Consumer Information Disclosures
The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA), includes many disclosure and reporting requirements. A disclosure requirement is information that a postsecondary education institution is required to distribute or make available to another party, such as students or employees. A reporting requirement is information submitted to the U.S. Department of Education or other agencies. Disclosure and reporting requirements sometimes overlap for certain topics.
Institutions are required to make information available to students and others. Such information includes general institutional operation, copyright infringement, financial aid, general completion and graduation rates, annual security report, completion and graduation rates for students, and financial support.
The provision of this information is regulated by the Federal government. The disclosures below and referenced herein are provided in accordance with these federal regulations:
Accreditation & State Authorization

Westcliff University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accreditation body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 748-9001
URL: www.wascsenior.org
HEA Consumer Information Disclosure Requirements
The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA), requires that higher education institutions participating in federal student aid programs disclose information to current and prospective students.
Final regulations implementing the legislative provisions for consumer information are available from the Federal Registers website. For more information on the HEOA, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website. For additional information, including requesting a paper copy of any materials, please call or email the appropriate office.
Adverse Actions
No state entity or accrediting agency has initiated any adverse actions against Westcliff University.
State Authorization
Westcliff University has been approved for authorization in the following states.
Home State
California
Westcliff University received authorization from the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education to offer its programs online.
Other States
Arizona
Westcliff University’s programs are not under the jurisdiction of the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education since the university has no physical presence in Arizona.
Colorado
Westcliff University’s online programs and activities do not constitute physical presence within Colorado; therefore, Colorado Department of Higher Education approval is not required to continue offering online degree and certificate programs.
Florida
Westcliff University is not required to be licensed with the Florida Commission for Independent Education (Commission) since the institution is not physically located in Florida and instructors do not have face-to-face contact with students.
Hawai’i
Westcliff University does not have physical presence in the State of Hawaii; therefore, authorization from the Hawai’i Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP) is not required.
Illinois
Westcliff University received approval from the Illinois Board of Higher Education to operate in Illinois. State of Illinois Limited Physical Presence Letter
Massachusetts
Westcliff University is not required to seek licensure with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education to enroll residents of Massachusetts into online courses and programs.
Missouri
Westcliff University does not have a physical presence in the State of Missouri and, therefore, is not required to be licensed by the Missouri Department of Higher Education.
Nebraska
Westcliff University has no physical presence in Nebraska and is not required to seek authorization from the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education to offer online courses or programs.
Nevada
Westcliff University is not required to be licensed in Nevada by the Commission on Postsecondary Education due to lack of physical presence.
New Hampshire
Westcliff University offers online education to New Hampshire residents, which does not require authorization by the New Hampshire Department of Education.
New Jersey
Westcliff University fully meets state regulation N.J.S.A. 18A:3-15.3, requiring all out-of-state institutions to have received accreditation from bodies recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or U.S. Department of Education as a duly authorized institution of higher education.
New Mexico
Westcliff University is not required to register in the State of New Mexico Higher Education Department, since the institution offers online courses and programs and does not require an internship/externship.
Ohio
Westcliff University is exempt from the authorization of the Ohio Board of Regents.
Pennsylvania
Westcliff University is not required to seek approval with the Pennsylvania Department of Education since a physical presence has not been established.
South Carolina
Westcliff University is not required to seek licensure with the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, since physical presence in the state is not established.
Texas
Westcliff University is exempt from oversight of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board since there is no physical presence in the state.
Washington
Westcliff University is not currently required to be authorized by the Washington Student Achievement Council.
General Institutional Information
Name of Institution: Westcliff University
Locations: 16715 Von Karman Ave, #100
Irvine, California 92606
949-825-5999
18000 Studebaker Road, #300
Cerritos, California 90703
562-865-7111
Year Founded: 1993
University’s Mission:
Westcliff University’s mission is to educate, inspire, and empower students from around the world to acquire the competencies to excel personally and professionally through innovative, high-quality distance and campus programs.
Privacy of Student Records – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Contact: Westcliff University Registrar
Phone: 949-825-5563
Email: registrar@westcliff.edu
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) allows present and future students to have access to their individual educational records, provides basic protections of privacy of their records, and allows them to request that certain “directory information” be kept confidential.
Facilities and Services for Students with Disabilities
Contact: Westcliff University Student Services
Phone: 949-825-5040
Email: services@westcliff.edu
Westcliff University is dedicated to providing equal opportunities for student success through accessible education programs. It is the policy of Westcliff University to provide reasonable accommodations to students who qualify.
Student Activities
Contact: Westcliff University Student Services
Phone: 949-825-5040
Email: services@westcliff.edu
Accreditation, Approval and Licensure
Contact: President of Westcliff University
Phone: 949-825-5988
Email: president@westcliff.edu

WASC Senior College and University Commission
985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 748-9001
URL: www.wascsenior.org
Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400
Sacramento, CA 95833
URL: www.bppe.ca.gov
Phone: 949-370-7589
Fax: 916-263-1897
Educational Programs and Instructional Facilities
Contact: Director of Academics Affairs
Phone: 949-825-5040
Email: academics@westcliff.edu
College of Business
Contact: Dean – College of Business
Phone: 949-825-6040
Email: gsayegh@westcliff.edu
College of Education:
Contact: Director – TESOL Programs
Phone: 949-825-5049
Email: aprilvuong@westcliff.edu
Textbooks
Contact: Westcliff University Student Services
Phone: 949-825-5040
Email: services@westcliff.edu
Computer Use
Contact: Director of Technology
Phone: 949-825-5565
Email: vnguyen@westlicff.edu
Leave of Absence
Contact: Registrar
Phone: 949-825-5563
Email: registrar@westcliff.edu
Administration
Contact: President of Westcliff University
Phone: 949-825-5040
Email: president@westcliff.edu
Admissions
Contact: Director of Admissions
Phone: 949-825-5048
Email: admissions@westcliff.edu
State Contact Information for Student Complaints
Please click HERE for state consumer complaint contact information.
