Westwood College

Let me start by saying I already have a B.S. degree in Computer Information Systems. I started with Westwood online to pursue my Game Software Development degree. Since I have already been to school, I know what to expect from a quality institution and unfortunately, Westwood is a college that cannot deliver. First, Westwood college is WAAAAAAY overpriced. You do not get the same experience in an online environment opposed to an in-classroom one so why do they feel the need to charge more than some on campus colleges? Secondly, the online delivery system is a joke. It looks like it was designed and developed by a junior admin. The features of the site are watered down and do not offer more than what a basic forum can offer. The resources they refer you to are many FREE online databases. Furthermore, I was told that many faculty members record live lectures so that students can view them many times if they are struggling with a particular subject. This is not the case! This is just a ploy used by recruiters to sucker prospective students into thinking Westwood can offer something with quality. Not only are the lectures not recorded, they are actually only about 2-3 paragraphs long explaining to the student what to read in the textbook. No instructor interaction just instructions on what to read. The ONLY time you will speak to an instructor is when you have to participate in a FORCED weekly discussion that has no real merit or educational value. Lastly, the experience that threw me over the edge and forced me to find a different college, is the fact that Westwood hires faculty members who work for several different colleges. In particular, I had one instructor who obviously had more than he could handle and would be late on EVERYTHING. Assignments, questions, discussions, and general inquiries were either not responded at all or at a time which the subject no longer mattered. I passed the course with a 100%! No joke, 100 PERCENT and did not deserve the grade nor did I learn anything. In fact, when I submitted an assignment and would attach comments like "I do not fully understand this concept, am I on the right track?" he would reply with ambiguous responses like "Great job, you did your research." and "This piece is very impressive.". I made a compliant with the department chair and of course nothing was being done about the situation. In fact, they would not tell me what they were going to do to resolve this problem from happening again. I wish I could recommend this college because the program in question is a booming industry and many students would have the opportunity to pursue their career in the video game industry. In reality however, I feel that it is my obligation to save students from the grossly incompetent and uncompetitive institution that Westwood is. Find a different college, save money and time, and get the quality educational experience you deserve. Good luck.

The Game Art and Design program is a complete waste and a very cruel joke. I wasted the first two years seemingly completeing the same 2D drawing assignments over and over not to mention all of the VERY BASIC drawing classes they make you take. I've been drawing for 20+ years and know about perspective and the other classes they force on you with no way to test out of. Just another way to jack up your tuition rates I guess. The software and 3DS Max classes were even worse. Hell one of the classes they spend the ENTIRE term utilizing a Joan of Arc Tutorial that is FREE online. Talk about a scam and a ripoff there. Overall the only thing this school is interested in is getting your student loan money and then they provide a very basic, less than community college level of education.

I have been at westwood for a little over a year now. i was not promised a job after graduation. i was not promised that i would be a top game programmer. i was told that i would get out of it what i put into it. the teachers i have had have been great. they answer your questions in a timely manner, and i even had one last term who spent a lot of time with me on the phone helping me work out problems. the books , software and curriculum are top notch and i have learned a lot.i have spoken with HR from a couple top gaming companies and was told that when they go to hire it is not so much the degree but what you can do. although it is a bit pricey i would say that it it worth it. i don't know how other online colleges work but westwood is in my opinion a very good school if you can learn without a teacher holding your hand.

I am currently attending Westwood Online and I have two terms before graduating. The experience has been overall great! The staff is really supportive and the student services have been excellent. They provide a real world outlook and it is VERY handson. You get to do real projects versus learning about 'theory' all day. The Career Services are awesome! They helped me with my resume, the provided many networking connections with their Incircle program, and they are constantly adding new things to enhance the experience like guest speakers. For a private college, this ranks among the TOP. I came from University of Colorado and my experience here has made me stay through completion!

I have recently started this software development program and things with Westwood are going well. They really seem to care about your success. Also, the information I learned is quite good. Even though it is only the beginning of my programming adventures, I would say that I am in good hands when it comes to my education.