Johnson & Wales University

Johnson & Wales University (JWU) was founded as a business school in 1914 in Providence, Rhode Island, by Gertrude I.Johnson and Mary T. Wales. From its origins as a school devoted to business education, JWU has grown to a junior college, senior college, and ultimately university status.JWU was accredited in 1954 by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). Today the university is offering a variety of new degree programs that reflect the growing industries of tomorrow.

Johnson & Wales University ... an exceptional education that inspires professional success and lifelong personal and intellectual growth.

Graduates will demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for lifelong learning, including competence in communication, critical and creative thinking, quantitative and scientific reasoning, and the ability to evaluate, integrate, and apply knowledge from multiple perspectives when making decisions and solving problems.Graduates will demonstrate the necessary skills, including an awareness of ethical responsibility and cultural/ global diversity, to live and work collaboratively as contributing members of society.

Equity & Compliance Services is dedicated to fostering ethical practices. By promoting a culture of equity and compliance, the department strives to advance JWU’s commitment to creating an environment that values integrity as evidenced by shared respect and responsibility.

Are you interested in a different kind of academic experience? Looking for the widest possible range of unique experiences to help you create the future you want? Ready to jump right in and make it happen? Then you’ll excel at Johnson & Wales.

Unlike other colleges, here you’ll take classes in your major right from the start, so you can spend all four years having the type of related experiences that will build your resume. Not yet sure what your passion is? No problem, you’ll work with your own personal advisor to explore your interests and then tailor an academic roadmap to achieve your goals.You won’t be lectured at in large halls here, either. Instead, you’ll work in small groups to discuss concepts and ideas, analyze real-world problems and develop solutions. You’ll interact and do, not just listen.

Round out your education with community service, professional student clubs, volunteer opportunities and a study abroad experience. Then tie this all together by taking advantage of our unusual depth of career services. We’ll not only help you find your dream internship or full-time job, we’ll also help you polish your resume, practice your interview skills and much more.

JWU hospitality students attend the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality's Annual Conference & Career Fair for résumé skills workshops, mock interviews, networking and interviewing with hospitality industry professionals.Johnson & Wales University student Brad Dubisz shares his story about a course project: Creating a plan to redesign the lobby of the Mandarin Oriental Boston. Brad is a Hotel & Lodging major at JWU. JWU Creative Advertising Alumnus Talks Shop with ADTEAM and Advertising Club student members about her account executive position at MullenLowe U.S.

In 1963 the State of Rhode Island granted a charter that authorized the university to operate as a nonprofit, degree-granting institution of higher learning and to award associate degrees in accounting, business administration, court reporting and secretarial sciences.

In 1970 the State of Rhode Island approved a revision in the university’s charter allowing it to award baccalaureate degrees as well as associate degrees.

In 1972 and 1973 the university announced the addition of new associate degree programs in the fields of hospitality and culinary arts. This led to additional 2- and 4-year degree programs in the hospitality and food service fields.In 1980 the university was granted a legislative charter to replace its previous charter and became authorized to award advanced degrees.

In 1984, a JWU campus was established in Charleston, South Carolina, which offered a variety of 2- and 4-year programs in food service, hospitality and travel-tourism. A JWU campus opened in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1986, offering 1- and 2-year food service programs.

In 1985 graduate degree programs were introduced at the university, and the university officially changed its name to Johnson & Wales University in 1988.In 1992 JWU opened a campus in North Miami, Florida. That year also marked the university’s formal establishment of the College of Business, The Hospitality College, the College of Culinary Arts and the School of Technology. A new emphasis on general studies was introduced with the development of the School of Arts & Sciences.

In fall 2012 the university began offering a degree in counseling psychology, the first bachelor’s degree program offered through the John Hazen White School of Arts & Sciences. This was followed in fall 2013 by the addition of 2 more arts and sciences degree programs.

That same year, the university restructured into 3 colleges and 3 schools: the College of Culinary Arts, College of Management, John Hazen White College of Arts & Sciences, School of Engineering & Design, College of Online Education, and Center for Physician Assistant Studies (to be incorporated into the College of Health & Wellness).

In 2017, JWU again restructured their academic colleges and schools into 7 colleges: the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business, College of Culinary Arts, College of Engineering & Design, College of Health & Wellness, College of Hospitality Management, and College of Online Education.