Jump to content

Westwood College: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Westwood chooses not to support the cost of retraining students.
Tag: references removed
 
(15 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American private for-profit college}}
{{Infobox university
{{Infobox university
|name = Westwood College
|name = Westwood College
Line 15: Line 16:
|free =
|free =
|mascot =
|mascot =
|website =
|website = [http://www.westwood.edu www.westwood.edu]
}}
}}


Line 21: Line 22:


==History==
==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.
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 in 1997.


Westwood College became part of [[Alta Colleges Inc.]] (Alta), a system of for-profit [[higher education]] institutions that also included Westwood College Online and [[Redstone College]] (formerly known as Colorado Aero Tech in Denver). Prior to ceasing operations, there were 15 Westwood College campuses located in five states.
Westwood College became part of [[Alta Colleges Inc.]] (Alta), a system of for-profit [[higher education]] institutions that also included Westwood College Online and [[Redstone College]] (formerly known as Colorado Aero Tech in Denver). Prior to ceasing operations, there were 15 Westwood College campuses located in five states.


==Issues and controversies==
==Issues and controversies==
===2009 Class action suit===
===2009 class action suit===
In May 2009, Westwood settled a federal lawsuit over misrepresentation of its graduation statistics for $7 million, without admitting wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mytelka|first1=Andrew|title=Proprietary College to Pay $7-Million to Settle Federal Student-Aid Charges |url=http://chronicle.com/article/Proprietary-College-to-Pay-/42773/|access-date=5 May 2015|work=Chronicle of Higher Education|date=20 April 2009}}</ref>
In May 2009, Westwood settled a federal lawsuit over misrepresentation of its graduation statistics for $7 million {{USDCY|7000000|2009}}, without admitting wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mytelka|first1=Andrew|title=Proprietary College to Pay $7-Million to Settle Federal Student-Aid Charges |url=http://chronicle.com/article/Proprietary-College-to-Pay-/42773/|access-date=5 May 2015|work=Chronicle of Higher Education|date=20 April 2009}}</ref>


Westwood faced a class action arbitration in 2009, challenging its admissions and financial aid practices. The suit against Westwood was dismissed after the court found that it did not warrant class action status. The court ruled that the student who led the class-action suit derived "most if not all, of his knowledge of the case from his attorneys" and appeared to be little more than a bystander to the suit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.law.com/jsp/cc/PubArticleFriendlyCC.jsp?id=1202499577280|title=Corporate Counsel|publisher=law.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/01/10/judge-denies-class-action-suit-against-westwood/|title=Texas Judge Denies Class-Action Suit Against Westwood College Online Classes In Texas « CBS Dallas / Fort Worth|work=cbslocal.com}}</ref>
Westwood faced a class action arbitration in 2009, challenging its admissions and financial aid practices. The suit against Westwood was dismissed after the court found that it did not warrant class action status. The court ruled that the student who led the class-action suit derived "most if not all, of his knowledge of the case from his attorneys" and appeared to be little more than a bystander to the suit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.law.com/jsp/cc/PubArticleFriendlyCC.jsp?id=1202499577280|title=Corporate Counsel|publisher=law.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/judge-denies-class-action-suit-against-westwood/|title=Texas Judge Denies Class-Action Suit Against Westwood College Online Classes In Texas « CBS Dallas / Fort Worth|work=cbslocal.com}}</ref>


