University of the West

University of the West (UWest) is a private, non-profit university in Rosemead, California, just a short drive from Los Angeles. Known for its diversity and affordability, UWest offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. UWest was founded in 1991 as Hsi Lai University and is the only fully accredited Buddhist-founded university in Southern California.

The UWest holistic approach to education is informed by Buddhist values that foster East-West cultural understanding. However, UWest students are not required to practice the Buddhist faith or subscribe to Buddhism in any form.

UWest is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and enrolls about 350 students more than 44 countries. Currently UWest awards undergraduate degrees in Business Administration, Psychology, Liberal Arts, and English.

BA in Business Administration and Certificate Program

The Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree program (BA) at UWest offers concentrations in accounting, computer information systems, international business, and marketing. Students enrolled in the  120 credit cross-cultural curriculum develop an integrated body of knowledge in the business and management of modern organizations; a set of essential business and management skills including interpersonal leadership, communication, and teamwork skills; and critical understanding of the role of culture in managing organizations and engaging with customers, employees, and suppliers. The program culminates in the capstone course, Strategic Management. Graduates are qualified to pursue entry-level careers across a wide spectrum of business and professional environments.

In addition, UWest offers an undergraduate certificate in Business Administration program for students seeking to expand their knowledge and skills in business or transitioning to a role with greater business responsibility.

BA in Psychology

The BA in Psychology degree program at UWest emphasizes the dimensions of multicultural and cross-cultural influences on human behavior. Course offerings within the 120 credit curriculum comprise introductory and advanced instruction in both Western and Eastern systems of psychological theory and practice. The program culminates in the capstone course, Eastern and Western Perspectives on Contemporary Issues.

The program prepares students to be innovative, socially responsible, and compassionate problem-solvers ready to meet the needs of a complex global community in a variety of careers at the bachelor's degree level. It also positions them to pursue graduate-level training in psychology at UWest or other school. Coursework and lectures are informed by the American Psychological Association's "Ten Optimal Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major."

BA in English and TESOL Certificate

The BA in English degree program at UWest provides foundational knowledge and skills for students who want to pursue graduate studies in English literature or linguistics, or prepare for a career in law, administration, teaching, or other area where a command of written and spoken English supports successful practice. The 120 credit curriculum teaches students to construct balanced critical judgments and to further develop their ability to write the English language persuasively and effectively.

Two concentrations are offered. The Literature track provides knowledge of the broad field of English literature, in-depth knowledge of its diverse aspects, reading, writing, and the research tools for exploring the field and its boundaries. The TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) track and certificate program is designed for degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students interested in teaching English as a second language at language institutes, community agencies, and adult education programs, and for those who plan to teach English as a foreign language abroad.

BA in Liberal Arts

The BA in Liberal Arts degree program at UWest provides students with a strong foundation in the liberal arts as they explore diverse interests throughout their studies. The curriculum allows students to design their own program by choosing from a wide range of courses in Business, English, Psychology, and General Education.

Students enrolled in the 120 credit program develop social awareness and ethical commitment as a global citizen then transfer those skills to professional and academic careers; develop communication and critical thinking skills that employers seek; and gain versatility and resources for your professional career.

Student Life at UWest

Over 30 percent of UWest students live on campus, which comprises four main buildings, two residence halls, and an auditorium on an 11-acre hilltop setting overlooking the San Gabriel Mountains. First-year freshmen are not required to live on campus. No alcohol is allowed on campus and smoking is permitted outdoors in designated areas only.

Classrooms, library, and computer laboratories feature state-of-the art technology. Each dormitory room includes a private bathroom, air conditioning, telephone, and Internet access. A meditation room is available to all students for relaxation or spiritual practice.

Recreational facilities include a fully equipped gymnasium, swimming pool, and spa. Other activities include student government, student-led clubs, peer mentoring, writing lab, and investment lab. Career counseling and internship assistance is available to all students.

Campus and surroundings

Lushly populated with cedar and Italian Cypress trees, birds of paradise, perennials and rose blooms, the UWest campus affords easy and convenient access to world-class Los Angeles museums, performing arts centers, and popular tourist attractions such as Hollywood, and Universal Studios.

