About West Coast University

University Mission

At West Coast University, we embrace a student-centric learning partnership that leads to professional success. We deliver transformational education within a culture of integrity and personal accountability. We design market-responsive programs through collaboration between faculty and industry professionals. We continuously pursue more effective and innovative ways through which students develop the competencies and confidence required in a complex and changing world.

University Values

Institutional Learning Outcomes

Institutional learning outcomes are designed by the University as a whole, taking into account the role that both instruction and student services play in contributing to a student’s success. Institutional learning outcomes assume achievement of the stated programmatic learning outcomes of one’s discipline.

Upon graduating from a degree program offered by West Coast University, students should be able to:

1. Implement intellectual and practical problem solving skills through information assessment and critical thinking.
2. Demonstrate effective written communication skills.
3. Demonstrate effective oral communication skills.
4. Demonstrate computer proficiency and information literacy.
5. Describe ethical standards and legal guidelines associated with one’s chosen career field.
6. Explain why knowledge of and respect for the societal contributions of diverse cultures and perspectives is an important quality in one’s discipline.

University History

West Coast University (WCU) was originally chartered in California in 1909 as an ophthalmology school. In 1953, the University added evening-only programs. The success of this approach led the University to expand and diversify its programs to include offerings in health science. The University achieved accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities (ACSCU) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in 1963 and maintained that accreditation until March 1997. Associate degrees in science and master’s degree programs were introduced in the late 1960’s and 1970’s. In 1981, the University reorganized into three distinct colleges; the College of Business and Management, the College of Engineering, and the College of Letters and Sciences.

In May of 1997, new leadership was committed to refocusing the Institution’s program offerings to high-demand health care related programs that would be beneficial to working adults. These programs included Nursing, Dental Hygiene, and Health Care Management. West Coast University became accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) in 2002.

A branch campus in Orange County opened for classes in September of 2007. At the same time, the University launched its first online classes to provide greater flexibility for its students. An additional branch campus in Ontario, California, began offering classes in November of 2008. In 2009 the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree achieved accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

In June 2010, the University achieved an additional milestone, as it was approved to offer Masters degree programs in Nursing and Health Care Management by ACICS. In October of 2010, the Orange County, California campus Bachelor of Science program in Dental Hygiene received accreditation though the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). In addition, in 2010 the University applied for Eligibility from the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). In fall of 2011, WASC granted the University accreditation.

In 2012 West Coast University opened its fourth campus in Dallas, Texas. The campus offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, the first one for the institution outside of the State of California.

The Master of Science in Nursing program achieved CCNE accreditation in 2012.  As growth progressed, WCU opened its graduate learning center near downtown Los Angeles.  In the fall of 2013, the University opened its Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at the Los Angeles Campus. 

In April, 2014, West Coast University proudly opened its fifth campus in Miami, Florida.   

University Academic Freedom and Responsibility

West Coast University supports an environment of open investigation and animated discourse in the pursuit of enhanced student learning. In the spirit of Academic Freedom, faculty members are encouraged to engage in an exhaustive quest of relevant inquiry that is free from outside intervention. Faculty members have the right and responsibility to express their understanding of the facts related to the subject matter in a manner that is educationally effective and professionally appropriate; furthermore, faculty are expected to engage in continuous assessment and programmatic self-reflection to ensure students demonstrate competence in identified learning outcomes. Faculty members are expected to keep abreast of developments in the field and to share their knowledge with students. Within the University’s model of shared governance, faculty members are urged to collaborate with colleagues to identify opportunities for improvement in scholarship, teaching and learning.

Curricular consistency is paramount to a culture of assessment that embraces ongoing student learning assessment, program evaluation, and responsive change. Accordingly, faculty share co-ownership over a common curriculum, whereby all courses are taught in alignment with a faculty-developed master syllabus. It is recognized that faculty members possess broad differences in areas of expertise, research interests, and styles of instructional delivery. This richness of diversity powerfully contributes to a learning environment that produces original thought, creative inspiration, and critical reasoning skills. In summation, Academic Freedom is interwoven into all teaching and learning processes that sustain learning outcomes and ultimately produce lifelong contributions to society.

