Azusa Pacific University (APU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Azusa Pacific University (APU) is an evangelical Christian institute located near Los Angeles in Southern California. What was established as the Training School for Christian Workers in 1899, received the status of university in 1981 and given its current name. The main campus spans more than 100 acres and is situated in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley in Azusa, California. Apart from the main campus, the university also operates the following off-site regional centers:

Los Angeles Regional Center
Murrieta Regional Center
San Diego Regional Center
High Desert Regional Center (Victorville)
Orange County Regional Center (Orange)
Ventura Regional Center (Oxnard)
Inland Empire Regional Center (San Bernardino)

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Information Summary

Ranks 35th in California and 489th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	86.9
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$54,144
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	27 / 1240
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	14 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	81% / 22%
Enrollment Total (all students)	10,095

Academics

The academics are fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in addition to several other regional and discipline-based accreditations from associations such as International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE); National Association of Schools of Music (NASM); Association of Theological Schools (ATS); National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD); American Psychological Association (APA); Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); American Association of Intensive English Programs (AAIEP).

The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and degree completion programs in diverse areas of study such as leadership, business, education, nursing, psychology, theology, and more. There are also accelerated and traditional degree programs and certificates through its various regional centers.

Carnegie Foundation has classified the institute as a Doctoral/ Research University (DRU). Some of the important research centers at the University are Academic Service-Learning and Research; Diversity Planning and Assessment; Institute for Faith Integration; Noel Academy for Strengths-Based Leadership and Education; Research on Ethics and Values; Research in Science (CRIS); and Undergraduate Research.

The Learning Enrichment Center (LEC) provides academic support to students through various services and programs tailored to encourage academic success. The services include Supplemental Instruction Program (SI), individualized and group tutoring, student disability accommodations, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), examination proctoring services, and study strategies to help students in their academic endeavors.

Schools and Colleges:

Academic departments include: School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences; School of Business and Management; School of Music; School of Nursing; School of Theology; School of Education; College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and Center of Adult and Professional Studies.

Online Classes:

Online programs are especially designed for students who are unable to attend regular college due to various reasons. Most of the online undergraduate and graduate programs can be entirely completed through the Internet. The students can access online classes and course materials, anytime and anywhere. Some of the online undergraduate, graduate and degree programs are Associate of Arts Degree, B.A. in Management, TESOL (Teaching ESL), B.A. in Liberal Studies, and Registered Nurse to B.S. in Nursing.

Students can also complete online certificate programs in just four to nine months, and gain valuable skills and highly profitable specialties. The online programs include ELL/CTEL/CLAD Certificate; Certificate in Gifted and Talented Education (GATE); and Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

The admission requirements may vary for freshman, transfer, nursing major, and international students. There is a rolling admission process for graduate university admission, which means that the applications are continuously accepted and processed.

Students must send their official transcripts from other institutes along with their ACT or SAT score. Academic capabilities and involvement in church, school, and community activities are taken into consideration while evaluating the applicant’s potential for success. The application process acts as a tool for carrying out these assessments.

Transfer students who have successfully completed one year of full-time college work, or at least 12 transferable academic units in one semester can get a test-score waiver when applying for admission. However taking either the SAT or ACT test is necessary.

The international students application procedure is different from the standard admission process. Students whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test.

Financial Aid

Azusa Pacific University provides financial aid to nearly 90% of the student population. The financial aid department encourages students to apply for the different forms of assistance offered by state, federal and private bodies. All students seeking financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Institutional scholarships are offered to students by various departments or individual programs. Graduate Education Scholarships such as Alice V. Watkins Scholarship and Simmerok Family Scholarship Fund are offered to students enrolled in graduate degrees.

