Just the facts about Westwood College
Westwood College has been under attack by a predatory law firm since it filed a case in 2009. On July 16, 2010, the law firm’s attempt to create a class action arbitration against Westwood College was rejected by the American Association of Arbitration.
This clear victory for Westwood means the Florida law firm can only pursue its supposed claims on an individual, student-by-student basis and not as a class action lawsuit on behalf of a group of students. To the plaintiffs’ class action firm that looks to feed on large attorney fee awards, non-class lawsuits on behalf of a few individuals are unattractive. They currently represent three plaintiffs.
Since this law firm filed the case, we have maintained that the accusations made by the firm were opportunistic, not representative of the experiences of the overwhelming majority of Westwood students and graduates and therefore should not proceed on a class basis. The American Association of Arbitration agreed with us. Read a summary of the decision here.
Westwood presents all the facts to potential students and gives them the tools to take the personal responsibility necessary when deciding whether to enroll and work toward a degree at Westwood.
Despite the ruling in this case, we still want to provide frank and honest answers to questions or continued misrepresentations presented by the law firm:
How many Westwood graduates find jobs in their field of study?
I heard Westwood provides direct student financing. How can students access this?
Will I be able to transfer credits to another school?
Is Westwood College accredited?
Is Westwood College licensed to operate in the state of Texas?
How do Westwood College students rate the school's faculty and programs?
How does Westwood's faculty measure up to that of other institutions?
What makes a career-based education different from a more traditional education?
What are some of the benefits of career colleges like Westwood?
What kind of ongoing support is provided to Westwood students while enrolled at Westwood College?
I still have questions/concerns. Where else can I turn?
How many Westwood graduates find jobs in their field of study?
More than 75% of Westwood graduates are employed in their field of study (based on the combined employment rates of 2007/2008 Westwood graduates).
Hear what some Westwood grads have to say about how their education prepared them to succeed in their chosen fields.
From the moment students begin classes, Westwood provides one-on-one career counseling to help them map out their career goals. Throughout college, Westwood helps students prepare résumés and graduate portfolios, refine interviewing skills with mock interviews and find internships in their fields of study. Westwood 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 gainfully employed in their fields.
Students considered employed in their fields are those whose 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. 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.
How much does a Westwood College education cost and what’s the process for applying for financial aid?
Tuition and financial aid information is readily available in the Financial Aid and Tuition section of the Westwood web site. In addition to the web site we also clearly state the total cost of a Westwood education in the enrollment agreement that all applicants must sign. Keep in mind that tuition rates differ by state and by program.
The Career College Association reports tuition and fees at Westwood and similar institutions reflect the true cost of education to students, not the taxpayer-subsidized cost. By choosing to attend a career-focused college, students decide to make an investment in themselves and their futures. The vast majority of career college students are able to manage their loans and pursue better, more professionally rewarding careers.
Knowing financing options up front makes it easier to figure out how much money students will need to complete their degrees. While the primary responsibility for meeting the cost of education rests with individual students, many financial resources are available to help students who, without such aid, would be unable to attend college.
Some of these options include:
- Scholarships and Grants
- Borrowed Money (federal loans, private or bank loans)
- Your Money
- Institutional Financing (APEX financing)
Westwood College pairs student 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.
I heard Westwood provides direct student financing. How can students access this?
Westwood’s institutional financing program is designed for students who have exhausted all other means of financing a college education. As a prerequisite to enrolling in a Westwood financing program, all prospective and current students receive specifics on financing programs, including guidelines, requirements, fees and the like. It is a process designed to spell out all relevant details in advance, prior to a person applying for institutional financing. This information is communicated in writing and via direct communication with Westwood staff.
Westwood's financing program helps students cover the gap between the loans they have secured and the cost of tuition. The program is not available to everyone; financing amounts are limited and evaluated on a case-by-case basis by Westwood’s financing office according to need, creditworthiness and other factors.
People who accept financing through Westwood’s program are required to make payments against the outstanding balance each month (the majority of students pay less than $150 a month while they are in school). No interest is accrued during their time at Westwood. When they graduate or stop attending Westwood, they have a 90-day grace period before interest begins to be charged on the balance. Keep in mind that financing from sources other than Westwood (government loans, private loans, etc.) will have separate payment schedules, interest rates and terms.
The availability of Westwood financing is based on students exhausting all other sources of student financing. Westwood College is not a bank, and its institutional financing program is not a loan. Westwood applies an 10% interest rate and does not charge an origination fee for its financing..
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 — though, we believe, no less valuable — than approaches students may experience at other colleges and universities. We balance theory and practice, so in a constantly evolving environment students will be better prepared with the skills and tools necessary to meet their employer’s needs from day one. Information that Westwood provides in its catalog and directly to potential applicants during the admissions process makes clear that Westwood credits most likely will not transfer to other schools.
We make every effort to be upfront and clear about the difficulty of transferring Westwood credits to other institutions. Members of the Westwood admissions staff discuss these issues with candidates face to face during the enrollment process. Students must 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.
Is Westwood College accredited?
Yes. Westwood is fully accredited by two national agencies (ACISC and ACCSC) that 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. Remember, 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.
