Westcliff University: Irvine Programs Overview

Westcliff University, situated in Irvine, California, offers a range of programs designed to cater to diverse academic and professional aspirations. As a California Benefit University, Westcliff is committed to serving its students, staff, faculty, and the broader community. With regional accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and global accreditation for its business programs from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), Westcliff provides accessible and affordable education. The university's strategic location in the heart of Orange County places it near Southern California attractions, including beaches, mountains, and entertainment venues.

Academic Structure and Programs

Westcliff University is organized into several colleges, each focusing on specific disciplines:

College of Technology & Engineering (COTE): Offers STEM-based programs with a focus on computer science, information technology, engineering, and emerging technologies.
College of Business: Provides undergraduate and graduate degrees in Business Administration, including BBA, MBA, and DBA programs.
College of Education: Offers programs such as the Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAEd), Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA TESOL), the Reimagining English as an Additional Language Program (REAL), and the Doctor of Education in Leadership, Curriculum, and Instruction (EdD).

These colleges provide a range of programs from bachelor's to doctoral levels, including short certificates. All programs are available in both on-campus and online formats, providing flexibility for students.

College of Technology & Engineering (COTE)

Westcliff University’s College of Technology & Engineering (COTE) offers undergraduate and graduate-level programs and certificates in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), computer and advanced technologies. The COTE innovative curriculum is designed and taught by highly credentialed and experienced faculty that possess relevant, pragmatic, and industry-validated knowledge. Westcliff University’s COTE offers a STEM-based curriculum with a focus on computer science, information technology, engineering, and emerging technologies. The COTE operates under the auspices of the university’s accrediting bodies, and the institution’s learning outcomes. The COTE is headed by the Dean, Dr. Tony R. Westcliff University’s College of Technology & Engineering’s (COTE) primary mission is to prepare a future generation of college graduates by providing a robust STEM-based curriculum designed to enhance their technical acumen, thus enabling, inspiring, and empowering COTE graduates from around the world to create, innovate, and sustain the 21st-century globalized economy.

The Master of Science Information Technology (MSIT) degree program provides a holistic perspective to the field of Information Technology to ensure that students develop knowledge about a vast array of technology that drives 21st century business. The Master of Science Computer Science (MSCS) program is designed to advance the professional careers of technologists in the field of computing. The Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) degree program is highly relevant to organizations who are continually striving to close the gap between engineering, technology, and management for performance. The Bachelor of Science in Information technology (BSIT) program offered by Westcliff University is an interdisciplinary program from a holistic perspective, with an emphasis on information technology.

College of Business

The Westcliff College of Business offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Business Administration. The BBA, MBA and DBA degrees are meant for working professionals who want to further their careers in business, whether they are pursuing jobs in management, leadership, and consulting or wish to become business entrepreneurs themselves.

The cornerstone of a Westcliff University business degree is the development of analytical reasoning skills that are immediately applicable to the real world. Our students graduate with the ability to critically assess a company and its challenges, and to generate creative solutions that are grounded in business principles. Westcliff University’s College of Business mission is to deliver a high-quality business education that can improve the lives of students, personally and professionally. The College’s teaching philosophy is to vitalize business concepts by offering a curriculum in a pragmatic and relevant framework.

College of Education

The Westcliff College of Education offers English courses, a Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAEd), a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA TESOL), the Reimagining English as an Additional Language Program (REAL), and a Doctor of Education in Leadership, Curriculum, and Instruction (EdD). Our curriculum, whether taught via an online or hybrid platform, is comprehensive and innovative. At Westcliff University, you’ll develop your critical thinking and writing skills, conduct linguistic analysis, and learn the latest in curriculum development using up-to-the-minute educational technology.

Westcliff University’s Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA TESOL) program is tailored specifically for working adults. Many Westcliff University students pursue their MA TESOL because they are passionate about education. Some TESOL students are attracted to the prospect of living and working abroad. Still, other TESOL students find that our curriculum helps them reach the students they already have. In today’s multicultural classroom, it is common for K-12 teachers to work with ELL students.

The mission of the Westcliff University College of Education is to develop and prepare skilled and informed educators, scholars, and researchers who create responsible learning communities.

Read also: Gap Year and Academic Programs

Campus Life and Student Support

Westcliff's Irvine campus offers a supportive environment with an active community. While the university does not offer on-campus housing, a Student Housing Resource Guide assists students in finding housing in Irvine and nearby areas. The Alumni Affairs & Career Services Center is dedicated to helping students build successful careers after graduation.

Athletics

Athletics are a vibrant part of life at Westcliff, with student-athletes from around the world. The Westcliff athletic teams are called the Warriors and compete in a variety of intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, wrestling, surf and water polo, while women's sports include softball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, wrestling, cheer and surf. For the 2023-24 season, Westcliff University's Athletics Department was awarded the NAIA Champions of Character 5-Star Institution Gold Status.

Student Clubs and Activities

Westcliff’s Irvine campus is home to many student clubs, from professional development to sports and nature appreciation. The university also organizes events such as picnics, yoga sessions, and trips to local attractions to enhance student engagement and well-being.

Accreditation and Recognition

Westcliff University is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Westcliff's business programs are globally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, (ACBSP). Westcliff offers specialized guidance, assistance, and benefits to military and veteran students and is proud to be recognized as a Silver Military Friendly school. Westcliff University has been named the Award of Excellence - Business of the Year (Education) by the Corona Chamber of Commerce, recognizing the impact of its College of Nursing Corona campus in advancing career-driven education, workforce development and community leadership.

Global Reach and Diversity

Westcliff University has a diverse student body, representing over 80 different nationalities. The university also has a campus in Toronto, Canada, offering industry-aligned graduate education. Westcliff's programs are designed to support the integration of classroom instruction into the real world of business, STEM, and education.

Read also: Scholarship Guide

Admissions and Enrollment

Westcliff University has 6 intakes a year and averages ~$13,000-17,000 in tuition per year. In fall , the university reported 7,190 students. Among those students, 1,817 were first-time undergraduate students and 144 were undergraduate transfer students. Nearly all (95%) of those students were enrolled full-time; over half of them (58%) came from outside the United States and 36% of the domestic students came from states other than California. The university enrolled 3,808 graduate students.

Social Responsibility

Westcliff University established the Social Responsibility Committee in 2022 to collaborate with local nonprofits. According to a 2023 Companies That Care special report by the Orange County Business Journal, the university's impact more than doubled in 2023, with donations reaching $68,843 and volunteer hours exceeding 5,188 compared to $17,000 and 634 hours in 2022. The university collaborates with the Inclusive Sports Foundation, local schools, and community organizations to host an annual Inclusive Sports Day.

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