Azusa Pacific University

Azusa Pacific University (APU) is a private; Interdenominational, evangelical Christian university located near Los Angeles in suburban Azusa, California, USA. With over 6,500 students, APU's undergraduate student body is the largest in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and the second largest evangelical undergraduate student body in the United States. APU holds regional accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

The university was founded in 1899, with classes opening on March 3, 1900 in Whittier, California. It began offering degrees in 1939. While officially inter-denominational, APU has ties with several evangelical denominations. The university's seminary, the Graduate School of Theology, holds to a Wesleyan, Arminian doctrinal theology.

Campus location

Azusa Pacific University’s Azusa campus is situated in the San Gabriel Valley, located 23 miles (37 km) [near Pasadena] northeast of Los Angeles.

The university also maintains six 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).

History

History at a glance
Training School for Christian Workers	Established	1899
Pacific Bible College	Renamed	1939
Azusa College	Renamed	1956
Azusa College and Los Angeles Pacific College	Merged	1965
Azusa Pacific College and Arlington College	Merged	1968
Azusa Pacific University	Renamed	1981

Azusa Pacific University was established as the Training School for Christian Workers in 1899 in Whittier, California, the first Bible College on the West Coast. Lead by President Mary A. Hill, the school initially had a total enrollment of 12 students. Years following, the school merged with three Southern California colleges, and ultimately relocated to Azusa in 1949 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. 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 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. Under Wallace’s leadership, Azusa Pacific University continued to grow. The university now offers 61 bachelor’s degrees, 40 master’s degrees, 17 certificates, 11 credentials, 8 doctoral programs, and 2 associate degrees to a total student population of nearly 11,500.

Student life

Community involvement

Azusa Pacific University was one of 115 U.S. institutions named to the Carnegie Foundation's 2010 Community Engagement Classification, recognizing commitment to community service and service-learning.

Community service

In 2012, Azusa Pacific University was recognized for the fifth time by Learn and Serve America on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. APU is 1 of 29 California schools recognized.

Ministry and Service

APU sponsors 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 link between the classroom and the community. Programs include the C.H.A.M.P. (College Headed and Mighty Proud) program and collaboration with NavPress Publications in the production of devotionals for youth

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.