In addition to national accreditation, Westwood College is a candidate for regional accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an affiliate of the North Central Association. While we would like to provide a specific timeline for completing this process, we are not able to commit to the timing of future HLC decisions or actions.
Is Westwood College licensed to operate in the state of Texas?
Westwood College’s three Texas campuses have maintained licensing agreements with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) since 2002.
Westwood College reached a resolution on December 21, 2009 with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) over the licensing of the college’s online program. Going forward, new students who reside in Texas will need to register with one of the three campuses in Texas, instead of through the college’s online program.
The resolution with the TWC does not impact any Texas residents who were enrolled with Westwood College’s online campus prior to December 8, 2009. These students will be able to finish their program without any changes. However, the requirement to not accept new enrollments also extends to students who are currently enrolled at Westwood College - Online Campus and for any reason decide to withdraw. This means that if you withdraw you will not be eligible to re-enroll in any Westwood College online program.
There are no changes for students enrolled at one of Westwood’s three Texas campuses.
How do Westwood College students rate the school’s faculty and programs?
Higher than most other students rate their own school.
According to Noel-Levitz, a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in higher education research and strategic planning, Westwood College students are more satisfied in all areas surveyed including academic advising effectiveness, student centeredness and campus services than their counterparts attending other private four-year colleges in the comparison group. In fact, students were most satisfied with the area of instructional effectiveness indicating positive impressions about our faculty and our curriculum.
- In January, more than 4,000 current Westwood College students answered surveys to assess what attributes they find most valuable at Westwood and how satisfied they are with them. The surveys compared Westwood’s results to 124 other private four-year colleges, such as Colorado Technical University, Hawaii Pacific University, Concordia University and Eckerd College.
- Westwood College Online results are compared against 87 national online campuses, such as Colorado State University, Minnesota State College, University of Illinois, University of Houston and American InterContinental University.
It is important to note that the results have also improved in all areas from 2006-2008 and 2008-2010 indicating a strong, healthy trend of continuous improvement and meeting students’ ever-increasing expectations. Take a look at charts detailing the results here.
In addition to the survey, a recent graduate felt so strongly about the positive experience he and other students received at Westwood that he is encouraging other students to share their stories on a website he developed using the talents and training he received at Westwood. Visit westwoodisawesome.com to see for yourself.
How does Westwood’s faculty measure up to that of other institutions?
Very well. In a recent survey, Westwood students awarded their faculty a positive 5.4 on a 6-point scale. Westwood’s faculty has strong academic credentials, and the vast majority are working professionals in their field of study. All members of the Westwood faculty meet the criteria set by the U.S. Department of Education and our national accreditation agencies, ACCSCT and ACICS.
But credentials aren’t the only measure of what makes our educators successful. Every student is asked to complete faculty evaluations after the completion of each course.
Westwood’s faculty members have won numerous awards and accolades, including the Outstanding Engineering Educator Award and the Career College Association Instructor of the Year.
What makes a 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 by working professionals, our students receive career-specific educational programs.
Westwood caters to students who want a realistic, hands-on education in targeted fields. That includes people who work 9-to-5 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 have actually worked or are working in their fields.
With the focus of many of today’s employers on job skills, Westwood College is responding to the needs of companies with its degree programs in the School of Business, School of Design, School of Technology, School of Justice and School of Healthcare.
What are some of the benefits of career colleges like Westwood?
Unlike traditional colleges, Westwood 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.
Plus, Westwood students can earn their bachelor’s degree in just three years instead of four or more at a traditional college.
How can I be certain that I’ve received complete and accurate information from Westwood representatives?
It is in Westwood’s best interest to ensure all potential students have a full understanding of what to expect once they enroll as well as after they graduate. Our admissions representatives are committed to enrolling potential graduates, not short-term students.
Before any student’s enrollment is complete, the director of admissions speaks with him or her. The director helps potential students set expectations and confront possible barriers to success to ensure they are prepared to be a successful student and graduate.
Westwood has an informative and very transparent web site. Any potential student seeking information about Westwood, or wanting to verify what they learned in the admissions process, easily can find information about tuition, accreditation, transferability of credits, financial aid and a host of other topics on the Westwood College web site, www.westwood.edu.
Westwood operates in a highly regulated industry and is committed to complying with the rules and regulations that govern the industry. For example, we have the following in place:
- A compliance department that investigates allegations regarding violations of college policies or applicable rules and regulations governing institutions of higher education in the US
- Ongoing audits to ensure compliance and integrity
- Compliance training for all employees
- A code of conduct setting out the ethical standards to which students, faculty and staff must adhere
- A student resolution hotline to address issues in an in-depth, person-to-person, confidential fashion (see below for more info)
What kind of ongoing support is provided to Westwood students while enrolled at Westwood College?
Westwood offers unparalleled support for students, which includes a team of five advisors – called the Success TeamSM – 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 finding a career they love.
I still have questions/concerns. Where else can I turn?
At Westwood College, 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 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 staff members who answer this hotline.
If you prefer email, please contact us below:
Student Resolution Hotline
888-331-3036
Westwood faculty and staff are committed to making sure that you are satisfied with your experiences at Westwood College and to quickly and proactively addressing any unresolved issues you may have.
