Alaska Pacific University is intentionally a small and personal university with intimate classes, individual attention to each student, and a student-centered approach to learning. APU is a liberal arts university that promotes the fullest development of its students in body, mind, character, and spirit so they can lead lives of personal fulfillment, rewarding employment and effective service to the world – both human society and the natural environment.
Alaska Pacific University offers both graduate and undergraduate programs to approximately 650 students. The 170-acre forested campus is located in Anchorage (population 280,000), at the foot of the Chugach Mountain range. Although a small group on campus, international students represent a number of different countries including Russia, Japan, Austria, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, and Northern Ireland.
The educational curriculum at Alaska Pacific University emphasizes active self-directed, experiential learning. We believe that this better prepares students to take their place in our dynamic and rapidly changing world. Students participate in:
• field-based learning
• collaborative projects
• internships
• independent and directed study
Some recent examples of field based learning include: an environmental science class which traveled to the university’s Baxter Marine Laboratory on Kachemak Bay to better observe intertidal ecology, and education students who assisted Chester Valley school teachers as they introduced the use of computers in everyday academic curriculum.
Directed study makes education “hands-on”, experiential, and relevant to real world problem solving. Students learn how to develop, plan, carry out, evaluate and present their own work. They learn about their interests and special abilities.
Alaska Pacific University was founded by the United Methodist Church in 1959 as Alaska Methodist University. In 1978 it was renamed Alaska Pacific University. Dr. Don Bantz became Alaska Pacific’s ninth President in 2010 and has led the APU community in redesigning the university’s academic programs for life and leadership.
UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS
Alaska Pacific University offers ten undergraduate majors leading to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees, organized in six departments. In addition, the Associate of Arts (AA) degree and Certificate programs are available in some areas.
Business Administration
AA in Business Administration
Counseling Psychology and Human Services
AA in Human Services
Environmental Science
BS in Earth Sciences
BS in Environmental Science
BS in Marine Biology
Liberal Studies
BA in Liberal Studies
BA in Sustainability Studies
Outdoor Studies
BA in Outdoor Studies
Undergraduate Application Procedure
For admission purposes, students with less than 30 college semester hours are considered First Year Students. Students with 30 or more earned college semester hours are considered Transfer Students.
• Complete the Undergraduate Application for Admission including personal essay and teacher recommendations (Transfer students are not required to submit letters of recommendation.) All parts of the application must be in English.
• Complete the Supplemental Application for International Student Admission and obtain the required signatures.
• Present financial documentation to support the information provided under the Annual Budget Section of the supplemental application. Supporting documents must be supplied for each person or party who will be providing you with financial assistance. The documents should reflect the individual’s financial history. Examples of supporting documents include: several months’ bank statements, a letter from an employer stating period of employment, planned continued employment and yearly salary, tax returns, or a U.S. Immigration Form I-134 Affidavit of Support (for students who have a financial sponsor in the United States). All documents must be officially translated into English and monetary amounts expressed in U.S. dollars.
• Arrange for your High School and any Colleges or Universities you have attended to send official transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions. Transfer students (those with 30 or more semester hours of earned credit) are not required to provide High School records. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the issuing institution, and must bear the seal or other official designation of the institution. Transcripts not written in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.
• Students with transcripts issued by Schools and Universities located outside the United States must send their transcripts to a credentials evaluation service for a foreign credentials evaluation. A course-by-course evaluation providing grade point average is required. A list of agencies performing this service is included in this packet. Foreign credentials evaluation must be provided in addition to the official transcripts.
• All international students must submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. TOEFL scores are only valid for two years. Alaska Pacific’s reporting code is #4201. A total score of 550 on the paper test or 79 on the Internet-based test is required for admission.
Although it is recommended that students apply at least six months before the beginning of the semester in which they want to enroll, all materials must be submitted by the following deadlines:
Fall semester June 1
Spring semester September 1
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Alaska Pacific offers eight Master’s degree programs and three Certificate programs:
Teaching Certification Only – Option Program (CO-OP)
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT – for students completed CO-OP)
Master of Arts Program (MAP)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
MBA with a Concentration in Health Services Administration (MBAHSA)
Executive MBA in Information and Communication Technology (MBAICT)
Executive MBA in Strategic Leadership (EMBASL)
Master of Science in Counseling Psychology (MSCP)
Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES)
Master of Science in Outdoor and Environmental Education (MSOEE)
Certificate of Graduate Studies in Entrepreneurship or Investments
Graduate Application Procedure
For all Graduate Programs
• Complete the Graduate Application for Admission. All parts of the application must be in English.
• Complete the Supplemental Application for International Student Admission and obtain the required signatures.
• Present financial documentation to support the information provided under the Annual Budget Section of the supplemental application. Supporting documents must be supplied for each person or party who will be providing you with financial assistance. The documents should reflect the individual’s financial history. Examples of supporting documents include: several months’ bank statements, a letter from an employer stating period of employment, planned continued employment and yearly salary, tax returns, or a U.S. Immigration Form I-134 Affidavit of Support (for students who have a financial sponsor in the United States). All documents must be officially translated into English and monetary amounts expressed in U.S. dollars
• Arrange for all Colleges or Universities you have attended to send official transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the issuing institution, and must bear the seal or other official designation of the institution. Transcripts not written in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.
