University of Houston - Downtown Reviews

  • 24 Reviews
  • Houston (TX)
  • Annual Tuition: $17,524
90% of 24 students said this degree improved their career prospects
71% of 24 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

T
  • Reviewed: 8/6/2022
  • Degree: MBA
"I'll just be blunt -- had I known early that this program was such a joke I would have gone just about anywhere else. 1. Do NOT buy into the cheap MBA nonsense. You will be ushered straight to this wonderful program called "soft start" which is just another way of making you spend more than double what you initially anticipated. Have a business degree? No? Well here, spend another full year in "leveling" courses. Despite having over 20 years of corporate experience at a higher level, I was forced to take these courses because you may not test out of them. Wasted time and money. Next, as part of your "soft start" you have the neat option for a "focus," which is nothing more than a worthless certificate that will cost you another $10K. How? "I thought this was a $13K MBA?" Well it is, but the cert isn't part of the MBA, nor are the $510 per class certificate fees, totaling $4000. Or the endless list of fees totaling another $5000. In all, this program will wind up costing over $30K and I'm already to far in financially to stop. Why? Because I've paid $15K on classes that don't transfer and have absolutely no bearing on an MBA program anywhere else. A total scam. I'll wait until after I graduate but I have every intention of suing for a complete lack of transparency and being sold a very expensive bill of goods without any guidance. Beyond that, I'm convinced nobody actually works there because nobody ever answers the phone. You can never get answers to questions and the finance department is a complete mess. I legitimately hate this school. I dare them to call me for a donation after graduation. LOL Do yourself a favor, go ANYWHERE else. Or better yet, don't waste your time on an MBA. There are plenty of classes on Udemy that will teach you what you need to know. Save your money and enjoy life. Unless your MBA comes from a school that will raise an eyebrow, it won't matter."
Nicole
  • Reviewed: 12/20/2021
  • Degree: Fine Arts
"What an awful school. While I enjoyed most of my professors and feel like I was able to learn a lot from them, the administrative side of the university is extremely lacking. My entire time there was extremely stressful because I had NO IDEA what I was doing and neither did most of the staff. At my orientation after transferring I was given a printed out degree plan with classes sectioned off into chunks based on year and semester. This was a great tool that helped me choose the classes I wanted to take, HOWEVER, the plan they gave me did NOT align with the classes I actually needed for my degree. Somehow in the 2.5 years I was there something changed and I was never notified. I was constantly "missing" classes and no one seemed to know if I actually needed them or not. Random classes required prerequisites that were not required for my degree and when I spoke to advisors they were never sure what I needed or not. Every time I spoke to an advisor, they would print out my degree plan and just say "here you go" even if I wasn't even there to discuss that. One advisor TOLD ME I was a music major and wouldn't listen to me when I said my focus was art. Some of my meetings were 5 minutes long because advisors would tell me they didn't know how to do something so I should email the department head instead. I felt bad bombarding her with my issues that the advisors should be able to handle but luckily in most cases she actually did help me. When it was time for me to graduate I spoke with an advisor to double check I had all my classes accounted for and he told me I was good to go! He then directed me to the grad audit and that lady (very rudely) told me I was missing ONE hidden class so I would not be allowed to finish. Luckily I was able to enroll late into the class I needed but it made no sense that not a single advisor I spoke to noticed this class. My last semester was just packed with classes I never knew I needed because they were hidden or not discusses with me. The school physically is decent, but their organization leaves much to be desired. It is impossible to find information you need for things. You can check their website all day but there is nothing out there. They seem to only like discussing things through a million emails. When it was time for me to attend commencement they wouldn't post the information about it ANYWHERE. The only thing they had on the website was the time, date, and location. No info on parking, student instructions, dress code, guest limit, alternate ways to watch, nothing. In order to find out this information students had to attend a 1 hour orientation or watch the video of that orientation. They said they would update their social media with info and they never did. I had to write out the info myself to share with family and friends because they couldn't find it themselves anywhere!!!! The commencement itself was an absolute mess. I have been to several by now of my own and of friends and I can confidently say UHD has no idea what they were doing. Students didn't know when to sit or stand. Students and staff spent the whole ceremony on their phones. Speakers spent more time talking about themselves and their accomplishments than about the graduation. Then at the end they just let us all leave at the exact same time causing a swarming mess of students. Everyone was squeezing to get into the stands to find their family and we had to walk packed like sardines to get out. No big deal usually but keep in mind COVID is still a big issue and most people there were not wearing masks. I'm sitting here a few days later and I'm currently getting sick. This school could be great. It is a great location and most of the professors are amazing. It needs SO much work though. The people running the school are extremely unorganized and underprepared for their positions. Advisors should be taught to do their jobs and know what things to look for in a degree plan, especially for the college they work for. They can't just shove everything onto the department head. Their excuse for not updating the website is that it's "too hard and time consuming" so maybe they should actually hire some people to spend some time on it keeping things updated. Their events need better planning and overall they just need to be much more professional. Every new semester at that school made me extremely stressed because there was always some sort of issue I had to spend ages figuring out on my own. Enroll at your own risk."
