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Westwood College Online

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Westwood College Online offers 18 degree programs ranging from business administration to fashion merchandising to criminal justice and more.[1] 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 was the subject of a 2005 investigative report by WFAA-TV Dallas that questioned some of the school’s practices. Dozens of complaints have been filed at ripoffreport.com,[2] a consumer Web site recently accused of extorting money from several mid-size companies[3] and the Consumer Warning Network, a group of trial lawyers, has started a Facebook group titled "Warnings on Westwood" to encourage former students to share their experiences with the college. Westwood College has a student resolution hotline to address students' academic and non-academic issues.[4]

History

Westwood College Online is part of Westwood College – Denver North; along with Redstone College, these schools make up Alta Colleges, Inc., a system of higher education institutions that currently enroll more than 15,000 students. Westwood Online was founded in October 2001 and now serves approximately 4,700 students.[5]

Accreditation and Accolades

As part of the Denver North campus, Westwood Online is accredited with the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT),[6] a private, non-profit, independent accrediting agency whose goal is to maintain educational quality by striving to assure academic excellence and ethical practices. The ACCSCT is a national accrediting commission. Students attempting to transfer credits from Westwood Online are not likely to be successful.[7]

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.[8]

Westwood is approved by all branches of the military to offer benefits and tuition assistance opportunities.[9]

Westwood became a candidate for accreditation by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) in October 2007.[10] To become HLC accredited, a school must provide a mission and integrity, prepare students for the future, provide effective teaching, encourage the discovery and application of knowledge and provide an engaging environment and dedicated service.


Degree Programs

Depending on the degree program, students can earn an associate degree in 20 months or bachelor’s degree in three years. Westwood Online has a more than 85% post-graduate career rate.

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 College offers degree programs in four schools: School of Business,[11] School of Design,[12] School of Justice[13] and School of Technology.[14] Program curriculums include a combination of degree-focused and general education courses.

School of Business programs

School of Design programs

School of Justice programs

School of Technology programs

  • Computer Network Engineering
  • Computer Network Management
  • Game Software Development
  • Information Systems Security
  • Software Engineering

See also

References

  1. ^ "Westwood College Online". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  2. ^ "Rip-Off Report Accusations". SEO Moz. 2008-01-16. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
  3. ^ "The Real Rip-Off Report". The Phoenix New Times. 2007-02-01. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  4. ^ "Student Resolution Hotline". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2009-04-09.
  5. ^ "Westwood College Online Info". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  6. ^ "ACCSCT Accreditation for Westwood College". Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology. n.d. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  7. ^ http://www.degree.net/news/guestcolumn02.html
  8. ^ "OED Top 10 Ranking". Online Education Database. 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  9. ^ "Westwood College Military Advantages". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  10. ^ "Higher Learning Commission Accreditation". Higher Learning Commission. n.d. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  11. ^ "Westwood College School of Business". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  12. ^ "Westwood College School of Design". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  13. ^ "Westwood College School of Justice". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  14. ^ "Westwood College School of Technology". Westwood College. n.d. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
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