Azusa Pacific University (APU) is a private, evangelical Christian university located near Los Angeles in suburban Azusa, California, United States. The university was founded in 1899, with classes opening on March 3, 1900, in Whittier, California, and began offering degrees in 1939. The university's seminary, the Graduate School of Theology, holds to a Wesleyan-Arminian doctrinal theology. APU offers more than 100 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs on campus, online, and at seven regional locations across Southern California.
Campus location
Azusa Pacific University's Azusa campus is situated in the San Gabriel Valley, located 26 miles (42Â km) northeast of Los Angeles.
The university also maintains a Los Angeles Regional Site, a Monrovia Regional Site, and five additional off-site regional centers in Southern California:
- Inland Empire Regional Center (San Bernardino)
- Murrieta Regional Center
- San Diego Regional Center
- High Desert Regional Center (Victorville)
- Orange County Regional Center (Orange)
History
Beginnings and development (1899â€"1999)
Azusa Pacific University was established on March 3, 1899, in Whittier, California. Under the name Training School for Christian Workers, it was the first Bible college on the West Coast. Led by president Mary A. Hill, the school initially had a total enrollment of 12 students.
Early years saw the school relocate and change leadership several times. In 1939, Cornelius P. Haggard, Th.D., became the school’s 13th president. In response to low enrollment and a lack of donations, Haggard launched a variety of fundraising efforts. Haggard served for the next 36 years.
Following mergers with three Southern California colleges, the university relocated in 1946 to the city of Azusa, where it resides today. In 1939 the Training School became Pacific Bible College, and four-year degrees were offered. In 1956, the name was changed to Azusa College. Azusa College merged first in 1965 with Los Angeles Pacific College and became Azusa Pacific College, and three years later, APC merged with Arlington College. Upon its achievement of university status in 1981, the college changed its name to Azusa Pacific University.
After Haggard’s death, Paul E. Sago, Ph.D., became president, serving until 1989. Sago encouraged the development and growth of off-site educational regional campuses throughout Southern California, and presided over the addition of master’s degree programs and the development of schools within the university.
Richard E. Felix, Ph.D., became president in 1990, and initiated the university’s first doctoral programs. He also introduced the university's "Four Cornerstones," Christ, Scholarship, Community, and Service, and oversaw the construction of seven new buildings, a doubling of student enrollment, and a quadrupling of graduate programs.
When nearby institution, Ambassador College closed in 1997, the Worldwide Church of God and Azusa Pacific University jointly established the Ambassador Center at Azusa Pacific University for the continuation of classes for former Ambassador College students.
President Jon R. Wallace (2000â€"present)
In November 2000, then-Executive Vice President Jon R. Wallace, DBA, became president. Today, the university offers 68 bachelor’s degrees, 45 master’s degrees, 18 certificates, 16 credentials, eight doctoral programs, and two associate’s degrees to a total student population of nearly 10,100. Program offerings continue to increase. At the undergraduate level, the merger of several departments into the College of Music and the Arts, as well introduction of the Honors College, provide students with further academic options. Study abroad programs have grown with the addition of the South Africa Semester alongside more than 40 other national and international study opportunities.
University presidents
The university has had a total of 16 presidents since its founding.
Academics
Azusa Pacific University is organized into three colleges and seven schools. The academics programs are available from the Honors College, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Music and the Arts, Leung School of Accounting, School of Adult and Professional Studies, School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences, School of Business and Management, School of Education, School of Nursing, and School of Theology.
APU features small, intimate classroom settings. 60 percent of classes contain fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio is 12:1.
Three students and one faculty member were named Fulbright scholars in 2016-17, bringing the total number of recipients to 12 faculty and 35 students since 2003.
Accreditation
APU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). APU also has 13 professional accreditations:
- The School of Business and Management is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
- The School of Music programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
- The School of Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).
- Azusa Pacific Seminary programs are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
- The Art and Design programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
- The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
- The Master of Science in Athletic Training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
- The Doctor of Psychology program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).
- The School Psychology program is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
- The Social Work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
- The Teacher Education programs are accredited by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
The American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI) is a member of the American Association of Intensive English Programs (AAIEP).
Academic resources and special programs
Azusa Pacific University academic resources include the Writing Center, Learning Enrichment Center, university libraries, Math Center, Undergraduate Academic Success Center, and the Graduate and Professional Registrar. Special programs include the Friends Center, Honors College, Sigma Theta Tau (Iota Sigma), and the Western Conservancy of Nursing History.
University libraries and special collections
The APU libraries include the William V. Marshburn Library (East Campus), the Hugh and Hazel Darling Library (West Campus), the Stamps Theological Library (West Campus), and off-campus libraries supporting academic programs at the APU High Desert, Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and Murrieta locations.
A unified catalog identifies the more than 240,000 books, media items, and 1,900 periodical titles in the libraries' print collections. More than 703,000 microforms include the Library of American Civilization, Library of American Literature, The New York Times, and Educational Resources Information Center collections. The university network also provides access to more than 140 online databases, which include more than 46,000 electronic journals.
In the fall of 2009, Azusa Pacific University acquired a collection of antiquities, including five fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls and five first-edition prints of the King James Bible. These new acquisitions were displayed in an exhibit, Treasures of the Bible: The Dead Sea Scrolls and Beyond, in summer 2010.
Special collections of Azusa Pacific University are housed in the Thomas F. Andrews Room of the Hugh and Hazel Darling Library, located on APU's West Campus. The special collections consist of over 6,500 holdings ranging from presidential signatures to historical citrus crate labels.
Research
Azusa Pacific University is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a Doctoral/Research University (DRU). APU conducts its research through eight university research centers:
- Center for Academic Service-Learning and Research
- Center for Research on Ethics and Values (CREV)
- Center for Research in Science (CRIS)
- El Centro Teológico Hispano
- Friends Center
- Center for Vocational Ministry (Undergraduate)
- Office of Faith Integration
- Noel Academy for Strengths-Based Leadership and Education
APU's Office of Institutional Research and Assessment provides resources, training, and consultations designed to help academic and student life departments successfully assess their educational effectiveness. The office also coordinates and facilitates the academic program review process.
Honors College
APU's Honors College was launched in 2013, with David L. Weeks as dean. An Oxford-style, writing-intensive program, the Honors College grants graduates a second major or minor in Honors Humanities and an honors scholar diploma designation. The program content replaces all general education courses. The Honors College describes its purpose as "liberally educat[ing] the next generation of intellectually-gifted Christian leaders." Students study classic literature including works by Aristotle, Shakespeare, and C.S. Lewis, and are given publication and regional/national presentation opportunities.
Academic clubs
- APU Real Estate Club: Equips members with tools and a network to support real estate careers.
- APU Robotics: Serves the local community through education and hosting robotics events.
- Chemistry Club: Promotes and fosters interest in chemistry on campus and in the Azusa community.
- Criminal Justice Association: Explores the criminal justice field and creates networks between students and criminal justice professionals.
- Enactus: Develops entrepreneurial initiatives through leadership development and business curriculum.
- National Association for Music Educators: Creates a network for current and future music educators to explore the field of music education.
- Political Awareness Club: Cultivates an understanding of global history, economics, politics, and social structures.
- Azusa Pacific Pre-Law Society: Provides information, resources, and networks relating to law school admission and LSAT preparation.
- Psychology Club: Grants psychology majors/minors a community for sharing passions, experiences, and goals.
- Sociology Club: Discusses and addresses the social phenomena that occur on and off the APU campus.
- Student Nurses of Azusa Pacific (SNAP): Fosters community among School of Nursing students, faculty, and staff.
Athletics
Azusa Pacific University competes in the Pacific West Conference (PacWest) in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 17 intercollegiate sports. The Azusa Pacific University football team participates in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. More than 450 student-athletes participate in the following sports:
Men's
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Track and Field
Women's
- Acrobatics and tumbling
- Basketball
- Cross country
- Softball
- Soccer
- Swimming and diving
- Tennis
- Track and field
- Volleyball
- Water polo
Achievements and alumni
A past eight-time winner of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ Directors’ Cup, APU finished 17th for the second consecutive year in the 2015-16 NCAA Division II Directors’ Cup standings. A total of 14 APU athletes have competed in the Olympics, including 2008 decathlon gold medalist Bryan Clay ’03, and 50 other alumni have been drafted into other professional sports, including Christian Okoye ’87, former Kansas City Chiefs fullback; Stephen Vogt ’07, Milwakee Brewers catcher; Kirk Nieuwenhuis ’08, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder; and Terrell Watson ’15, Pittsburgh Steelers running back.
Student body
Azusa Pacific University's 2016-17 enrollment consisted of 10,020 students, of whom 3,344 are at the undergraduate and 4,676 at the graduate and professional levels. As of 2017, 48 countries, 47 states, and 55 Christian denominations are represented by the student population. Approximately 69% of students are female and 31% are male.
A total of 29% of students have a family income less than $40,000 and receive an income-based federal Pell Grant to help pay for college.
In the 2016-17 academic year, the freshman retention rate was 86%.
The university's most popular programs are in following categories:
- Health Professions and Related Programs (23%)
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (21%)
- Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
- Psychology (8%)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities (8%)
Student life
APU features 18 music ensembles, 12 intramural sports, and about 50 clubs and organizations, including ethnic organizations, performing arts clubs, social clubs, service clubs, academic clubs, athletic clubs, and honors societies, as well as a Student Government Association. The university also hosts military and veteran services, including active duty military and veteran benefits, scholarships, and programs.
Music ensembles
Music ensemble offerings include choral ensembles, vocal groups, large ensembles, chamber ensembles, commercial ensembles, and athletic bands. Music groups require an audition, and perform at local churches as well as state and national orchestral and symphonic events. In addition to these ensembles, the Artist Certificate program offers a conservatory style experience to the School of Music's highest performing musicians.
Student Government Association
APU's Student Government Association (SGA) is composed of 27 students. The SGA has served APU since 1945 by meeting with offices on campus and conducting surveys that analyze the needs of the APU student body. The SGA's governing structure, listed from highest position to lowest, is composed of a president, five executives, two commissioners, nine senators, and nine representatives.
Military and veteran services
APU is a Yellow Ribbon University recognized by Military Friendly as a military-friendly college, and is an approved degree-granting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. APU was also named as one of 130 "Best for Vets Colleges 2017" in the 4-year schools category by Military Times.
The university provides an ROTC program which includes scholarships and tuition assistance.
APU also offers a Veterans Club intended to create a network for veterans transitioning into academic life. The club hosts regular meetings and community service opportunities.
Diversity
In 2016, APU was recognized by Diverse Issues in Higher Education as one of the nation's top schools in awarding degrees to minority students. The university ranked among the top 100 in 11 baccalaureate categories, and ranked 5th for awarding Hispanic master's degrees in the "business/commerce, general" category, and 55th for total minority master's degrees awarded across all disciplines. APU is recognized by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities as one of 104 Hispanic-Serving Institutions in California.
The Student Center for Reconciliation and Diversity
The Student Center for Reconciliation and Diversity administers scholarship programs and provides information on internship and scholarship opportunities offered by local community organizations. SCRD also advises campus ethnic organizations, including the Asian Pacific American Student Organization, Black Student Association, Latin American Student Association, Middle Eastern Student Organization, Native American Student Circle, and the Pacific Islander Organization. In addition, SCRD coordinates a Multi-Ethnic Leadership Scholarship Program.
Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence
The Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence hosts initiatives including staff and faculty diversity network luncheons, diversity ambassador training, and diversity workshops. The center also facilitates a diversity plan based on a 2016 UCLA Climate Study conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute assessing APU's social climate. The center collaborates with the Council of Christian Colleges & Universities on national diversity-related projects.
Service and outreach
For eight consecutive years, Azusa Pacific has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary leadership in civic engagement, service-learning, and building community partnerships. Azusa Pacific University, as one of 115 U.S. institutions named to the Carnegie Foundation's 2010 Community Engagement Classification, is recognized for its commitment to community service and service-learning. Through APU's Center for Student Action, undergraduates perform more than 165,000 hours of service each year locally and globally.
Local service
Local service is conducted by the City Links program, where students aid the city of Azusa and greater Los Angeles area. Services include assisting food banks and providing after school tutoring and mentoring. In addition to these weekly service opportunities, students can spend a semester living and learning in Los Angeles through L.A. Term.
Mexico Outreach
APU students serve in Mexico through the Mexico Outreach Program, which continues a more-than-40-year relationship with churches, refugee shelters, prisons, and rehabilitation centers. Several opportunities exist throughout the year for students to serve the Mexicali community. APU also maintains a site in Ensenadaâ€"Rancho El Refugioâ€"that is available throughout the year for students to stay at while conducting outreach in the area.
Global relief
The Center for Student Action sends more than 250 students, faculty, staff, and alumni around the world to partner with long-term and national workers. Programs include but are not limited to: educational development, orphan work, conversational English teaching, prayer ministry, mobile medical care clinics, and anti-human and anti-sex trafficking. The following are relief efforts that the Center for Student Action has worked toward mobilizing aid and volunteers:
- Hurricane Katrina, August 2005, USA
- Cyclone Sidr, November 2006, Bangladesh
- Earthquake, 2010, Haiti
- Earthquake and Tsunami, 2011, Japan
- Typhoon Haiyan, 2013, Philippines
- Southern California fires, various years, USA
Service clubs
Several of APU's clubs are focused on service:
- APU Rotaract: Dedicated to promoting the global peace effort, international understanding, and community service.
- Club Social Work: Connects social work students, faculty, and the surrounding community through meetings, events, and outreach to promote the profession of social work and the importance of social justice.
- The Dream Project: Visits hospitals and service organizations to perform child outreach.
- Free the Captives: Aims to raise awareness about the social injustice of human trafficking locally and abroad through service and community outreach.
Notable alumni
References
External links
- Official website
- Azusa Pacific Athletics website