AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY


'Azusa Pacific University' is a private Christian university located in Azusa, California, USA. It was founded in 1899, with classes opening on March 3, 1900 in Whittier, California. It began offering degrees in 1939. APU holds regional accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Contents
History
Accreditation and Recognition
Regional Accreditation
Specialized Accreditation
Other Recognition
Campus Locations
Academics
College and Schools
University Libraries
Academic Resources
Athletics
Student Life
Campus Activities
Community Involvement
Diversity
Global Engagement
Notable Alumni
Alumni
External links

History


What is known today as 'Azusa Pacific University' is the product of the merger of three Southern California-area Christian institutions: Azusa College, Los Angeles Pacific College, and Arlington College.
Azusa Pacific University was established as the Training School for Christian Workers in 1889 in Whittier, California, the first Bible college on the West Coast.
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. During that decade, off-site educational regional centers throughout Southern California were instated and master’s degree programs were first approved.
During the 1990s, Azusa Pacific began offering not only undergraduate, but also graduate degrees, and during that decade the university’s first three doctoral programs were awarded. Student enrollment doubled, and graduate programs quadrupled throughout the decade.
In November 2000, then-Executive Vice President Jon R. Wallace, DBA, became president. [1] Under Wallace’s leadership, Azusa Pacific University continued to grow. The university now offers more than 50 areas of undergraduate study, 23 master’s degrees, and 7 doctorates to a total student population of more than 8,100.

Accreditation and Recognition


Regional Accreditation


★ 1947 American Association of Bible Colleges

★ 1964 Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Specialized Accreditation


★ 1975 Board of Registered Nursing

★ 1977 National League for Nursing (Undergraduate Nursing Program)

★ 1982 Council on Social Work Education (Undergraduate Social Work Program)

★ 1990 Association of Theological Schools (Haggard School of Theology)

★ 1991 National League for Nursing (Graduate Nursing Program)

★ 1999 Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (Graduate Physical Therapy Program)

★ 2001 California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) (Graduate Teacher Education)


National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) (Graduate Teacher Education)


American Psychological Association (APA) (Graduate Psychology Program)


★ The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (Undergraduate Department of Physical Education)

★ 2002 Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Athletic Training


★ Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) (Athletic Training Education Program)
Other Recognition

APU has been recognized by several national reports and publications.

★ For the sixth consecutive year, in 2007 Azusa Pacific secured a place in the Top 25 of U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges and Western Universities-Master’s classification, ranking 15th. [2]

★ In 2006, APU was recognized for the third year by Diverse Issues in Higher Education as one of the nation’s top schools in awarding degrees to minority students, ranking among the top 100 in 13 categories, including 10th for awarding Hispanic master’s degrees in education, and 81st for total minority master’s degrees awarded across all disciplines.

★ For the third year in a row, The Princeton Review designated APU as 1 of 123 colleges in the 2007 Best in the West category.

★ In 2006, APU was 1 of 42 of the nation’s top schools recognized by U.S. News & World Report for Best Academic Programs for service learning, and in 2007, 1 of the top 52 in the country for outstanding first-year experience.

★ In 2005, Intel Corporation ranked APU among the top 50 most unwired college campuses across the nation for wireless Internet access and quality. [3]

★ Ten APU alumni have been awarded Fulbright scholarships within the past five years. [4]

Campus Locations


Azusa Pacific University’s Azusa campus is situated in the San Gabriel Valley, located 26 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
The university also maintains seven 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)

Los Angeles Regional Center

★ Orange County Regional Center (Orange)

★ Ventura Regional Center (Oxnard)

Academics


College and Schools

Azusa Pacific University is organized into one college and six schools:

★ College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

★ School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences

★ School of Business and Management

★ School of Education

★ School of Music

★ School of Nursing

★ School of Theology
University Libraries

APU offers three libraries on its main campus, with an additional six off-campus libraries supporting academic programs at the APU Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Murrieta, and Ventura Regional Centers. The main campus libraries are the William V. Marshburn Library, Hugh and Hazel Darling Library, and Stamps Theological Library, and contain a print collection of more than 215,000 books and media, 1,800 periodical titles, and 630,000 microforms. The university network also provides access to more than 100 online databases, which include more than 12,000 full-text periodical titles and 23,000 electronic books. [5] 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 main campus.
Academic Resources

Azusa Pacific University offers students and faculty the following academic resources and more:

★ Career Services

★ Center for Academic Service Learning and Research

★ Center for Global Learning and Engagement

★ Center for Research in Ethics in Values

★ Center for Research in Science

★ Honors Program

★ Institute of Faith Integration

★ Noel Academy for Strengths-Based Leadership and Education

★ Writing Center

Athletics


More than 300 Azusa Pacific University student-athletes compete in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in 14 intercollegiate sports:

★ Baseball (Men)

★ Basketball (Men and women)

★ Cross country (Men and women)

★ Football (Men)

★ Softball (Women)

★ Soccer (Men and women)

★ Tennis (Men and women)

★ Track & Field (Men and women)

★ Volleyball (Women)
Azusa Pacific Athletics achieved three consecutive wins of the Directors’ Cup in 2005, 2006, and 2007, with a total of 91 GSAC Championships and 26 NAIA National Championships.

Student Life


Campus Activities


★ Chapel Programs

★ Communiversity

★ The Arts: Music, Theater

★ Health and Wellness: the University Counseling Center, Health Center, and Fitness Center.
Community Involvement

'Ministry and Service:'
APU sponsors numerous local and global programs, including: tutoring local children, sponsoring sports camps, and cleaning up local mountain trails. Farther from campus, students build on 35 years of cooperation with Mexican churches painting schools, erecting churches, and leading Vacation Bible schools in neighborhoods throughout Mexicali and Ensenada. Through Focus International, students serve in India, Kenya, Thailand, and other ministry sites around the globe.
'Center for Academic Service Learning and Research:'
The Center for Academic Service Learning and Research supports programs that provide a vital link between the classroom and the community. Notable programs include the C.H.A.M.P. (College Headed and Mighty Proud) program and a collaboration with NavPress Publications in the production of devotionals for youth (7 Minutes with God, 7 Minutes with Jesus, and 7 Minutes with the Holy Spirit).
The center serves as a bridge between academics and the community, working to organize programs that can be integrated into course curriculum. Service learning courses are offered in an average of 45 to 50 classes per semester in disciplines from education to social work and biochemistry.
Diversity

In 2006, APU was recognized for the third year 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 13 categories, including 10th for awarding Hispanic master’s degrees in education, and 81st for total minority master’s degrees awarded across all disciplines. More than 70 countries and all fifty states are represented in the student population.
The Office of Multi-Ethnic Programs provides support and sponsors activities that increase awareness and appreciation for ethnic diversity. APU also has an International Center to assist international scholars with admissions, immigration, and cultural understanding, and also promotes community through programs and activities including the American International Mentoring Program, International Chapel, Global Fest, and the International Student Association.
Global Engagement

APU students are offered, through several campus offices, a variety of missions and global awareness opportunities for students, staff, faculty, and alumni. Focus International creates opportunities for sending 185 students serve in 20 countries, including India, Kenya, Thailand, and more. Through the Center for Global Learning and Engagement, students may choose from more than 40 study abroad opportunities, including programs in Oxford, China, Lithuania, Italy, and Australia.
APU’s new South Africa campus program, based in Kwazulu-Natal Province, provides more than 30 students each semester with an opportunity to learn about the rich culture and society of South Africa, receive theoretical and practical training on community building and inter-cultural ministry, conduct service and research projects in local communities, and develop relationships with South African students, academics, and community members.

Notable Alumni


Alumni


Doug Barnett '82 – NFL player, Los Angeles Rams, 1982-83; Washington Redskins, 1985; and the Atlanta Falcons, 1987.

James Brulte '79 (APC) – California State Assembly (Rep.-63rd District), 1990-02, 1992-94; California State Senator (Rep.-31st District), 1996-2004; Senate Republican leader, 1992-06 and 2000-04; Vice-Chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee; Assembly Republican Leader

Bryan Clay '02 – Olympic decathlete, silver medalist, Athens 2004; silver medalist, 2004 World Indoor Championships; gold medalist, 2005 World Championships in Athletics

Innocent Egbunike '86, MED Educ: P.E. '93 – Olympic runner, Moscow 1980; bronze medalist, Los Angeles 1984; Seoul 1988; Barcelona 1992.

Davidson Ezinwa '94 – Olympic runner, silver medalist, Barcelona 1992; Atlanta 1996

Osmond Ezinwa '94 – Olympic runner, silver medalist, Barcelona 1992

Jack W. Hayford '70 (APC) – Founder, The Church on the Way; President, The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel; Founder and Chancellor, The Kings College; prolific and best-selling author and songwriter

David A. Johnson '86, M.A. Ed.: Special Education '03 – Olympic decathlete, Seoul 1988; bronze medalist, Barcelona 1992

John C. Maxwell M.Div. '89 – Leadership coach and writer

John F. MacArthur, Jr. '61 (LAPC) – Pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California; president of The Master's College

Austin O’Brien '04 – Actor

Christian Okoye '87 – NFL athlete, Kansas City Chiefs, 1987-92

Regina Zernay - Musician, bass player in Cowboy Mouth

External links



Official website for Azusa Pacific University

Official APU athletics website

APU News and Events Information

Office of Undergraduate Admissions, APU

Office of Graduate Admissions, APU

Center for Adult and Professional Studies, APU

Official website for the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

Officeial website for the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC)

Official website for the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Fulbright Program

Official website for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities

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