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Azusa Pacific University Global

2011 — 2021 · Ten years online

A Decade of Hope, Online

Ten years of Christ-centered, flexible, accessible education — and the people who built it.

Our storyMilestonesMemoriesCulture
10Years as a fully online university
8Weeks in a course session
20Degree programs designed online
270+Courses built for working adults

Rich heritage, new purpose

A dream, a decade, and a community that trusted God with it.

While we trace our heritage back to 1903 (and Azusa Pacific University to 1899), we launched our first classes as a 100% online university on August 23, 2011. For ten years, APU Global has been innovating online education to remain among the most flexible, affordable, and student care-focused universities in the nation.

“A Decade of Hope” points to the story of a community of Christ-followers, committed to prayer, following a dream, and choosing to trust God through an exciting season of growth. Faith integration, student care, service, diversity, and religious expression combine to form the essence of our mission-driven community.

Read the full history of APU Global →

University milestones

Technology advancements

As our IT and eLearning teams grew, so did the investments behind a student experience like none other.

  1. July 2017

    Introduced Live Chat across the majority of student-facing sites.

  2. Early 2019

    APU Global begins building an independent technology infrastructure.

  3. March 2019

    Implemented APU Global's first SMS system.

  4. Mar–Apr 2020

    Reconfigured the technical environment for a hybrid workforce.

  5. May 2020

    Implemented Nelnet — enterprise eBill with payment plans.

  6. Summer 2020

    Technology infrastructure becomes fully independent.

  7. May 2021

    Implemented QAssign for auto-distribution of student–staff relationships.

  8. December 2021

    Introduced Change Advisory Boards on enterprise technologies.

  9. June 1, 2022

    Officially launched Slack as our digital officespace.

What it made possible

  • A fully mobile online learning experience that is engaging and easy to navigate.
  • Award-winning learning media, including OMNI Awards and Adobe eLearning Showcase wins.
  • 20 programs, 270+ courses, and APU Globalx — professional badges and certificates.
  • Our own online bookstore, built and launched with Akademos.
  • Team members invited to speak at DevLearn, OLC Innovate, Falling Walls, and more.
  • The myAPU Global mobile app — resources, reminders, and push notifications on the go.

University milestones

Academic advancements

Affordability, flexibility, and accessibility — reflected in what we built, year after year.

2011

First classes online

Launched with an Associate of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Management (now the BBA).

2012

More pathways

Added a certificate, three associate degrees, and a bachelor's degree.

Associate degrees →

2014

First master's degree

Began offering graduate study for working adults.

2015

Academic governance

Reorganized from discipline chairs and program coordinators to the assistant dean model.

2022

Faith, Life and Learning Online

A publication by APU Global faculty and staff sharing ten years of integrating faith into online education.

2022

Approved for CBE

WSCUC approved a competency-based MS in Instructional Design and Technology — the second such program in the nation.

Leadership, staff & student memories

Ten years, remembered in their own words.

I am so honored that I was part of the launch of the University, really by virtue of the relationship to Azusa Pacific but also because I believe in what you're doing. God bless you and congratulations on a decade and many happy returns!
PCPeggy CampbellFormer APU Global board member
One of the best memories I have is the building of community at APU Global.
MWMike WildayManager of Learning Technology Solutions
Some of my fondest memories center around our time in the Citrus Edge building.
DMDawn McCoolExecutive Assistant to the President / CEO
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
CDCallista DawsonSenior Instructional Media Designer
My earliest memory is from the ribbon cutting ceremony.
AMAlex MillsSenior Instructional Designer
Most of the private universities I looked into were just too expensive. Finding APU Global was an answered prayer!
AsA student storyFrom our first decade of graduates

Photo memories

How we celebrated the decade together.

Every month of the anniversary year had a theme — service in our communities, and a little friendly fun.

Monthly random acts of kindness

  1. September 2021Cleaning up our communities1
  2. October 2021Cards of appreciation to our veterans2
  3. November 2021Operation Christmas Child3
  4. December 2021Spreading kindness together by giving4
  5. January 2022Writing local business reviews5
  6. February 2022Blessing bags for the homeless6
  7. March 2022Kindness rocks7
  8. April 2022Love our planet8
  9. May 2022Bless a mom9
  10. June 2022Helping hands10

Monthly top tens

  1. SeptemberTop ten tools for online learning1
  2. OctoberTop ten APU Global costumes2
  3. NovemberTop ten things APU Global is thankful for3
  4. DecemberTop ten APU Global Christmas memories4
  5. JanuaryTop ten student goals for 20225
  6. FebruaryTop ten ways APU Global provides hope6
  7. MarchTop ten ways to use the APU Global app7
  8. AprilTop ten ways to maximize your time8
  9. MayTop ten benefits of an APU Global degree9
  10. JuneTop ten APU Global degrees for the lifelong learner10

Family picnic

The 10th anniversary family picnic — food, drinks, dessert, and an afternoon full of fun.

Ten years in, the thing we celebrate most is still the people: staff, faculty, students, and families who made a fully online university feel like a community.

The next decade starts with your first course.

Explore fully online, Christ-centered programs built for working adults.

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