ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
The University
Alaska Pacific University (APU) believes that how a student learns is as important as what a student learns. Alaska Pacific University employs an active learning philosophy that transcends the traditional classroom and the conventional format of lecture and examination. APU studentsthrough projects, self-directed study, collaborative study, internships, research, field study, and study abroadare prepared for leadership and self-direction in their careers, professions, or graduate school. All undergraduate students are involved in internships and project-based learning from the first year forward, a process that culminates in each student's senior project. Upon graduation, every APU student will have learned and demonstrated the ability to apply their education to real world situations.
APU's 314 undergraduate students currently represent thirty-four states and four countries. Minority students make up a growing portion of APU's undergraduate enrollment, which is strengthened by close working relationships between Native Alaskan communities and the University. Small classes; lively interaction among students, faculty members, and staff members; and personal academic advising are special benefits of the Alaska Pacific experience. APU is proud of its 11:1 student-faculty ratio, and that 97 percent of classes consist of less than 20 students. Class size is deliberately kept small to maintain Alaska Pacific's commitment to individualized learning and the freedom necessary for its students to create an expressive and meaningful relationship with their academic interests.
All freshmen are required to live on campus during their first year. APU's residence halls are centrally located, offering breathtaking views of the Chugach Mountains and convenient access to the dining facility, sports center, and classes. The residence halls offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites, while upperclassmen and graduate students have the opportunity to live in alternative housing on campus.
Alaska Pacific University has a world-class Nordic ski team that trains in Alaska and competes in national and international events. The Nordic ski team has a summer Nordic ski facility on Eagle Glacier, where the American Olympic Team trains, along with other world-class skiers. Downhill skiers and snowboarders take advantage of two major ski resorts, each within an hour's drive of the campus, offering some of the most challenging, exciting, and varied ski conditions in the world.
Alaska Pacific students are encouraged to take a high degree of initiative in organizing and participating in campus activities. Extracurricular activities range from intramural club sports such as ice-skating, snowshoe softball, volleyball, Nordic skiing, and basketball to participation in the various student governmentsponsored activities, such as the student newspaper and yearbook. APU offers a wide variety of programs for all ability levels, including the use of the indoor climbing wall, kayaking, ice climbing, and weekend camping and hiking trips. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of the extensive collection of recreational equipment offered through the Moseley Sports Center, including, but not limited to, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, kayaks, canoes, skis, and snowshoes.
Graduate programs include the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T., K8), Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), M.B.A. in telecommunications management, M.B.A. in global finance, M.B.A. in health services administration, Master of Arts, Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, and the Master of Science in Environmental Science.
Location
Alaska Pacific University is located on a 170-acre campus in suburban Anchorage. It is unquestionably one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States. Expansive lawns, woods, and University Lake frame nearly 3 miles of campus trails that lead bikers, hikers, in-line skaters, skiers, and runners into an extensive regional trail system that stretches from the ocean waters of Cook Inlet throughout the city and into the mountains to the east. The campus is a world unto itself, with no through roads or traffic; it has an atmosphere appropriate to the dynamic, student-centered, personal style of education for which APU is known.
Anchorage is an outdoor enthusiast's dream. In spring and summer, opportunities for fishing, hiking, mountain climbing, biking, sea kayaking, and camping abound. Winter sports activities include downhill and cross-country skiing, hockey, broomball, and sled-dog racing.
Anchorage's resident population has a strong interest in arts and entertainment. Cultural facilities and organizations in the Anchorage community include the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, the Alaskan Center for the Performing Arts, the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, the Anchorage Concert Association, and the Anchorage Opera. APU's Grant Hall Theatre is the scene of a variety of student-sponsored and local productions, concerts, and lectures. With a population of 263,000, Anchorage offers a multitude of malls, cafs, clubs, and restaurants.
Majors and Degrees
Alaska Pacific University offers eight undergraduate programs with majors in business administration, education (with K8 certification), environmental science, environmental policy and planning, liberal studies, marine biology, outdoor studies, and psychology.
