Nationally accredited and internationally recognized, the Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology has been producing skilled boat and yacht designers, many of whom have become leaders in the industry, for over 75 years. Since 1930 the Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology has been providing the education necessary for anyone with the drive and desire to become a practicing small-craft designer. Although the design curriculum requires graduates to master computer aided design, it is also committed to ensuring that students gain solid traditional drafting and design skills.

As the not-for-profit educational affiliate of the American Boat and Yacht Council, Westlawn's primary function is to assure a continual source of highly skilled boat and yacht designers to the industry. In fact, a significant portion of the world's small-craft designers are Westlawn trained (see Success Stories).

The school is approved by the Department of Higher Education of the State of Connecticut and nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council which is listed by the US Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Westlawn is also listed as a recognized institution by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects.