Westcliff University｜Best Day 1 CPT university in California

University Overview

Westcliff University, a renowned university on the West Coast, has been setting educational standards since its initial approval from the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education in 1993. Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), Westcliff offers a comprehensive educational experience through its College of Business, College of Education, College of Technology & Engineering, and Western State College of Law.

What sets Westcliff apart in the competitive landscape of all the universities is its focus on both theoretical and practical elements. Unlike some universities that only offer theoretical knowledge, Westcliff's programs are meticulously designed to prepare students for real-world challenges, making them job-market-ready from day one. Convenience, flexibility, and affordability are the cornerstones of all programs at Westcliff University.

Whether you're an international student looking for eligible CPT programs or a domestic student aiming for academic excellence, Westcliff provides innovative, up-to-date, and high-quality education that promotes personal, professional, and academic success.

Accreditation

Westcliff University proudly announces its accreditations for programs in its Colleges of Business, Education, and Technology and Engineering. All degrees and certificates are accredited, ensuring high academic standards through rigorous evaluation. Accreditation guarantees quality education with qualified faculty, approved programs, and sound operations, meeting standards set by the U.S. Department of Education.

Westcliff University can authorize its international students for a full-time CPT in accordance with USCIS regulations. International students (including Transfer F1 and Initial F1 students) can apply to work on CPT from the first day of enrollment. There is no Gap in CPT authorization during the academic year, and students can use CPT for work 365 days a year.

The school allows students to obtain CPT work authorization on the first day and will send out a CPT renewal notification at the end of each semester.
Because there is no break between semesters, you can keep your CPT for 365 days without interruption.
The school typically notifies everyone to apply for CPT two weeks before school starts. Applying earlier will help avoid the possibility that CPT could not be obtained on the first day of school. Westcliff has a hard deadline on the CPT application, if you missed it, you will have to wait until the next semester to start your CPT.

Professional Format & Weekly Format

1. BBA:

Irvine, CA - Weekly
Miami, FL - Professional

2. MBA:

Irvine, CA - Weekly and Professional
Miami, FL - Professional
Orlando, FL - Professional
Santa Monica, CA - Weekly and Professional (Starts from Fall 1)

3. DBA

Irvine, CA - Weekly and Professional
Miami, FL - Professional
Orlando, FL - Professional
Santa Monica, CA - Weekly and Professional (Starts from Fall 1)

4. BSIT & BSCS: Irvine, CA - Weekly

5. MSIT & MSCS

Irvine, CA - Weekly and Professional
Miami, FL - Professional

6. MSEM: Irvine, CA - Weekly and Professional

7. BAEd: Irvine, CA - Weekly

8. MA TESOL

Irvine, CA - Weekly
Miami, FL - Professional

9. EdD: Irvine, CA - Weekly

There are 3 semesters in a year for Day 1 CPT Programs at Westcliff University: Fall, Spring and Summer.
In each semester, international students must register for at least 2 courses (6 credits; including one online course and one hybrid course)
Onsite frequency:
- Weekly format: Students need to attend the onsite class once every week. (One weekday 6:30-8:00 PM)
- Professional format: Students need to attend the onsite class once every semester. (One Weekend - Friday/Saturday/Sunday)
- At the Irvine campus, TESOL, EdD, and BAEd programs require weekly in-person attendance, with no professional format option. The Miami campus's MA TESOL program is available in a Professional format, allowing for more flexibility.

Campbellsville University, in accordance with USCIS regulations, grants CPT work authorization to students. Typically, international students need to be enrolled for over a year before they can apply for CPT.

Due to program requirements, students in the MSITM and PMBA programs can apply for CPT authorization starting from their first semester and engage in either full-time or part-time work. The MSCS, MSCC, and MSDSAI programs allow students who have already obtained a Master's degree in the US to apply for CPT authorization from their first semester for either full-time or part-time work.