The [[Colorado Attorney General]]'s office reached a settlement with the college in 2012, following a two-year investigation, in which the college did not admit any liability but agreed to pay $2 million in penalties, restitution, and attorneys fees and costs to the state. Westwood was also required to credit another $2.5 million in restitution directly to students who financed their tuition with the school's institutional financing program.<ref name="Attorney General announces $4.5 million settlement with Westwood College">{{cite news|title=Colorado settles case with Westwood College|year=2012|newspaper=The Muscatine Journal|access-date=2012-03-14|url=http://muscatinejournal.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/colorado-settles-lawsuit-against-westwood-college/article_ff0a184a-742f-57ed-acbd-9a8bfbc32a64.html}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
The [[Colorado Attorney General]]'s office reached a settlement with the college in 2012, following a two-year investigation, in which the college did not admit any liability but agreed to pay $2 million {{USDCY|2000000|2012}} in penalties, restitution, and attorneys fees and costs to the state. Westwood was also required to credit another $2.5 million {{USDCY|2500000|2012}} in restitution directly to students who financed their tuition with the school's institutional financing program.<ref name="Attorney General announces $4.5 million settlement with Westwood College">{{cite news|title=Colorado settles case with Westwood College|year=2012|newspaper=The Muscatine Journal|access-date=2012-03-14|url=http://muscatinejournal.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/colorado-settles-lawsuit-against-westwood-college/article_ff0a184a-742f-57ed-acbd-9a8bfbc32a64.html}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


===2011 disqualification by Veterans administration===
===2011 disqualification by Veterans administration===
In 2011, the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|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."<ref>{{cite web|title=Durbin: VA Disqualifies Three Westwood College Campuses from GI Bill Program|url=http://durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=b4931a95-01a9-4113-b66c-6e3ae29f439d|work=[[Dick Durbin]] site|publisher=United States Senate|access-date=October 31, 2011}}</ref> In late 2011, Westwood stopped enrolling students in their Texas campuses.
In 2011, the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|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."<ref>{{cite web|title=Durbin: VA Disqualifies Three Westwood College Campuses from GI Bill Program|url=http://durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=b4931a95-01a9-4113-b66c-6e3ae29f439d|work=[[Dick Durbin]] site|publisher=United States Senate|access-date=October 31, 2011}}</ref> In late 2011, Westwood stopped enrolling students in their Texas campuses.


On January 18, 2012, Illinois Attorney General [[Lisa Madigan]] filed a lawsuit citing misleading job opportunities for Westwood's criminal justice program.<ref name="Madigan sues Westwood College over misleading degree claims">{{cite news | url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-madigan-sues-westwood-college-over-misleading-degree-claims-20120118,0,4357303.story | work=Chicago Tribune | title=Topic Galleries | access-date=2015-07-10 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128032853/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-madigan-sues-westwood-college-over-misleading-degree-claims-20120118,0,4357303.story | archive-date=2012-01-28 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Westwood settled the suit in 2015 after failing to gain dismissal of the case. Westwood agreed to pay $15 million toward the loans of their criminal justice students.