Faculty and research

UWest employs both  full-time and adjunct faculty. Student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1. UWest also serves as the research home of the Center for the Study of Minority and Small Business (CSMSB), Institute for Chinese Buddhist Studies, and the Digital Sanskrit Buddhist Canon.

Financial assistance

UWest provides financial assistance to students in the form of federal and state loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study.

Institutional scholarships include our Lotus Scholarship which awards up to $10,000 to new undergraduate and graduate students. Full Lotus Scholarship covers up to 90% of tuition for students with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or graduate GPA of 3.25.

• Business/marketing
• Business Administration and Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• English
• English
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Liberal arts/general studies
• General Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Psychology
• Psychology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied235
• Accepted200
• Acceptance Rate85%
• Enrolled106
• Female Applicants93
• Females Accepted80
• Female Acceptance Rate86%
• Male Applicants142
• Males Accepted120
• Male Acceptance Rate84%
• Applying
• Application Fee $50
• Required for All Essay or personal statement
  Transcript of high school record
  Letter(s) of recommendation
  Minimum high school GPA of 2
  
• Required for Some Interview
  
• Average high school GPA for first-year freshman2.43
• Application Deadlines
• Type Application Closing Notification Date Rolling Admissions
• Fall freshmen June 15th July 15th --
• Out-of-state Fall freshmen July 15th --
• Early decision plan Not Reported
• Other early decision plan Not Reported
• Transfer June 15th July 15th --
• Test Scores Accepted
• Test Average School Accepted 25th Percentile* 75th Percentile*
• * 25th and 75th percentile is the score that 25/75 percent of students score at or below.

• Tuition
• In-state tuition *$13,800
• Out-of-state tuition *$13,800
• In-district tuitionN/A
• * Tuition costs are based on a full academic year typically extending from September to June.
• Fees
• Full-time student fees$900
• Room and board *$6,884
• Room only *Not Reported
• * Room and board charges vary according to board plan selected (i.e., 12-meal plan, 19-meal plan, etc.) and student level (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Other Payment Considerations
• Guaranteed tuition plan offeredNo
• Tuition pre-payment planNo
• Tuition payment plans offeredInstallments
• Student groups that qualify for full or partial waiver of tuitionEmployees or children of employees

• Percentage of Students with Need who Receive Financial Aid:100%

• Gender
• Total Undergraduate Students106
• Male Student Percentage45%
• Female Student Percentage55%
• Race/Ethnicity
• Hispanic/Latino45.28%
• Black or African American.94%
• White or Caucasian5.66%
• American Indian or Alaska Native1.89%
• Asian7.55%
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific IslanderNot Reported
• Two or more races1.89%
• Unknown or International Student%
• Other Student Statistics
• International Breakout36.79% representing 10 other countries
• Out-of-state Students4% out-of-state student

• Housing
• College-owned housing available Yes
• Housing Requirements Not Reported
• Housing options Coed housing , Special housing for disabled
• Percentage of undergraduate students who live in college-owned housing 36%
• Student Activities
• Student-run campus newspaper Not Reported
• Drama / theater group Not Reported
• Student-run radio station Not Reported
• Student-run television station Not Reported
• Marching band Not Reported
• Choral groups Not Reported
• Student Services
• Legal services No
• Health clinic No
• Personal / psychological counseling Yes
• Women's center No
• Student Organizations
• Greek fraternities No
• Greek sororities No
• Local fraternities No
• Local sororities No
• Other organizations Not Reported
• Most popular organizations Buddhawest Club, Music Club, Explorer Club, Badminton Club, Chaplaincy Club
• Campus Security and Safety
• 24-hour emergency telephone / alarm services Yes
• 24-hour patrols by trained officers Yes
• Students patrols Not Reported
• Late-night transport / escort services Not Reported
• Electronically-operated dormitory entrances Yes
• Other Not Reported

• Faculty Breakdown
• Total Faculty55
• Full-time Percentage25%
• Part-time Percentage75%
• Female Percentage31%
• Male Percentage69%
• Student:Faculty RatioNot Reported