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
Academic Integrity and Intellectual Honesty
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We are committed to a culture where ethical conduct governs our interactions.
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A Culture of Mutual Respect
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We believe each member of the University community can significantly contribute to the fulfillment of our mission.
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Student Learning
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We are committed to continuous assessment, evaluation and improvement of student learning.
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The Communities We Serve
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We take very seriously our responsibility to make a positive impact on the communities that surround us geographically and professionally.
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A Student-Centric Culture
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We believe it is our institutional responsibility to identify, understand, and respond to student needs.
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Agility and Responsiveness
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We respond quickly to the needs of our students, faculty, and associates.
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Innovation and Creativity
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We are committed to bringing innovation and creativity to the development and delivery of instruction, and in identifying solutions to complex and challenging problems.
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Diversity
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We encourage diversity of thought, ethnicity, culture and experience recognizing that through multiple and often differing perspectives offered in a collegial setting, the best ideas emerge.
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Efficient Use of Resources
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Through our stewardship, we develop solutions that make the best use of investments in time and other resources.
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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:
- Implement intellectual and practical problem solving skills through information assessment and critical thinking.
- Demonstrate effective written communication skills.
- Demonstrate effective oral communication skills.
- Demonstrate computer proficiency and information literacy.
- Describe ethical standards and legal guidelines associated with one’s chosen career field.
- 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). The Master of Science in Nursing program achieved CCNE accreditation in 2012.
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.
In early 2013 West Coast University received voluntary exemption status from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). As growth progressed, WCU opened its graduate learning center near downtown Los Angeles at 590 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004. In the fall of 2013, the University opened its Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at the Los Angeles Campus.
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, 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
*In July 2013, WASC changed it's senior division name from Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACSCU-WASC) to WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Please Note: The University was accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to award Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees since August 2002, however, recently had a voluntarily grant withdrawal in January 2013.
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/
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. 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
Sunday
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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Classes scheduled between 7:00am-6:00pm
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Classes scheduled between 7:00am-11:00pm
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Classes scheduled between 7:00am-11:00pm
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Classes scheduled between 7:00am-11:00pm
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Classes scheduled between 7:00am-11:00pm
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Classes scheduled between 7:00am-11:00pm
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Classes scheduled between 7:00am-6:00pm
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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
Sunday
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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1st Day of class
Meet in residence
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WEEK 1 online
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WEEK 1 online
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WEEK 1 online
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WEEK 1
online
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WEEK 1 online
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WEEK 1 online
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WEEK 2 – 9 online
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WEEK 10 online
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WEEK 10 online
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WEEK 10 online
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WEEK 10 online
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WEEK 10 online
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WEEK 10 online
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Last Day of class
Meet in residence
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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
Martin Luther King Day
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Monday - January 21, 2013
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President’s Day
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Monday – February 18, 2013
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Easter
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Sunday – March 31, 2013
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Memorial Day
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Monday – May 27, 2013
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Independence Day
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Thursday – July 4, 2013
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Labor Day
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Monday – September 2, 2013
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Thanksgiving Break
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Tuesday – November 26, 2013 to
Sunday – November 30, 2013
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Winter Break
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Monday – December 23, 2013 to
Sunday – January 5, 2014
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Martin Luther King Day
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Monday - January 21, 2013
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President’s Day
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Monday – February 18, 2013
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Faculty In-Service Days
JAN Term
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Friday – March 23, 2012
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APR Term
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Thursday – June 14, 2012
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JUN Term
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Thursday – August 23, 2012
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AUG Term
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Thursday – November 1, 2012
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