Graduate/Professional Students

We value discipleship. The word “disciple” (Greek: matheiteis) occurs 269 times in the New Testament, most often used in reference to followers of Jesus. As an extension of the Great Commission of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20) and APU’s mission statement, we believe that discipleship and scholarship go hand-in-hand. As students learn about the world and cultivate the gifts that God has given them, they will gain valuable tools for a life of discipleship. Likewise, discipleship leads to curiosity about God and His creation that can invigorate one’s scholarship and holistic development.

Part of student development and spiritual formation is formulating and moving toward individual faith commitments, which can be fulfilling and challenging. Our desire is that students intentionally choose to pursue a deeper faith in Christ through academic faith integration, personal commitments, and other efforts that make this decision central to their student experience. The Graduate and Professional chaplain regularly sends encouraging devotional material to all students and includes opportunities to deepen one’s faith through pastoral counseling and by seeking prayer through APU’s prayer network. Additionally, students are encouraged to grow spiritually through opportunities to reflect on the intersection of faith and their academic discipline. 

For inquiries about Graduate and Professional spiritual life, contact our chaplain at [email protected].

We value service. As one of APU’s Four Cornerstones, service remains a critical component of the vision for APU students. Students practically and theoretically consider the essence of servant leadership within the context of a community that emphasizes this value. Our hope is that students steward their gifts, calling, and education to be positive contributors in their communities.

We value diversity. As an evangelical Christian community of disciples and scholars, Azusa Pacific University approaches diversity from a biblical perspective, affirming that diversity is an expression of God’s image, love, and boundless creativity.

We believe that all people, without exception, bear the image of God (Genesis 1:27, 9:6; James 3:9). Our commitment to valuing diversity fulfills Christ’s command to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 19:19; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27).

APU is one of the most diverse Christian universities in the U.S. and maintains a commitment to celebrating the unique ways our community welcomes and supports students of all backgrounds and experiences. In submitting to the Lordship of Christ, we seek to eliminate attitudes of superiority and to fulfill Christ’s charge to serve all people. Therefore, we must submit to Christ and love one another as we appreciate individual uniqueness and pursue unity in Christ (John 17:21).

With Christ as our example, we seek to create space for dialogue and engagement that allows people to feel safe and respected. Should concerns arise, our Student Life and Center for Reconciliation and Diversity teams offer resources to engage with and assist students. We also offer a Bias Incident Reporting System that empowers students and community members to make reports and seek recourse if an intentional or unintentional act or disrespectful behavior occurs.

We value sexual stewardship. As an evangelical community of disciples and scholars who embrace the historic orthodox Christian understanding of Holy Scripture, Azusa Pacific University holds that sexuality is a gift from God. Therefore, we encourage personal formation in alignment with God’s vision for pursuing thriving and healthy relationships, cultivate a community in which sexuality is embraced as God-given and good, and promote behavior consistent with a biblical sexual ethic. 

We believe that students are best supported if they are able to share their questions and concerns with others they trust, and we understand that questions about sexuality may be difficult to disclose. In all such personal issues, we commit to guiding and supporting our students with discretion, sensitivity, discernment, grace, and truth so that as they steward their sexuality and expressions of intimacy, students are equipped to make decisions based on historical biblical values.

We affirm a biblical foundation for sexual relationships in full accord with APU’s Human Sexuality statement, which states that APU holds that the full behavioral expression of sexuality is to take place within the context of a marriage covenant between a man and a woman and that individuals remain celibate outside of the bond of marriage.

APU is committed to treating everyone with respect and Christ-like compassion, and to upholding the Community Expectations and Title IX and Other Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures for all students in a nondiscriminatory fashion. APU does not condone any form of sexual misconduct or harassment. The Title IX office is available to provide assistance for accessing support and resources as well as understanding reporting options.

We value community care. Each individual is a valued member of the university community and deserves the right to be treated fairly and compassionately. Students who receive timely support within a caring community are more likely to thrive and be encouraged to pursue their personal and academic goals. Navigating the rigors of university demands, social and relational dynamics, family concerns, and other life situations can create unique challenges for students. As such, APU remains committed to caring for students’ overall wellbeing through providing support and resources and helping them identify ways to advocate for their own thriving. 

Additionally, APU students are expected to be respectful of the individual rights and freedoms of others within the APU community, including faculty, staff, students, and visitors. Further, whether living on or off campus, we have a responsibility to be good neighbors by caring for our surrounding communities. We recognize that our actions and choices impact ourselves and others. As we live out community care, we are reminded of the opportunity and privilege we have to positively impact our local and global communities.

If you are a student in academic or emotional distress, or are struggling with other wellness needs, or know of a student who is, complete an APU CARES form.

We value integrity. Honesty and integrity are foundational within an academic institution, and are crucial for any community’s health. APU students are expected to conduct themselves in ways that reflect these values. Dishonesty in any form (including but not limited to: knowingly furnishing false information, omitting or withholding information, or intentional misrepresentation) negatively impacts the individual and the community and will be addressed. Additionally, pursuing a life of integrity and establishing good habits of authentically representing oneself will serve students well in life beyond APU. 

Violations of integrity will be addressed either through the accountability process or the Academic Integrity Policy and may result in disciplinary action. As a reminder, students should familiarize themselves with the university’s Academic Integrity Policy and Pledge, which reads as follows:

“As a student at this Christ-centered university, I will uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. I will not lie, cheat, or steal in my academic endeavors, nor will I accept the actions of those who do. I will conduct myself responsibly and honorably in all my academic activities as an Azusa Pacific University student.”

Learn more about APU’s Academic Integrity Policy.