• Students with transcripts issued by Colleges and Universities located outside the United States must send their transcripts to a credentials evaluation service for a foreign credentials evaluation. A course-by-course evaluation providing grade point average is required. A list of agencies performing this service is included in this packet. Foreign credentials evaluation must be provided in addition to the official transcripts.
• All international students must submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. TOEFL scores are only valid for two years. Alaska Pacific’s reporting code is #4201. A total score of 550 on the paper test or 79 on the Internet-based test is required for admission.
• Complete the individual program requirements for the program of your choice.
Individual Program Requirements
Teaching Certification Only – Option Program (Fall semester start only)
• Letters of Recommendation. Submit three letters of recommendation from education professionals. Use the recommendation form contained in the application packet.
• Alaska Department of Education and Early Development initial certification test (Praxis I, CBEST or WEST-B). Scores must meet or exceed Alaska State requirements. Alaska Pacific’s Praxis I reporting code is RA-4201. Scores must also be reported to the AK State DOEED at R-7027.
In addition, all CO-OP Participants must provide a copy of an Alaska State Troopers Background Check to the Education Department prior to starting the program. Background checks can be done on a walk-in basis at the locations listed online at http://www.dps.state.ak.us/statewide/background/default.aspx.
Master of Arts Program
• Personal Statement and Study Plan. As the central feature of the application, these essays are reviewed by the admissions committee as a demonstration of your writing competence, your ability to fully articulate your goals, the appropriateness of a non-traditional program for attaining your goals, as well as a measurement of your critical thinking skills. The committee will give considerable weight to the thoroughness and genuineness with which you complete your Personal Statement as well as to the specificity and relevance of your curriculum as defined by your Study Plan.
• Letters of Recommendation. Submit three letters of recommendation. Use the recommendation form contained in the application packet.
• Official Graduate Entrance Examination Scores. MAP cannot accept scores older than five years beyond the official test date. Please contact the MAP Director for assistance in determining which test (the GRE, GMAT, or Miller Analogies Test (MAT)) would be best suited for your application. Alaska Pacific’s reporting code is 4201for GRE and GMAT, and 1841 for MAT. In certain circumstances, the testing requirement may be waived.
• Samples of Your Work (if applicable). Applicants are required to submit examples of work completed with the portfolio. Depending on the field of study these may include research project narratives, manuscripts, creative writing samples, articles, short stories, photographs or transparencies of artwork, major papers, or other materials and documentation.
Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration with a Concentration in Health Services Administration
Executive MBA in Information and Communication Technology (MBAICT)
Graduate Certificates in Entrepreneurship and Investments
• Resume. Submit a current resume.
• Letters of Recommendation. Submit three letters of recommendation (two required for MBAICT program). Use the recommendation form contained in the application packet.
• Essay. Submit a 500-800 word essay addressing your personal and professional goals as they relate to your motivation to obtain an MBA degree or a Certificate (not required for MBAICT program).
• Standardized Test. Submit scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Alaska Pacific’s GRE and GMAT reporting code is 4201(not required for MBAICT program).
Master of Science in Counseling Psychology (Fall semester start only)
• Essay. Please address as completely as possible the following areas:
1. What are your reasons for wanting to obtain an advanced degree in Counseling Psychology?
2. What are your short-term and long-term goals, or how do you see yourself as contributing towards the improvement of a social or community problem in your area?
3. The MSCP Program is designed to be an academically intense and experientially demanding program. If admitted, we (the faculty) plan to create and maintain an intellectually and personally challenging experience for you. Therefore, please describe how you plan to valance graduate school, work and personal life (i.e. relationships, family, etc.)
4. Please provide one-page biography. The purpose of this application is to help us learn more about you. Please share any other personal information, which you would like the Admissions Committee to take into consideration during the interview process.
• Letters of Recommendation. Submit three letters of recommendation. Use the recommendation form contained in the application packet.
• Standardized Test. Submit scores from the Miller Analogy Test (MAT). Alaska Pacific’s MAT reporting code is 1841.
Master of Science in Environmental Science
Master of Science in Outdoor and Environmental Education
• Essay. Write a 500-word essay outlining your motivations for seeking the Master of Science in Environmental Science degree or Master of Science in Outdoor and Environmental Education degree. Include your professional interests and career goals.
• Resume. Submit a current resume.
• Letters of Recommendation. Submit three letters of recommendation. Use the recommendation form contained in the application packet.
• Standardized Test. For MSES: Submit scores from the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) general test, which are no more than four years old. For MSOEE: Submit scores from the Miller Analogy Test (MAT) or the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) general test. Alaska Pacific’s GRE reporting code is 4201, MAT reporting code is 1841.
Although it is recommended that students apply at least six months before the beginning of the semester in which they want to enroll, all materials must be submitted by the following deadlines:
Fall June 1, MSCP Program March 1, PsyD Program February 1st
Spring September 1