Students in these five programs can continuously apply for CPT during their studies without interruption. To utilize CPT, students need to enroll in the BA500 Graduate Management Externship Course (0 credits) every semester. CPT authorization needs to be renewed annually.

Day 1 CPT at Campbellsville University

Day 1 CPT Class Requirement

Campbellsville University's graduate program is divided into three semesters in a year: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Each semester is further divided into two terms. Students in the Day-1 CPT program register for 6 credits each semester, which includes one 3-credit hybrid course and one 3-credit online course.

The hybrid course lasts for 16 weeks (2 terms) and has an in-person session over one weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Students who fail to attend will lose their F1 student status.

Tuition

Tuition Fee

Programs	Cost/Credit	Credits	Total tuition fees (excluding CPT)	Annual average tuition
Master's Programs - Weekly Format	$819	36	$29,484 (24-28 months）	$14,742
Master's Programs - Professional Format	$855	36	$30,780 (24-28 months)	$15,390
Doctoral Program - Weekly Format	$881	60	$52,860 (36-48 months)	$15,858
Doctoral Program - Professional Format	$940	60	$56,400 (36-48 months)	$16,920

Other Fees:
- Application Fee: $50 (non-refundable, one-time; contact us to waive)
- CPT Fee: Equivalent to 1 credit cost per semester
- Registration Fee: $25 per semester (non-refundable)
- Student ID Card: $10
- Enrollment Fee: $200
- Payment Plan Processing Fee: $50
- Late Tuition Fee for New Students: $50 per week
- Late Tuition Fee for Continuing Students: $35
- Returned Check Fee: $35

Scholarships

Distinguished Scholarships — up to $10,000 Awarded to a select number of students who demonstrate an aptitude for excellence, a grand vision for the future, and a keen sense of social responsibility to leave the world a better place when they are gone.
Scholarships for Outstanding Achievement Recognition (SOAR) — up to $5,000 Established for high-performing students who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in pursuit of a master’s/doctorate degree at Westcliff.
Building Leaders for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (BLEND) Scholarships — up to $2,500 Established for accomplished international students who are pursuing a degree at Westcliff in order to create a more inclusive world in their field of study.
Warrior Scholarships — $2,500 Established to support students in overcoming financial barriers to pursuing academic success at Westcliff.

Academic Calendar

Terms	Scholarship Deadline	Application Deadline	Semester Start Date	CPT Start Date
Summer1	3/12/2025	4/7/2025	5/5/2025	5/5/2025
Summer2		6/2/2025	6/30/2025	6/30/2025
Fall1	7/10/2025	7/22/2025	9/1/2025	9/1/2025
Fall2		9/23/2025	10/27/2025	10/27/2025

Initial F1 Students: 3 months before the first day of the term.

If you missed the deadline, please get in touch with us. We are the official recruitment partner of Westcliff University and can help you accelerate your application.

Day 1 CPT Programs at Westcliff University

MBA [STEM]

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program aims to provide individuals with the essential skills and knowledge for thriving in management roles. In the initial year, students concentrate on foundational MBA coursework. As the year progresses, they can select a concentration aligning with their interests and career aspirations. The second year involves an in-depth exploration of this chosen concentration through three specialized elective courses pertinent to their field of interest. To graduate, students need to complete 8 core courses (24 credits) and 4 concentration courses (12 credits).

Core Courses

ECO 500 Managerial Economics (3 credits)
FIN 500 Financial & Accounting Skills for Managers (3 credits)
LDR 500 Organizational Leadership (3 credits)
MGT 500 Strategic Management in a Globalized Economy (3 credits)
MIS 500 Managing Information Systems & Technology (3 credits)
MKT 500 Marketing Management (3 credits)
ORG 500 Organizational Behavior (3 credits)

Concentration Requirements

Choose 4 courses from one of the ten concentrations (The concentration marked with "*" is STEM):

General
Strategic and Innovative Leadership
Financial Management
Global Business
Organizational Management
Entrepreneurship
Healthcare Administration
Hospitality and Tourism Management
Digital and Strategic Marketing*
Information Technology Management*
Information Technology Project Management*
Applied AI in Business*
Business Analytics*
Cybersecurity*
Web Development & Design*

