Colleges that offer degrees in game design

It also covers general education courses in English, math, and social sciences. First-year students must submit high school transcripts 2. Transfer submission requirements include transcripts from previously attended institutions 2.

The bachelor of fine arts in game design and development offered through UW-Stout teaches core skills in art and design, such as drawing, 3D modeling, and animation.

Students learn about concept art, characters, and level design. Required classes for the credit program come from the game design core games design and development , studio requirements drawing and graphic design , and studio "selectives" art and design coursework. First-year applicants must submit official high school transcripts. Transfer applicants must submit transcripts from high school and previously attended institutions 2.

Test scores are optional. DU's bachelor of science in computer science-game development targets those interested in careers as game developers and students who want to pursue graduate work in computer science or a related digital media field. The program requires computer science and mathematics courses, with additional credits in game development computer animation and multimedia storytelling and media arts.

Transfer applicants must submit high school and previously attended college transcripts. SCAD offers a bachelor of arts in digital media with a concentration in interactive design. The credit BA degree requirements include foundation and general education coursework and the concentration including game art, interactive design, and digital design aesthetics. SCAD also offers internships. Transfer applicant requirements include official transcripts from previously attended institutes.

All applicants must submit portfolios. Northeastern offers a credit bachelor of fine arts in game design that teaches students to communicate ideas through interactive media. The degree explores games as an aesthetic form through critical analysis and creative practice.

Students learn a wide variety of genres and contexts and are encouraged to think up innovative new approaches to game content. The program groups courses into game studies, design, development, aesthetics, and critical play. Graduation also requires a game design capstone.

Transfer applicants must submit high school and college transcripts and an academic evaluation. College courses with a 2. Portfolio submissions are highly encouraged. SAU's bachelor of fine arts in game, animation, and simulation teaches students to apply technical and theoretical skills to problem-solving with open source and software applications.

In addition to general education requirements, the credit program's core curriculum includes studies in game design management, physics of animation, concept art, and virtual reality. First-year applicants must be high school graduates with a 2. Transfer applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2. Official transcripts are required. Embry-Riddle's Prescott branch offers a bachelor of science in simulation science, games, and animation.

The program focuses on mathematical algorithms and technologies underlying aviation simulators, computer-aided design systems, and animation software. Additionally, students undergo hands-on lab work to gain proficiency in computer languages. Applicants must submit official transcripts or GED scores from previously attended institutions.

Recommendation letters, standardized test scores, and resumes are optional for both. The WPI bachelor of science in interactive and media game development covers engagement apps and computer-based game development. Students may concentrate in game studies, digital painting, audio arts, and the social impact of games topics. Coursework focuses on math and engineering, game development and design, interactive experiences, and cultural narratives.

Additional classes target artificial intelligence, computer networks, and operating systems. Submission requirements for first-year applicants include high school transcripts and recommendation letters from school counselors and teachers.

Transfer applicants must submit official high school and college transcripts and a recommendation letter. Chico State offers a bachelor of science in computer animation and game development that prepares students in animation production, game scripting, virtual reality, and photogrammetry.

The program also offers a master's fast-track offering both BS and MS degrees in five years. In addition to general education pathway requirements, classes for the credit degree include digital texturing, computer graphics programming, internet media design, and digital audio.

Students may select additional options in animation production or game development. First-time applicants must submit high school transcripts 2. Requirements for transfer applicants vary based on status upper- or lower-division.

DSU offers a bachelor of science in computer game design that builds communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Graduates come away with knowledge in programming languages, 3D modeling, 2D graphics, and an ability to craft effective player experiences. Required classes include computer design, project development, game programming tools, and world-building.

Students may also select an emphasis in game art, narrative design, or software development. All applicants must submit transcripts. First-year applicants need to show either a minimum 2. Transfer applicants must have a cumulative college GPA of 2. American University's master of arts in game design helps students stretch their capabilities as designers, developers, and game administrators.

Award-winning faculty share real-world experiences, training participants in game design theory and multi-disciplinary development.

The credit program goes beyond traditional design, instructing students how to build educationally based games and play. Additional academic support and hands-on experience is provided in facilities such as the Motion Capture Studio Lab, for simulating game animation and character movements; or at annual events such as the Art and Technology Game Conference which attracts game developers and industry leaders from across the country.

Cornell founded its Game Design undergraduate program in , making it one of the oldest and the first to be founded by an Ivy League school.

Cornell has put students in companies and studios such as:. It has also been at the forefront of social and mobile gaming, and an increasing number of alumni are branching out into their own startup companies.

The school also offers an outreach programs for high school students in the local Ithaca area. Although no formal graduate program currently exists, numerous professors and graduate students all benefit from and work within GDI. Located in the heart of Silicone Valley, Cogswell College offers a hands-on project based curriculum centered on creating industry leaders in fields of technology and digital art through entrepreneurship. Programs offered include undergraduate studies in:. Students learn in studio environments with professional grade equipment from industry experienced professors.