Jennifer Garza
  • Reviewed: 5/24/2021
  • Degree: Education
"Omg worst school ever!!!!! The advisors especially at the CPS department don't help. Then they always want to change the rules midsemester so when you think you can take an exam they hit you with a change that was made with less than a week notice. You have to wait for administration to approve and they take forever meaning you have no real help and have to wait only to hear that you can't do what you want because they change literally everything without letting students know"
Paul Davis
  • Reviewed: 3/19/2021
  • Degree: Computer Science
"I will start by saying that I graduated summa cum laude. Unfortunately, the education provided did not contribute to the skills that employers are looking for. Very few of the things that I learned at UHD are useful to employers. After taking on a role as an online computer science tutor for various universities, I have seen the curriculum that other schools provide, and have realized that UHD only skimmed the surface of that curriculum. You will absolutely gain more valuable skills from a coding bootcamp. There are great professors at UHD, and plenty of wonderful employees, but in my opinion, the courses are far too simple (not universally true). They should be enriched with projects that contribute to the student's portfolio. More focus should be placed on Web Development, C#, .Net, Asp.Net, and the various Javascript tech stacks."
marlon t moonsammy
  • Reviewed: 11/2/2020
  • Degree: Management Information Systems
"I only have 5 more classes to finish my degree, but the financial Aid is keeping me back to signup for classes since I cannot get early Financial AID. Remember, that UHD downtown is a public University and their are like Government management (worse) service. They seems to be delaying the financial Aid for some reason. My advise is to look for a better university to finish. The have on their Logo (FINISH STRONG) but this niche should be (FINISH if you LUCK) Worse institution ever! and if you call them they push you around and they always do not know what to say to you"
Janee Mayweather
  • Reviewed: 12/18/2019
  • Degree: Sociology
"Over all the University of Houston-Downtown was an excellent institution to attend. I feel as though I received a quality education and that it was worth the money. There were a few bad apples at the insitution, mainly some professors, however those bad apples did not taint the overall view that I have of the University of Houston -Downtown."
amelia
  • Reviewed: 11/1/2019
  • Degree: Information Systems
"The financial aid department is the worse for approval. The financial delay the student process, so that students will have to accept the EMEGGENCY payment, because waiting for financial to get approval will not get in time to pay for classes, and then these classes will drop. Once you accept the Emergency Determind they will charge interest, and it will keep increasing because they purposily delay financial aid. i start with $3,024 and they did not aprve yet AID, not is $3,074 and keep increasing. The reason that they do this is to earn a lot of interest for the purchase of campus PIZZA and accessories that they give free to students (student pay for all this). I am very upset because University of Houston- Dpwntown are very nasty by doing so. DO NOT ENROLLED IN THIS CRAP OF COLLEGE, LOOK FOR A BETTER ONE!"
Justin Rogers
  • Reviewed: 9/26/2019
  • Degree: International Business
"A school that truly challenges the students to be their strongest versions. Offers many courses in managerial development and many areas of business. Only the truly dedicated ones finish UHD strong.College offers opportunity for development in many software's and IT related aspects.Wonderful institution overall."