MS Engineering Management [STEM]

The Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) program highlights the combination of engineering skills and management knowledge, essential for strategic planning and maintaining a competitive edge. By equipping students with essential skills and knowledge in engineering and management, it enables them to drive innovation, streamline processes, and manage resources effectively, thereby fostering organizational success in the rapidly evolving business world. To graduate, students need to complete 6 core courses (18 credits), 1 capstone course (3 credits), and 5 concentration courses (15 credits).

Program Core Courses - 21 Credits

Core Courses (18 credits):

MIS 500 Managing Information Systems & Technology (3 credits)
MIS 510 Information Technology Project Management (3 credits)
MIS 520 Leading Strategic Change with Technology (3 credits)
MIS 540 Management of Information Security (3 credits)
MIS 545 Business Architecture and Organizational Transformation (3 credits)
MIS 550 Big Data Analytics and Visualization (3 credits)

Others

In order to graduate with a concentration, students must take five (5) courses, totaling 9 credit hours in the area of their chosen concentration, Technology Engineering Management (TEM):

TEM 600 Introduction to Systems Engineering 3 Credit Hours
TEM 610 Information Systems Engineering 3 Credit Hours
TEM 620 Engineering Administration 3 Credit Hours
TEM 630 Strategic Technology Management 3 Credit Hours
TEM 640 Reliability Engineering 3 Credit Hours

MS Computer Science [STEM]

The Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program is designed to advance the careers of professionals in the technology sector. It offers a up-to-date curriculum that encourages students to employ design principles, critical and algorithmic thinking, as well as innovation, management, and problem-solving skills in computer science. To graduate, students need to complete 6 core courses (18 credits), 1 capstone course (3 credits), and 5 concentration courses (15 credits).

Program Core Courses - 21 Credits

Core Courses (18 credits):

MIS 500 Managing Information Systems & Technology (3 credits)
MIS 510 Information Technology Project Management (3 credits)
MIS 520 Leading Strategic Change with Technology (3 credits)
MIS 540 Management of Information Security (3 credits)
MIS 545 Business Architecture and Organizational Transformation (3 credits)
MIS 550 Big Data Analytics and Visualization (3 credits)

Capstone Courses (3 credits):

CAP 690 Masters Applied Capstone (3 Credits)

Concentrations

Choose 4-5 courses from one of the five concentrations (15 credits):

Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR)
Data Analytics (DATA)
Health Informatics (HIT)
Software Development (DEV)
Mobile Game Development

MS Information Technology (MSIT) [STEM]

The Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program offers a blend of technical skills and management knowledge, crucial for effectively implementing and managing IT security strategies to protect technological assets, infrastructure, and data analytics. To graduate, students need to complete 6 core courses (18 credits), 1 capstone course (3 credits), and 5 concentration courses (15 credits).

Program Core Courses - 21 Credits

Core Courses (18 credits):

MIS 500 Managing Information Systems & Technology (3 credits)
MIS 510 Information Technology Project Management (3 credits)
MIS 520 Leading Strategic Change with Technology (3 credits)
MIS 540 Management of Information Security (3 credits)
MIS 545 Business Architecture and Organizational Transformation (3 credits)
MIS 550 Big Data Analytics and Visualization (3 credits)

Capstone Courses (3 credits):

CAP 690 Masters Applied Capstone (3 Credits)

Concentrations

Choose 5 courses from one of the five concentrations (15 credits):

Cloud Computing
Cybersecurity
Emerging Technologies (EMT)
Information Technology (ITM)
IT Project Management (ITPM)
Operations Management (OPM)

MA TESOL

The Master's in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program aims to train teachers for a variety of roles, both in the United States and abroad. With substantial training in diverse teaching methods, students will gain specialized knowledge and practical skills for teaching English to non-native speakers, preparing them to become proficient and professional educators with notable leadership qualities. To graduate, students need to complete 12 core courses (36 credits).

