Westcliff University
Private, WSCUC-accredited university founded in 1993. At the Irvine campus, F-1 students can study weekly or, with approval, in a Professional format with one Friday-through-Sunday residency per semester; eligible new students may request CPT beginning on their I-20 program start date.
About Westcliff University
Westcliff University is a private, for-profit institution founded in 1993 and headquartered in Irvine, California. It is institutionally accredited by WSCUC, and its College of Business is accredited by ACBSP. For the Irvine programs most relevant to working F-1 graduate students, Westcliff publishes two on-campus formats: a weekly format with a three-hour class meeting each week and an approval-based Professional format that combines asynchronous work with one required three-day campus weekend per semester. Fully online study is not available to F-1 students. Westcliff also publishes an unusually specific early-CPT process: a new student may request a CPT start date equal to the program start date on the I-20. That timing is not automatic. The student must complete admission and New Student Orientation, satisfy the applicable SEVIS-registration steps, submit a current employer-signed offer and Cooperative Agreement, enroll in the assigned internship course, and receive a CPT-endorsed I-20 from a DSO before working. For 2026–27, international master's tuition is $835 per credit in the regular format and $875 per credit in the Professional format, before required fees and the separate internship-course charge.
Campus locations
- Irvine main campus — 17877 Von Karman Ave, 4th Floor, Irvine, CA 92614 (weekly and Professional formats; MBA, DBA, MSCS, MSIT, and MSEM available in both)
- Los Angeles/Santa Monica — 401 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (weekly and Professional availability varies by program)
- San Francisco — 433 California Street, Suite 210, San Francisco, CA 94104 (Professional format)
- Dallas — 3303 Lee Parkway, 5th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219 (Professional format)
- Miami — 825 Brickell Bay Drive, 18th Floor, Miami, FL 33131 (Professional format; MSEM is not listed at this location)
- Orlando — 715 Bloom St, Suite 200, Kissimmee, FL 34747 (Professional format)
Academic calendar: Three 16-week semesters, each divided into two 8-week sessions. For 2026–27: fall Aug 31–Dec 20, spring Jan 4–Apr 25, and summer May 3–Aug 22.
Programs Offered at WU
Master of Business Administration
Master of Science in Computer Science
Master of Science in Information Technology
Master of Science in Engineering Management
Doctor of Business Administration
CPT at Westcliff University
CPT Availability
Westcliff University publishes a Curricular Practical Training (CPT) process for eligible F-1 students. Earliest published timing: New students may request the I-20 program start date; DSO approval required. A DSO must approve each request, and employment cannot begin before the student receives the CPT-endorsed I-20.
Academic Format
Published in-person attendance: Weekly: 3 hours/week; Professional: one Friday–Sunday residency/semester. Delivery format can vary by program, campus, and student status; confirm the exact schedule and location with the university before enrolling.
Academic Integration
Published curricular requirement: Assigned INT internship course: 1 credit for a 16-week semester or 0.5 credit for an 8-week session; online, pass/no pass, and not counted toward degree credits. Renewal timing: One session or semester at a time; renewal may be filed 30 days before the current end date. Approval is not automatic.
Student Responsibilities
F-1 students must maintain lawful enrollment, work only for the employer and at the location and dates authorized on page 2 of the I-20, and obtain DSO approval before beginning or changing employment. School-specific rules are listed below when the university publishes them.
WU CPT Rules in Detail
Drawn from Westcliff University’s own published policy pages. Confirm details with the university’s international office before relying on them.
- Curricular mechanism
- Practical Learning Experience (PLE) with program-aligned internship coursework
- Required course
- Assigned INT internship course: 1 credit for a 16-week semester or 0.5 credit for an 8-week session; online, pass/no pass, and not counted toward degree credits
- Authorization length
- Students may request authorization for one 8-week session or one 16-week semester
- When to apply
- Follow the International Affairs calendar; renewal opens up to 30 days before the current CPT end date. Official portal instructions list 7–10 business days for processing, and changes should be requested at least 10 days in advance.
Eligible programs
Restrictions and conditions
- CPT is not automatic: a DSO must approve the request and issue a CPT-endorsed I-20 before any work begins
- For a new student, the requested start date cannot precede the program start date on the I-20
- Incoming students must complete admission, New Student Orientation, I-94 submission, and the applicable SEVIS transfer, change-of-status, or registration steps before CPT is processed
- Employment must be directly related to the major and integrated with the Practical Learning Experience curriculum
- A recently signed Cooperative Agreement and an employer-signed offer or employment-verification letter are required; the letter must be issued within 90 days and state job duties
- Students must attend and pass the online internship course; a failing result affects eligibility for CPT in the next semester
- Full-time CPT means more than 20 hours per week; part-time CPT is 20 hours or less
- An aggregate of 12 months or more of full-time CPT at the same education level eliminates eligibility for post-completion OPT; part-time CPT does not
- Employer, worksite address, date, or part-time/full-time changes require a Change of CPT request before the change takes effect
- The public policy does not state whether self-employment, 1099 work, or fully remote placements are accepted; obtain written DSO confirmation before relying on any of these arrangements
Investment Overview
Published cost breakdown
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition — international master's, regular format | $835 per credit | — |
| Tuition — international master's, Professional format | $875 per credit | — |
| Published annual tuition — regular master's | $15,030 | Westcliff F-1 budget based on its published full-time credit load; not the total degree cost |
| Published annual tuition — Professional master's | $15,750 | Westcliff F-1 budget based on its published full-time credit load; not the total degree cost |
| Tuition — international doctorate, regular format | $920 per credit | — |
| Tuition — international doctorate, Professional format | $975 per credit | — |
| Application fee | $50 | One time, nonrefundable |
| Enrollment fee — California | $200 | — |
| Registration fee | $25 per semester | Nonrefundable |
| Technology resource fee | $150 per semester | — |
| Student ID card | $10 | — |
| I-20 processing fee — California | $200 | The incoming F-1 checklist says this applies to applicants from select countries |
| Activity fee — Irvine weekly format | $100 per semester | Applies to non-athlete students attending weekly in Irvine |
| CPT internship course | One credit-hour rate per 16-week semester | One-half of the applicable credit-hour rate for an 8-week session; charged separately from degree credits |
Figures published by Westcliff University and last checked September 7, 2026. Tuition and fees change — confirm current amounts with the university before applying.
How to Apply to WU
Required Documents
- Completed online international-student application and $50 application fee
- Color copy of a passport valid for at least six months after the application date
- Official transcripts showing a qualifying bachelor's degree and at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA for a master's application
- Original-language academic records plus a certified English translation where needed; any outside evaluation must be from a NACES member
- Foreign diploma or graduation certificate, when requested
- Graduate English proficiency evidence, such as IELTS 6.0, legacy TOEFL iBT 79, Duolingo 105, PTE Academic 58, or an accepted English-medium-of-instruction record
- Bank statement or bank letter issued within the prior 90 days, in English or with a certified translation, showing the program-specific liquid-funds requirement
- Sponsor Affidavit Form when someone else will fund the student's education or living expenses
- Digital I-20 Request Form after admission; F-1 visa copy, enrollment forms, tuition deposit, advisor meeting, and New Student Orientation before registration
Application Process
- Review Program RequirementsConfirm the program, campus, delivery format, attendance schedule, tuition, and current application deadline with the university.
- Gather DocumentsPrepare the academic, identity, immigration, English-proficiency, and financial documents listed for your applicant type.
- Submit ApplicationApply online for one of the intake dates: Six starts in 2026–27: Aug 31, Oct 26, Jan 4, Mar 1, May 3, and Jun 28.
- Complete F-1 Onboarding and Apply for CPT SeparatelyAdmission and CPT authorization are separate decisions. After completing the university’s F-1 onboarding steps and obtaining a qualifying offer, submit the CPT request and wait for a DSO-issued CPT I-20 before working.
Common Questions about WU
Yes, Westcliff's current CPT guideline says the earliest date a new student may request is the program start date on the I-20. This is permission to apply, not guaranteed work authorization. International Affairs processes the request only after required admission, orientation, I-94, and SEVIS steps are complete, and the student may not work until a DSO approves the request and issues an I-20 showing the employer and authorized dates.
Sources & verification
- Westcliff University — About and Institutional History
- Westcliff University — Accreditation
- WSCUC — Westcliff University Accreditation Status
- Westcliff University — Irvine Campus and Programs
- Westcliff University — 2026–27 International Program Formats and Locations
- Westcliff University — Professional Weekend Format
- Westcliff University — 2026–27 Academic Calendar
- Westcliff University — International Student Admissions and F-1 Budget
- Westcliff University — 2026–27 Incoming F-1 Admissions Checklist
- Westcliff University — 2026–27 International Tuition and Fees
- Westcliff University — CPT Application Guideline
- Westcliff University — CPT Service, Documents, Fees, and Changes
- Westcliff University — F-1 CPT FAQ
- Westcliff University — CPT Portal Submission and Processing Instructions
- Westcliff University — CPT Forms and Program Cooperative Agreements
- Westcliff University — Master of Business Administration
- Westcliff University — Master of Science in Computer Science
- Westcliff University — Master of Science in Information Technology
- Westcliff University — Master of Science in Engineering Management
- Westcliff University — Doctor of Business Administration
- Westcliff University — Current Programs and STEM Concentrations
- Westcliff University — Published STEM Program and CIP Table
Last verified: September 7, 2026 against the sources listed above.
Not yet confirmed by the institution. This page is compiled from Westcliff University's published materials and has not been reviewed by the university. Tuition, program availability, and CPT policy change frequently. Always confirm current details directly with the university’s international office and your DSO before making enrolment or immigration decisions. CPTGuru is not affiliated with Westcliff University.
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