Azusa Pacific University

Azusa Pacific is a community of disciples and scholars preparing to impact the world for Christ. Choose from more than 200 online and on-campus programs, including bachelor’s, bachelor’s completion, master’s, doctorates, certificates, and credentials.

Azusa Pacific University is a comprehensive, evangelical, Christian university located 26 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California.A leader in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, APU is committed to excellence in higher education. Offering more than 100 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs on campus, online, and at six regional locationsacross Southern California, APU continues to be recognized annually as one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report.

Today at Azusa Pacific University, we work together as a team of difference makers to advance the work of God in the world through scholarship, teaching, and building disciples across all levels and delivery systems of collegiate education. When Azusa Pacific was founded in 1899 in a simple home in Whittier, California, as the Training School for Christian Workers, that modest beginning came with the bold resolve of homeowner Philena B. Hadley and others to forge an educational enterprise that would impact the world for Christ. This foundational understanding of our common purpose finds expression in the Mission Statement as established in 1990 under the leadership of Interim President Ted Engstrom and President Richard Felix, who had just begun his tenure.

The Board of Trustees has adopted the statement of mission and purpose for Azusa Pacific University:"Azusa Pacific University is an evangelical Christian community of disciples and scholars who seek to advance the work of God in the world through academic excellence in liberal arts and professional programs of higher education that encourage students to develop a Christian perspective of truth and life."

Traditional undergraduate students, including transfer students, can choose from 50 majors, along with extracurricular opportunities, for a transformational education experience at the university’s Azusa campus. Our graduate programs equip you to make a greater impact in your field. Earn your master’s, doctorate, credential, or certificate at one of seven convenient Southern California locations or online.

Bachelor’s completion and accelerated degree programs are designed to fit into a working professional’s schedule. Programs are offered on campus, at six Southern California regional locations, and online.

As a leading Christian university in California, Azusa Pacific University grounds rigorous academics on a solid spiritual foundation.With an intentional focus on scholarship, faith integration, diversity, and internationalization, APU provides quality academic programs within a tight-knit community of disciples and scholars.

Azusa Pacific University offers several campus locations throughout Southern California designed for working professionals. While each location hosts different programs, they all provide quality, professional service in an open, relaxed, and personal atmosphere.

The University Libraries at Azusa Pacific University provide access to resources and services to support the research and information needs of faculty, staff, students, and the surrounding community; offer instruction on the use of those resources and services; and strive to honor God and fulfill the University’s mission.

Today’s top performing students are tomorrow’s leaders. They will write the books we read, determine the news stories we hear, produce the movies we watch. They will govern communities, preach in pulpits, teach in universities, and make key decisions in corporate boardrooms. Preparing these future leaders is our top priority in Azusa Pacific’s Honors College.The Honors College telos—its aim, purpose, end—is to liberally educate the next generation of intellectually-gifted Christian leaders.The curriculum starts with the premise that good leadership requires the cultivation of moral and intellectual virtue—the habits of the heart and of the mind that enable one to determine what ought to be done and how best to do it.

That is what characterizes Azusa Pacific University. More than 100 years have come and gone and APU has thrived because of unshakable faith. Through natural disasters and financial hardships, the school's leaders looked to God and found strength and provision. In times of prosperity, again they looked up and gave the glory and praise to God.

In an age of moral deterioration, Azusa Pacific unapologetically upholds the biblical principles on which it was founded, and is blessed continually as a result. The university's physical growth only outwardly manifests these blessings. It is the spiritual growth of the students, faculty, staff, and administration that truly reveals God's hand on APU.

Armed with this confidence, APU will boldly forge ahead with a commitment to scholarship, a dynamic relationship with the Church, a celebration of diversity, partnership with neighboring communities, strong financial stewardship, and most importantly the evangelical faith that has shaped this institution into what it is today.

Azusa Pacific University, one of the largest Christian universities in the nation today, began on March 3, 1899, when a group of men and women passionate about creating a place for Christian education gathered to form the Training School for Christian Workers. It became the first Bible college on the West Coast geared toward preparing men and women for ministry and service. Meeting in a modest home in Whittier, California, and led by President Mary A. Hill, the school grew to an enrollment of 12 in its first term.

The early years of growth saw the school relocate and change leadership several times. Then, following mergers with three Southern California colleges, the university relocated in 1946 to the city of Azusa, where it resides today.

Through all this, Azusa Pacific continues advancing its core mission, preparing and graduating students who go on to make a difference in the lives of others.