Westwood College of Technology
Encyclopedia
Westwood College, owned by Alta Colleges Inc.
, is a United States 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
(ACCSC) and the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
(ACICS). Since its inception in 1986, Westwood has graduated more than 24,000 students.
Westwood offers career-focused diploma, associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs through its Schools of Business, Design, Justice, Technology, Healthcare, and Industrial Services.
, 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 College is part of Alta Colleges Inc.
(Alta), a system of for-profit 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.
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.
(ACICS). Although Westwood has encountered regulatory challenges in some states, each campus is currently approved to operate by the appropriate state regulatory bodies.
Westwood College Online is accredited with the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
(ACICS).
Westwood College was a candidate for regional accreditation
by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
from October 2007 until it withdrew its candidacy on November 1, 2010.
Westwood College's degree programs are organized under 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, depending on the regional economic variables and demand.
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.
s and federal student loans. In an August 4, 2010 report from the Government Accountability Office
, Westwood College was named as one of four institutions that "encouraged fraudulent practices" when meeting with undercover investigators posing as applicants. Fraudulent practices cited in this report included encouraging applicants to overstate financial need and hide assets. These practices would increase an applicants' eligibility for government loans and grants. The GAO later revised the report making factual changes to 16 of the 28 claims.
s and some students' inability to transfer credit
s to other colleges and universities. In May 2009, Westwood settled a federal lawsuit over misrepresentation of its graduation statistics for $7 million, without admitting wrongdoing.
Westwood faced a class action arbitration filed by the firm James, Hoyer, Newcomer, Smiljanich & Yanchunis
, challenging its admissions and financial aid practices. Media coverage of the lawsuit noted that George Burnett, the former CEO of Westwood's parent company, has past ties to corporate crime, though he was never charged or implicated. National media also focused on the similar challenges faced by other for-profit schools. The lawsuits against Westwood were dismissed because they did not warrant class action status, but the court is allowing students to bring individual claims of deceptive marketing practices before the court. The Hoyer firm's use of social media to connect with Westwood students was reported in The Wall Street Journal
, which also reported that Westwood filed a suit against James Hoyer, alleging defamation through "new media Internet weapons".
In 2010, Westwood College faced further regulatory difficulties in Texas, Wisconsin, and Colorado. The Texas Workforce Commission
took steps to revoke the licenses of Westwood's three Texas campuses due to concerns raised in a federal General Accounting Office investigation, but in early 2011 gave the school conditional approval. In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Educational Approval Board ordered Westwood to stop enrolling students in its online college in late 2010, but reversed that directive early in 2011. The Colorado Attorney General
's office is also investigating the college.
In 2011, the Veterans Administration disqualified three Westwood College Campuses from the GI Bill Program. The VA took this step after finding, "erroneous, deceptive, and misleading advertising and enrollment practices at these institutions."
On its website, Westwood has responded to many of the allegations against it. Regarding credit transfer problems, Westwood acknowledges that in most cases its credits will not transfer to other colleges or universities.
Virginia°N date=June 2009°W
Alta Colleges Inc.
Alta College, Inc., headquartered in Denver, is a company which owns three for-profit schools - Westwood College, Westwood College Online, and Redstone College. The college was founded in 1953, as Radio and Television Repair Institute and became the Denver Institute of Technology in 1974...
, is a United States for-profit
For-Profit School
For-profit education refers to educational institutions operated by private, profit-seeking businesses....
institution of higher learning with 17 campus locations in six states and online learning options. Westwood is accredited
Educational accreditation
Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of educational institutions or programs are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met...
by national organizations including the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology
The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges is an organization in the United States that provides accreditation to non-university postsecondary colleges. Based in Arlington, Virginia, it is recognized by the United States Department of Education as a private, non-profit, independent...
(ACCSC) and the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools is a non-profit education corporation recognized by both the United States Secretary of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation as an independent and autonomous national accrediting body that accredits institutions of...
(ACICS). Since its inception in 1986, Westwood has graduated more than 24,000 students.
Westwood offers career-focused diploma, associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs through its Schools of Business, Design, Justice, Technology, Healthcare, and Industrial Services.
History
Westwood College was founded in Denver, ColoradoColorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, in 1953. For many years, the school was known as Denver Institute of Technology, offering diploma
Diploma
A diploma is a certificate or deed issued by an educational institution, such as a university, that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course of study or confers an academic degree. In countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia, the word diploma refers to...
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 College is part of Alta Colleges Inc.
Alta Colleges Inc.
Alta College, Inc., headquartered in Denver, is a company which owns three for-profit schools - Westwood College, Westwood College Online, and Redstone College. The college was founded in 1953, as Radio and Television Repair Institute and became the Denver Institute of Technology in 1974...
(Alta), a system of for-profit higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
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.
Westwood College Online offers 25 degree programs. Coursework is completed entirely over the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
via audio/visual technology designed to mimic an actual classroom. The virtual classrooms are supplemented with real textbooks.
Accreditation
Westwood College's campus locations are nationally accredited by either the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) or the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and SchoolsAccrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools is a non-profit education corporation recognized by both the United States Secretary of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation as an independent and autonomous national accrediting body that accredits institutions of...
(ACICS). Although Westwood has encountered regulatory challenges in some states, each campus is currently approved to operate by the appropriate state regulatory bodies.
Westwood College Online is accredited with the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools is a non-profit education corporation recognized by both the United States Secretary of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation as an independent and autonomous national accrediting body that accredits institutions of...
(ACICS).
Westwood College was a candidate for regional accreditation
Regional accreditation
Regional accreditation is a term used in the United States to refer to educational accreditation conducted by any of several accreditation bodies established to serve six defined geographic areas of the country for accreditation of schools, colleges, and universities...
by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...
from October 2007 until it withdrew its candidacy on November 1, 2010.
Locations
In addition to its Westwood College Online program, Westwood College has locations in:- CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
: AnaheimAnaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
, UplandUpland, CaliforniaUpland is a city in San Bernardino County, California, located at an elevation of 1,242 feet . As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 73,732, up from 68,393 at the 2000 census. It was incorporated on May 15, 1906, after previously being named North Ontario.-History and culture:Upland...
, Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
(Mid-WilshireMid-WilshireMid-Wilshire is a district in the City of Los Angeles, California. It is part of the Wilshire region.It mostly encompasses the area bounded by La Cienega Boulevard to the west, Melrose Avenue to the north, Hoover Street to the east and the Santa Monica Freeway to the south, although some...
), and Los Angeles (South BaySouth Bay, Los AngelesThe South Bay is a region of the southwest peninsula of Los Angeles County, California, United States. The name stems from its geographic features stretching along the southern shores of Santa Monica Bay which forms its western border.The picture at right uses the broadest definition of the...
). - ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
: DenverDenver, ColoradoThe City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
North (unincorporated Adams CountyAdams County, ColoradoAdams County is the fifth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the county population was 441,603 in 2010 census, a 21.4% increase since 2000 census. Adams County is named for Alva Adams, Governor of the...
) and Denver South. - GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
: AtlantaAtlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
(MidtownMidtown AtlantaMidtown is the second largest financial district in the city of Atlanta, Georgia, situated between the commercial and financial districts of Downtown and SoNo to the south and the affluent residential and commercial district of Buckhead to the north...
) and NorthlakeNorthlake, GeorgiaNorthlake is an unincorporated community in northeastern metro Atlanta, Georgia, United States, near Tucker. Although not formally an edge city, Northlake is home to a large amount of office space, retail options, and residential housing...
(unincorporated DeKalb CountyDeKalb County, GeorgiaDeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population of the county was 691,893 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is the city of Decatur. It is bordered to the west by Fulton County and contains roughly 10% of the city of Atlanta...
). - IllinoisIllinoisIllinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
: Chicago LoopChicago LoopThe Loop or Chicago Loop is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas located in the City of Chicago, Illinois. It is the historic commercial center of downtown Chicago...
, WoodridgeWoodridge, IllinoisWoodridge is a suburb of Chicago, located primarily in DuPage County, Illinois with portions in Will County and Cook County. It uses the 630 and 331 area codes. The population was 30,934 at the 2000 census. A special census commissioned in 2003 put the population at 33,253...
(DuPage), Chicago O'Hare AirportO'Hare International AirportChicago O'Hare International Airport , also known as O'Hare Airport, O'Hare Field, Chicago Airport, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is a major airport located in the northwestern-most corner of Chicago, Illinois, United States, northwest of the Chicago Loop...
, and Calumet CityCalumet City, IllinoisCalumet City is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 39,072 at the 2000 census. The ZIP code is 60409.Calumet City was founded in 1892 when the villages of Schrumville and Sobieski Park merged under the name of West Hammond, since it lies on the west side of the...
(River Oaks). - TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
: Dallas, Fort WorthFort Worth, TexasFort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
, and Houston (Arena PlaceArena PlaceArena Place is a complex including two office towers and a theater located in Greater Sharpstown, Houston, Texas.The complex, located on U.S. Route 59 , includes One & Two Arena Place, two 19-story towers each with about of space, the Arena Theatre, a live performance theater with a 2,850 seats,...
