Southern Methodist University - Art, Interactive Media, Interactive Technology and Game Design Programs Profile

Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Interactive Media; Combined B. F. A. Studio Art and Masters of Interactive Technology (M. I. T.) in Digital Game Development program; B. A. Creative Computation; Combined B. S. Computer Science and M. I T. with Game Development Specialization program; M. I. T. Game Design

Tuition Information:  Undergraduate $37,050; graduate $59,500 - $64,800 (depending on chosen M. I. T. specialization) for the 2012 – 2013 school year.  Tuition does not include undergraduate fees of $4,700 per year.

Contact Information:
6425 Boaz Lane
Dallas, TX 75205
214.768.2000
www.smu.edu/

Scope of Program:

Southern Methodist University offers several programs for students interested in animation, digital game design and digital media.  B. F. A. candidates may choose the Interactive Media concentration, which includes coursework in studio art, drawing, art history, design, college and assemblage, video art, art and code, design and visual image, creative computation and physical computing.  All students must pass a B. F. A. qualifying examination, complete a senior seminar and create a thesis project.

Students in the combined B. F. A. Studio Art/M. I. T. Digital Game Development program take courses similar to those taken by Interactive Media students for three and one-half years, then begin the Digital Game Development Master's degree program.  Students complete coursework in game design, interface design, animation for games, 2D and 3D game art, motion graphics and prototyping.  All students create a portfolio and thesis.  Students typically finish the combined program in five years.
Creative Computation students must apply to the major at the start of their second year of study.  Students complete coursework in studio arts, principles of computer science, programming concepts, data structures, film and media aesthetics, digital media, 3D animation, digital tools, computer graphics, new media platforms and media and culture.  All students complete a capstone project.

Students in the combined B. S. Computer Science/ M. I T. with Game Development Specialization program focus on computer science, assembly language programming, data structures, programming languages, algorithms, database concepts, computer networks, digital logic design, software engineering principles, calculus, linear algebra, statistics, engineering management, technical entrepreneurship, software development for games, game study, game development pre-production, gaming project design, operating systems and mathematical methods for game physics.  All students complete a capstone project.

Students in Southern Methodist University's innovative M. I. T. in Game Design program complete nine modules built around their specialization.  Students may choose to specialize in Art Creation, Level Design, Production or Software Development.  Coursework varies by specialization, but may include game design, interface design, story development, 2D art production, 3D game art, team management, business of game design, team game production, character artificial intelligence, game physics and scripting.  All students create a portfolio, thesis and team capstone project.

All art students must purchase an Apple MacBook Pro laptop computer.  A portfolio is required with the application to the M. I. T., B. F. A. and Creative Computation programs.  Art, merit and need-based scholarships are available.  Scholarships are available for qualified United Methodist Church members and ministers' dependents.