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://abc7chicago.com/education/westwood-college-to-forgive-$15m-in-student-loans/1068354/|title= WESTWOOD COLLEGE TO FORGIVE $15M IN LOANS TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDENTS| publisher = ABC 7| date= 2015-11-04|access-date= 2015-11-14}}</ref> Shortly thereafter the college ceased admitting new students<ref name=IHE_no_new_students>{{cite web |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/12/08/profit-westwood-college-wont-accept-new-students |title=Fall of a For-Profit |author=Ashley A. Smith |website=[[Inside Higher Ed]] |date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=December 8, 2015}}</ref> and announced that it would close in March 2016.<ref name=closure /> Westwood has acknowledged that in most cases its credits will not transfer to other colleges or universities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westwood.edu/qa/credit-transfer/|title=How Does Transferring College Credits Work? - Westwood College|work=Westwood.edu|access-date=2015-07-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711205752/http://www.westwood.edu/qa/credit-transfer|archive-date=2015-07-11|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On January 18, 2012, Illinois Attorney General [[Lisa Madigan]] filed a lawsuit citing misleading job opportunities for Westwood's criminal justice program.<ref name="Madigan sues Westwood College over misleading degree claims">{{cite news | url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-madigan-sues-westwood-college-over-misleading-degree-claims-20120118,0,4357303.story | work=Chicago Tribune | title=Topic Galleries | access-date=2015-07-10 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128032853/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-madigan-sues-westwood-college-over-misleading-degree-claims-20120118,0,4357303.story | archive-date=2012-01-28 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Westwood settled the suit in 2015 after failing to gain dismissal of the case. Westwood agreed to pay $15 million {{USDCY|15000000|2015}} toward the loans of their criminal justice students.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://abc7chicago.com/education/westwood-college-to-forgive-$15m-in-student-loans/1068354/|title= WESTWOOD COLLEGE TO FORGIVE $15M IN LOANS TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDENTS| publisher = ABC 7| date= 2015-11-04|access-date= 2015-11-14}}</ref> Shortly thereafter the college ceased admitting new students<ref name=IHE_no_new_students>{{cite web |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/12/08/profit-westwood-college-wont-accept-new-students |title=Fall of a For-Profit |author=Ashley A. Smith |website=[[Inside Higher Ed]] |date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=December 8, 2015}}</ref> and announced that it would close in March 2016.<ref name=closure /> Westwood has acknowledged that in most cases its credits will not transfer to other colleges or universities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westwood.edu/qa/credit-transfer/|title=How Does Transferring College Credits Work? - Westwood College|work=Westwood.edu|access-date=2015-07-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711205752/http://www.westwood.edu/qa/credit-transfer|archive-date=2015-07-11|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Academics==
==Academics==
Line 48: Line 49:
Westwood College's degree programs were organized under six schools: School of Business, School of Design, School of Justice, School of Technology, School of Healthcare and Automotive Technology. Each campus had a different program focus and some programs were not available at certain locations, depending on the regional economic variables and demand.
Westwood College's degree programs were organized under six schools: School of Business, School of Design, School of Justice, School of Technology, School of Healthcare and Automotive Technology. Each campus had a different program focus and some programs were not available at certain locations, depending on the regional economic variables and demand.


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


New students were allowed to take classes for 30 days with no financial obligations. The school also offered an "Employment Pledge"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westwood.edu/why-westwood/pledge|title=Our Employment Pledge|website=Westwood College|access-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711205806/http://www.westwood.edu/why-westwood/pledge|archive-date=2015-07-11|url-status=dead}}</ref> to help eligible graduates financially if they were unable to find employment after graduation.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jordan |last=Steffen |date=14 March 2012 |title=Colorado Attorney General reaches settlement with Westwood, $2.5 million to be returned to students |url=http://www.denverpost.com/smart/ci_20172161/colorado-attorney-general-reaches-settlement-westwood-2-5|access-date=16 July 2015|newspaper=Denver Post}}</ref>
New students were allowed to take classes for 30 days with no financial obligations. The school also offered an "Employment Pledge"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westwood.edu/why-westwood/pledge|title=Our Employment Pledge|website=Westwood College|access-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711205806/http://www.westwood.edu/why-westwood/pledge|archive-date=2015-07-11|url-status=dead}}</ref> to help eligible graduates financially if they were unable to find employment after graduation.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jordan |last=Steffen |date=14 March 2012 |title=Colorado Attorney General reaches settlement with Westwood, $2.5 million to be returned to students |url=http://www.denverpost.com/smart/ci_20172161/colorado-attorney-general-reaches-settlement-westwood-2-5|access-date=16 July 2015|newspaper=Denver Post}}</ref>
Line 62: Line 62:
*[[California]]: [[Anaheim, California|Anaheim]],<ref name="Westwood College - Anaheim">{{cite web |title=Westwood College - Anaheim Campus |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegecalifornia.com/westwood-anaheim.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108232433/http://www.westwoodcollegecalifornia.com/westwood-anaheim.htm |archive-date=2008-01-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Upland, California|Upland]],<ref name="Westwood College - Inland Empire">{{cite web |title=Westwood College - Inland Empire Campus info |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegecalifornia.com/westwood-inland-empire.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108232438/http://www.westwoodcollegecalifornia.com/westwood-inland-empire.htm |archive-date=2008-01-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Los Angeles]] ([[Mid-Wilshire]]),<ref name="Westwood College - Los Angeles">{{cite web |title=Westwood College - Los Angeles Campus |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegecalifornia.com/westwood-los-angeles.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102091015/http://westwoodcollegecalifornia.com/westwood-los-angeles.htm |archive-date=2008-01-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Los Angeles ([[South Bay, Los Angeles|South Bay]]).<ref name="Westwood College - South Bay">{{cite web |title=Westwood College - South Bay Campus |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegecalifornia.com/campus/south-bay |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227180256/http://westwoodcollegecalifornia.com/campus/south-bay |archive-date=2011-02-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref><!--Despite what the address says, the school is not in Torrance-->
*[[California]]: [[Anaheim, California|Anaheim]],<ref name="Westwood College - Anaheim">{{cite web |title=Westwood College - Anaheim Campus |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegecalifornia.com/westwood-anaheim.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108232433/http://www.westwoodcollegecalifornia.com/westwood-anaheim.htm |archive-date=2008-01-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Upland, California|Upland]],<ref name="Westwood College - Inland Empire">{{cite web |title=Westwood College - Inland Empire Campus info |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegecalifornia.com/westwood-inland-empire.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108232438/http://www.westwoodcollegecalifornia.com/westwood-inland-empire.htm |archive-date=2008-01-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Los Angeles]] ([[Mid-Wilshire]]),<ref name="Westwood College - Los Angeles">{{cite web |title=Westwood College - Los Angeles Campus |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegecalifornia.com/westwood-los-angeles.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102091015/http://westwoodcollegecalifornia.com/westwood-los-angeles.htm |archive-date=2008-01-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Los Angeles ([[South Bay, Los Angeles|South Bay]]).<ref name="Westwood College - South Bay">{{cite web |title=Westwood College - South Bay Campus |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegecalifornia.com/campus/south-bay |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227180256/http://westwoodcollegecalifornia.com/campus/south-bay |archive-date=2011-02-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref><!--Despite what the address says, the school is not in Torrance-->
*[[Colorado]]: [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]] North (unincorporated [[Adams County, Colorado|Adams County]])<ref name="Westwood College - Denver North">{{cite web |title=Westwood College in Colorado - Denver North |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegecolorado.com/westwood-denver-north.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129181400/http://westwoodcollegecolorado.com/westwood-denver-north.htm |archive-date=2008-01-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref><!--the school is not in Westminster, nor is it in Denver--> and Denver South.<ref name="Westwood College - Denver South">{{cite web |title=Westwood College in Colorado - Denver South |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegecolorado.com/westwood-denver-south.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102105153/http://westwoodcollegecolorado.com/westwood-denver-south.htm |archive-date=2008-01-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref><!--the school is not in Sheridan-->
*[[Colorado]]: [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]] North (unincorporated [[Adams County, Colorado|Adams County]])<ref name="Westwood College - Denver North">{{cite web |title=Westwood College in Colorado - Denver North |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegecolorado.com/westwood-denver-north.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129181400/http://westwoodcollegecolorado.com/westwood-denver-north.htm |archive-date=2008-01-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref><!--the school is not in Westminster, nor is it in Denver--> and Denver South.<ref name="Westwood College - Denver South">{{cite web |title=Westwood College in Colorado - Denver South |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegecolorado.com/westwood-denver-south.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102105153/http://westwoodcollegecolorado.com/westwood-denver-south.htm |archive-date=2008-01-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref><!--the school is not in Sheridan-->