Magge Nunez
  • Reviewed: 8/28/2019
  • Degree: Psychology
"My undergraduate years were filled with various important events. The University of Houston-Downtown provided me with great faculty mentors, and various opportunities in which I could engage more as a student. I became a member of the University Honors Program and I started join organizations and became an active member with the LULAC council on campus, as well as the Texas Freedom Network chapter. Within these organizations I was able to learn about social justice, and how horrible many of the communities I identified were being treated. As a queer Latina, all the groups I am part of are being marginalized. Women, LGBTQ+, and Latinos are not given the opportunities than cis white men are. These organizations taught me the need for more inclusivity, all throughout. I became extremely active in both organizations, leading me to be the VP of Women of LULAC, and TFN chapter president. My dedication and advocacy has awarded me the TFN organizer of the year award. In addition, I was able to take courses increased my insight on inequality. My Psychology of Women class portrayed the struggles women had and continue to go through. My UHD honors freshman course elaborated on how strong gender norms are in our society, and the obstacles the transgender community faces. Simultaneously, my I/O course truly highlighted the need of diversity and its importance in the workplace. All those classes, and organizations impacted me to work to increase diversity in the workforce. Because of that I was able to do research with professor Dr. Pasha, on how ethnic identity can affect Latino's students reading choices in order to provide better materials for upcoming Latino college students."
Barbara Garcia-Powell
  • Reviewed: 6/30/2019
  • Degree: English
"The University of Houston-Downtown, UHD, is a four-year institution that is growing in popularity due to providing a welcoming environment that caters to commuters. I was initially drawn to the university for this reason in addition to the affordable tuition and the diverse student population. After transferring from a large university, I wanted a more intimate learning experience with access to various opportunities to socialize and have the full college student experience. I received that and more at UHD. The small class sizes allowed more meaningful interactions between my professors and I. The diverse student population allowed me to develop socially, network, and acquire lifelong friendships. My favorite aspect of my college experience at UHD must be the quality of the professors on the campus. My professors were so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about their content areas that I couldnt help but absorb a wealth of knowledge and a sense of excitement that is still with me today as an educator. I must add that the career services offered on the campus are game changers. Career services at UHD worked to create a student-campus partnership with me upon graduation, and I must admit that it made life after college less daunting for me as I entered the professional world."
Daisy English
  • Reviewed: 5/4/2019
  • Degree: Psychology
"This university is great for those on a budget. It is not as cheap as two-year community colleges, but it is significantly cheaper than most four-year schools. The University of Houston Downtown is half the price a semester as the University of Houston and it is significantly cheaper than Sam Houston State. I attended Sam Houston for a year and it cost me 10 grand a semester because I had to live on campus with a meal plan. With UHD it was 3 to 4 grand a semester to take as many classes that I was taking at Sam Houston. Which was between 12 to 18 credit hours since I wanted to get through college as fast as possible. This school makes taking classes while working a full-time job a process that can be done. Online classes are what got me through college as a full-time student and a full-time worker. Professors and advisors work with you on what is the most efficient and acceptable course of action to take with any issue. They are kind and helpful with advice but professors are stern with deadlines and quality of work as they are at any university. This is helpful so that the student is able to grow and improve in their class. This prepares students more for the rigorous nature of the real world and their future careers that may not be lenient with late attendance and deadlines. Overall, UHD is a great school and I will always recommend online courses, but if you can spare the time to attend a face to face class then, of course, that is always the better option. Financially this university is affordable and FAFSA helps immensely with the majority of the cost. This is a great school that is affordable and is easy to be able to take courses around working."
Auriela Porter
  • Reviewed: 11/2/2017
  • Degree: Psychology
"When I made the decision to finish my Bachelors I was going back to school in my late 30's after being out of school for a few years. I remember the decided factor that made me enroll the next day. I met with one of the advising counselors who encouraged me to go just go for it. She helped me determine that I could complete my degree and gave me some words of wisdom that made me view my goals in a different light. Sometimes we forget about the non-traditional students and if the label of a "non-traditional" student apply's to you University of Houston Downtown will be a perfect fit."