Grants are the type of financial aid that students don’t have to return. The federal and state grants available include Cal Grant A, Cal Grant B, Cal Grant B Access, Federal Pell Grant, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 2608th for the average student loan amount.
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Students

There are several on-campus students clubs and organizations such as Asian Pacific American Student Organization (APASO), Black Students Awareness (BSA), Latin American Student Association (LASA), and Native American Student Circle (NASC). The Student Government Association works as the voice of the student body. They organize various events and activities for enhancing the campus involvement of the students.

The Office of CommUniversity caters to the needs of the commuter student population. There are several programs coordinated by the student activities staff to improve the experience of an off-campus University student. The commuter student population receives special discounts and benefits to encourage their participation at the events sponsored by CommUniversity.

There are three libraries: Hugh and Hazel Darling Library, James L. Stamps Theological Library, and William V. Marshburn Memorial Library. The libraries house a varied collection of academic and research books, rare archives, and a wide-ranging catalog of print and electronic resources, to provide patrons the information they need within their reach.

Media & Publication

The Clause is the student-run newspaper, published weekly. The Tavaleph is the student-run yearbook KAPU is the University’s own radio station that features the most up-to-date campus announcements, engaging talk shows, and varied music mixes.

Campus Facilities:

The Outdoor Adventures program takes students to places they’ve never been before and discover God’s creation in a whole new prospective. The campus organizes various outdoor day trips, weekend trips, and special events like rock climbing, mud caving, kayaking, backpacking, geocaching, bike tours, and Dutch oven cooking.

The George I. Alden Trust Media Center, located on the main level of Marshburn Library on East Campus features high-tech audio visual equipments, CD and DVD collection, a large video, instructional video, audio tapes, and APU wireless network access. There are also several group study rooms, two computer stations, along with assistive technology resources like Zoomtext, Kurzweil 3000, J.A.W.S., MagniSight.

Some of the other important campus facilities include Chapel Programs, Student Government Association; The Arts: Music, Theater; the University Counseling Center; Health Center, and Fitness Center.

Housing and Dining:

The Residence Life department help students make the most of their University housing experience. A committed team of staff works to ensure proficient-management of the on-campus living areas and include recreational activities. The residence living provides enriching experiences and unique opportunities for the students. On-campus residence program offers different types of living environments, which includes traditional residence halls and self-contained apartments.

Residence halls include Adams Hall for women; Engstrom Hall for men and women; Smith Hall for men; and Trinity Hall for men and women. The university also offers apartment-style living within the campus. The apartment complexes include Alosta Place, Bowles, Shire Mods, University Park, and University Village. All these housing options are well equipped with modern amenities and services for the convenience of the students.

Dining Services offers a variety of dining options located throughout the campus. They offer full meals, snacks and coffee for students, faculty members and staff. The various dining options include Cornerstone Coffeehouse; Cougar Walk Café; Cougars’ Den Café; Dining Hall; Canyon Grill and Deli; Hillside Grounds Coffeehouse; Quikimart; Paws N Go Convenience Store; and Sam’s Subs. There are also several vending machines situated across campus featuring Pepsi products and an array of snacks.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The athletic department fields both men’s and women’s teams in diverse varsity sports such as cross country, baseball, basketball, softball, soccer, cheerleading, football, swimming & diving, tennis , track & field, volleyball, and waterpolo. The sports teams are nicknamed as Cougars. Their colors are Brick, White, and Black. The Cougars compete in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

Sports facilities are Cougar Athletic Stadium, Cougar Baseball Field, Cougar Dome, Cougar Soccer Field, Cougar Softball Field, Felix Event Center, and Tennis Complex.

Intramural Sports:

The intramural sports program aims to provide a safe and welcoming environment where the students, faculty members, and staff can enjoy, have fun, play, develop spiritually, exercise, participate, and enhance sportsmanship while taking part in the various recreational activities. The intramural sports program is designed to complement the academic goals. Students can participate in the following intramural sports: co-ed softball, men’s flag football, women’s flag football, co-ed volleyball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, co-ed dodgeball, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer.

Azusa Pacific University