West Coast University
Encyclopedia
West Coast University (WCU) is a for-profit, healthcare oriented university located in southern California
and Dallas, Texas. WCU was founded in 1909 as an ophthalmology school (Medicine and Jurisprudence). It has campuses in North Hollywood, Anaheim and Ontario, California
. It is not related to a school of the same name operating in Panama
or other parts of Latin America
.
The success of this program led the University to expand and diversify its academic offerings to include business, management, computer science, industrial technology and professional health science. Associate in Science and Master's degree programs were introduced in the 1960's and 1970's. An extensive academic and administrative reorganization in 1981 resulted in the establishment of three colleges: The College of Business and Management, the College of Engineering, and the College of Letters and Sciences, and created the Division of General Studies. The College of Arts and Sciences helped students develop understanding in communications, the humanities, and the natural and social sciences. The College offered certificate programs and an Associate's degree in Liberal Studies. The College also administered the University's English Language Institute and offered Certificate programs in English as a Second Language and English for Working Purposes. The engineering programs were extremely job-relevant, and included Associate Degree programs in Applied Science, Computer Science Healthcare Management, and Health Science. The engineering programs also included Bachelor's Degree programs in Computer Science and Engineering (with options in Electrical, Electromechanical, Industrial and Mechanical Engineering). In addition, WCU provided Bachelor's programs in Industrial Technology (with options in Manufacturing, Product Support/Logistics, Program Management, Quality Assurance, Robotics, Technical Computing, and Environmental Management). The Graduate programs included Master's degrees in Aerospace Systems, Computer Science (with options in Artificial Intelligence, Information Systems Design and Software Engineering); Engineering (with options in Aerospace, Astronautical, Electrical, Mechanical, and Systems); Engineering Management, and Technical Management (with options in Environmental, International Technology, and Acquisition and Contracts). The College of Business and Management Offered Associate's and Bachelor's degrees in Business Administration, and a diversified offering of Masters Degree programs, including MBA (with options in Accounting, Acquisitions and Contract Management, Environmental Management, Finance, International Business, Logistics Management, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Program Management, Systems Management, and Total Quality Management); International Business Administration; Management Information Systems; Acquisition and Contracts; Environmental; Information Systems; Program; as well as an Executive MBA. In the 1970 time-frame, WCU was accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and was approved for education and instruction by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, State of California. WCU was approved for Veteran's Educational Benefits and was authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.
Greg Jarvis, one of the astronauts on the Space Shuttle Challenger, was a West Coast University alumnus. He was scheduled to receive his diploma, for a management science degree, on the shuttle, and would have been the first person to receive a degree in space. To honor his memory, West Coast University posthumously awarded Jarvis with a distinguished alumnus award on May 15, 2011.
In the late 1990's, there were five campuses located in Los Angeles (2,000 students), Orange County (1,000 students), San Diego County (400 students), Santa Barbara (200 students), and Ventura county (150 students).
In 1997 WCU came under new leadership and the programs were re-organized. All programs are now focused on the healthcare industry and include nursing, dental hygiene, and healthcare management. West Coast University's owner is also the owner of American Career College
. West Coast University is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program or YRP).
These programs are offered year-round, with ten week terms.
Additionally, WCU offers Master of Science programs at the Los Angeles campus.
These programs are also offered year-round and can be completed in approximately 15 months.
. The Ontario campus is located at 2855 E. Guasti Road in Ontario, California
. Each campus includes classrooms, computer labs, and practice laboratories. The Orange County campus includes a full dental hygiene clinic where students practice their skills on local patients. The Dallas campus is located at 8435 Stemmons Freeway.
(ACICS). ACICS' approval authorizes WCU to award Associate and Bachelor of Science degrees in Nursing, Business Administration, Dental Hygiene, and Health Care Administration.
West Coast University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
(WASC).
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
(CCNE) and is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
and Dallas, Texas. WCU was founded in 1909 as an ophthalmology school (Medicine and Jurisprudence). It has campuses in North Hollywood, Anaheim and Ontario, California
Ontario, California
Ontario is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, United States, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Located in the western part of the Inland Empire region, it lies just east of the Los Angeles county line and is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area...
. It is not related to a school of the same name operating in Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
or other parts of Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
.
