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Today, Westwood is part of [[Alta Colleges Inc.]] (Alta), a system of [[higher education]] institutions that also includes Westwood College Online and Redstone College (once known as Colorado Aero Tech in Denver). Currently, there are 17 Westwood College campuses located in six states. These campuses along with Westwood College Online support more than 15,000 students.
Today, Westwood is part of [[Alta Colleges Inc.]] (Alta), a system of [[higher education]] institutions that also includes Westwood College Online and Redstone College (once known as Colorado Aero Tech in Denver). Currently, there are 17 Westwood College campuses located in six states. These campuses along with Westwood College Online support more than 15,000 students.


Westwood College Online offers 25 degree programs. Coursework is completed entirely over the [[Internet]] via audio/visual technology designed to mimic an actual classroom. The [[virtual classrooms]] are supplemented with real textbooks. Westwood College Online is part of the Denver North campus. Westwood Online was founded in October 2001 and now serves approximately 4,700 students <ref name="About Westwood College Online">{{cite web|title=Westwood College Online Info | date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College | accessdate=2008-12-09|url=http://www.westwoodonline.edu/about/default.asp}}</ref>.
Westwood College Online offers 25 degree programs. Coursework is completed entirely over the [[Internet]] via audio/visual technology designed to mimic an actual classroom. The [[virtual classrooms]] are supplemented with real textbooks. Westwood Online was founded in October 2001 and now serves approximately 4,700 students <ref name="About Westwood College Online">{{cite web|title=Westwood College Online Info | date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College | accessdate=2008-12-09|url=http://www.westwoodonline.edu/about/default.asp}}</ref>.


==Accreditation==
==Accreditation==

Revision as of 14:49, 10 June 2010

Westwood College
MottoA Place Where You Can Succeed
TypePrivate, For-profit
Established1953
Location
Southern California, Denver, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Westwood College Online
,
California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Texas and Virginia
,
United States
WebsiteWestwood College

Westwood College, owned by Alta Colleges Inc., is a for-profit institution of higher learning with 17 campus locations in six states and online learning options. Westwood is accredited by national organizations including the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT) and the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). Since its inception in 1986, Westwood has graduated more than 24,000 students.[1] [clarification needed]

Westwood offers what it describes as "career-focused" diploma, associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs through its Schools of Business, Design, Justice, Technology, Healthcare, and Industrial Services. In recent years Westwood College has been the source of much controversy; owing to a series of lawsuits and an inability for students to transfer credits to other colleges and universities due to a lack of regional accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).[2]

History

Westwood College was founded in Denver, Colorado in 1953. For many years the school was known as Denver Institute of Technology, offering diploma and degree programs in a variety of technical fields. As the school expanded into other industries, the name was changed to Westwood College.

Today, Westwood is part of Alta Colleges Inc. (Alta), a system of higher education institutions that also includes Westwood College Online and Redstone College (once known as Colorado Aero Tech in Denver). Currently, there are 17 Westwood College campuses located in six states. These campuses along with Westwood College Online support more than 15,000 students.

Westwood College Online offers 25 degree programs. Coursework is completed entirely over the Internet via audio/visual technology designed to mimic an actual classroom. The virtual classrooms are supplemented with real textbooks. Westwood Online was founded in October 2001 and now serves approximately 4,700 students [3].

Accreditation

Westwood College's various locations are nationally accredited by either the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)[4] or the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).[5][6][7][8][9] In addition, each campus is licensed and approved to operate by the appropriate state regulatory bodies.[10] Westwood College is approved by all branches of the military to offer benefits and tuition assistance opportunities.[11]

As part of the Denver North campus, Westwood College Online is accredited with the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).[4]

Westwood College has been a candidate for accreditation by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since October 2007.[12]

Ranking

The Online Education Database (OEDb) listed Westwood College in ninth place in its 2008 Online College Rankings, and in its top 10 for the second year in a row.[13] The rankings highlight Westwood College's support provided throughout a student's educational career, the "real-world" experience of instructors and their training as educators. The report also pointed out Westwood's use of virtual classrooms, free tutoring and computer support, graduate retraining program and focus on career development. Graphics and creative design students from the college's Anaheim campus took home 14 ADDY in June from the American Advertising Federation. [14][1]

