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When I had entered Westwood College, I was told that Westwood was accredited, that any college would take my credits. Whe I wanted to transfer to another college, that college told me that they wouldn't take my credits. That Westwood College was not accredited. At first, I thought that I misunderstood when Westwood told me that they were accredited, But now I see that I was just another victim of Westwood College. This was in mid 2008. Now I have to pay over $15K, for what? for nothing, no degree and no credits. They just took that money and I got nothing to show for it.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
yes westwood college is not accredited i heard of many scams from that school i was gonna go there myself but i didn't, you should have gone to a community college in your hometown, most community college have a good accredition and most universities accept credits from them, try to warn other people about this school is not worth
I too was cheated by them...I lost many years and money because of them...my email address is enriquez.r@gmail.com. Westwood got sued by 60 students in Texas and the students won. Lets do it again.
Well, if you read their accreditation page http://www.westwood.edu/why-westwood/about-us/accreditation/, it's very misleading. It says they are accredited, but doesn't explain what their accreditation actually means. Also, they like to remove class subjects from the program without the consent of the students. They just removed all the business classes from many programs. Also, they do not teach you all the programming languages you need in the real world to get a job. For example, they are not teaching PHP (as I was promised they did when I inquired about attending), they are only teaching ASP because supposedly that's all the fortune 500 businesses want. Funny how every job I've been searching for requires PHP. Also, the Web Design program is that, DESIGN. Not what most companies are looking for. I wish I would have found this site before signing up. Oh, and when I said I couldn't afford the $100 entrance fee until I got my taxes and wanted to sign up when I got my taxes. I was told I can't do that because I would miss the deadline for the term. Well, I could have because terms are only 10 weeks. Plus, conveniently, there was a promotion for entrance fees only being $25 for 1 day only. Weird.
They claim that they are trying to obtain the Higher Learning Commission accreditation; which they have been doing so for five years (which would make them nationally accredited). They do have ACICS accreditation, which is something they have done annually. I know that most that complain here are students, but have you noticed the turn-over rate of staff/faculty? There is a reason why. Since it is a for-profit organization, they work the staff to burn-out. As a former employee, I can attest to this. I have never walked out on a job; but I never worked for an institution like this either. They do not follow the HR manual that is given out on the first day of the job; the staff is cutthroat. The establishment is run like a business, not an institution of learning. I have seen so many people in and out; just like a rotating door. I worked there less than a year. I've seen who they let enter; reading and writing levels are not good at all AND for those who have obtained a higher level of education already, be forewarned: they have to move slower to catch up for students that fall below the curve.
Honestly if you put forth the effort, you will learn something.
Just be prepared regarding the admission standards.
noname234, you are mistaken. Westwood College is nationally accredited. If they were to obtain HLC accreditation, that would make them regionally accredited.
victor, did you get any federal student loans or financial aid? The government will not give financial aid if you're attending a nonaccredited school.
(I am in no way affiliated with Westwood College. I actually work for one of their competitors.)
EVERYONE WANTING TO ATTEND WESTWOOD COLLEGE!
After extensive research on accreditation and other distance learning degree programs (online), I have come to find that MOST schools have MANY negative complaints. Westwood is accredited like ITT tech and Devry. Yes! Credits do transfer!, depending on the next institution you chose. Regionally Accredited schools also want YOUR MONEY! Why wouldn't they. Do ask to get why they won’t accept credits in writing and DO YOUR HOMEWORK BY RESEARCHING THE BEST SCHOOL TO TRANSFER TO. It is up to you to take your life by the ropes. Do you think a job will be handed to you because you have ANY piece of paper (degree) from ANY College, regional or national accredited, NO. What I have learned is you get out on what you put in, which is the truth. If you are a student that only works mediocrity levels your portfolio will reflect that and so your job opportunities will diminish. DO US ALL A FAVOR, research, research, research!
I have a bachelor’s degree from WESTWOOD COLLEGE ONLINE INTERIOR DESIGN PROGRAM. I WORK FOR THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS. I pushed myself 150% through school, did not give up, did not blame, took responsibility for MY life and used what I LEARNED through my experience at Westwood. I can tell you what got me hired: My Interview, my portfolio, and my experience, NOT the school I attended. For a short time I attended a school that was Regional (WASC), National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and even Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER) as a Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), that school was BIG money for less personal challenges. It is important to educate yourself as you will become aware of if you decide to get your degree through distant learning methods.
I hope that this has helped you make your decision, I would advise that before you chose your school of choice search that school name with "reviews" after, as you should do for many other schools offering the degree your interested in, and read. Read ALL the negatives reviews that all students find through ANY school. Some valid complaints some I found as the "whiny kid syndrome" that only last maybe a semester because they can't take the pressure and it must be the schools fault not theirs, right? WRONG! The reason you find a few positive reviews on any site is because most of us have jobs or are gaining experience through internships or out networking. I have finally taken the time to write something as I am not trying you SELL you Westwood but SHOW you that it can be done with hard work regardless of what school you end up choosing. Happy hunting everyone! :0
I LOVED WEST WOOD, i graduated and got my degree in business administration and marketing management through the online program. yes, many people have to realize that many school credits don't transfer. I went to a community college in my area and was 15 credits short i wanted to transfer and i would have had to take another 50 to graduate from the new school because there are many lines. West wood college is a great school, they are accredited, and i have government and Stafford loans. the government won't give out loans for schools that aren't accredited. I get a yearly PELL grant as well for being a single mom. Education costs money, no matter how u go to school.
These private joke-ster institutions do, in fact, accredit themselves. They are mostly nationally accredited(which has no value in the traditional academic world) or, as I just noticed on the CDI webpage, are regionally accredited by a PRIVATE accreditation body(another meaningless designation with NO value!) I assume CDI/Everest (or whatever they will change their name to in the near future) caught wind of the fact that the public is starting to know the differences amongst the accreditations and are now trying to trick people with this BS!
REAL Universities and Colleges are regionally/provincially accredited and you will not find mention of anything PRIVATE in their accreditations.
You can bet your sorry [censor] that if you complete any private school program and try to transfer to a traditional provincial school they will REJECT all of your useless credits. I know that many ex-students are excited when Kaplan or U of P or DeVry or Westwood takes the credits but they are also PRIVATE schools...same [censor], different name.
REAL schools work in semesters and base their degrees and diplomas on time frames ranging from 2-6 years of study. Private schools attempt to guarantee equivalent programs(schyaa right!) in the span of 6-12 months and courses are broken up into modules(2 weeks crash courses on the very basics of each topic!) Totally different format, content and ultimately, results!
As a final note, I went to CDI(now everest) and formerly the toronto school of business. One of my classmates attempted to transfer his credits to the local University and was rejected. The person at the registrar's office supposedly asked him: "why are you wasting your time"(referring to him attending CDI) At least that is what he claims and I do believe him.
Please file a complaint with the Attorney General of Colorado if you have been wronged by Westwood College. I just filed my complaint, and if we get enough complaints, maybe something can be done about it. I too was a victim to their dishonest practices. We need to make them responsible for screwing over so many students.
Here is the link to the Attorney General:
https://www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/departments/consumer_protection/file_consumer_complaint/consumer_complaint_form
I have filed also, lookign at your other posts to the attorney general of colorado.. because i went to westwood for 2-3 months and was todl the school is unaccredited and those who went for criminal justice years prior with graduating had issues finding work.