Woodbury University

Woodbury University was founded in 1884 as a small, creative institution. Located in the San Fernando Valley, students are within close distance to downtown LA and the LA Fashion District. The university stands out for its holistic approach to fashion education, combining elements of design, business, and technology in its curriculum. Woodbury students get hands-on experience, real-world connections, and a top-tier education. Importantly, the university admits students of any race, colour, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities.

Woodbury University was established as Woodbury's Business College on July 7, 1884, by Francis C. Woodbury, who had previously been a partner at Heald's Business College in San Francisco. The college began classes on July 19, 1884, with a focus on educating residents of Los Angeles in business subjects such as bookkeeping, commercial law, and telegraphy. Its first class included an equal number of male and female students, reflecting an early commitment to coeducation.

For the first 103 years, Woodbury's campus was located in Downtown and Central Los Angeles. The initial location was at 316 North Main Street, later moving to the Stowell Building at 226 South Spring Street. In 1924, the institution received a charter status that allowed it to broaden its curriculum, adding courses in business administration, foreign trade, and marketing. By 1931, Woodbury established a division of professional arts, offering programs in commercial art, interior design, and fashion design—areas linked closely to the business field.

In 1937, under President R. H. Whitten, Woodbury relocated to a new campus at 1027 Wilshire Boulevard in the Westlake district. The building, designed by architect Claud Beelman in the Streamline Moderne style, was built to accommodate a growing student body. Woodbury introduced a Master of Business Administration graduate program in 1969. The college became Woodbury University in 1974 and added new majors such as computer information systems in 1982 and architecture in 1984. In 1987, the Weekend College program was launched to support working adults, coinciding with the university’s move to its current Burbank campus, formerly the site of Villa Cabrini Academy.

By 1994, Woodbury was organized into three schools: Architecture and Design, Business and Management, and Arts and Sciences. The School of Architecture and Design gained accreditation from the National Architecture Accrediting Board that same year, while new majors such as psychology, politics and history, and liberal arts and business were added. A satellite campus opened in downtown San Diego in 1998, focusing on architecture degrees, later relocating to Barrio Logan in 2008. In 2021, Woodbury announced plans to consolidate the San Diego campus with the Burbank campus, closing the former by spring 2024. Facing lower enrollment and income, Woodbury began exploring a strategic integration with the University of Redlands, culminating in a merger announced in January 2024.

Woodbury's campus at 7500 North Glenoaks Boulevard was previously used by Villa Cabrini Academy, an all-girls high school founded by Frances Xavier Cabrini. The school moved into the campus in 1987 after acquiring it two years prior. Although the campus is located within Los Angeles, it is in the Burbank post office area and has a Burbank mailing address. The Burbank campus is served by the Los Angeles Metro Bus via Line 92, which stops in front of the campus. The campus is also near the Hollywood Burbank Airport and the Burbank Airport–North station.

Woodbury University, located in Burbank, California, offers diverse undergraduate and graduate programs across its four schools: Architecture, Business, Media Culture and Design, and Liberal Arts. The university is renowned for its hands-on, interdisciplinary approach to education, preparing students for careers in creative, technical, and professional fields.
 

At the undergraduate level, Woodbury's most popular programs include Architecture, Animation + VFX, Applied Computer Science – Media Arts, and Fashion Design. The Architecture program is particularly noteworthy, with 66 graduates in 2022, and is ranked among the top 20 undergraduate architecture programs in the nation by DesignIntelligence. The Animation + VFX program is also highly regarded, ranking among the top 20 programs on the West Coast by Animation Career Review. Other notable programs include Fashion and Apparel Design, Business, and Criminal Justice and Safety Studies.

 

Woodbury emphasizes experiential learning, requiring internships for all majors. This approach allows students to apply their skills in real-world settings, enhancing their employability upon graduation. The university's location in Southern California's creative economy provides students with access to a vibrant network of professionals and opportunities in industries such as entertainment, design, and technology.
 

Woodbury's graduate offerings are concentrated in Architecture and Business. The Master of Architecture (M.Arch), Master of Interior Design (M.I.D.), and Master of Science in Architecture (M.S.Arch) programs are particularly popular, with a combined total of 54 students enrolled. These programs are known for their rigorous curriculum and emphasis on design innovation. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is also notable, offering concentrations in Accounting and Finance, Leadership and Global Strategy, and Entertainment. The MBA program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in leadership and strategic thinking, preparing them for roles in various industries. 
 

Graduate students at Woodbury benefit from small class sizes, personalized attention from faculty, and access to resources that support both academic and professional development. The university's commitment to fostering a collaborative learning environment ensures that students are well-prepared to tackle complex challenges in their respective fields.

Woodbury University's MBA program is distinguished by its dual accreditation from both the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The AACSB accreditation, reaffirmed in February 2024, is held by less than 5% of business schools worldwide and signifies a commitment to excellence in business education. This dual accreditation underscores the program’s comprehensive approach to business education, blending rigorous academic standards with practical, industry-relevant training.
 

Graduates of Woodbury’s MBA program have secured positions at leading organizations such as Bank of America, Ernst & Young, Honda Corporation, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Kaiser Permanente, Merrill Lynch, NBC Universal, Sony Entertainment, Target, Walt Disney, Warner Bros., and Wells Fargo . The program emphasizes ethical leadership, design thinking, and entrepreneurship, preparing students to tackle complex business challenges and drive innovation in their respective fields.

Woodbury University places emphasis on career integration, offering comprehensive support to students and alumni through its Career Services. The university provides personalized career counseling, guidance on résumé and cover letter writing, interview preparation, and access to the Handshake online job network.
 

Graduates of Woodbury University have demonstrated impressive employment outcomes. According to Niche, 90% of alumni are employed two years after graduation, with 88% employed six years post-graduation. The university's commitment to career integration is further evidenced by the success of its alumni in securing positions at Bank of America, Ernst & Young, Honda Corporation, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Kaiser Permanente, Merrill Lynch, NBC Universal, Sony Entertainment, Target, Walt Disney, Warner Bros., and Wells Fargo. 

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15.  "Where Was The Politician Filmed? All About the Stunning Locations from the Show". Oprah Daily.
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17. "L.A.'s first legal 3-D-printed house is here. It was built by students in just 15 months". Los Angeles Times.
18. "Woodbury University's Julius Shulman Institute to honor photographer Todd Eberle". Curbed.
19. "Arts Briefs: Stomptowners bring dynamic blend of traditional and dance music to Altadena". Los Angeles Times. 
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