*[[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]: [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]] ([[Midtown Atlanta|Midtown]])<ref name="Westwood College - Midtown Atlanta">{{cite web |title=Westwood College in Georgia - Midtown Campus |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegegeorgia.com/westwood-atlanta-midtown.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027135932/http://www.westwoodcollegegeorgia.com/westwood-atlanta-midtown.htm |archive-date=2007-10-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[Northlake, Georgia|Northlake]] (unincorporated [[DeKalb County, Georgia|DeKalb County]]).<ref name="Westwood College - Northlake Atlanta">{{cite web |title=Westwood College in Georgia - Northlake Campus |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegegeorgia.com/westwood-atlanta-northlake.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027135956/http://www.westwoodcollegegeorgia.com/westwood-atlanta-northlake.htm |archive-date=2007-10-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Illinois]]: [[Chicago Loop]],<ref name="Westwood College - Chicago Loop">{{cite web |title=Westwood College in Chicago - Loop Campus |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegeillinois.com/westwood-chicago-loop.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121042721/http://westwoodcollegeillinois.com/westwood-chicago-loop.htm |archive-date=2008-01-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Woodridge, Illinois|Woodridge]] (DuPage),<ref name="Westwood College - DuPage">{{cite web |title=Westwood College in Chicago - DuPage Campus |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegeillinois.com/westwood-dupage.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121042726/http://www.westwoodcollegeillinois.com/westwood-dupage.htm |archive-date=2008-01-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago O'Hare Airport]],<ref name="Westwood College - O'Hare Airport">{{cite web|title=Westwood College in Chicago - O'Hare Airport Campus | date=n.d.|publisher=Westwood College | access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegeillinois.com/westwood-chicago-o-hare.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071229163513/http://www.westwoodcollegeillinois.com/westwood-chicago-o-hare.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-12-29}}</ref> and [[Calumet City, Illinois|Calumet City]] (River Oaks).<ref name="Westwood College - River Oaks">{{cite web |title=Westwood College in Chicago - River Oaks Campus |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegeillinois.com/westwood-river-oaks.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115121802/http://westwoodcollegeillinois.com/westwood-river-oaks.htm |archive-date=2008-01-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Illinois]]: [[Chicago Loop]],<ref name="Westwood College - Chicago Loop">{{cite web |title=Westwood College in Chicago - Loop Campus |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegeillinois.com/westwood-chicago-loop.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121042721/http://westwoodcollegeillinois.com/westwood-chicago-loop.htm |archive-date=2008-01-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Woodridge, Illinois|Woodridge]] (DuPage),<ref name="Westwood College - DuPage">{{cite web |title=Westwood College in Chicago - DuPage Campus |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegeillinois.com/westwood-dupage.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121042726/http://www.westwoodcollegeillinois.com/westwood-dupage.htm |archive-date=2008-01-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago O'Hare Airport]],<ref name="Westwood College - O'Hare Airport">{{cite web|title=Westwood College in Chicago - O'Hare Airport Campus | date=n.d.|publisher=Westwood College | access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegeillinois.com/westwood-chicago-o-hare.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071229163513/http://www.westwoodcollegeillinois.com/westwood-chicago-o-hare.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-12-29}}</ref> and [[Calumet City, Illinois|Calumet City]] (River Oaks).<ref name="Westwood College - River Oaks">{{cite web |title=Westwood College in Chicago - River Oaks Campus |date=n.d. |publisher=Westwood College |access-date=2008-01-14 |url=http://www.westwoodcollegeillinois.com/westwood-river-oaks.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115121802/http://westwoodcollegeillinois.com/westwood-river-oaks.htm |archive-date=2008-01-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Texas]]: [[Dallas]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westwood.edu/locations/texas/dallas-campus/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527113854/http://www.westwood.edu/locations/texas/dallas-campus/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-05-27|title=Dallas Campus|publisher=Westwood College|date=2010-05-27|access-date=2019-11-14}}</ref> [[Fort Worth]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westwood.edu/locations/texas/fort-worth-campus/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527114112/http://www.westwood.edu/locations/texas/fort-worth-campus/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-05-27|title=Fort Worth Campus|publisher=Westwood College|date=2010-05-27|access-date=2019-11-14}}</ref> [[Houston]] ([[Arena Place]], [[Southwest Management District]])<ref>"[http://www.westwood.edu/locations/texas/houston-south-campus/ Houston South Campus] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527114000/http://www.westwood.edu/locations/texas/houston-south-campus/ |date=May 27, 2010 }}." Westwood College. Retrieved on April 24, 2010.</ref>
*[[Texas]]: [[Dallas]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westwood.edu/locations/texas/dallas-campus/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527113854/http://www.westwood.edu/locations/texas/dallas-campus/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-05-27|title=Dallas Campus|publisher=Westwood College|date=2010-05-27|access-date=2019-11-14}}</ref> [[Fort Worth]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westwood.edu/locations/texas/fort-worth-campus/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527114112/http://www.westwood.edu/locations/texas/fort-worth-campus/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-05-27|title=Fort Worth Campus|publisher=Westwood College|date=2010-05-27|access-date=2019-11-14}}</ref> [[Houston]] ([[Arena Place]], [[Southwest Management District]])<ref>"[http://www.westwood.edu/locations/texas/houston-south-campus/ Houston South Campus] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527114000/http://www.westwood.edu/locations/texas/houston-south-campus/ |date=May 27, 2010 }}." Westwood College. Retrieved on April 24, 2010.</ref>
Line 82: Line 82:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.westwood.edu/ Official website]
*[http://www.westwoodcollegefoundation.org/ Official website]
{{Colleges and universities in Virginia}}