Program Core Courses - 36 Credits

TSL 502 Vocabulary Instruction 3 credit hours
TSL 507 Pronunciation Instruction 3 credit hours
TSL 512 Writing Instruction 3 credit hours
TSL 515 Second Language Acquisition 3 credit hours
TSL 520 Grammar Instruction 3 credit hours
TSL 527 Methods of Teaching ESL/EFL 3 credit hours
TSL 532 Listening and Speaking Instruction 3 credit hours
TSL 542 The English Language in Society 3 credit hours
TSL 545 Reading Instruction 3 credit hours
TSL 552 Special Topics in TESOL 3 credit hours
TSL 590 Curriculum Design 3 credit hours
TSL 600 Practicum 3 credit hours

Doctor of Business Administration [STEM]

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program is designed for individuals with a Master's degree aiming to deepen their understanding of global business practices. The program focuses on developing advanced decision-making and leadership abilities, and it extensively explores both theoretical and applied research in the business field. To graduate, students need to complete 60 credits.

Program Core Courses - 48 Credits

Year 1 Courses (19.5 credits):

LDR 700 Leadership and Creative Solutions Implementation (3 credits)
MGT 700 Managing People and Organizations (3 credits)
FIN 700 Financial Risk Management (3 credits)
MKT 700 Marketing Strategy & Consumer Behavior (3 credits)
RES 700 Business Research Methods I (4.5 credits)
RES 701 Doctoral Prospectus (3 credits)

Year 2 Courses (19.5 credits):

Concentration Course I (3 credits)
Concentration Course II (3 credits)
ECO 700 Business in a Global Economy (3 credits)
ORG 700 Corporate Social Responsibility and Organizational Development (3 credits)
RES 702 Business Research Methods II (4.5 credits)
RES 703 Doctoral Literature Review (3 credits)

Year 3 Courses (21 credits):

Concentration Course III (3 credits)
Concentration Course IV (3 credits)
DIS 900 Doctoral Dissertation Course I (3 credits)
DIS 901 Doctoral Dissertation Course II (4.5 credits)
DIS 902 Doctoral Dissertation Course III (3 credits)
DIS 903 Doctoral Dissertation Course IV (4.5 credits)

Concentrations

Six Concentrations (With "*" is STEM program):

Strategic Leadership for the 21st Century
Applied Computer Science (ACS)*
Business Intelligence & Data Analytics (BIDA)*
Cybersecurity*
Information Technology Management*
Web Development & Applications Management*

Bridge Program

The Program is the bridge pathway for those who are not qualified for MSCS, MSIT, and MBA Degree
CPT option for the programs
42 credits ; 3 years

Application

1. Submit an online application form directly to Westcliff!

If you still want to talk with us and discuss program choosing and scholarships, feel free to contact us by filling out the form below!

2. Complete the online interview

3. Upload personal application information, including:

I-20 & Passport Resume I-20 Release Form Official Transcript Bank statement ($35,000 and more deposited in your bank statement in the past 3 months; can be the same value for in another currency)
Application Fee ($30). Contact us to waive your application fee

3. It usually takes 3-4 weeks to receive the result after submitting the application. We provide expedited enrollment service (3-5 days). Fill out the form at the bottom of this page to get in touch! After receiving the admissions letter, please contact us to confirm the time in which SEVIS will be transferred out and fill out the form to transfer the SEVIS from the original school Westcliff University.

FAQ - Hybrid Professional Master's Programs at Westcliff University

Westcliff has 7 programs that offer CPT from day 1, including 5 master's level and 2 doctoral level programs:

Master's

MBA [STEM Options]
MSIT [STEM]
MSCS [STEM]
MSEM [STEM]
TESOL

Doctoral Programs

DBA [STEM]
EdD

Master's Programs range from $28,620 - $30,780 per program; while doctoral-level program will cost you somewhere between $51,300 - $53,700.