History
The University first became identified with the fields of engineering and science and management in 1938 when an intensive program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering was introduced. http://www.wcuwebsite.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=51 This program, with certain changes necessitated by the United States participation in World War II, was offered continuously through 1946. This engineering focus was later expanded to include majors in electrical and mechanical engineering, mathematics, and applied physics, under the direction and guidance of Dr Victor Elconin. http://genealogy.math.ndsu.nodak.edu/id.php?id=10383 As Dr. Elconin became increasingly aware of an important segment of the population which wanted to earn a degree but could not due to their daytime employment, the university developed an accelerated program which was concentrated and systematic, but still provided a thorough background in the mathematical and physical sciences, and developed an evening-only schedule. In 1953, WCU was one of the first schools to offer Bachelor degree programs to working adults. The University initiated an evening-only program based on a schedule of six two-month academic terms (half trimesters), and became known as "the university for working adults."The success of this program led the University to expand and diversify its academic offerings to include business, management, computer science, industrial technology and professional health science. Associate in Science and Master's degree programs were introduced in the 1960's and 1970's. An extensive academic and administrative reorganization in 1981 resulted in the establishment of three colleges: The College of Business and Management, the College of Engineering, and the College of Letters and Sciences, and created the Division of General Studies. The College of Arts and Sciences helped students develop understanding in communications, the humanities, and the natural and social sciences. The College offered certificate programs and an Associate's degree in Liberal Studies. The College also administered the University's English Language Institute and offered Certificate programs in English as a Second Language and English for Working Purposes. The engineering programs were extremely job-relevant, and included Associate Degree programs in Applied Science, Computer Science Healthcare Management, and Health Science. The engineering programs also included Bachelor's Degree programs in Computer Science and Engineering (with options in Electrical, Electromechanical, Industrial and Mechanical Engineering). In addition, WCU provided Bachelor's programs in Industrial Technology (with options in Manufacturing, Product Support/Logistics, Program Management, Quality Assurance, Robotics, Technical Computing, and Environmental Management). The Graduate programs included Master's degrees in Aerospace Systems, Computer Science (with options in Artificial Intelligence, Information Systems Design and Software Engineering); Engineering (with options in Aerospace, Astronautical, Electrical, Mechanical, and Systems); Engineering Management, and Technical Management (with options in Environmental, International Technology, and Acquisition and Contracts). The College of Business and Management Offered Associate's and Bachelor's degrees in Business Administration, and a diversified offering of Masters Degree programs, including MBA (with options in Accounting, Acquisitions and Contract Management, Environmental Management, Finance, International Business, Logistics Management, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Program Management, Systems Management, and Total Quality Management); International Business Administration; Management Information Systems; Acquisition and Contracts; Environmental; Information Systems; Program; as well as an Executive MBA. In the 1970 time-frame, WCU was accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and was approved for education and instruction by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, State of California. WCU was approved for Veteran's Educational Benefits and was authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.
Greg Jarvis, one of the astronauts on the Space Shuttle Challenger, was a West Coast University alumnus. He was scheduled to receive his diploma, for a management science degree, on the shuttle, and would have been the first person to receive a degree in space. To honor his memory, West Coast University posthumously awarded Jarvis with a distinguished alumnus award on May 15, 2011.
In the late 1990's, there were five campuses located in Los Angeles (2,000 students), Orange County (1,000 students), San Diego County (400 students), Santa Barbara (200 students), and Ventura county (150 students).
In 1997 WCU came under new leadership and the programs were re-organized. All programs are now focused on the healthcare industry and include nursing, dental hygiene, and healthcare management. West Coast University's owner is also the owner of American Career College
American Career College
American Career College is a privately held vocational college that specializes in health care training programs. American Career College offers both Diploma and Associate Degree programs through three campuses in the Los Angeles metro area....
. West Coast University is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program or YRP).
Programs
West Coast University currently offers four Bachelor degree programs.- Bachelor of Science in NursingBachelor of Science in NursingThe Bachelor of Science in Nursing is an American four year academic degree in the science and principles of nursing, granted by a tertiary education university or similarly accredited school...
- RN to BSN Bridge (BS in Nursing)
- LVN to BSN BS in Nursing)
- BS in Dental HygieneDental hygienistthumb|right|300px|Dental hygienist holding a scalerA dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive oral health, typically focusing on techniques in oral hygiene. Local dental regulations determine the scope of practice of dental hygienists...
These programs are offered year-round, with ten week terms.
Additionally, WCU offers Master of Science programs at the Los Angeles campus.
- Master of Science in NursingMaster of Science in NursingA Master of Science in Nursing is an advanced-level postgraduate degree for registered nurses and is considered an entry-level degree for nurse educators and managers. The degree also may prepare a nurse to seek a career as a nurse administrator, health policy expert, or clinical nurse leader...
- RN to MSN
- MSN with Nurse Educator Certificate (NEC)
- Master of Science in Health Care Management
These programs are also offered year-round and can be completed in approximately 15 months.
Campuses
West Coast University has four locations. The Los Angeles campus is located at 12215 Victory Boulevard, in North Hollywood, California. The Orange County campus is located at 1477 South Manchester Avenue in Anaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim, California
Anaheim 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...
. The Ontario campus is located at 2855 E. Guasti Road in Ontario, California
Ontario, California
Ontario is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, United States, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Located in the western part of the Inland Empire region, it lies just east of the Los Angeles county line and is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area...
. Each campus includes classrooms, computer labs, and practice laboratories. The Orange County campus includes a full dental hygiene clinic where students practice their skills on local patients. The Dallas campus is located at 8435 Stemmons Freeway.
Accreditation
West Coast University is accredited by 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). ACICS' approval authorizes WCU to award Associate and Bachelor of Science degrees in Nursing, Business Administration, Dental Hygiene, and Health Care Administration.
West Coast University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...
(WASC).
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is an autonomous nursing education accrediting agency that contributes to the improvement of the public's health. The CCNE is recognized by the U.S...
(CCNE) and is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).