Mariyam Haideri
  • Reviewed: 12/9/2016
  • Degree: Psychology
"With minimum job in market, Psychology becomes the least demanded by the job market in Texas. The jobs are more towards a business degree as per my household experience. Though the experience of getting a degree was great and I felt accomplishing something in life; on the other hand, I am still unemployed. So I wish for help to get back to school for a Masters Degree in MIS"
Rosa Santos
  • Reviewed: 8/25/2016
  • Degree: Nursing
"I am a first time student at the University of Houston for the Fall 2016 semester. The school spares no expenses when it comes to their nursing students for undergraduate and faculty. I received the feed back on undergraduate from two students who are currently enrolled in the program and they are absolutely convinced that the rigors of the curriculum and faculty strictness are preparing them adequately for their future roles as BSN prepared nurses. It has been only one week for me as a graduate student in their FNP program but the school and nursing facultly have made their expectations very clear and have provided detailed information about the course syllabus and each class being taken this semester."
Chloe Jester
  • Reviewed: 11/20/2015
  • Degree: Computer Science
"In its inaugural year the MS in Data Analytics is off to a great start! I have enjoyed being apart of this first class because the professors are keen to hear what we want to learn to help the program progress. UhD works with companies in Houston to tailor make the program so students are employable after graduation. My fellow students are intelligent and make a great team. I have enjoyed learning from them. The professors are great and are really accessible to the students."
Chet Everett
  • Reviewed: 9/23/2015
  • Degree: Information Systems
"It is very affordable, and the administration does what it can to maximize value. However, the faculty is staffed by too many adjuncts who don't really seem to care to educate. Furthermore, the curriculum is almost always derived straight from text books, sometimes not matching the proper edition, which prevents a focus on concepts and instead becomes more about vocabulary."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 7/20/2015
  • Degree: Education
"My college experience was great. I did not live on campus, but I did still enjoy my time making friends and earning my degree."
Chet
  • Reviewed: 6/8/2015
  • Degree: Information Systems
"It's a good value, and has a low bar for admissions. It's overall a good University for anyone keeping the cost of their degree down, or attempting to finish a degree with a spotty academic past."
Elmira Alizadeh
  • Reviewed: 11/7/2014
  • Degree: Business
"Dynamics; the motivating or driving forces, physical or moral, in any field. Dynamics is also described as the pattern of growth, change, and development in any field.This Dynamic force is behind my passion in pursing a graduate program and is essentially the biggest pro thus far for myself. I believe that pursuing a graduate program involves pros and pros only. The few cons that may be associated with pursuing a graduate program at the time, are only temporary cons for those cons will be turned into pros in the long run. The pros of a graduate degree are endless. But the most important is that of enrichment in knowledge and wisdom.The value of self-enrichment and the amount of knowledge one has is immense. This knowledge is the key to ultimate success. Another pro of a graduate degree is the advancement to a career, a career that will enable you to fully practice what you have learned and what you are so passionate about. The reward of a graduate program goes beyond that of the cons and sets you up for a career path that you might very well not have had the opportunity of grasping. With the advancements of a career and any higher position, you must be able to stand on the same level of understanding and that is only possible with the continued education you receive at a graduate program. With a graduate degree you are fully equipped to handle any situation and task given to you that you may not necessarily have been able to without one. It is the added set of information that puts the period at the end of a sentence. This continued education gives you the opportunity to lead by example and to lead. I believe that pursuing a graduate level makes clear the vision that you may initially have or more so make it more clear."
M
  • Reviewed: 8/6/2014
  • Degree: Internet Marketing
"I found that the instruction of upper level chemistry classes did not prepare me for the material I'm learning in my graduate program. I found myself teaching myself the material. I'm not saying all professors, but just choose wisely. Ask friends and see what the professors' learning styles are. I think one in particular used to teach us the easiest material and then put questions from a test bank on the exams. We were set up for failure. lol"