Yes. Students with a cumulated GAP of 3.5 and above usually will get a scholarship at Westcliff University.

Depending on the urgency of the case, you might be able to get an offer within 1 business day if you are facing a status maintenance problem.
The usual processing time is 7 - 14 working days.
On average, our students if not in a harry, can get their offer within 1 week.

Certainly, leaving the program is a straightforward process. For students who find it challenging to juggle their professional obligations with their studies upon being selected for H1B status and transitioning to full-time employment, opting out of the program becomes a viable option.

Depending on the specific program, options vary. Some programs offer a certificate of completion for the coursework undertaken, while others provide the flexibility to retain credits for a potential return to complete the program at a later date.

Moreover, Westcliff University takes a step further in supporting H1B visa holders by offering the exclusive "H1B Scholarship." This initiative is tailored specifically for those chosen for H1B, aiming to motivate students to persevere and complete their studies. This not only benefits them academically but also serves as a valuable asset when pursuing green card applications in the future.

Currently, the policy requires students to take on-site classes once per semester (professional format). It is usually during a weekend:

Friday 2 PM -9:00 PM
Saturday 8 AM -8:30 PM
Sunday 8 AM-12:30 PM

At Westcliff University, each semester is constructed by 2 terms. For term one, you are required to take 24 hours of on-site class (conducted during 1 weekend). For term 2, all classes are online, and each session takes about 3 hours.

You don't need to have a job offer to apply to the school. But if you wish to have CPT authorization, a valid job offer is required.

Westcliff University is currently only accepting F1 transfer students with a residency from the following states:

Arizona
California
Colorado
Floridas
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Louisiana
Maine
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Washington

What if you don't live in these states but wish to go to Westcliff University?

You can use your relative's or friend's addresses that are in those states. You don't need a driver's license to prove your residency, as long as you can provide documents that prove you live there, they can process your application. For details, ask our consultants.

Westcliff University currently does now have housing options for hybrid-format students. But if you need, these two hotels are within walking distance of Westcliff University:

Embassy Suites by Hilton Irvine Orange County Airport
Hyatt House Irvine/John Wayne Airport

If you want to lower your costs, consider finding a roommate by joining Day1cpt.org's Westcliff WhatsApp Group. You can also connect with classmates for carpooling or sharing hotel rooms to save money!

This scholarship is exclusively allocated for tuition fees. Should there be any funds left over, these will not be distributed in the form of cash. Instead, any excess amount will be reserved exclusively for covering tuition expenses for upcoming terms within the same program.

Students may apply for multiple non-athletic scholarships, but if a student is qualified for multiple scholarships, only the scholarship of greatest value will be applied.

The scholarship amount awarded is per academic year and is divided over three semesters.

Yes. Students may reapply each semester however, they should carefully evaluate eligibility requirements, including GPA.

This scholarship will persist throughout each student’s academic journey, provided they maintain the necessary GPA and uphold the standards of conduct expected of them.

However, should a student's GPA dip below the required threshold or if they deviate from the conduct guidelines outlined in the Student Handbook, the scholarship will be revoked.

🚨Disclaimer: The term "Day 1 CPT Universities" commonly refers to universities that allow students to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at the start of their first semester. However, getting CPT approval on the first day of the program is not automatic or guaranteed and depends on submitting a complete application on time. In most cases, CPT approval takes 5 to 15 business days after the university receives the required documents.

✓ One-on-One Free Consultation

✓ Personalized Day 1 CPT Universities List

✓ Application Fee Waiver & Application Assistant

✓ Scholarship Opportunities

✓ Connecting to the Admission Officer to Get Pre-Approval

✓ Premium Process - Get an Offer and I-20 within 3 days [added-value service]

*Our consultants are committed to providing a seamless experience. Once you initiate a case with us, you will be assigned a specific consultant who will thoroughly understand your case, ensuring that there's no need for you to repeat information each time you call. We will not change your consultant unless you request it.