Westwood College's top priority is the success of our students and graduates, and we are dedicated to providing the tools they need to succeed both in the classroom and in their careers. As part of our commitment to direct and honest communications with prospective students, current students and graduates, following are answers to some questions about topics such as financial aid, tuition, job placement services, accreditation, transfer of credits and employment rates.
Why should I attend Westwood College?
How do students rate the school's faculty and programs?
What makes Westwood College's career-based education different from a more traditional education?
What type of accreditation does Westwood College have?
How many Westwood College graduates find jobs in their fields of study?
How much does a Westwood College education cost?
What is the process for applying for financial aid?
Will I be able to transfer credits to another school?
What kind of academic and career support is provided to students?
What are Westwood College's tuition-free retraining/refresher courses?
Does Westwood College provide employment support for graduates?
What is the Employment Pledge?
What is the status of Westwood College's campuses in Texas?
Can Texas students enroll at Westwood College Online?
What is the background on the case filed by the Illinois Attorney General?
I still have questions/concerns. Where else can I turn?
Why should I attend Westwood College?
With many of today’s employers focusing on job skills, Westwood College’s primary goal is to help students graduate with the skills they need to start a career. Our degree programs in healthcare, technology, business, design, and criminal justice prepare students to be competitive in the workforce upon graduation. Westwood College’s faculty has strong academic credentials, and the vast majority are working professionals in their field of study.
Westwood College is accredited by two national agencies, both of which are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. We have tens of thousands of Westwood graduates who are very satisfied with their degrees, and thousands of employers have hired
Westwood College graduates.
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How do students rate the school’s faculty and programs?
Higher than most other students rate their own schools. According to a study by Noel-Levitz, a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in higher education research, a survey of more than 4,000 Westwood College students found that they are more satisfied in all areas, including academic advising effectiveness, student centeredness and campus services, than their counterparts attending other private four-year colleges. In fact, students were most satisfied in the area of instructional effectiveness - indicating positive impressions about our faculty and our curriculum. Westwood College students awarded their faculty a positive 5.4 on a 6-point scale.
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What makes Westwood College's career-based education different from a more traditional education?
While traditional colleges often help students gain a broad background in the liberal arts, career colleges prepare students to meet specific career goals. By offering a curriculum designed and taught by working professionals, our students receive career-specific educational programs.
Westwood College caters to students who want a realistic, hands-on education in targeted fields. That includes people who work 9:00 to 5:00 to pay the bills and support families, while aspiring to improve their careers and their lives. We offer flexible course schedules and classes taught by educators who are working in their field of instruction.
With the focus of many of today’s employers on job skills, Westwood College is responding to the needs of companies with its healthcare, technology and business degree programs. Unlike traditional colleges, Westwood College offers small class sizes that promote one-on-one interactions and includes real-world coursework, so students develop the skills they will need on the job.
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What type of accreditation does Westwood College have?
Westwood College is accredited by two private, non-profit, independent accrediting agencies: the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) - both of which are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. These agencies regularly review and approve everything from the qualifications of our faculty and the quality of education to our graduation and employment rates. The only way students can access federal grants and loans is by attending an institution like Westwood that is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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How many Westwood College graduates find jobs in their fields of study?
Seventy-four percent of Westwood graduates are employed in their fields of study or related fields (based on the combined employment rates of Westwood graduates across all campuses as reported to its accrediting bodies for the period from July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011).
Students are considered employed in their fields if their primary job duties closely match the core skills taught in the program. The nature of the work defines the employment status, not the company’s industry. For example, an IT graduate working on computers at an advertising agency is considered employed in his field of study, but an IT graduate working as a receptionist at an IT company is not, since she is not using the IT skills and knowledge gained from completing the program.
Hear what some Westwood grads have to say about how their education prepared them to succeed in their chosen fields.
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How much does a Westwood College education cost?
Tuition and fees vary by program and by state. Specific information is readily available in the Financial Aid and Tuition section of the Westwood website. In addition to the website, the total cost of a Westwood education is covered by the admissions representative during the interview process, and the costs are also listed in catalog addenda and the enrollment agreement that all applicants must sign.
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What is the process for applying for financial aid?
Knowing what financing options are available and whether you qualify makes it easier to figure out how much money you will need to complete your degree. Some financing options include:
- Scholarships and grants
- Borrowed money (federal loans, private or bank loans)
- Your money
- Institutional financing (APEX financing)
Learn more by watching this video about paying for college.
