Announcement
A message from Woodbury University
University of Redlands and Woodbury University to Explore Strategic Integration
The University of Redlands has signed a letter of intent exploring the strategic integration of Woodbury University into the University of Redlands. Both institutions are leaders in personalized and practice-based education, which could bring expanded academic programs and degree opportunities to students of both institutions.
“The University of Redlands and Woodbury University are united by a common mission: a commitment to a transformative education for our students,” said University of Redlands President Krista Newkirk. “Adding Woodbury’s strong and distinctive academic programs to the University of Redlands family provides opportunities for both institutions’ students, faculty, and staff and creates a dynamic environment where our combined impact is greater than what either institution can do alone.”
Located 75 miles apart in Southern California, both private nonprofit universities are well known for delivering innovative and individualized educational experiences to their students on Woodbury University’s Burbank campus and the University of Redlands campuses in Redlands, Marin County outside of San Francisco, and in Salzburg, Austria. The mission and values of the two institutions are similar, with a commitment to small class sizes and hands-on educational experiences.
“We have a tremendous opportunity to join with an ideal potential partner like the University of Redlands,” said Woodbury University President Dr. Barry Ryan. “We have been exploring a university integration to enhance our institution’s financial stability, and after conducting a thorough assessment of our options, the University of Redlands emerged as a strong partner in providing a long-term solution for Woodbury. Their strategic mission is an ideal fit for us, and this potential integration will enable our students to continue receiving a world-class education while providing additional opportunities to University of Redlands students.”
Signing the letter of intent marks the beginning of discussions for a potential integration of Woodbury with Redlands. This exploratory phase does not bind either institution, and there are more stages ahead, including creating and signing an agreement and seeking approvals from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College & University Commission (WSCUC) and the U.S. Department of Education.
University of Redlands Chair of the Board of Trustees, Jamison J. Ashby noted, “This marks an exciting opportunity for the University of Redlands. Given the rapidly changing higher education landscape, it makes sense to explore these types of integrations. Woodbury introduces the prospect of immediate access to multiple excellent programs, complementary to those at Redlands, therefore presenting a valuable opportunity to strengthen our position as a leading private liberal arts and professional university in California.”
“Building upon the rich legacies at both Woodbury and Redlands, we are committed to this exciting process, anticipating even more synergies between our institutions while laying the foundation for a potential transformative alignment,” said Greg Lippe, Chair of the Woodbury University Board of Trustees.
The University of Redlands and Woodbury University have collectively chosen to announce this letter of intent in order to allow for transparent discussions among their respective communities. Through a series of town halls and information sessions, both groups will solicit the input of their stakeholders, including students, staff, alumni, and trustees.
FAQ
Woodbury University has agreed to merge and integrate with the University of Redlands. This FAQ will provide clarification around this most recent update.
Woodbury University’s interests are in preserving and enhancing the longstanding Woodbury educational experience by merging with a university that is aligned with our mission and values. As part of this, Woodbury students will have the opportunity to expand their educational experience with access to the University of Redlands academic programs, student services, study abroad programs and its 160-acre campus in Redlands, California, and more.
For the University of Redlands, it will expand on the range of educational pursuits by offering access to Woodbury University’s unique degree programs. The University of Redlands strategic plan, Forward Together, focuses on offering new programs that today’s students seek, growing opportunities for underserved student populations, and further ensuring financial sustainability. The integration of Woodbury into the University of Redlands furthers these initiatives while providing more opportunity for their students.
A merger is when two institutions have committed to becoming one institution in their identity and function. In this case, it is providing students at both institutions even more opportunities to pursue an educational experience across a broader range of topics and skills.
No. For current Woodbury students, there will be no additional costs other than normal annual tuition and board increases that would likely have occurred without the merger agreement.
Program offerings, including certificates and specific location offerings are part of the merger conversations. Both institutions are committed to making sure you complete your degree within the same time span as originally contemplated.
Both Woodbury University and the University of Redlands are accredited by WSCUC.
Woodbury University will continue to hold programmatic accreditations such as AACSB, NAAB, NASAD, CIDA. The University of Redlands is planning to seek the same accreditations.
Students completing their graduation requirements by May 2024 will be issued a diploma from Woodbury University. This will remain the case until the Department of Education approves the merger, which we anticipate will take more than a year. Once the merger is fully approved and completed, students will earn a University of Redlands degree, but with the inclusion of their school (e.g., School of Architecture) on their diploma.
Your experience should be the same as it was prior to the merger announcement. As always, a DSO is available to support and advise you as a current student or a graduate on OPT.
It will be just like it has been before. Following the merger, the Burbank campus will operate as an additional location of the University of Redlands. The classes and other experiences that you have enjoyed to date will continue to be provided.
The first phase of the merger should be accomplished by June of 2024 (pending WSCUC approval). The second phase of the merger is subject to completion of the processes required by the U.S. Department of Education, which can take 1-2 years.
We’re currently working through the details, but the intent is that the Woodbury brand is maintained in some form.
We’re currently working through some of the details of the transition, but our intent is to make these opportunities available to you as soon as possible once we complete the integration and following approval by regulatory entities. We’ll provide updates as we reach these milestones.
The University of Redlands offers more than 40 undergraduate and 30 graduate programs that are backed by two dozen accreditation and affiliations. Some of their largest programs include Global Business, Biology, Psychology, and the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies, where students get to build their curriculum and major.
No. The program requirements for your degree will not change as long as you’re enrolled at Woodbury.
Students completing their graduation requirements by May 2024 will be issued a diploma from Woodbury University. This will remain the case until the Department of Education approves the merger, which we anticipate will take more than a year. Once the merger is fully approved and completed, students will earn a University of Redlands degree, but with the inclusion of their school (e.g., School of Architecture) on their diploma.
As part of the integration, the intent is for the University of Redlands to invest in the Woodbury campus and your experience. We’ll have more details available as we work through the process.
Yes, your Woodbury University degree will remain a valid degree. Whether a university closes or changes its name, all degrees granted remain valid. In our case, after the US Department of Education approval in 18-24 months, the University of Redlands will be the institution of record for all Woodbury alumni data.