Keiser University, good idea or bad?

derek954 · 05-27-2008, 10:26 AM

Hello everyone. I have been looking into going to school and have recently spent time at Keiser University earing about their video game design program.

In short, it is a 2 year program for an associates. I would like to go here and get started but I am worried about 2 things

1. With a 2 year degree from keiser, will that be enough to get me a job?

2. Is keiser even taken seriously in this industry? Will a degree from there have any value?

Any information on this will be greatly appreciated. Thank You~

yaustar · 05-27-2008, 10:35 AM

1.Assuming an Associates degree is not a full University it degree then it is unlikely enough to get pass the standard HR filter unless you have a killer portfolio and contacts in the industry.

2. The company is unlikely to care where you got your degree from unless they have had a huge number of graduates recently fail interviews.

derek954 · 05-27-2008, 10:44 AM

Thank you sir. So, generally speaking, in order to have a shot at getting a job you would say an associates is not enough? Should i look into a different school that has a longer program?

The thing about keiser is I will be able to get 3 years of school done in 2. I was under the impression that walking away with that degree would be sufficient, but like I was saying before, I dont want to get done with that program only to learn I need more schooling.

I am on the fence trying to decide If I should get in this course that starts June 2nd.

yaustar · 05-27-2008, 11:24 AM

As you can probably gather, I am not familiar with the US education system. bottom line is that most (if not all) job positions will ask for a full University Bachelor's degree.

If you are looking to get into a designer role then you also have to consider that a games designer is not a graduate entry role either.

Read this thread: http://www.gamecareerguide.com/forum...ead.php?t=1321
And this set of FAQs: http://www.sloperama.com/advice.html

Edit: I also like to add that the course in question looks like a 'jack of all trades' course and doesn't focus on any one area including game design.

http://www.keiseruniversity.edu/vide...-design-AS.php

derek954 · 05-27-2008, 11:45 AM

Thank you again for your response and the links you provided.

As far as the course being a jack of all trades type of program, is that a bad thing?

since you have taken a look at the page and have an idea of what it entails could you give me your thoughts on this particular program?

I am new to this industry (other than playing games my whole life) and am looking to start somewhere, this seemed to have been a interesting option, but since I know so little I am rather confused and overwhelmed.

Thanks again.

yaustar · 05-27-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek954

As far as the course being a jack of all trades type of program, is that a bad thing?

Yes. If you don't specialise and become really in any one area, how do you expect to get a job in any one area of the games industry?

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek954

since you have taken a look at the page and have an idea of what it entails could you give me your thoughts on this particular program?

Knowing how to program or script is useful as a games designer but it teaches you two programming languages. Why? It is a games design course, why do you need to know two languages? They should focus on one and teach how to program, not how to use a language.

2D graphics and image editing. Again, why? Designer, not artist.

3D modeling I can sort of understand as it helps to know how to use 3D editors so you can adapt to the developers' games editors but 3 modules? Way too much.

3 modules on 3D animation. This is meant to be a games design course not 3D animation.

Game Development. What does this even mean? Need more details.

Only two modules related to games design on a games design course?

(You get the idea by now).

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek954

I am new to this industry (other than playing games my whole life) and am looking to start somewhere, this seemed to have been a interesting option, but since I know so little I am rather confused and overwhelmed.

In which case DEFINITELY read Tom's FAQs: http://www.sloperama.com/advice.html

And also the starting articles on this site and find out what you want to do in this industry. Programmer, Artist, Level Designer, Games Designer, etc.
http://www.gamecareerguide.com/featu...design_an_.php
http://www.gamecareerguide.com/featu...amming_an_.php
http://www.gamecareerguide.com/featu...mation_an_.php
http://www.gamecareerguide.com/featu...uction_an_.php