Westwood College pairs finance specialists with prospective students to help research and outline these options. We firmly believe access to education beyond high school is the right of every individual. Lack of financial resources alone should not be a barrier.
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Will I be able to transfer credits to another school?
Most likely no. Credits earned at Westwood College are typically not transferable to other colleges or universities. As a career-focused college, we offer a hands-on approach to learning that’s different than other traditional colleges and universities. We balance theory and practice, so in a constantly evolving environment, students will be prepared with the skills and tools necessary to meet their employer’s needs.
Members of the Westwood College admissions staff will discuss these issues with candidates during the enrollment process. All students must also sign a disclosure agreement confirming that they have been informed about, and fully understand, the benefits of a completed Westwood degree and the difficulties of credit transfers.
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What kind of academic and career support is provided to students?
Westwood College offers unparalleled support for students, which includes a team of five advisors called the "Success Team" to help them make the most of their college experience from enrollment through employment. The Success Team – which includes an admissions representative, a student services advisor, a student finance specialist, a program director and a career development advisor – assists students in completing the enrollment process, finding student financing, selecting the right courses, staying motivated and mapping our their career goals. In addition, the career development advisor provides one-on-one career counseling to help students prepare résumés and graduate portfolios, refine interviewing skills with mock interviews and find internships in their fields of study. Westwood College also hosts networking events with employers and coordinates on-campus interviews. These career services are available to current students, graduates and even graduates who are already employed.
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What are Westwood College's tuition-free retraining/refresher courses?
Westwood College offers its graduates tuition-free* retraining (books, tools, lab fees may apply), including auditing a class they have already completed or taking an updated course after graduation with training on new computer equipment and software.
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Does Westwood College provide employment support for graduates?
Westwood College graduates are offered comprehensive career assistance, not just at the time of graduation but for the rest of their lives. The college is committed to its students and graduates and has an interest in helping them to succeed in life and in their careers.
Westwood College offers one-on-one career counseling from the moment students begin classes to help them map out their career goals. Westwood College helps students prepare résumés and graduate portfolios, refine interviewing skills with mock interviews and find internships in their field. Westwood College has business relationships with many top companies, which aids graduates in their job searches.
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What is the Employment Pledge?
Westwood College is so confident that its students will get the right skills to launch their careers that it is pledging to help pay their bills if they haven’t found a job within six months of graduation.
If students do not find employment within six months of graduation, Westwood College will stand by them and help pay their bills for up to six months or when they become employed, whichever comes first.
Westwood College will provide qualifying graduates with $500 per month for up to six months (bachelor’s and master’s degrees) or $250 per month for up to six months (diploma and associate degrees). If they qualify for the program, graduates will be given a monthly check to use as they see fit. Read about what students need to do to qualify for the program and check out all the program details here.
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What is the status of Westwood College's campuses in Texas?
Westwood College suspended enrollments at its three Texas campuses as of the October 2011 term. Westwood College will continue to meet its commitments to current students and graduates offering the same hands-on career training and support services. Only after these commitments have been met does the college plan to close the three campuses in Texas.
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Can Texas students enroll at Westwood College Online?
Yes, Texas students can enroll at Westwood College Online beginning with the January 2012 term. Recently the state of Texas enacted a law allowing online schools headquartered outside of the state to enroll Texas residents without licensure by the Texas Workforce Commission.
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What is the background on the case filed by the Illinois Attorney General?
We are continuing to work with the Illinois AG toward a resolution. We have hundreds of graduates working in criminal justice fields throughout Illinois and are proud of our legacy of helping students meet their educational and career goals. While we take this lawsuit seriously, we strongly believe the claims have no merit.
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I still have questions/concerns. Where else can I turn?
Our goal is to provide an educational experience focused on helping students learn career skills, graduate and get jobs. To that end, we provide current Westwood College students and graduates with a number of tools to help them find answers. One is the Student Resolution Hotline at 888-331-3036. No question, concern, clarification or complaint is too small or too big for the Westwood College staff members who answer this hotline.
* Participating in the Westwood Alumni Retraining program is tuition-free for qualified graduates. Additional costs such as online lab fees, books, and supplies are the responsibility of the student. Retraining is limited to the program from which the student graduated and is subject to space availability.