Southern Oregon University

Date: Jul 12 2012
Major: Video/Media (This Major's Salary over time)
I'm a senior at SOU, finishing up my BA in Video Production. I can't begin to tell you how much of a waste this program is compared to others at SOU and around the state. The core classes are all pretty much the same; same handouts, same assignments, same teacher. It seems as if the faculty, which is really just one guy, don't have a clue what they are talking about. Coursework isn't challenging at all. If I wanted a basic knowledge on how to run video equipment and software, I could have watched some Youtube videos, not spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours pounding my head against the wall. The faculty encourage work outside the classroom and internships throughout the valley, but don't actually do anything to help you secure those positions.

Don't be fooled by the revamp of the program with new computers and a new name (EMDA). Computers are constantly full of other peoples files, making it nearly impossible to render your own files. You can rent camera equipment through RVTV, but only by first come, first serve. This would be okay if the teachers weren't the ones that over-ruled your rentals and took cameras without notice.

Overall, you'll be very disappointed in your education if you go to SOU for any type of Video Production. Go to OSU in Corvallis, the Art Institute in Portland, or south to any of the numerous film schools in California. They may cost more, but I promise that the skill set you learn there will be far greater and valuable than any you could earn at SOU.