Similarly, staff members have the right and responsibility to keep abreast of developments in their professional fields, and to share knowledge with their colleagues in the field. West Coast University expects that staff members will express this freedom in an appropriate way in compliance with their professional responsibilities to serve students, faculty and the institution.

Facilities Description

At West Coast University, the campuses and classroom facilities include study nooks and gathering spaces that encourage connections between students, faculty and associates. The classrooms at each campus integrate advanced technology wherever possible, including permanently mounted projectors, projection screens, interactive whiteboards and technologies that capture, print and transmit images and text. Spaces are also provided at each campus to support student needs including meeting rooms, food service areas, and computer stations with wireless connectivity. Each campus also provides a library and master's degree-prepared librarian, along with administrative functions and staff including admissions, registrar, student services, career services and financial aid.

Dallas

West Coast University

8435 North Stemmons Freeway

Dallas, Texas 75247-3900

The campus is located near and easily accessible from the Stemmons Freeway in the Dallas Metroplex. The campus has a total of 46,000 sq. ft. that consists of 6 Classrooms, 4 Lab Rooms, 4 Study Rooms, 2 Student Lounges, and generous simulation space. The Simulation Center has a total of 10,000 sq. ft. that consists of 6 Nursing Simulation Labs and 1 Mental Health/Community Simulation Lab. In the Computer Labs, there are a total of 94 computers, and throughout the campus are “Internet Bars”, or computer stations, with a total of 35 computers.

Institutional Accreditation

West Coast University is accredited by WASC Senior College of University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accreditation body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). WASC is located at 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite #100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510-748-9001.

WASC Senior College and University Commission*

985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100

Alameda, CA 94501

(510) 748-9001

www.wascsenior.org

Original Accreditation: January 1963 to March 1997

New Grant: November 4, 2011

Programmatic Accreditation and Approvals

The Dallas Campus of West Coast University is approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission, Career Schools and Colleges, and has a Certificate of Approval from Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) as School S3921.

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)

Career Schools and Colleges, Room 226T

101 East 15th Street Austin, TX 78778-0001

(512) 936-3100

http://csc.twc.state.tx.us

The West Coast University pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program with the LVN to BSN option is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing.

Texas Board of Nursing (BON)

333 Guadalupe #3-460

Austin, TX 78701

www.bon.state.tx.us.com

The Dallas Campus has a Certificate of Authorization to offer Bachelors and Masters Degree programs from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)

1200 East Anderson Lane

Austin, TX 78711-2788

(512) 427-6101

http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/

The Nursing Baccalaureate is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington DC 20036, (202) 877-6791.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 887-6791
www.aacn.nche.edu/CCNE-accreditation

Class Schedule Information

West Coast University’s schedule of classes is designed to meet the needs of the student population. Class schedules are set in 20-week semesters consisting of two 10-week terms (9 weeks of instruction). Classes are typically scheduled during the hours of 7:00 am to 11:00 pm Monday through Friday, and 7:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Typically, students attend classes two to four days per week; however, some courses (most notably in the nursing programs) may require additional days of instruction per week. Nursing clinical rotations may be scheduled any day of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays, 24 hours a day including Saturdays and Sundays, 24 hours a day.

Class Schedule

Please Note: Nursing clinical rotations may be scheduled any day of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays, 24 hours a day.

The RN to BSN program is offered at the West Coast University – Dallas campus in a blended format where students attend class in residence one weekend every 10 weeks with the rest of the class conducted online. Courses in the BSN and LVN to BSN program may be offered in a blended format as needed. Contact the Academic Program Dean/Chair for availability.

Blended Schedule

Business Hours

The campus administrative offices normal hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Online courses and related technical support are available and accessible to enrolled students seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Holidays Observed

Faculty In-Service Days