). - Westwood is not accepting new students in its Texas campuses. - VirginiaVirginiaThe Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
: AnnandaleAnnandale, VirginiaAnnandale is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 41,008 at the 2010 census, down from 54,994 in 2000 due to the splitting off of the western part of it to form Wakefield and Woodburn CDP's.-Geography:...
(unincorporated Fairfax CountyFairfax County, VirginiaFairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
) and Arlington (unincorporated Arlington CountyArlington County, VirginiaArlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...
).
Curriculum
Westwood College operates on a term schedule. Degree programs start five times a year, and courses are offered year-round during the day, evening and online. Depending on the degree program in which they are enrolled, students can earn an associate degree in as little as 20 months or a bachelor’s degree in as little as three years.Westwood College's degree programs are organized under 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, depending on the regional economic variables and demand.
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.
Admissions and financial aid
Westwood has an open admissions policy. Applicants are eligible for both Pell grantPell Grant
A Pell Grant is money the federal government provides for students who need it to pay for college. Federal Pell Grants are limited to students with financial need, who have not earned their first bachelor's degree or who are not enrolled in certain post-baccalaureate programs, through participating...
s and federal student loans. In an August 4, 2010 report from the Government Accountability Office
Government Accountability Office
The Government Accountability Office is the audit, evaluation, and investigative arm of the United States Congress. It is located in the legislative branch of the United States government.-History:...
, Westwood College was named as one of four institutions that "encouraged fraudulent practices" when meeting with undercover investigators posing as applicants. Fraudulent practices cited in this report included encouraging applicants to overstate financial need and hide assets. These practices would increase an applicants' eligibility for government loans and grants. The GAO later revised the report making factual changes to 16 of the 28 claims.
Controversy
In recent years Westwood College has been the subject of controversy related to a series of lawsuitLawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
s and some students' inability to transfer credit
Transfer credit
Transfer credit, credit transfer, or advanced standing are the terms used by colleges and universities for the procedure of granting credit to a student for educational experiences or courses undertaken at another institution....
s to other colleges and universities. In May 2009, Westwood settled a federal lawsuit over misrepresentation of its graduation statistics for $7 million, without admitting wrongdoing.
Westwood faced a class action arbitration filed by the firm James, Hoyer, Newcomer, Smiljanich & Yanchunis
James, Hoyer, Newcomer, Smiljanich & Yanchunis
James, Hoyer, Newcomer & Smiljanich, P.A. is a Tampa, Florida-based law firm that prosecutes consumer class action lawsuits and whistleblower cases. The firm was founded in 1992 by former federal prosecutors and retired FBI agents. Since its founding, James Hoyer has helped return more than $3...
, challenging its admissions and financial aid practices. Media coverage of the lawsuit noted that George Burnett, the former CEO of Westwood's parent company, has past ties to corporate crime, though he was never charged or implicated. National media also focused on the similar challenges faced by other for-profit schools. The lawsuits against Westwood were dismissed because they did not warrant class action status, but the court is allowing students to bring individual claims of deceptive marketing practices before the court. The Hoyer firm's use of social media to connect with Westwood students was reported in The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal is an American English-language international daily newspaper. It is published in New York City by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corporation, along with the Asian and European editions of the Journal....
, which also reported that Westwood filed a suit against James Hoyer, alleging defamation through "new media Internet weapons".
In 2010, Westwood College faced further regulatory difficulties in Texas, Wisconsin, and Colorado. The Texas Workforce Commission
Texas Workforce Commission
The Texas Workforce Commission is a governmental agency in the U.S. state of Texas that provides unemployment benefits and services related to employment to eligible individuals and businesses....
took steps to revoke the licenses of Westwood's three Texas campuses due to concerns raised in a federal General Accounting Office investigation, but in early 2011 gave the school conditional approval. In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Educational Approval Board ordered Westwood to stop enrolling students in its online college in late 2010, but reversed that directive early in 2011. The Colorado Attorney General
Colorado Attorney General
The Attorney General of the State of Colorado is the chief legal officer for the state of Colorado, and the head of the Colorado Department of Law...
's office is also investigating the college.
In 2011, the Veterans Administration disqualified three Westwood College Campuses from the GI Bill Program. The VA took this step after finding, "erroneous, deceptive, and misleading advertising and enrollment practices at these institutions."
On its website, Westwood has responded to many of the allegations against it. Regarding credit transfer problems, Westwood acknowledges that in most cases its credits will not transfer to other colleges or universities.
External links
Virginia°N date=June 2009°W