{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}


Line 95: Line 95:
[[Category:Defunct private universities and colleges in Texas]]
[[Category:Defunct private universities and colleges in Texas]]
[[Category:Defunct private universities and colleges in Virginia]]
[[Category:Defunct private universities and colleges in Virginia]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1953]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1953]]
[[Category:Educational institutions disestablished in 2016]]
[[Category:Educational institutions disestablished in 2016]]
[[Category:Former for-profit universities and colleges in the United States]]
[[Category:Former for-profit universities and colleges in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 21:29, 23 April 2024

Westwood College
TypePrivate for-profit college
Active1953–2016
Location
Southern California, Denver, Atlanta, Chicago, Westwood College Online
,
California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, and Virginia
,
United States

Westwood College was a private for-profit college owned by Alta Colleges Inc. with 15 campus locations in five states and online learning options. Westwood was nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).[1] Since its inception in 1986, Westwood graduated more than 37,000 students.[2][3] The college closed in March 2016.[4][5]

History

[edit]

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 in 1997.

Westwood College became part of Alta Colleges Inc. (Alta), a system of for-profit higher education institutions that also included Westwood College Online and Redstone College (formerly known as Colorado Aero Tech in Denver). Prior to ceasing operations, there were 15 Westwood College campuses located in five states.

Issues and controversies

[edit]

2009 class action suit

[edit]

In May 2009, Westwood settled a federal lawsuit over misrepresentation of its graduation statistics for $7 million ($9.94 million in 2023), without admitting wrongdoing.[6]

Westwood faced a class action arbitration in 2009, challenging its admissions and financial aid practices. The suit against Westwood was dismissed after the court found that it did not warrant class action status. The court ruled that the student who led the class-action suit derived "most if not all, of his knowledge of the case from his attorneys" and appeared to be little more than a bystander to the suit.[7][8]

The Colorado Attorney General's office reached a settlement with the college in 2012, following a two-year investigation, in which the college did not admit any liability but agreed to pay $2 million ($2.65 million in 2023) in penalties, restitution, and attorneys fees and costs to the state. Westwood was also required to credit another $2.5 million ($3.32 million in 2023) in restitution directly to students who financed their tuition with the school's institutional financing program.[9]

2011 disqualification by Veterans administration

[edit]

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."[10] In late 2011, Westwood stopped enrolling students in their Texas campuses.

On January 18, 2012, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit citing misleading job opportunities for Westwood's criminal justice program.[11] Westwood settled the suit in 2015 after failing to gain dismissal of the case. Westwood agreed to pay $15 million ($19.3 million in 2023) toward the loans of their criminal justice students.[12] Shortly thereafter the college ceased admitting new students[13] and announced that it would close in March 2016.[5] Westwood has acknowledged that in most cases its credits will not transfer to other colleges or universities.[14]

Academics

[edit]

Westwood College Online offered 25 degree programs. Coursework was completed entirely over the Internet via audio/visual technology designed to mimic an actual classroom. The virtual classrooms were supplemented with real textbooks.

