I chose Westwood College after doing much research and decided that I needed to go to school online once my daughter was born.  I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Design in July of 2009!  I love that I receive calls still from the school's career services department to check in on me and see how I am doing!  They are really there to help you out even after you graduate.  I also had some pretty amazing teachers, including one who is widely popular in New York City, and has even been featured on HGTV!  The only thing that has really bothered me is how expensive the school really was.  When I first started, I was told that it costs roughly $12,000 per year, but they didn't tell me that their school years were considered every 7 months, rather than every 12 months like they led on.  Since it is a year round program, that added up very quickly and now I am left with a good amount of student loan debt. 

dapfry

Crescent City, CA

Westwood College has given me a whole new life and I couldn't be more excited to jump right into it! Changing careers mid-life is frightening and stressful, but the staff at Westwood College have been so supportive and so responsive to me that just 6 short weeks into my new endeavour, I am flourishing and more confident than I have been in years!  I have a group of Advisors that stay in constant touch with me on a weekly basis... always positive, always encouraging, always informative and with great follow-thru with every situation I encountered. The enrollment process is simple. The support is remarkable! They have so many individuals working for me as a student in areas that I would literally be lost in if left to my own resources! From my Admissions Advisor to my Financial Advisor to my Student Coach ... and every cheerleader in between.... I am covered! It would be impossible to believe each and every one of them don't have MY best interest at heart because they show it in every way!  Westwood Online is one of very few online colleges that even offer a Bachelors of Science Degree in Interior Design. Their program is intense and their Professors are dedicated professionals that are very active in the field. The discussions, which are weekly requirements, are quickly becoming my favorite "social" part of online schooling. Fellow students come from such varied lifestyles and meet to learn and share and encourage each other. The schedule is gruelling at times and online courses are not some short-cut to a degree. It's hard work with tight schedules that prepare us for a life so much more promising than without a college education. The personal touch Westwood College provides their students make it the PERFECT choice for anyone looking to further their education!    

MSteffens01

Lubbock, TX

To begin online college is not for everyone. It takes more discipline and motivation to stay on top of studies. Unlike many online colleges Westwood is not a learn at your leisure. It was a basic routine and classes will consist of, at least, a required discussion forum (one initial post to the week's question, and two response posts to other people's initial responses) and an assignment. Each week may also include a quiz and a journal. Midterms and finals vary greatly between the different courses. To begin this is a fully accredited college. It runs year-round which is why you can graduate a year earlier than at other colleges. Each term is ten weeks in length: nine weeks of school work and a one week final grading period. Each class is run by a professor and new requirements have really brought the teacher into full participation in each class. Just like an actual class their interaction will vary. Onto specifics now. I graduated last term with honors. I did so by doing the reading and completeing my classes with A's. As in any college this required a lot of extra hours and a lot of perseverance. My teachers all possessed incredible resumes, portfolios and backgrounds. All were working professionals in their fields of study. I was able to email them with questions, call when need be, or meet with them in special chatrooms called Breeze rooms. After my first year I possessed enough knowledge and connections to begin freelancing. By graduation I had a thick portfolio or work, business know-how, networking and connections, and a fully designed and prepared website. Yes this college is expensive, but all colleges are. A few points to know: they overcharge for their text books but not for their software so I recommend going to amazon textbooks to pick up cheaper copies without adding to your final bill. Any overage in financial aid is NOT mailed to you - it applied to the next term. Taking time off is precarious for anything other than serious, documented needs. It can result in some classes becoming voided, which is unusual and my only really big complaint about the school. Be sure to inquire about this policy before you enroll. Become involved in their online community as well as in the clubs they offer. It helps network and will often get you resources before you even graduate that will help you transition. Conclusion: A good, accredited school for those serious about doing college online.

timandcandice

Albany, OR