Traditional Undergraduate 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 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. In addition to making the most of their experiences in chapel, in acts of service, and academically through faith-integration efforts, our desire is that students intentionally choose to pursue a deeper faith in Christ through commitments, disciplines, and efforts that make this decision central to their student experience. Students are invited to demonstrate this desire to deepen faith in Christ through relational discipleship.

Since discipleship extends into every facet of life, it is our desire to help each student find relationships that can encourage and challenge them to grow in Christ and follow Him faithfully. These relationships may occur through formal programs or through friendships, and may involve peers and mentors such as faculty and staff. Discipleship experiences include Scripture study and application, prayer, spiritual disciplines, support, challenge, service, and accountability. Opportunities for intentional relational discipleship are available across campus, and students are also encouraged to consider formal small groups through the Office of Service and Discipleship.

Learn more about Spiritual Life.

We value service. As one of APU’s Four Cornerstones, service is at the heart of our local and international outreach, missions, and service-learning endeavors. Our students often find these experiences to be among the most impactful of their lives.

The university desires to see the service experience connect students to a deeper relationship with Christ, develop a greater sense of community, cultivate a heart of servant leadership, and model scholarship put into practice (Romans 12:9-13). To this end, we strive to ensure that every student has the opportunity for off-campus cross-cultural experiences during their time at APU.

A student’s service may correlate with their academic coursework or it may be an opportunity to participate in cocurricular service and engagement. Students’ involvement in ministry opportunities also satisfies service credits toward their graduation requirement.

Learn more about service opportunities and requirements.

We value worshiping together as a community. Our commitment to weekly chapel creates a consistent rhythm of pausing for communal spiritual formation, builds our sense of belonging, and creates opportunities to grow together as disciples and scholars. Since we believe that chapel is an integral part of a student’s spiritual formation in their cocurricular experience, chapel attendance is required for all full-time traditional undergraduate students.

Student Life is committed to providing chapel experiences that are biblical, pastoral, diverse, and challenging. APU selects speakers and presenters who communicate messages rooted in Scripture that shape and deepen our understanding of what it means to be Christ followers in the world today. Presenters include our own staff and faculty, local church pastors, and authors, speakers, and recording artists from around the world.

Although chapel is not a replacement for church, it is a place where we honor and worship the Lord Jesus Christ. We hope this commitment communicates and reinforces our belief that students should continue seeking opportunities to grow spiritually in the context of church community during their time as students at APU and beyond. Students are expected to be attentive and respectful participants during the chapel experience.

Learn more about chapel expectations, etiquette, and requirements.

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 well-being 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.