Westwood College established partnerships with several public school districts to provide technology, support and money.[15] The partnerships include Atlanta Public Schools,[16] "A Better Chicago"[17] and the Crushers Club in Chicago,[18] and the KidsTek[19] program at Denver Public Schools.[20]

Curriculum

[edit]

Westwood College operated on a term schedule. Degree programs started five times a year, and courses were offered year-round during the day, evening, and online. Depending on the degree program in which they were enrolled, students could earn an associate degree in as little as 20 months or a bachelor's degree in three years.

Westwood College's degree programs were organized under six schools: School of Business, School of Design, School of Justice, School of Technology, School of Healthcare and Automotive Technology. Each campus had a different program focus and some programs were not available at certain locations, depending on the regional economic variables and demand.


New students were allowed to take classes for 30 days with no financial obligations. The school also offered an "Employment Pledge"[21] to help eligible graduates financially if they were unable to find employment after graduation.[22]

Accreditation

[edit]

Westwood College's campus locations were nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).[23][24][25][26][27][28] Each campus was also approved to operate by the appropriate state regulatory bodies.[29][30][31]

Locations

[edit]
Westwood College Denver North Campus

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

Admissions and financial aid

[edit]

Prior to December 2015, Westwood had an open admissions policy.[47] Applicants were eligible for both Pell grants and federal student loans. In an August 4, 2010 report from the Government Accountability Office, Westwood College was named as one of 15 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.[48] During a congressional hearing to present the report, testimony by a former Westwood admissions representative provided a descriptive account of a "boiler-room" sales atmosphere that enrolled students who "would end up with a mountain of debt and little or nothing to show for it.".[49]

Closure in 2016

[edit]

