal Studies), the College of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (Bio-Photonics Sciences, Multicultural Integration in Mental Health, Engineering Leadership for Diversity), the College of Planetary Health (Green Growth, Environmental Health, Sustainability and Peace Studies), and the College of Continuing Education. Degree pathways span certificates, diplomas, bachelor's, master's, and doctorates, including specialized programs such as the Doctorate in Neuroscience Acupuncture (DNA) delivered with NeuroPuncture, the Oriental Medical Doctor (OMD) with California Acupuncture College, and a BioEnergetic Wellness pathway with CanBeWell in Canada.

The underlying technology is non-proprietary in the conventional sense — it relies on standard electronic communication channels rather than a dedicated LMS with disclosed AI features — but the pedagogical wrapper is differentiated: a Heart-Centered / Oneness Principle framework, an Empowerment Model of Education, and one-on-one faculty mentorship that is unusual at this price point. Revenue mechanics are tuition-driven on a pay-as-you-go, per-credit basis (e.g., bachelor 1 credit / 15 contact hours, master 2 credits / 30 hours, PhD 3 credits / 45 hours), supplemented by tax-deductible donations and bequests under IRC Sections 170, 2055, 2106, and 2522. The university markets through its institutional websites (akamai.university and akamaiuniversity.online), international conferences (ICN, Global Traditional Medicine, World Congress TCM, IANDS), faculty and alumni referrals, and affiliate organization partnerships, serving a diversified base of health professionals, veterans and families, DEI/social-justice practitioners, environmental and sustainability professionals, and lifelong personal-development learners. It holds ASIC Premier Status accreditation (2022) and IEAC 5-Star International Accreditation (2025-2029) and is a member of the UN Global Compact and the Planetary Health Alliance, operating with approximately 26 employees.

Name

Akamai University

Legal name

Akamai University

Website

https://akamai.university

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Akamai University is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit distance-learning institution headquartered in Durham, NC, offering certificates through doctorates across four colleges (Integrative Health, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, Planetary Health, Continuing Education) to global working professionals via one-on-one mentored electronic tutorials.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Distance Learning

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL), Online Healthcare & Nursing Universities (Allied Health, RN-to-BSN, etc.) (EDAHALAF)

Keywords

• Distance learning education
• Integrative health programs
• Continuing education certificates
• Planetary health studies
• Doctoral degree programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Program Fees: Students pay tuition for degree programs including bachelor, masters, doctorate, certificates, and continuing education. The university establishes fair tuition rates to provide access for students from across the global community with scholarships available for qualified students in need.
2. Donations and Sponsorships: As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization, Akamai University accepts donations that are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170. Donors can also make tax-deductible bequests under Sections 2055, 2106, or 2522.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Akamai University is a nonprofit distance learning institution that delivers higher education worldwide through one-on-one electronic mentor tutorials. It offers certificates, diplomas, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs across four academic colleges focused on integrative health, planetary health, diversity/equity/inclusion, and continuing education. Students pursue self-paced, personalized study while maintaining full-time employment and family responsibilities.

Product overview

Akamai University is a distance learning educational institution offering a multi-dimensional integrative spiritual educational model. The university provides exemplary quality higher education worldwide primarily through distance learning with limited in-person opportunities. Its core offering is a mentored distance education platform delivering one-on-one instructor tutorials via electronic communication. The institution operates four academic colleges: the College of Integrative Health (offering CIH/CAM programs, Energy Medicine, and Transpersonal Studies degrees), the College of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (focusing on Bio-Photonics Sciences and multicultural mental health), the College of Planetary Health (addressing environmental health and sustainability), and the College of Continuing Education (providing professional development certificates). Degrees range from certificates and diplomas through bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, including specialized programs like the Doctorate in Neuroscience Acupuncture (DNA) and Oriental Medical Doctor (OMD). The university also publishes the Pacific Journal of Science and Technology for faculty and student scholarly research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• College of Integrative Health: Offers programs in Natural Health, Healing and Wellness including degrees in Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) and CAM studies.
• College of Planetary Health
• College of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
• College of Continuing Education
• Pacific Journal of Science and Technology

Products and services

• College of Integrative Health Academic college offering diplomas, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), with concentrations in Energy Medicine, Energy Psychology, BioEnergetic Wellness, and Transpersonal Studies. Targets healthcare professionals, nurses, and wellness practitioners.
• College of Planetary Health Academic college addressing global environmental change and health impacts, offering graduate-level programs in Green Growth, Environmental Health, and Sustainability & Peace Studies. Targets environmental and sustainability professionals.
• College of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Academic college focused on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Humanitarian Sustainability, offering programs in Bio-Photonics Sciences, Multicultural Integration in Mental Health Services, and Engineering Leadership for Diversity and Sustainability. Targets DEI and social justice practitioners.
• College of Continuing Education Division offering continuing education classes and certificate programs for professional development and personal enrichment, carrying Continuing Education Units (CEU). Includes programs serving veterans, families, and continuing professional development.
• PhD in Complementary & Integrative Health (CIH) Doctoral program in Complementary and Integrative Health with concentrations in Energy Medicine, Energy Psychology, BioEnergetic Wellness, Energy Dynamics, Integrative Health, and Transpersonal Studies. Requires 3 credits (45 contact hours).
• Doctorate in Neuroscience Acupuncture (DNA) Specialized doctorate in neuroscience acupuncture integrating traditional acupuncture with modern neuroscience principles. Delivered in partnership with NeuroPuncture and California Acupuncture College.
• Oriental Medical Doctor (OMD) Professional degree in Oriental Medicine combining traditional Chinese medicine principles with modern healthcare practices, offered through partnership with California Acupuncture College.
• Doctoral Studies in Nursing (DSN) Doctoral-level nursing program offered through the College of Integrative Health for nursing professionals seeking advanced credentials.
• Certificate Programs in Integrative Health Various certificate programs including Bioenergetic Wellness, CAM Specialist Training, Family Wellness Support, Heart-Centered Initiative, and Energy Therapy Specialist Training. Typically 0.5 credits (1 credit = 15 contact hours).
• Pacific Journal of Science and Technology Academic journal published by Akamai University featuring peer-reviewed scholarly research in science and technology, with contributions from faculty and students.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Planetary Health AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAkamai University is a member of the Planetary Health Alliance, a consortium of over 350 universities, non-governmental organizations, research institutes, and government entities committed to understanding and addressing global environmental change and its health impacts.
• Energy Medicine PartnershipscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for energy medicine education and Transform Your Life through Energy Medicine (TYLEM) programs. Offers Complementary Integrative Health (CIH) Energy Therapy Specialist Training.
• Global Healing AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for delivering integrated curriculum and collaborative educational programs in integrative health and wellness.
• CanBeWell - Canadian Association of BioEnergetic WellnessmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanadian affiliate offering BioEnergetic Wellness programs and education, including BSc-CIH BioEnergetic Wellness degree pathway.
• California Acupuncture CollegemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for Oriental Medical Doctor (OMD) programs and Doctor of Neuroscience Acupuncture (DNA) degree pathways.
• NeuroPuncturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Doctorate in Neuroscience Acupuncture (DNA) program - an advanced acupuncture methodology integrating neuroscience principles.
• Native Arts & Heritage Academy NepalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for cultural education and trustee programs related to Nepali heritage and arts.
• MeiMilir Center: Health & WellnessminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate center offering energy psychology and wellness programs.
• EDS Business SchoolminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational business education partnership.
• Ghana Institute of Project Management ProfessionalsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProfessional development partnership for project management education in Ghana.
• A Season for All Counseling, LLCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCounseling services partnership for student support and wellness education.
• International Foundation on Research into the Nature of Man, MexicominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with Mexican research institute on anthropological studies.
• National Alliance of Energy PractitionersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProfessional certification and training partnership for energy practitioners.
• Pacific Journal of Science and TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity-affiliated peer-reviewed academic journal for publishing faculty and student scholarly research.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Walden University: Large online university offering degrees across health, education, and human services with significant continuing education focus. Comparable as a broad online higher education incumbent but at materially larger scale.

Direct peers

• National University of Natural Medicine: Accredited nonprofit university specializing in naturopathic medicine and integrative health sciences. Comparable as a niche, specialty nonprofit offering health-focused degrees at multiple levels.
• Saybrook University: Nonprofit university offering low-residency and online graduate degrees in psychology, humanistic studies, and integrative health. Comparable in combining humanistic/integrative philosophy with distance learning delivery.
• Maryland University of Integrative Health: Nonprofit university offering graduate degrees in integrative health, wellness, and holistic fields, primarily via distance learning. Comparable as a small, specialized nonprofit focused on integrative health credentials.
• Bastyr University: Accredited university specializing in natural medicine, integrative health sciences, and holistic graduate programs. Comparable niche focus in complementary and integrative health degree programs, including doctorates.
• Maharishi International University: Nonprofit university offering distance learning with specializations in holistic health, integrative medicine, and consciousness-based education. Comparable in delivering niche, alternative-paradigm higher education to a global student body.
• Aspen University: Nonprofit online university offering degree programs to working adults. Comparable as a small, mission-driven online nonprofit university with flexible distance learning.
• Western Governors University: Large nonprofit, competency-based online university serving working adults. Comparable as a nonprofit distance learning institution designed for non-traditional learners pursuing accredited degrees.
• National University of Health Sciences: Nonprofit university specializing in chiropractic, naturopathic, and integrative medicine programs. Comparable as a specialized health-sciences university serving adult learners.
• University of the People: Tuition-free, nonprofit, online university serving global students. Directly comparable as a globally accessible, accredited online nonprofit higher education institution with a similar mission of expanding access to underserved populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/akamai-university

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Akamai University