Learner LoginAs part of its efforts to offer market-relevant programs to students from all walks of life, Azusa Pacific Online University (APOU) is launching four new programs: an Associate of Science in Health Sciences, Associate of Science in Management, Associate of Science in Information Technology, and Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology. These new programs join APOU’s offerings of an Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Management, and Pre-Nursing Health Science Certificate.
Each new program is designed to help students move forward to further learning or prepare them to enter the career field with essential skills and knowledge.
“In today’s economic environment, students need more than a diploma; they need to demonstrate discernible, specific deliverables. APOU’s A.S. and B.A. programs do just that,” said Kurt Takamine, APOU’s academic dean and vice president. “Each program evaluates student competencies in the areas of writing and oral communication, quantitative analysis, critical thinking, information literacy, and ethics — all critical skills that employers expect. APOU graduates will be well-versed in these important, marketable skills.”
The A.S. in Health Sciences is unique in that it utilizes lab kits in the laboratory portion of the coursework. This provides students the opportunity to fulfill the lab science requirements without stepping foot on a campus or regional center. These lab kits are shipped directly to the student, and eliminates the frustration of closed lab sessions or commuting to a near-by campus. The ASHS is a good preparatory degree for science disciplines, including pre-med, pre-dental, pre-nursing, and other health science professions.
A successful management career requires a broad knowledge base for the major elements of business and management practices. The A.S. in Management (ASM) equips students with professional knowledge and practical skills in business in accordance with the university’s Christian heritage and mission. This 60-unit A.S. in Management degree can also serve as a stepping-stone into the B.A. in Management (BAM).
The A.S. in Information Technology addresses industry-specific topics such as data modeling, network design, cyber crime, and hard/software troubleshooting, and additionally prepares the student to sit for the CompTIA A+ certification exam. Decision-making applications, project management, artificial intelligence, and social media are a few of the emergent issues and technologies that are discussed in the ASIT.
The B.A. in Applied Psychology provides a strong foundation for entering graduate school, since the BAAP core courses are well suited for master’s-level psychology programs. The BAAP is unique in offering distinctive emphases, such as educational psychology (for those wishing to go into the the teaching profession), criminal behavior (for police officers, pre-law), multicultural counseling (for those who desire a broader cross-cultural emphasis, in psychology or HR), and applied pastoral counseling (for ministers wanting to have counseling training but do not yet have a master’s degree).
“Each of the programs has a particular purpose, but our thought was to offer programs that are unique but at the same time complement degrees offered at Azusa Pacific University,” said John Washatka, APOU’s director of academic affairs. “For example, the A.S. programs offer degrees for those individuals beginning a profession or career without having to commit to a four-year program. In addition, the two-year degrees are flexible enough so if a student decides to pursue a four-year degree, the classes can transfer to the new program. The B.A. in Applied Psychology is an integration of both field and class work and offers career flexibility within the field of psychology.”
The A.S. in Health Sciences, A.S. in Management, A.S. in Information Technology, and B.A. in Applied Psychology are approved by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Each of APOU’s new associate’s degrees are 60 units each, and the new bachelor’s is 120 units. All programs are offered online and at six different start dates throughout the calendar year. APOU is transfer-friendly and provides opportunity for financial aid.
To learn more about APOU and its programs, visit www.apu.edu/apou or call 877-816-6546 to speak with a program representative.