On November 12, 2015, Westwood suspended all enrollment citing poor enrollment and new government regulations.[50] On January 25, 2016, the school sent email to current and former students advising them that Westwood College would be closing its doors in March after the conclusion of the January 2016 term. The email also informed students of their options for transferring credits to partner schools as well as student loan information.[51] On March 29, 2016, Westwood officially acknowledged the closing of all 15 campuses, effective on March 8, 2016.[52]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "ACICS Member directory". Personify.acics.org. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  2. ^ "Westwood Graduate Stories". Westwoodcollegesuccess.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-29. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  3. ^ "Westwood College; About us". Westwood.edu. Archived from the original on 2015-09-05. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  4. ^ "Westwood College closing after freezing enrollment". The Denver Post. 2016-01-28. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  5. ^ a b "Westwood College Announces It Will Close In March". CBS4. January 27, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  6. ^ Mytelka, Andrew (20 April 2009). "Proprietary College to Pay $7-Million to Settle Federal Student-Aid Charges". Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  7. ^ "Corporate Counsel". law.com.
  8. ^ "Texas Judge Denies Class-Action Suit Against Westwood College Online Classes In Texas « CBS Dallas / Fort Worth". cbslocal.com.
  9. ^ "Colorado settles case with Westwood College". The Muscatine Journal. 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-14.[permanent dead link‍]
  10. ^ "Durbin: VA Disqualifies Three Westwood College Campuses from GI Bill Program". Dick Durbin site. United States Senate. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  11. ^ "Topic Galleries". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-01-28. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  12. ^ "WESTWOOD COLLEGE TO FORGIVE $15M IN LOANS TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDENTS". ABC 7. 2015-11-04. Retrieved 2015-11-14.
  13. ^ Ashley A. Smith (December 8, 2015). "Fall of a For-Profit". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  14. ^ "How Does Transferring College Credits Work? - Westwood College". Westwood.edu. Archived from the original on 2015-07-11. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  15. ^ "Westwood Partnerships". Westwood College. Archived from the original on 2015-07-11. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  16. ^ "Westwood College Provides Donations and Sponsorships at Area High Schools to Help Students Succeed". BusinessWires. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  17. ^ "Westwood College Partners with a Better Chicago and Crushers Club to Raise Money for Youth Programs". BusinessWires. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  18. ^ "Restore the Path. Rebuild the streets". crushersclub.org. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  19. ^ "KidsTek - Reach Higher Through Technology Education". kidstek.org. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  20. ^ "Westwood College Provides Donations and Sponsorships at Area High Schools to Help Students Succeed". BusinessWires. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  21. ^ "Our Employment Pledge". Westwood College. Archived from the original on 2015-07-11. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  22. ^ Steffen, Jordan (14 March 2012). "Colorado Attorney General reaches settlement with Westwood, $2.5 million to be returned to students". Denver Post. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  23. ^ "ACICS - Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools". October 12, 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-10-16. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  24. ^ Jaschik, Scott (October 19, 2005). "Demanding Credit". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
  25. ^ Lederman, Doug (February 26, 2007). "Tussling Over Transfer of Credit". Inside Higher ED. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
  26. ^ "What is the difference between regional and national accreditation?". Yahoo! Help. n.d. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
  27. ^ "Types of Accreditation". WorldWideLearn. n.d. Retrieved 2010-10-13.
  28. ^ "ACICS Directory of Accredited Institutions" (PDF). June 1, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-07-05. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
  29. ^ Robles, Yesenia (2011-03-05). "Colorado takes Westwood College off probation, grants full accreditation". Denver Post.
  30. ^ "Wisconsin Directory of Private Postsecondary Schools" (PDF). Eab.state.wi.us. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  31. ^ "Westwood College Accreditation". Westwood College. n.d. Archived from the original on 2010-12-07. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  32. ^ "Westwood College - Anaheim Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Archived from the original on 2008-01-08. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  33. ^ "Westwood College - Inland Empire Campus info". Westwood College. n.d. Archived from the original on 2008-01-08. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  34. ^ "Westwood College - Los Angeles Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Archived from the original on 2008-01-02. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  35. ^ "Westwood College - South Bay Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Archived from the original on 2011-02-27. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  36. ^ "Westwood College in Colorado - Denver North". Westwood College. n.d. Archived from the original on 2008-01-29. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  37. ^ "Westwood College in Colorado - Denver South". Westwood College. n.d. Archived from the original on 2008-01-02. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  38. ^ "Westwood College in Chicago - Loop Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Archived from the original on 2008-01-21. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  39. ^ "Westwood College in Chicago - DuPage Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Archived from the original on 2008-01-21. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  40. ^ "Westwood College in Chicago - O'Hare Airport Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Archived from the original on 2007-12-29. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  41. ^ "Westwood College in Chicago - River Oaks Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Archived from the original on 2008-01-15. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  42. ^ "Dallas Campus". Westwood College. 2010-05-27. Archived from the original on 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  43. ^ "Fort Worth Campus". Westwood College. 2010-05-27. Archived from the original on 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  44. ^ "Houston South Campus Archived May 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." Westwood College. Retrieved on April 24, 2010.
  45. ^ "Westwood College in Virginia - Annandale Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Archived from the original on 2008-01-12. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  46. ^ "Westwood College in Virginia - Arlington Campus". Westwood College. n.d. Archived from the original on 2008-01-12. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  47. ^ National Center for Education Statistics (2008). "College Navigator - Westwood College". Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  48. ^ Vise, Daniel de; Paul Kane (2010-08-05). "GAO: 15 for-profit colleges used deceptive recruiting tactics". The Washington Post. ISSN 0740-5421. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  49. ^ "Data" (PDF). Senate.gov. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  50. ^ Clay, Joanna (2015-11-12). "Westwood College stops enrollment, Anaheim students left confused". The Orange County Register.
  51. ^ Pagano, Lou (2016-01-25). ""Important Announcement" email from Chief Operating Officer Lou Pagano".
  52. ^ Gray, Albert (2016-03-29). "Westwood Acknowledgement of Campus Closures" (PDF). Westwood College. Retrieved 2016-07-01.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Westwood_College&oldid=1220453736"