Frequently Asked Questions About

Westlawn And Their Answers

 

Q. When can I start the Yacht & Boat Design or Element of Technical Boat Design course?

A. Either course may be started at any time during the year. There are no specific start times. Westlawn sends the module of instructional material within a few days after the enrollment form and tuition payment are received. (Elements of Technical Boat Design or “Elements” was formerly named Yacht Design Lite.)

 

Q. Is the Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology accredited and if so, is this an advantage for the student?

A. Yes. The school accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), an accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Accreditation provides the student with the assurance that the school has met specific minimum standards of text preparation, instructor competency and course relevance through inspection by the accrediting and state agencies. Text material is reviewed by a subject specialist to ensure that the instruction is pertinent to the profession. National accreditation works on the students’ behalf to make certain that they receive a quality education.

 

Q. Is Westlawn recognized in the yacht and small-craft design profession?

A. Yes. Not only has Westlawn had a many-decades-long affiliation with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), representing approximately 1,400 boat manufacturers and others industry leaders (accounting for 80% of all boating related products in the U.S.), but Westlawn is affiliated with the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC), which for over 50 years has been the primary source for boating safety standards in the U.S. In addition, the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) recognizes Westlawn students for “student membership” and Westlawn graduates for “graduate membership.”

 

Q. Is computer-aided design (CAD) used in the Yacht & Boat Design course?

A. Yes. In fact, although acquiring good basic manual drafting skills is required, Westlawn also requires that all students in the full Yacht & Boat Design course become proficient in CAD. Students have a full three years to master CAD before lessons must be submitted in CAD for the final exam of Module 3 (the third year) and for all of Module 4 (the fourth year).

 

Q. Should I learn CAD if I intend to work for a design firm or boat builder?

A. Yes. Consider taking a course at a local high school, community college or technical school. CAD can be easy to learn with hands-on instruction. Many students find they can learn on their own using the recommendations in the Westlawn course. A fine portfolio of quality professional drawings will greatly assist job seekers in impressing clients or employers.

 

Q. Does Westlawn provide job placement assistance?

A. Westlawn’s history and unique relationship with the American Boat and Yacht Council makes Westlawn a primary source for companies seeking technically trained professionals for their design departments. Employers throughout the marine industry recognize the value of a Westlawn education, and Westlawn graduates have been responsible for a significant number of new designs introduced worldwide. Please note that Westlawn does not guarantee employment, nor does the school provide a formal placement service. For advanced students, Westlawn does provide information on job opportunities as they become available, but it is the student and potential employer themselves who come to any agreements.

 

Q. What are the costs of the Westlawn courses?

A. Tuition costs are outlined in enrollment agreements on our web site. Note that students taking Westlawn courses outside the United States must refer to the International Student Contracts for those tuition costs. International tuition costs are higher due to significantly higher shipping and mailing charges compared to those within the United States. Tuition for multiple-module courses is identical for each module within the program when the student completes each module within the time specified in the enrollment contract. In instances where the student has exceeded the time allowed for any one module, the tuition for subsequent modules will reflect tuition charges that exist for the next module, at the time of contracting for the next module.

 

Q. What is the maximum allowable time to complete a module of study?

A. The length of time for each module is six months studying full time; however, students studying on a part-time basis may require more time. For this reason, a further six-month extension is allowed FOR EACH MODULE, at no extra charge. Thus, students have up to one year to complete each module in the Westlawn course. Additional time extensions, after the first, free six-month extension, are available to students requiring more time than specified in the enrollment agreement.

 

Q. What are the school’s hours of operation and when is it closed? When are faculty available to answer questions?

A. Westlawn is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM eastern time weekdays throughout the year. Westlawn is closed for U.S. national holidays and is also closed for a two-week summer break and a two-week winter break. The best time to contact faculty with questions is between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM weekdays. For several days during the year, faculty may be engaged in giving presentations and seminars at other schools, at conferences, and at boat shows.

 

Q. How long does it take to complete the Yacht & Boat Design Course or Elements of Technical Boat Design?

A. Working on a part-time basis, devoting approximately fifteen hours a week to study and lesson preparation, you should be able to graduate from the full four-module Yacht & Boat Design program in four years. Full time students, working about 30 hours a week, should be able to complete the program in about two years. Full-time students should be able to complete the Elements of Technical Boat Design course in about 6 months. On a part time basis, plan on a year of study. Because students work at their own pace, some will be able to graduate in less time; others will require more time.

 

Q. Does Westlawn grant a degree?

A. Westlawn grants a professional diploma to all graduates of the four-module Yacht & Boat Design Program. A certificate of completion is awarded to graduates of the Elements of Technical Boat Design course. Degrees are not awarded, as the course concentration is specific to yacht and small-craft design and does not include courses in the humanities, arts, or general education.

 

Q. Are college credits given for the Yacht & Boat Design course if I transfer to a degree-granting college?

A. This should be discussed with the college to which you transfer. In the past, credit has been given for the Yacht & Boat Design program, but each case is evaluated on an individual basis. Currently, the Westlawn course counts toward credit for an associate degree in transportation logistics at Cecil Community College.

 

Q. If I take Elements of Technical Boat Design and complete the course, can I transfer into the full Yacht Design Course?

A. Yes. Students who transfer are required to complete those lessons in Module 1 of the Yacht & Boat Design course that weren’t part of Elements course. All work done in “Elements” is transferred to the full course at no added cost.

 

Q. May I contact Westlawn if there is something I do not understand?

A. Yes! Students are encouraged to call with questions or problems, or to discuss with an instructor any course-related issue. You may call, email, or fax your questions. When using fax or email, please allow several hours for a response, as your instructor may be working with other students at the time we receive your questions.

 

Q. Is a Westlawn graduate a yacht or small-craft designer or a naval architect?

A. In many states you would be known as either. Some states have laws requiring that you have a professional engineering license to be called a naval architect. As Westlawn graduates usually are employed within the boating or small-craft industry, they are known as yacht designers, boat designers, or small-craft designers. While naval architect generally implies large vessels, yacht designer or small-craft designer is more appropriate in describing the usual work of the Westlawn graduate. (Small craft are vessels under 200 feet or 60 meters).

 

Q. Are there additional expenses beyond tuition?

A. The tuition covers all instruction, Westlawn texts, testing, grading, consultation and administration, from the day of enrollment to award of the professional diploma or certificate of completion. In addition, the student pays for drafting equipment and CAD software, tools, accessories and supplies, and specified additional required reference texts, plus postage costs for lessons mailed to the school. The school pays postage for all lessons returned to you. Drafting materials will cost about four hundred dollars for the Yacht & Boat Design course, and about two hundred dollars for the “Elements” course. See also the sheets itemizing estimated costs for CAD software and additional required reference texts in the Westlawn catalog. Computers, software, and printers are not included as course material. Students are responsible for acquiring them, and should call Westlawn beforehand to determine what should be purchased.

 

Q. Do I need access to the Internet to study at Westlawn?

A. Yes. Though the bulk of course itself is not online, you need a computer, email, and access to the Internet to: log onto the student forum, keep up to date with course upgrades and event announcements, and to exchange ideas with other students.