Students will develop a professional level portfolio, which will be critiqued by both professors and peers alike, throughout their studies for a competitive edge in the work field. Alumni of the Cogswell College have gone on to work for companies such as:. Standard video game software is used as the basic educational tool. Instructors encourage creativity and innovation. For those students interested in Game Production or Design there are number of relevant degrees available at the University of Wisconsin including:.

There is also one graduate level program, a Master of Fine Arts in Design , offered with a blended delivery. Students have access to a high-performance computer lab, a six camera video motion capture system, 3-D design software, and a growing number of additional, advanced technologies. This statewide institute is a productive think tank at the cross section between industry, academy, and government that fully taps into Massachusetts favorable location as the 4th largest video game cluster in the U.

There are currently three departments, Computer Science, Informatics, and Statistics, which offer a total of eight majors. Located in the scenic Rocky Mountain region, the University of Denver was established in , making it the oldest independent private institution of higher education in the area. The largest and most diverse unit at the school is the Division of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. More than 70 undergraduate or graduate degrees are available through the Division, and include the Emergent Digital Practices program and the Media, Film and Journalism Studies.

This degree requires a total of 60 credits for completion. Students enrolled in this program are required to have a minor, second major, or dual-degree in another discipline. UAT offers four degree options in game design. All are available online and on-campus:. Students develop skills needed to create 3D art for video game platforms. Students learn artistic principles used in 3D video game art creation, which includes lighting, color theory, shading, anatomy, perspective, and 3D mesh topology, and others.

Students build and create complete game design projects with faculty and fellow students. The program encourages collaboration with students and faculty across all gaming degree majors. Students develop a broad coder skill-set and expertise in many platforms and languages. Students hone their abilities in game play interaction, game engine architecture, artificial intelligence, and networking.

This program consists of four modules. Students complete modules in Game Development and Game Production, and then can choose from 10 other options for the next two modules. Students tailor their Master of Science in Game Production to their interests and goals.

There are two academic tracks for students to choose from:. Students will have ample opportunity for hands-on experience through the Center for Game Development, unique game labs for interdisciplinary team work on game prototypes, internships, and research projects.

Students may also wish to participate in the LA program which allows them to intern at successful California gaming companies such as Electronic Arts, Blizzard, or Facebook.

In the Bradley Polytechnic Institute was established and after years of growth and expansion the Institute was rededicated as a four-year college in and was granted University status in This undergraduate curriculum concentration exposes students to topics including gameplay, visual and audio media, and storytelling and conception. Students may also have ample opportunity to participate in team work with other professional programmers and artists.

The Nido R. Qubein School of Communication at High Point University creates a communal atmosphere with interdisciplinary research and networking between scholars within disciplines. Within the credit hour Bachelor of Arts in Communication there are seven sequences, or areas of specialization, from which to choose:. North Carolina State is home to one of the oldest Departments of Computer Science in the nation, having established their department in The undergraduate Computer Science major offers the opportunity to further specialized in a game development concentration.

Students will use the core classes of the computer science degree to gain an understanding of the algorithms and technologies behind creating games. With a minimum requirement of credits, students study a variety of topics such as:.

These include 40 credits for Core courses, credits for Major courses, a minimum of 12 credits for Digital Medial Electives, six to eight credits of Visual Art electives, and six to nine credits for General Electives.

These include 22 credits for Core courses, nine credits for Electives, and five credits for the Comprehensive Experience. Internships are necessary for both degrees. The interdisciplinary program features both practice and theory of game creation.

Topics include interface design, visual asset creation, game programming and character development. Undergraduate Minor:. This Game Design Minor is open to students who are enrolled in any major. Students can learn 3-D modeling, digital drawing, texturing, and engineering and programming for game creation and design, among other skills. Students can also learn to write code and understand the math that goes into programming game creation. For admittance to the Certificate program, students must have an overall G.

Additionally, students should already be enrolled in a degree program at the University of Michigan. If not already enrolled, applicants must apply as non-degree seeking.

The Certificate consists of 12 credit hours, and is designed to provide theoretical and real world instruction in programming video games. Core classes will detail game programming methods. With nearly 30 electives to choose from, students may specialize in subjects including mobile games, software design, and world building.

Parlay your undergraduate experiences into an internship, a job, or even a profitable business. Read program highlights from 6 top-ranked schools. DigiPen Institute of Technology offers some pointers on how to become a game designer. Suggested Schools. Request Info. View School. Clark University Worcester, Massachusetts. Register Book Go. Search suggestions. Learn More. Image by Jean-Christophe Benoist. Marist College Poughkeepsie, NY.