Copyright Infringement – Policies and Sanctions
Summary of Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws
Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement.
Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505. Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense. For more information, please see the website of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov.
Summary – Requirements for Completion of Academic Programs Offered
BBA
Required Courses: | General Education 20 courses |
Business 20 courses | |
Final tests or examinations: | None |
Required internships or externships: | None |
Total Number of Credit Hours: | General Education 60 |
Business 60 | |
Description of Instruction: | See course descriptions on pages 19-21 and 39-44 in the catalog |
MBA
Required Courses: | 12 (9 core courses, 3 electives) |
Final tests or examinations: | None |
Required internships or externships: | None |
Total Number of Credit Hours: | 36 |
Description of Instruction: | See course descriptions on pages 25-29 and 44-50 in the catalog |
DBA
Required Courses: | 20 |
Final tests or examinations: | Doctoral Qualifying Exam |
Doctoral Comprehensive Exam | |
Doctoral Project/Dissertation Presentation | |
Required internships or externships: | None |
Total Number of Credit Hours: | 60 credit hours |
Description of Instruction: | See course descriptions on pages 37-38 and 50-53 in the catalog |
MA TESOL
Required Courses: | 12 |
Final tests or examinations: | None |
Required internships or externships: | 1 Practicum – TSL 600 |
Total Number of Credit Hours: | 36 |
Description of Instruction: | See course descriptions on pages 84-88 and 86-87 in the catalog |
TESOL Certificate
Required Courses: | 1 |
Final tests or examinations: | None |
Required internships or externships: | None |
Total Number of Credit Hours: | 135 |
Description of Instruction: | See course descriptions on pages 89-91 in the catalog |
Information About Selected Policies
- Non-Discrimination Policy
- Confidentiality and Privacy Policies
- Diversity Policies and Procedures
- Disability Services Handbook
- Sexual_Harassment_Tutorial
- Financial Disclosures – Discounts
- Grading Policy
- Transfer Students Policy
Additional information may be obtained from the U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety and Security website at http://ope.ed.gov/security/. Crime statistics are reported to the Department of Education annually.
Health and Safety
Clery Act Statistics – Irvine Campus
Clery Act Statistics – Cerritos Campus
Annual Security Report
Annual Fire Safety Report
Biennal Review of Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program
Drug and Alcohol Prevention
Contact: Westcliff University Human Resources
Phone: 949-825-5563
Email: hr@westcliff.edu
Westcliff University is committed to providing a drug-free, healthful, and safe workplace. The policies promulgated by Westcliff University regarding drug and alcohol prevention apply to the entire university community, including students, faculty, staff and visitors.
Vaccination Requirements
Westcliff University has no vaccination requirements
Security
Contact: Westcliff University Human Resources
Phone: 949-825-5563
Email: hr@westcliff.edu
Westcliff University is committed to preventing workplace violence and to maintaining a safe working environment.
Community Information
Voter Registration
All students are encouraged by Westcliff University to participate in their respective local, state, and national elections. As part of the university’s responsibility to promote good citizenship, the university urges all students to register to vote. US Voter registration forms are always available to US students upon request of Student Services Additionally, the applicable registration form is available at:
The applicable registration form – (Click Here)
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day in United States
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is a combined event that is annually observed in the United States on September 17. This event commemorates the formation and signing of the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787. It also recognizes all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become US citizens.
With regard to the U.S.A. constitution, in the summer of 1787 delegates convened in Philadelphia to create “a more perfect union” and to craft the country’s constitution. They worked to develop a framework that would provide balance and freedom, taking into account federal and state interests, as well as individual human rights. The delegates signed the Constitution of the United States on September 17 that year. By June 21, 1788, the constitution was effective, having been approved by nine of the 13 states.
On February 29, 1952, President Harry Truman signed into law “Citizenship Day”. On August 2, 1956, the Congress requested that the president proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as “Constitution Week”. A federal law enacted in December 2004 designated September 17 as “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day”.
When Constitution Day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or on another holiday, the day must be held on a weekday during the preceding or following week.
All students are invited to view the following video:
Student Outcomes
Student Success/Satisfaction/Graduation Rates
Use of “Free” and “Guarantee”
Advertisement and Promotional Disclosure
All advertisements and promotional literature accurately reflect the programs and services offered by Westcliff University. The word “guarantee” is never used in advertisements. Under limited and exceptional circumstances, the institution may use the word “free” when it is appropriate to the mission and purpose of the Westcliff University. Advertisements are appropriately published under a section identified for education, training, or instruction and do not imply that employment is being offered.
Westcliff University provides applicants only with information authorized by my institution regarding the occupational opportunities for graduates, and never make claims “guaranteeing” employment, job promotion prospects or income increases to an applicant.
Westcliff University provides only full and accurate information on the transferability of academic credits and acceptance of degrees or credentials by other educational institutions, and discloses affirmatively the fact that the acceptance of credits and degrees is entirely the prerogative of the receiving institution and acceptance cannot be “guaranteed.”
Athletic Program Participation Rates and Financial Support Data
The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act requires co-educational institutions of postsecondary education that participate in a Title IV, federal student financial assistance program, and have an intercollegiate athletic program, to prepare an annual report to the Department of Education on athletic participation, staffing, and revenues and expenses, by men’s and women’s teams.
Westcliff University 2019 EADA Report
U.S. Department of Education EADA analysis tool