Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from prospective and current Calwest students.
Why Calwest Subscribes to Online Education Philosophies
At Calwest, we subscribe to online education philosophies that have at its foundation the belief that a great education should be available to anyone around the world, so that learning can be without limits. Calwest strongly believes that education is a right, and not a privilege; and that university degrees should not be restricted to only those who can pay the high fees charged. Good education is a human right that should be available to all. As we subscribe to online education philosophies, Calwest charges, as a community service, only very minimal fees when the program is undertaken and assessed completely in-house.
How much time do I have to devote for each course?
In online learning, as there is less directed teaching and more self-study learning required, a credit hour represents 1 hour per week of following both instructional material on the internet and student self-study time. One independent study hour (including thesis or dissertation research) represents 3-4 hours per week of supervised and/or independent practice, representing between 45 and 60 hours of work per semester. A Master's degree program requires at least 33 credit hours and represents over 4,000 actual hours of study, while a doctoral program can represent 8,000 or more actual hours of advanced study and research.
Is there a deadline for enrolment / completion?
Yes, there is a deadline date for enrollment in the MBA degree program — see Academic Calendar. There is no deadline date for starting the DBA degree program. Students do the courses at their own pace with a maximum time limit of 5 years for Graduate programs (MBA) and 7 years for Doctoral programs (DBA). Extensions need special permission from the Provost giving specific reasons, such as health. Work pressure is not a valid reason.
Will the qualifications granted by Calwest be accepted by other institutions and universities?
Calwest is fully authorised to grant degrees in the USA. In the USA, accreditation by a US regional authority is important if one is seeking a government job in the USA or seeking credit for prior learning from USA universities. If any of these reasons are your motivation for doing higher studies, you should not enrol in a Calwest degree. Calwest University is accredited by the World Education Accreditation Council.
Does Calwest have a campus?
Calwest is an online university. It only has administrative offices in Los Angeles, USA; and a Learning Management System (LMS) maintained in Melbourne, Australia. However, Calwest is actively negotiating to conduct on-campus tutorial support programs in countries in which English is a second language.
What is the maximum fee?
Students need to undertake their entire program at Calwest via Tubeclasses, or receive RPL credit for courses already completed. Depending on the amount of credit granted for prior learning, the student will be able to obtain a World-class education for a substantially lower cost. See our Maximum Fees page for detailed breakdowns.
Learn more →Do we have to buy Text Books?
All Tubeclasses courses have prescribed text books that are geared to the course materials. Links are given for students to purchase these online from the publisher; or through Amazon. It is the student's responsibility to purchase the text books (or obtain them from a library).
When do I start? How long will it take? When are the exams held / assignments due?
There is a deadline date for enrollment in the MBA degree program — see Academic Calendar. There is no deadline date for starting the DBA degree program. Tubeclasses courses can be started at anytime once you enroll in the degree program. You work at your own pace. MBA maximum 5 years, DBA maximum 7 years. Once you have completed all topics in a course, the Final Online Exam (90 minutes, 80 MCQs, one attempt) will be available. Your grade is returned within 24 hours.
Will my Degree / Testamur / Diploma refer to the CMA Credits obtained?
No. The Degree Certificate/Testamur/Diploma Certificate will only show that your degree was obtained from the Calwest University. Your Transcripts will show those courses that you have been given a Recognized Prior Learning credit for, but not the institution where the prior learning was undertaken. All courses examined by Calwest will show the grade obtained.
Will Calwest have a Graduating Ceremony?
Currently no graduating ceremony is envisaged as Calwest students are scattered worldwide. Further, as students progress through the program at their own pace; there is no finish time. However, as Calwest numbers grow, and there is enough numbers in a country to warrant organizing a graduation, then it will be considered.
Will university credit be given for studies undertaken via professional bodies?
Qualifications obtained at Rating 1 Professional Bodies listed by the AECSA are acceptable for credit in Calwest masters courses. If you have a Rating 1 Professional Body qualification, please register for a degree program, and request credit on a course by course basis. At present Calwest has granted bulk credit in the MBA program for CMA members of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Australia.
If I am no longer a Financial Member of ICMA; can I do the Calwest degree programs?
If you are NOT a 'Financial' Member of ICMA you can still undertake a Calwest degree program, but you need to rejoin ICMA and obtain a current membership number. Please insert your (expired) Membership Number [CID or MID] in the Calwest Application process. It will list you as a 'lapsed' member, but you will be given the opportunity to renew your membership via the Calwest application process by paying a US$250 renewal fee. Calwest will forward your fees to ICMA.
On conversion of my CMA to an MBA, do I lose my CMA designation?
The MBA is a University degree that you obtain for life. The CMA (from the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Australia) is a Professional qualification that you need to upkeep annually by paying the membership fees and undertaking the required Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. You don't lose one when you gain the other.
Are Calwest Degrees acceptable for Australian Migration Points?
Although ICMA is an Australian entity the Calwest MBA & DBA are authorized American degrees. They are not offered for purposes of Migration to Australia, but instead for enhancing your knowledge and research capabilities. It is up to the Australian Government to recognize them (or not) for migration purposes.
Are Degree Certificates Attested?
In some countries, especially in the Middle East in countries such as UAE and KSA, some employers require Degree Certificates to be attested. Calwest itself does not provide a Degree attestation service. UAE & KSA Residents are advised to obtain the services of a consultant who provides such services.
How can I contact the University?
For students the contact is only by email via the contact form.
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