Woodbury University

A hidden gem nestled in Burbank right off the 5 freeway is Woodbury University. A small, 1100 student private, non-profit fully accredited university holds some hefty programs. Broken up into four schools, Woodbury University houses the College of Liberal Arts, the School of Architecture, School of Media, Culture and Design and the School of Business.

Over 90% of Woodbury grads get a job in their chosen or applied field within six months of graduation. Not only that, but the university will guarantee job placement or they will offer more schooling on their dime. Woodbury is absolutely for the student who is wanting a hands-on, small environment where full-time faculty include professors in the industry and a quaint environment. It’s also a fairly financially accessible and not too difficult of a school to get into. Even if you have below a 3.0, transition and bridge programs make it possible for students to succeed.

Take a look at some highlights within the departments below and as always, check their website for the most up-to-date information.

College of Liberal Arts

Employers look for people communication critical thinking and analytical skills that liberal arts provides. A liberal arts degree integrates learning from other disciplines and other points of view, making you an employable and current applicant.

Political Science and History – Has students complete a Senior Thesis, dives into historical political reasoning
Professional Writing – Creative writing, tech writing, interacting and gaining input from local Los Angeles professional writers
Public Safety Administration – Readies students to supports agencies in the field (ex. Law Enforcement) through civic and non profit organizations
Interdisciplinary Studies – Students design their own major, come with dream or idea and pull from Woodbury courses and to create a unique curriculum

School of Architecture

Combines design aesthetics and the business side of Architecture, holds the most integrated Master’s programs within the undergraduate level and the high accreditation

Set design, Interior architecture, Bachelor’s in Architecture
Masters in Landscape Architecture (San Diego location)
Masters in Real estate development (San Diego location)
One of the first 14 school’s to have an Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) from the National Council of Architectural Registration Board’s (NCARB)

School of Business

Accounting, Fashion, Management, Marketing degree programs
Master’s in Business Administration
3 + 1 option for MBA
Holds the highest accreditation, 1 of less than 5% of business schools hold this standard – AACSB Accreditation

School of Media Culture and Design

All programs require students to complete internships. The location of Woodbury lends students to the heart of film making, media and studios

BFA Media Program – Students are ready for industry when they graduate and walk out with a BFA portfolio
Nationally ranked animation program
- Game Art (character design and the look of the game) and Design (more programming of the game)
- Students employed typically within 2 months of graduation
Graphic Design nationally ranked, students win design contests nationally and internationally
Fashion design nationally ranked (students go from learning to sew to creating a complete runway collection) Woodbury houses a garment collection from as early as the 1700s
Psychology students create a senior thesis projects that departments submit to professional conferences
Communication (radio station, magazine, etc.)
Filmmaking (includes film, TV or web, screenwriting editing sound, students have internship opportunities with local studios such as Warner Brothers, Sony, Universal and Disney)
Applied Computer Science (augmented reality drone, programming languages, virtual reality, students select focus area such as film gaming etc. Alumni at Pixar, Disney and major advertising companies)

Admissions

Rolling admissions priority application deadline of March 1 for Fall and November 1 for Spring semester. Apply online through Woodbury or the Common App.

General *Go to Woodbury’s admission page for more specific details

2.75 minimum GPA
SAT/ACT optional but recommended
Optional personal statement and letter of recommendation
Portfolio for the Animation and Graphic Design programs
Transition and bridge programs for students below a 2.75 GPA, visit website for details

Transferring from a Community College? Look for articulation agreements.

Financial aid and Return on Investment

Woodbury offers pretty transparent scholarship packages, visit site here: https://woodbury.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarship-and-aid/

70% of Woodbury students receive financial aid. Woodbury is generous with merit aid.

Academic Support

Adviser meetings
Library liaisons (professionals in the specific field for your major)
Small campus, small class sizes

Who Woodbury would not be a good fit for?

The student looking for a campus with school sports/big spirit, big on-campus environment, although Woodbury does have clubs and organizations, when you walk on campus it will be smaller and quieter than a traditional university.