School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences

• School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences

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About BAS

The School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences (BAS) comprises 16 programs within 6 departments.

The graduate departments include the:

• Department of Graduate Psychology
• Department of College Student Development/Organizational Leadership
• Department of Doctoral Higher Education
• Department of Physical Therapy
• Department of Social Work

The undergraduate departments include the Department of Exercise and Sport Science, the Department of College Student Development/Organizational Leadership and the Department of Social Work.

Students pursuing careers in clinical psychology enroll in APU’s Department of Graduate Psychology for its unique environment that fosters invaluable self-discovery and promotes extensive practical experience. The psychology degree programs prepare students for licensure with the state of California and offer an interdisciplinary approach to the field of psychology.

The Department of College Student Development/Organizational Leadership and Department of Doctoral Higher Education graduates earn key leadership roles in colleges and universities, churches, national and international mission and ministry organizations, government, business, health care, public service, and the nonprofit sector.

The Department of Physical Therapy graduates professionals with a solid generalist perspective of patient care in a variety of professional treatment settings and a strong foundation for post-professional specialization and lifelong learning.

All programs within the school carry a distinctly Christian perspective that challenges students both intellectually and spiritually while remaining flexible and student oriented. Creative scheduling allows professionals engaged in evolving careers to enroll in graduate courses taught by highly qualified faculty, held both on APU’s Azusa campus and in regionally located community centers.

Professional Accreditation

APU’s School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences values the importance of developing programs of distinction and academic integrity. The university is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Azusa Pacific University offers teacher education programs approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialling (CTC), authorizing elementary and secondary school teaching, and the National Council for the Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE).

Professional programs in the School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences have earned the following accreditations:

• The APU Psy.D. Program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA)* Committee on Accreditation. APA accreditation recognizes that the program meets the standards for quality programs in psychology as stated in the APA Guidelines and Principles for Accreditation of Programs in Professional Psychology.
• The DPT Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
• The BSW is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the MSW Program has obtained Candidacy Status with the Council on Social Work Education.
• The Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

*Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street NE, Washington, D.C., 20002-4242, (202) 336-5979.