Academic Programs
Alaska Pacific University's undergraduate curriculum is designed to integrate a comprehensive background in the liberal arts and in-depth study within each major. APU structures its classes around its active, hands-on learning philosophy. The curriculum emphasizes personal growth through student-centered, experiential education using Alaska, the Arctic, the Pacific Rim, and study abroad as active laboratories for learning.
APU focuses on developing student leadership skills for active service to society by encouraging openness to positive change, innovation, and individual initiative. Central to the philosophy of education at APU is the block-and-session semester format. In addition to two traditional sessions, three times per year students may take a block classa one-month intensive course allowing students to focus entirely on a specific subject. Block courses enable students and faculty members to travel together to different parts of Alaska and the world to pursue internships and self-directed studies. Block courses regularly travel to such locations as rural Alaska, Russia, England, Italy, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Pacific Rim.
Academic Facilities
The Consortium Library serves University students and faculty members. It is operated through an agreement between APU and the University of Alaska, Anchorage. Centrally located, the library contains more than 384,000 bound volumes, including original government documents, sheet music, nonprint media, and a special Alaskana collection. The Academic Support Center located in Atwood Center has up-to-date technology and offers Internet access and e-mail accounts for all APU students. The Atwood Center also contains an excellent climbing wall, exercise room, ski team facilities, bookstore, art center, and photo lab alongside the cafeteria and two residence halls. Grant Hall houses the community theater, coffee shop, art gallery, numerous faculty offices, classrooms, and computer labs. The Carr-Gottstein Building features seminar and conference rooms, lecture halls, a computer lab, and an art exhibition area.
Costs
Undergraduate tuition for 200405 was $17,200 for all students. Room and board charges were $6700 per year. The year's activity fees for full-time students were $110, and books and miscellaneous supplies were estimated at $1000. Incoming first-year students are guaranteed no tuition increases for up to five years; transfer students receive the same guarantee, prorated.
Financial Aid
The primary purpose of student financial assistance at Alaska Pacific University is to provide financial resources to students who would otherwise be unable to pursue their educational goals. Most assistance is available on the basis of demonstrated need, although some funds are specifically allocated for the recognition of academic excellence and special talents. APU offers supplemental aid in the form of grants, loans, work opportunities, and scholarships. In order to be considered for assistance, students are required to first submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and then complete the APU Supplemental Aid form. APU's FAFSA reporting code is #001061. Funds are also available for international students.
Faculty
Alaska Pacific University is a teaching university, not a research university. Members of the full-time faculty are selected for their teaching abilities and are encouraged to involve their students in their research and professional activities. Seventy-seven percent hold a Ph.D. or terminal degree in their fields, and many are in demand as consultants in areas such as international business, environmental quality, telecommunications, and multicultural education. The University's faculty-student ratio of 1:11 allows frequent and meaningful faculty-student interaction, resulting in a learning environment of the highest quality.
Student Government
The Associated Students of Alaska Pacific University (ASAPU) is the student-elected governance responsible for campus leadership. ASAPU initiates and sponsors many student activities, including student orientation events, student banquets, sports events, cultural activities, special awards, and student assemblies. All campus clubs and organizations work through ASAPU for formal recognition and funding. Student representatives sit on most major University committees and task forces.
Admission Requirements
In admitting students, Alaska Pacific University considers each student's grade point average, SAT or ACT scores, essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities. In general, APU recognizes that some students may flourish for the first time within APU's distinctive approach to education. APU welcomes diversity, uniqueness, and personal integrity. To apply, a candidate for first-year admission must submit an application for admission, two letters of recommendation, a personal essay, an official high school transcript, SAT or ACT scores, and a $25 application fee. Transfer applicants must submit an application for admission, transcripts from all colleges or universities they have attended, a personal essay, and a $25 application fee. International students must meet all of the above requirements, as well as submit evidence of financial support and obtain a minimum of 550 on the manual TOEFL or 213 on the computerized version.
Application and Information
Applications for fall should be received by February1. Thereafter, admission decisions are made on a rolling basis; however, competition for a space in each class intensifies following each application deadline.
All inquiries and application material should be directed to:
