University Values
Academic Integrity and Intellectual Honesty
We are committed to a culture where ethical conduct governs our interactions.
A Culture of Mutual Respect
We believe each member of the University community can significantly contribute to the fulfillment of our university mission and vision.
Student Learning
We are committed to continuous assessment, evaluation and improvement of student learning as part of our university values.
The Communities We Serve
We take very seriously our responsibility to make a positive impact on the communities that surround us geographically and professionally.
A Student-Centric Culture
We believe it is our institutional responsibility to identify, understand, and respond to student needs.
Agility and Responsiveness
We respond quickly to the needs of our students, faculty, and associates.
Innovation and Creativity
We are committed to bringing innovation and creativity to the development and delivery of instruction, and in identifying solutions to complex and challenging problems.
Diversity
We encourage diversity of thought, ethnicity, culture and experience recognizing that through multiple and often differing perspectives offered in a collegial setting, the best ideas emerge.
Efficient Use of Resources
Through our stewardship and mission values, we develop solutions that make the best use of investments in time and other resources.
University Objectives
We are committed to consistently keeping our university objectives at the forefront:
- To provide degree programs in fields of study that lead to professional success.
- To provide academic and support services to enhance student success.
- To provide a caring environment that is supportive and concerned with each student's success.
- To provide curricula, facilities, equipment and educated faculty to prepare students for employment in an ever-changing market.
- To offer innovative and alternative modes of education delivery.
- To assist in meeting the employment needs of related professions.
Institutional Learning Outcomes
Institutional learning outcomes are designed by the University as a whole, taking into account the role that both instruction and student services play in contributing to a student's success. Institutional learning outcomes assume achievement of the stated programmatic learning outcomes of one's discipline.
Upon graduating from a degree program offered by West Coast University, students should be able to:
- Implement intellectual and practical problem solving skills through information assessment and critical thinking.
- Demonstrate effective written communication skills.
- Demonstrate effective oral communication skills.
- Demonstrate computer proficiency and information literacy.
- Describe ethical standards and legal guidelines associated with one's chosen career field.
- Explain why knowledge of and respect for the societal contributions of diverse cultures and perspectives is an important quality in one's discipline.
- Apply professional values and ethics, knowledge of roles and responsibilities, and effective communication skills as a contributing member of a cohesive interprofessional team.
At West Coast University, we embrace a student-centric learning partnership that leads to professional success. We deliver transformational education within a culture of integrity and personal accountability. We design market-responsive programs through collaboration between faculty and industry professionals. We continuously pursue more effective and innovative ways through which students develop the competencies and confidence required in a complex and changing world.
Profile of a Graduate
The following characteristics represent the qualities, attitudes and values that students should possess by the time they have completed their studies at West Coast University.
- Professionalism: Graduates should treat all patients and clients with respect and dignity. They should also always maintain and safeguard the confidentiality of every patient and client. Maintaining a professional appearance and conduct themselves with professionalism is essential at all times. Graduates should understand the value of professional association affiliation.
- Currency, Adaptability, and Lifelong Learning: Graduates should seek to adapt and remain current with the guidelines and scope of their practice. They should also espouse lifelong learning, and should exhibit this commitment via scholarly inquiry, including educational achievements in public and/or global health services, evidence based clinical care, and the sciences.
- Interprofessionalism: Graduates should be prepared as health professionals to collaborate and work cohesively in interprofessional teams. They should strive to develop a safe, patient-centered, and population-based health care system to achieve optimal health and wellness.
- Global Awareness: In addition to the commitment to local, state, regional, national, and public service, graduates should demonstrate an awareness and appreciation for international healthcare models and practices, while also adhering to university values and goals.
- Clinical Application: Graduates should be prepared to apply their clinical skills and knowledge in a variety of diverse settings, both global and local, to promote public health. Graduates should be able to adapt to a variety of clinical situations.
- Diversity and Cultural Sensitivity as ‘Health Care Citizens': Graduates should embrace a commitment to diversity and cultural sensitivity. Graduates should be prepared to meet the broad and disparate needs of their patients, clients, and the communities within which they serve. Graduates should be advocates for health care change and health promotion.
- Service-Oriented and Community Advocacy: Graduates should demonstrate a sustained and meaningful sense of service to their patients, clients, and communities. Graduates should have participated in community service opportunities that have increased their sensitivity to and awareness of the communities within which they serve as part of their personal mission and values
- Acquisition of Personal Attributes: Graduates should demonstrate altruism, integrity, dependability, compassion, respect, temperance, acceptance of criticism, emotional stability, self- awareness, and resilience. Each graduate should exhibit confidence in taking appropriate actions and personal accountability, and have the aptitude to respond quickly in emergency situations.
- Team Player: Graduates should be willing to execute their professional skills as a member of a team. They should exhibit a keen awareness of team dynamics, and be willing to be open-minded, seek common ground, and support and encourage all members of an inter-disciplinary health care team.
- Legal and Ethical Responsibilities: Graduates should be aware of the legal parameters of their scope of practice. They should abide by their respective professional code of ethics and/or oaths, as prescribed by each profession, and/or licensure body.
- Leadership Skills: Graduates should contribute as leaders in their profession and understand their own strengths and weaknesses, and the importance of being flexible, and possessing good organizational and time-management skills to achieve a common goal.
- Interpersonal Communication Skills: Graduates should be active listeners and communicate well with patients, clients, and families to understand their needs and explain treatments. Graduates should also communicate competently in written, oral, and electronic forms with patients, clients, and the healthcare team and should be sensitive to verbal and non-verbal cues.
- Critical Thinking Skills: Graduates should think critically and address problems proactively. They should exhibit sound judgment and reasoning such as the ability to measure, calculate, analyze, and synthesize information pertinent to problem solving when making decisions.
- Knowledge Attainment: Graduates should be qualified and knowledgeable practitioners, as demonstrated by passing board and/or licensure examinations, course grades, and by clinical evaluations, such as preceptorships and field experiences.
- Acquisition of Evidence-Based Resources: Graduates should demonstrate knowledge of information resources and databases, to identify strategies for locating additional evidence-based resources to expand knowledge and skill bases, for referrals and reference. Graduates should also possess the ability to utilize computer technology and apply this expertise in professional and clinical settings.
