Western International University (WIU, ) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Western International University, best known as West, is a university that seeks to serve the adult learner who may not have time or a lifestyle that will facilitate a traditional learning environment. For this reason, Western International University performs a service that many other universities do not offer. At West, a student can pursue his or her entire degree online whether at the undergraduate or graduate level. West envisions a educational experience where the adult learner is valued and understood, where values such as “integrity, academic quality, and global awareness” are the foundation of education.

Since its inception in 1978, West has experienced substantial growth. Primarily, after West became a division of the Apollo Group it has grown extensively. Western International University has five different campuses: the Phoenix Campus, Scottsdale, Chandler, Salt River Project Facility and the Peoria Student Service Center. Western International University is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

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Information Summary

Ranks 66th in Arizona and 4013th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	22.9
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$6,000
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	340 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	18% / N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)	2,042

Academics

If you’re searching to complete a master’s degree, West offers several options including an MBA (Master of Business Administration), marketing, human dynamic, public administration, and innovative leadership just to name a few. In terms of undergraduate programs, West offers Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees in accounting, management, informatics IT, and business administration. There are also Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees offered in behavioral science, criminal behavior, legal studies, and professional communication. Additionally, students at Western University can choose to pursue a double major if interested. Students can also pursue a minor.

If you’re not yet ready to begin your educational endeavor at the bachelor or graduate level, an Associate of Arts (AA) in Business is available. There is also a certificate program in accounting.

Those students seeking to transfer from Western International after earning their AA degree will be happy to know that Western University has articulation agreements with several institutions. Contact an enrollment advisor for information regarding which schools and universities are in partnership with West.

Keep in mind also that there are certain academic standards that West expects students to honor, especially in terms of GPA. Students with less than a 2.0 are placed on academic notice, academic probation, academic suspension, and eventually academic dismissal, each respectively increasing in severity.

Course descriptions and degree requirements are clearly outlined in Western University’s catalog. It should also be noted that all information related to the university’s expectations and requirements are also clearly mentioned in this document which can be obtained online. That being said, prospective applicants are still highly encouraged to contact an admissions counselor at Western University. As it is the university’s purpose to “provide programs that meet educational needs”, they are more than willing to address your questions and concerns related to your educational goals as a prospective student.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Unique Programs

As this university was established to educate the adult learner who has a certain level of responsibility outside of school, West tries to accommodate these individuals. For the most part, you can complete your classes in as little as 8 meetings and within two months. Furthermore, with certain courses you are only expected to attend class once a week. You also have the option to take only online classes or attend a traditional classroom setting. You could even try a mixture of both.

Unlike other schools that offer distance learning, West offers online education with interaction. For those who do not have the time to attend an actual physical class but enjoy the interaction possible between classmates and teachers, may consider West a good fit as it offers interactive online classes. You can decide to attend classes live online or review the recorded class session later at your earliest convenience.

Also, instead of spending hours going from bookstore to bookstore trying to find the cheapest priced book, standing in a line with 500 other students at the bookstore, or searching the internet for deals on your most needed books, eBooks are now available for all classes offered by West for the student’s convenience.

Admissions

All prospective students must complete an application for admission. Those seeking admission to undergraduate studies must have graduated from high school or earned a GED. Graduate students are required to have completed a bachelor’s degree prior to admission. Prospective transfer students are also required to submit their official transcripts from all schools previously attended. Prior to admission Western International University prefers that students speak with an enrollment counselor. This individual will go in depth regarding admission requirements and expectations of Western International.

Financial Aid

What makes West stand out from other universities is that it encourages students to interact with Western International staff regarding whatever questions they may have, the Financial Aid Department is no different. Students are encouraged to call or email someone from West to answer any questions they may have regarding tuition, fees, or payment options.

No matter the question you may have, your initial step will be to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, otherwise known as the FAFSA. Your answers on this application will determine your eligibility for all federal loans and grants. This information will then be communicated to you by Western International.

Outside Scholarships

Students are encouraged to seek out scholarship opportunities prior to applying for admission. Many scholarships have deadlines months in advance of when admission applications are due. For this reason, if you are interested in pursuing a degree at West, or any university for that matter, you should try searching for funding relatively early. This can mean contacting the financial aid office at West or simply using an internet search engine to look for funding sources. Most scholarships are either need-based or merit-based and sometimes a mixture of both. Be sure to check the deadlines and requirements for every scholarship you are interested in as to not miss any available opportunities.

In House Scholarships

The only in house scholarship available to West students is the West Scholarship which awards up to “$3000 quarterly”. This scholarship is awarded both on merit as well as need. Qualifications for the scholarship includes, successful completion of 4 courses at Western International within the previous year, at least a 3.0 as an undergraduate or a 3.5 as a graduate student and if you are an international student applying for this scholarship, you must be “in compliance with SEVIS”.

In order to apply, applicants must write an essay and submit a recommendation from a faculty member. The application information can be found on the web page.

Student Financial Aid Details

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Students

Western International may have a strong online presence, but this does not equal a lack of organizations in which students can become involved. In fact, West students are invited to join several honor societies, be a part of SCORE, and participate with West International Friends. West International Friends constitutes the community of West including staff, students, and faculty that are committed to ensuring a quality educational experience for all students.

Those students interested in an organization focused on business can look into SCORE. SCORE is the Service Corps of Retired Executives. Individuals involved with SCORE include former business managers who share their insights, past experiences, and ideas with others at no cost.

Additional student associations include Delta Mu Delta, Golden Key, and Upsilon Pi Epsilon and particularly for international students, WIU International Friends (WIF) is an option affiliated with the International Student Association.

Bookstore

You may be confused as to how you can buy books if you attend all your classes online. Well, besides the ebook option there is a physical bookstore actually located at West’s Phoenix Campus. You can order books from here and have them shipped virtually anywhere.

Online Library

For those of you who are concerned about having access to resources while taking courses online should be comforted by the fact that WIU offers an online library. Because of the special nature of West’s programs, it has an extensive collection of online databases of which students are given access.

Other Services

Among other services, West offers a tutoring service and a writing center. Individuals that may need additional help in certain subjects or need to freshen up on certain basic skills for college-level courses like grammar, sentence structure, and diction may find it useful to contact someone at the Writing Center. All assistance is provided through email. Likewise, consider seeking out tutoring through Western Intertnational if you feel that you need help in additional subjects like accounting, business, or economics. Sometimes it is not that we do not understand the subject, it is just that more time is needed to grasp the subject.

Despite its unconventional mission, there are still certain aspects of West that are very traditional. For example, there is a Learning Resource Center which students have access to at each campus. Basically the Learning Resource Center is comprised of computer labs that students can use to complete class assignments. Also like a traditional university, West offers disability services, no matter which campus you choose to attend.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Additional School Information

Perhaps what Western International is particularly noted for is how accessible it is for military students. In fact, West was recently recognized in the magazine G. I. Jobs for being considered “military friendly.” For students in the military who are stationed throughout the world, having an option such as Western International allows them the security of earning transferable credit and the flexibility to pursue their academic goals. It is for these reasons that West was recognized by G. I. Jobs. Western International grants opportunity to all, when under normal circumstances, the opportunity would not have been there at all.

Bibliography

Western International University. “Western International University: Vol. 2011-01” Web. 10 May 2011. <http://www.west.edu/pdfs/West-Catalog-01-01-2011.pdf>

Western International University. Web. 10 May 2011. www.west.edu

Western International University