Westwood College Online was listed on The Online Education Database’s top 10 list for both 2007 and 2008. In 2009, the Online Education Database dropped Westwood's ranking to number 16. The largest difference in the rankings came as Westwood's acceptance rate changed for 41% to 98.9%, a number much similar to schools with similar enrollment methods.[13]

Locations

In addition to its Westwood College Online program, Westwood College has locations in:

Curriculum

Westwood College operates on a term schedule. Degree programs start five times a year, and courses are offered year-round with day, evening and online options. Depending on the degree program, students can earn an associate degree in 20 months or a bachelor’s degree in three years. The school also offers diploma programs in various fields. Westwood College offers degree programs in six schools: School of Business, School of Design, School of Justice, School of Technology, School of Healthcare and School of Industrial Services. Each campus has a different program focus and some programs are not available at certain locations.

Students that have graduated from Westwood can return for tuition-free retraining, which allows them to evaluate and review courses that were within their degree program. Westwood alumni can audit a class they took during their tenure, take an updated course after graduation and continue to learn about new equipment and software.

Controversy

The Consumer Warning Network, a website that is operated by members of James, Hoyer, Newcomer, Smiljanich & Yanchunis[32] and describes itself as "an independent, consumer advocacy group," has reported on Westwood's recruiting tactics, its CEO's record and federal complaints as well. In May 2009, Westwood also settled a federal lawsuit over misrepresentation of its graduation statistics for $7 million.[33]

Westwood faces a class action arbitration filed by the firm, challenging its admissions and financial aid practices.[34] Al Lewis, a business columnist for Dow Jones Newswires, commented on the lawsuit for the Denver Post.[35] ABC World News featured the lawsuit in a report on schools run for profit.[36] The Denver Post has since reported that the Colorado Attorney General's office is investigating the college. [37]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.westwood.edu/why-westwood/about-us/
  2. ^ http://www.westwood.edu/facts/
  3. ^ "Westwood College Online Info". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  4. ^ a b "ACCSCT Accredidation". n.d. Retrieved 2008-12-12. Cite error: The named reference "ACCSCT Accreditation" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  5. ^ "ACICS Accreditation" (PDF). August 5, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
  6. ^ Jaschik, Scott (October 19, 2005). "Demanding Credit". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 2008-12-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ Lederman, Doug (February 26, 2007). "Tussling Over Transfer of Credit". Inside Higher ED. Retrieved 2008-12-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ "What is the difference between regional and national accreditation?". Yahoo! Help. n.d. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
  9. ^ "Education in the USA: Types of Accreditation". Education USA. n.d. Retrieved 2008-10-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ "Westwood College Accreditation". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
  11. ^ "Westwood College Military Advantages". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  12. ^ "Higher Learning Commission Accreditation". Higher Learning Commission. n.d. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  13. ^ a b "OED Top 10 Online Colleges". Online Education Database. 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-14. Cite error: The named reference "Online Education Database" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  14. ^ American Advertising Federation
  15. ^ "Westwood College - Anaheim Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  16. ^ "Westwood College - Inland Empire Campus info". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  17. ^ "Westwood College - Los Angeles Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  18. ^ "Westwood College - South Bay Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  19. ^ "Westwood College in Colorado - Denver North". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  20. ^ "Westwood College in Colorado - Denver South". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  21. ^ "Westwood College in Georgia - Midtown Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  22. ^ "Westwood College in Georgia - Northlake Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  23. ^ "Westwood College in Chicago - Loop Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  24. ^ "Westwood College in Chicago - DuPage Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  25. ^ "Westwood College in Chicago - O'Hare Airport Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  26. ^ "Westwood College in Chicago - River Oaks Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  27. ^ "Westwood College in Texas - Dallas Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  28. ^ "Westwood College in Texas - Fort Worth Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  29. ^ "Westwood College in Texas - Houston Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  30. ^ "Westwood College in Virginia - Annandale Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  31. ^ "Westwood College in Virginia - Arlington Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  32. ^ "Whois.net domain registration". Retrieved 2009-07-22.
  33. ^ "Westwood College has lessons to learn". Consumer Warning Network. 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
  34. ^ "Westwood College". James Hoyer Law Firm. 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
  35. ^ "Lewis: Qwest's Burnett now running school of hard knocks". The Denver Post. 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
  36. ^ "ABC News: Students Sue Over Alleged College Scam". ABC News. 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  37. ^ "AG reviews 51 complaints against Westwood College". The Denver Post. 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-30.

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