| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California | California |
| 2 | University of Central Florida | Florida |
| 3 | University of California, Santa Cruz | California |
| 4 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Georgia |
| 5 | DigiPen Institute of Technology | Washington |
| 6 | Michigan State University | Michigan |
| 7 | Drexel University | Pennsylvania |
| 8 | University of California, Los Angeles | California |
| 9 | University of Florida | Florida |
| 10 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Massachusetts |
| 11 | University of Texas at Dallas | Texas |
| 12 | Miami University | Ohio |
| 13 | University of Denver | Colorado |
| 14 | Columbia College Chicago | Illinois |
| 15 | Bradley University | Illinois |
| 16 | University of Advancing Technology | Arizona |
| 17 | University of Connecticut | Connecticut |
| 18 | University of Wisconsin – Whitewater | Wisconsin |
| 19 | University of Silicon Valley | California |
| 20 | Quinnipiac University | Connecticut |
For our undergraduate degree rankings, we have evaluated game design schools and programs with the best Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), and Bachelor of Science (BS) options. To determine which degree matches your career goals, it is important to understand how each qualification differs.
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is the principal liberal arts degree. Most BA programs require 30-some or 40-some credits, which leaves plenty of flexibility in the form of free electives. BA students can use the free electives to sample widely from other course offerings or to earn an additional credential (a second major, a minor, or some combination of additional credentials).
The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree is offered in areas such as Computer Science, Mathematics, Psychology, Statistics, and each of the natural sciences. The BS is best suited to the student who wants to focus more on courses in the major and on 'collateral' courses (like chemistry or mathematics for a major in Geological Sciences) and is willing to give up some of the flexibility of the BA in return for the greater focus.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree is considered the most prestigious bachelor's degree that you can receive in the visual arts. This option is for students who wish to gain as much experience and skill in the arts as possible.
Below are the Top 20 Schools and Colleges with Game Design BA Programs for 2024.
University of Southern California (USC) Los Angeles has an Interactive Entertainment BA that consists of 128 units--including 48 units in the major. The degree is granted through the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences in conjunction with the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA). Students will begin the BA program with the Digital Media Workshop course and Cinematic Communication--a filmmaking course. Throughout the program, students will also participate in producing workshops, individual and group projects, and directing workshops.
The program also provides access to all of the benefits of USC Games--a collaboration between the Interactive Media & Games Division (IMGD) and the Viterbi School of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science. Features include 24/7 access to state-of-the art facilities; internship opportunities; networking; and hands-on direction from master producers, designers, engineers, and other working professionals in the industry.
Course examples for the BA program include game Development Fundamentals; Programming in Python; Video Game Programming; Game Prototyping; Character Development for 3D Animation and Games; Advanced Games Crew; Sound Design for Games; Tabletop Roleplaying Games; Advanced Game Development; Character Development and Storytelling for Games; Game Industry Workshop; and Experimental Game Topics.
The Interactive Entertainment BA at USC culminates with the Advanced Game Project, completed across two courses. For the project, students will work in teams to produce a functional digital game suitable for submission into independent game festivals, showcases, and distribution via the web.
Graduates of the Games programs at USC have developed and sold their own games, launched their own studios, or landed positions at major studios such as Disney, CBS Interactive, Riot Games, ESPN, Apple, and Epic Games.
Visual and Performing Arts is one of the top five undergraduate disciplines at University of Central Florida (UCF). Part of the Nicholson School of Communication and Media, UCF provides a Visual Arts program that's ideal for game designers--the Digital Media BA with a Game Design track.
Students in this program will complete 45 credit hours of games and digital media coursework. Examples include Evolution of Video Games; Contemporary Topics in Digital Media; Casual Game Production; Game Testing; Game Level Design; Game Optimization and Performance; Game Design Tools and Plugins; Digital Cultures and Narrative; Modeling for Realtime Systems I and II; Post-Production Game FX; and Computer as Medium.
The Digital Media BA/Game Design culminates with the Game Design Capstone completed across two workshops. This team-based project includes the design, production, and testing of games using professional tools and iterative design techniques.
Students in all NSCM programs at University of Central Florida will work, learn, and collaborate in the Communication and Media Building which houses 112,000 square feet of state-of-the-art studio and classroom space. This includes Studio 500—one of the largest soundstages and motion capture studios on the east coast. Study abroad opportunities and career development resources are also available to all students.
Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of game design and development, interactivity, visualization, entertainment, and more. Program alumni have been hired by more than 300 companies. Examples include Epic Games, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Gameloft, Blizzard Entertainment, Nintendo, Apple, Walt Disney Imagineering, Zynga, Cartoon Network, Marvel, Sony, Google, Blur Studio, Lockheed Martin, and Unity Technologies.
University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz or UCSC) was the first institution in the University of California System to launch an undergraduate game major. Housed in the Jack Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE), and known as Games @ UC Santa Cruz, this intensive program provides an Art & Design: Games and Playable Media (BA AGPM) that explores topics such as interactive art, new media art, digital and non-digital games, participatory and performance-based games, and exhibition methods for games in public and traditional art spaces.
Other areas explored include performance art, and activism, art and social practice as they relate to games, and performance art. Course examples include 3D Game Art Production; Play as a Radical Endeavor; and 3D Character Rigging and Animation for Video Games.
In addition to a variety of in-demand courses, BA AGPM students have access to Games @ UC Santa Cruz facilities and centers such as The Center for Computational Experience; Advanced Visualization and Interactive Systems; Ludo Lab; Critical Realities Studio; Software Introspection Laboratory; Expressive Intelligence Studio; ADL (Augmented Design Laboratory); Social Emotional Technology Lab; and The Other Lab.
Other program benefits include guest speakers from the game design industry; networking opportunities; project evaluations by industry professionals; game design internships; frequent studio tours; study abroad experiences; and participation in the Annual Games Showcase. Undergraduates will complete the Capstone Project during the final year of the program.
Graduates of the Game Design programs at UC Santa Cruz enjoy a 93% job placement rate. Alumni are prepared to pursue positions such as Game Designer, Game Writer, Digital Artist, Board Game Designer, Producer, VR/AR Artist, and 2D/3D Artist. Graduates have been hired at companies and studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), WB Games Boston, Zynga, Universal Studios Japan, Ubisoft, Amazon, Google, Hi-Rez Studios, Method Studios, Tencent, Tic Toc Games, NetEase Games, Toys for Bob, Glu, NCSoft, and TopGolf.
The School of Creative Technology at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has a Digital Media BA with a Game Development track. Students in the program have opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships with local and national studios. Students also have opportunities to work individually and in teams to complete projects across state-of-the-art customized facilities within the SCAD Digital Media Center (est. 2009) and Mongomery Hall. More than 130,000 square feet of space includes studio classrooms; 800 computers+; stop-motion sets; a green-screen stage; motion-capture technology; and AR/VR labs.
Housed in the former home of the Atlanta TV Station WXIA, the SCAD Digital Media Center provides an in-house theater, green screen lab, and a real-world studio environment. Savannah College of Art and Design also houses six galleries in Savannah, and two in Atlanta.
Each quarter, SCAD School of Digital Media invites professionals in the industry to meet with students on campus. During these meetings, students have the opportunity to interview and present their portfolios. Past visitors have been affiliated with studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Zynga, and Activision Blizzard.
The Digital Media BA program consists of 45 credit hours in the concentration, 25 in free electives, 20 hours in foundation studies, and 90 in general education for a total of 180 credit hours. Based on their interests, Game Development students have the opportunity to select from nine courses, a 500-level elective, a business-focused elective, the undergraduate internship, and 15 other pre-selected electives. Course examples for the program include Applied Principles: Game Design; Core Principles: Programming; and Applied Principles: Game Art. The program culminates with a final project.
Graduates of the Digital Media BA program and other games-related programs at Savannah College of Art and Design are routinely hired by EA, Epic Games, Zynga, Activision Blizzard, Riot Games, Gearbox Software, Microsoft, Adobe, Apple, Bethesda, Firaxis Games, and Sucker Punch Productions.
DigiPen Institute of Technology (DigiPen) was the first college in the world to offer a bachelor’s degree in Video Game Technology and Development. Since then, this Houdini Certified School has accumulated 57 IGF awards—more than any other school in the world, and students have won close to 315 awards for game projects and academic papers. In addition, DigiPen graduates are credited on more than 2,000 commercial video games.
The Video Game Technology and Development program has an interdisciplinary Game Design BA that explores design theory, games, applications, and interactive media. Students have the opportunity to specialize in two of six areas including Level Design; Technical Design; Narrative Design; Systems Design; UX Design; or User Research. Other program benefits include collaborations with peers across disciplines; a series of semester- and year-long game projects; courses taught by industry professionals; and internship opportunities.
Graduates of the Game Design BA program at DigiPen Institute of Technology are prepared to pursue intermediate to leadership roles across the games and other related industries. Program alumni have also gone on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
DigiPen Institute of Technology graduates enjoy a high job placement rate. To date, more than 1,500 companies have hired DigiPen alumni. Examples include Epic Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Nintendo, DreamWorks Interactive, Google, Amazon, Walt Disney Imagineering, SpaceX, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Microsoft, Activision, Insomniac Games, Zynga, Booz Allen Hamilton, Intel Corporation, Ubisoft Shanghai, Bungie, Take-Two Interactive, and ArenaNet.
The College of Communication Arts and Sciences (ComArtSci) and the College of Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) provide several paths to study game design. Serving more than 3,500 students, the ComArtSci houses the Department of Media and Information (MI)—home to the Game Design and Development Program. Established in 2005, the program provides a Games and Interactive Media BA, with three focus areas including Game Design, Games Graphics and Animation, and Game Development.
Students in all areas will explore the design process, effects, artistry, management, and production of video games, emerging interactive media, AR/VR, and board games. Examples of required courses include Media and Sketching Graphics; Games and Society; Methods for Understanding Users; Games and Interactivity; and Bringing Media to Market.
Students in the Game Design focus area will take additional courses such as Game Level Design; Building Virtual Worlds; Game Interface Design; Game Design and Development I and II; and Serious Game Design Studio. Course examples for the Games Graphics and Animation area include Advanced 3D Modeling; Compositing and Special Effects; Concept Design for Games, Film, and TV; and Advanced Three-Dimensional Computer Animation.
Game Development students will take courses such as Introduction to Programming I and II; Building Innovative Interfaces; Game and Interactive Media Development; and Matrix Algebra with Computational Applications.
All BA students will have opportunities to work on real-world projects with partners such as Electronic Arts (EA), Blizzard Entertainment, Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, Insomniac Games, and Bungie. Students also have access to the GEL Lab and the Games for Entertainment and Learning Lab. Both provide state-of-the-art technology for designing prototypes, learning new techniques, and to advance research on the individual and social impacts of digital games.
Students will graduate from the MSU Game Design program with a professional portfolio of both large and small projects that reflect a wide range of works. Program alumni are prepared to pursue careers such as Game Designer, 2D Artist, Interaction Designer, Game Scenario Writer, Producer, Technical Designer, Usability Engineer, Programmer, UI/UX Designer, Technical Artist, Level Designer, Quality Assurance, and Project Manager.
Program alumni have been hired at major studios such as Rockstar Games, EA, Insomniac Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Ubisoft, and Bungie.
The College of Computing & Informatics at Drexel University (Drexel) has a Computer Science BA (BAC) that provides optional tracks in Game Development and Design; Artificial Intelligence; and Numeric and Symbolic Computation. All tracks explore games, with topics that cover 2D and 3D Games (Game Development and Design); Game Playing and Logic Programming (Artificial Intelligence); and Creating Virtual Worlds (Numeric & Symbolic Computation).
Like all Westphal College programs, programs in the College of Computing & Informatics provide a hands-on curriculum combined with valuable co-op experiences. All programs end with a full-year capstone project.
Across all programs, students have access to the Drexel Game Design and the RePlay Lab; the Entrepreneurial Game Studio (EGS); and the Center for Games, Artificial Intelligence, and Media Systems (GAIMS Center). Graduates of the Game Design programs at Drexel University are prepared to pursue advanced roles in PC Game Design, Serious Games, Console Game Design, Game Art, Mobile Game Design, and Simulation and Job Training.
More than 80% of Drexel gaming graduates and nearly 90% of dual degree graduates are working in an area directly related to game development. Drexel alumni have been hired at places such as Disney Imagineering, Lockheed, Xbox Game Studios, Disney Interactive, Razorfish, Zynga, Blizzard Entertainment, Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft Studios, Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, Digital Domain, BioWare, Gameloft, Volition Inc., NCSoft Carbine Studios, and Comcast Corporation.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is home to UCLA Game Lab and UCLA Extension. Supported by the School of the Arts and Architecture (UCLA Arts) and the School of Theater, Film and Television, UCLA Game Lab hosts guest speaker events, workshops, and visiting artists and researchers. The Lab is also supported by sponsors such as the National Endowment for the Arts, Zbrush, Unity, HP, Oculus, and Nvidia. UCLA Game Lab is open to all students with an interest in games.
While UCLA Extension does not have a formal Game Design program, this continuing education division provides a number of game design courses that can be taken individually or to customize a program. Course examples include Unity: 3D Game Design and Game Engines; 3D Real-Time Animation; Developing Video Game Narratives; Composing Music for Video Games; and Producing Commercials for Games.
Also housed UCLA’s School of the Arts and Architecture is the Department of Design Media Arts (DMA). Within the department is a DMA BA that explores everything from motion and video to interactivity and game design. Courses for the program are studio-based, with space for up to 22 students. Course examples include Game Design; Topics in Interactivity and Games; Word + Image; 3D Modeling and Motion; Video; Tangible Media; and Narrative. DMA BA students will complete a final project—Senior Project in Desigin Media Arts—to graduate.
Graduates work in all areas of game design and development. They can be found at game design studios, software companies, film studios, advertising agencies, marketing firms, government agencies, and academic institutions.
College of the Arts (COTA) at University of Florida (UF) has been in existence since 1925. Within COTA is the Digital Worlds Institute, which houses the Digital Arts & Sciences (DAS) program. As part of UF, the DAS program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Digital Worlds Institute features include the DAS Mentorship Program; access to LUMA at Digital World Studios; guest speakers and lecturers; Portfolio Open House events; participation in the internship program; and a DAS BA (BADAS) that can be completed on campus and fully online through UF Online.
All UF Digital Worlds programs are interdisciplinary and combine arts, engineering, communications, and science. Course examples across pathways include Game Development; Game Content Creation; Creating Mobile Games; Game Design and Production; 3D Animation Techniques; Game Systems Development; Digital Storytelling; and Interaction & Usability.
The BADAS program requires 120 credit hours of study and successful completion of the culminating DAS project. Graduates are Game Designers, Level Designers, Game Artists, Character Modelers, Visual Effects (VFX) Artists, Software Engineers, Technical Animators, Digital Storytellers, Motion Graphics Animators, UI/UX Designers, Production Coordinators, Entrepreneurs, and Freelance Designers. Program alumni have been hired at major companies and studios such as DreamWorks and Microsoft.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) houses the School of Arts and Sciences, home to the Interactive Media & Game Development (IMGD) program. One of the earliest gaming programs in the U.S. IMGD provides a BA in IMGD with concentrations in Visual Art, Design, Technical Art, and Writing. In the Visual Art concentration, students will explore games, concept art, 2D and 3D animation, environmental modeling, and 3D character design.
All IMGD programs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute provide access to state-of-the-art labs and studios such the dedicated IMGD Lab equipped with industry-standard software and hardware tools; an Artificial Intelligence & Intelligent Tutoring Lab; a Sound Recording Studio; and a Digital Art Studio. In addition, all programs blend art, technology, and real-world experience through a co-op or professional internship.
As part of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, IMGD graduates enjoy frequent on-campus recruiting events and a 92.7% employment success rate. Examples of companies that have hired WPI IMGD graduates include NextGen Interactions, Centre Technology, Kaon Interactive, and Zudy.
University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is home to the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (AHT). The AHT was established in August 2022 after the consolidation of the School of Arts & Humanities (founded in 1975), and the School of Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC), founded in 2002 as Texas’s first Arts and Technology degree.
The AHT still houses the ATEC BA, MA, MFA, and PhD programs, all of which provide opportunities to study game design and development. For example, the ATEC BA has an Animation & Games (A&G) concentration that explores game mechanics, experimental animation, visual narrative, and project development and management practices. The program culminates with the production of an animated short or game. Students will complete their final projects in a simulated studio environment as part of a crew that designs, writes, and produces the game.
All UT Dallas ATEC students have access to a variety of other state-of-the-art facilities and other resources including the Game Lab; CG Animation Lab; Motion Capture Studio; Games and Media Library; Surround Studio; Animation Lab; Narrative Systems Research Lab; The Studio for Mediating Play; ATEC Lecture Hall; experimenta.l.; Games Research Lab; Render Farm; 3D Studio; and Mixed Media Lab. The ATEC Lecture Hall has hosted speakers from Pixar, Disney, and DreamWorks.
Graduates of the ATEC programs at University of Texas at Dallas are prepared to pursue roles across industries and at leading studios, companies, and other organizations. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Pixar, Apple, DreamWorks, Google, Disney, Toyota, and Capital One.
The College of Creative Arts at Miami University (Miami U) is home to the Department of Emerging Technology in Business + Design (ETBD). Within the department is an ideal option for game designers--the Emerging Technology in Business and Design BA (ET BA) program. This highly competitive program features four foundational pillars: Design, Technology, Collaboration & Making, and Business.
All ET BA students will study coding; design and design thinking; product management; artificial intelligence (AI); marketing; augmented reality (AR); The Internet of Things (IoT); communication; and entrepreneurship. Course examples for the program include Game Design; Principles and Practices of Managing Interactive Projects; Game Programming; Interactive Business Communication; Social Media Marketing; Online Community Management; Game Studies; Interaction Design and Development; Art and Digital Tools; and Mobile Application Development. ET BA students may also add the Games + Simulation minor.
To gain valuable work experience in the industry, all ETBD students will complete an internship at a local or national studio. Students have access to more than 20 local game studios. Examples include Max Gaming Technologies, MouseMouse Media, Inc., SGM Games, Ganbaru Games, Funky Visions, Green Door Games, Multivarious Games, Aertherbyte Studios, Wraith Games, and Few Remain.
Other ETBD features include access to more than 50 games courses; semester-long preprofessional experiences at locations across the U.S. and Europe; an honors program consisting of special course selections and the opportunity to work with the same cohort for four years; and access to state-of-the-art production facilities and labs.
Graduates of the Game Design programs at Miami University have continued on to graduate school or careers in Game Design and Development, Writing for Games, Game Art, AR/VR, 3D Modeling, UI/UX, and Multimedia Design, and many others.
University of Denver (DU) is home to the Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science. Within the school is a Computer Science Department that provides the opportunity to specialize in just about any area. Other department highlights include small class sizes with courses grounded in modern software engineering; interdisciplinary, experiential, and project-based learning laboratories; participation in student-run clubs such as the DU Game Developers Society, DU Esports, DU Computer Science, and Women in Technology; and faculty members who are active in research.
In addition to custom specializations, DU’s Computer Science Department provides BA degrees in Applied Computing and Game Development. Course examples across programs include Game Programming; 3D Modeling; Game Design; Multimedia Systems; Programming Languages; Machine Learning; and Operating Systems.
BA students will complete a Game Capstone to graduate. During the course of this culminating experience, students will conceptualize, design, test, and debug an industry-ready game. In addition to learning about the game design process from start to finish, students will develop group collaboration and researching skills.
All CS students have opportunities to participate in DU’s study abroad programs, internships, and cooperative education. Recent internship employers include The Walt Disney Company, Charter Communications, Oracle, NBC Universal, and Ball Aerospace.
Graduates of the Computer Science Computing and Game Development programs at University of Denver work in all 50 states and across 145 countries. Program alumni are Game Designers, Game Developers, Game Programmers, Multimedia Artists, Software Engineers, Freelance Designers, and Entrepreneurs.
The School of Media Arts at Columbia College Chicago (Columbia College or CCC) is home to the Interactive Arts & Media (IAM) Department. Recognized for its work with Epic Game’s Unreal Engine, the department is now a member the Unreal Academic Partner Program. The partnership provides access to a library of asset management tools, and training opportunities with the engine and its technologies, including Twinmotion and MetaHuman Creator.
The IAM Department at Columbia College also provides cross-disciplinary training in game development, animation, programming, visual effects, virtual reality (VR), user experience design, and app development. Students in all programs have opportunities to work with traditional and emerging technologies to create games, animations, and immersive experiences—beginning on the first day of class.
All CCC IAM students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment such as The Game Lab; The Equipment Cave (assets: game consoles, equipment, digital cameras, and more); The Motion Capture Studio; The Open Lab; The Sound Studio; and Animation Production Spaces.
Specific IAM BA programs for game designers include Game Art and Game Design with concentrations in Game Development and Game Sound Design; and a BA in Programming with concentrations in Game Programming and Application Programming.
Across programs, students will complete courses such as Game Programming I and II; Simulation and Serious Games; Story Development for Interactive Media; Game Level Production; Game Audio Studio; Advanced Game Scripting and Environments; Game Culture; Sound Design for Games I and II; Studio Collaboration; and Sound and Music for Interactive Games.
Students will also complete the Games Studio Capstone, which provides opportunities to develop a game following the gaming industry production model. Across two semesters, students will work in groups in an Indie Game Studio (small) or Large Team Game Studio to produce games.
Final games are eligible to be presented at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, California; Industry Night at Columbia College Chicago; South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas; and the Chicago Toy and Game Fair.
Graduates of the IAM programs at Columbia College Chicago are Serious Game Designers, Sound Effects Designers, Animators, Technical Artists, Simulation Designers, Game Designers, Game Programmers and Coders, Environmental Artists, and Quality Assurance Testers. Program alumni have been hired at major companies and studios such as Pixar, Sony, Bungie, Weta Digital, Iron Galaxy, Jellyvision, High Voltage Software, NetherRealm Studios, Incredible Technologies, Inc., John Deere, and Walmart.
Bradley University is home to Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts, which houses the Interactive Media Department. Within the department is a production-focused Game Design program with degree options at all levels. For undergraduates, the program has BA degrees in Game Design and Game Art.
The Game Design BA program at Bradley University emphasizes mentoring by faculty who have worked on game series such as League of Legends (produced by Riot Games), Red Faction (developed by Volition), and Far Cry (published by Ubisoft). BA students also benefit from hands-on learning with industry software; participation in game jams; opportunities to show their work at the annual FUSE exhibit; and professional internships at major design companies.
The Game Design BA begins with the development of storytelling skills. Students will advance to computer science as it relates to games. During each semester, the program allows students to create videogames, tabletop games, and more. The major requires 53 credit hours. Course examples include Game Design I-II; Introduction to Game Scripting; Critical Game Studies; Appreciating Comics; Introduction to Game Development; Game Production I-II; Survey of Games; History of Animation; Film Theory & Criticism; Fundamentals of Interactive Design; and Practicum.
The Game Design BA at Bradley University culminates with three courses totaling 12 credit hours: Prototyping for Capstone; Game Capstone Project I; and Game Capstone Project II. Graduates will leave the program with a publishable game and professional portfolio.
The Game Art BA at Bradley University explores character art, animation, asset creation, concept art, and environment art. Students in this program benefit from hands-on learning with industry-standard software; participation in game jams and other competitions; the opportunity to work in game art of real-time visualization with a major company; and the chance to show digital artwork to the public at the annual FUSE exhibit.
The Game Art major requires 53 credit hours. Course examples include Character Art; 2D for Game Art; Drawing 1 and 2; Game Art Fundamentals; Introduction to Animation; Game Production I-II; Environment Art; Game Art Development; Critical Game Studies; and Practicum.
The Game Art BA program culminates with the Game Capstone Project completed across two courses totaling nine credits.
Graduates of the Game Design and Game Art programs at Bradley University are prepared for careers across industries such as games for entertainment, serious games, film and television, aerospace and aeronautics, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), science and medicine, user interface and user experience (UI/UX), advertising, human-computer interaction (HCI), museums, architecture, training simulations, artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, and education.
Program alumni have been hired at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, NetherRealm Studios, Oculus VR, and Warner Bros. Games.
University of Advancing Technology (UAT) houses one of the nation’s only fully accredited game design (GD) programs that provides degrees across the discipline. Launched in 1995, UAT GD consists of the Game Design BA (GD BA), Game Programming (GP BS), Game Production and Management MS (GPM MS), and Game Art and Animation (GAA BA).
Undergraduate programs consist of 120 credit hours, with 36 credits in the major. All programs feature live simulation and mentors; the opportunity to work on technology-based and community projects; the option to work on projects individually, in teams or both; and a mandatory industry internship is also part of every program.
Coursework for the Game Design BA explores game programming, interactive storytelling, systems design, game balancing, user experience design, play-testing, and design documentation. Students will work through the game creation process with other artists and programmers to complete a number of projects.
The Game Art and Animation BA explores 2D/3D art and animation for mobile, PC, console, virtual reality platforms, and online. In this program, students have the opportunity to work their way through the entire game production pipeline to create an original game. In addition, GAA BA students will complete a professional portfolio and the Student Innovation Project.
Graduates of the Game Design programs at University of Advancing Technology are prepared to pursue roles in games for entertainment, serious games, architecture, science and medicine, aerospace, defense, simulation training, advertising, television and film, law enforcement, and more. Program alumni have been hired by major agencies, organizations, and studios such as the U.S. Department of Defense, Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts (EA), Intel, Nickelodeon, Microsoft, and Google.
University of Connecticut (UConn) is home to the School of Fine Arts. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), the SFA houses the Department of Digital Media Design (DMD). Serving more than 375 students, the DMD features a collaborative learning environment; hands-on projects; and workshops and mentoring by visiting artists.
The department also provides access to state-of-the-art production facilities and studios such as the Cintiq Lab, Motion Capture Studio, and the VR/Gaming Studio; participation in clubs such as League of Legends Club, the Gaming Club, and the Game Development Club; and 100+ internship opportunities each year at companies in Connecticut and across the U.S. DMD students have interned at major studios and companies such as Pixar, Disney, HBO, ESPN, and Adobe.
For students seeking a bachelor's degree, the DMD has a BA with the option to enroll in the generalist path or select a concentration from one of seven areas. Examples include Game Design, 3D Animation, Motion Design & Animation, Web/Interactive Media Design, and Digital Film/Video Production.
The Game Design concentration at UConn explores game development for entertainment, science, education, and other areas. This may include digital games, geocaching, card games, amusement park experiences, casino games, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), or board games.
Courses for the program are led by full-time instructors who are professionals in the industry. Course examples include Fundamentals of Programming for Game & Web; 3D Virtual World & Simulations; Game Scripting; Digital Game Design; Critical Perspectives on Digital Media; and History of Computer Graphics. The BA program culminates with the Portfolio and Professional Development courses and a Senior Project. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions across the games and other related industries.
Approximately 90% of University of Connecticut DMD alumni are employed in the industry within one year of graduation. UConn DMD graduates are Game Designers, Video Game Artists, Serious Games Designers, Gameplay Programmers, Producers, and Esports Managers.
UConn DMD alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Epic Games, Disney, Viacom, ESPN, Adobe, HBO, The Game Agency, NBC Universal, Blur Studio, NBC Sports, Deck Nine Games, Owlchemy Labs, Preview Labs, and World Walker Games.
The College of Arts and Communication at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UW-Whitewater) houses the Department of Art and Design. Within the department is the Media Arts and Game Development (MAGD) program, which provides a BA with three emphasis areas: Gaming Technology, Communication/Gaming, and Media Arts.
The Gaming Technology emphasis explores programming and software development as it relates to game design and development. Communication/Gaming explores games, emerging technology roles in society, audio and video, and writing for digital media. Students in the Media Arts emphasis will learn to create digital content for computer games, special effects, motion graphics, animation, and 3D.
Across options, students will take core courses and electives such as Introduction to Media Arts and Game Development; Video Games and Learning; Game Studies and Design; Drawing for Digital Media; Game Development; Interactive Communication; Electronic Music and Sound Design; Motion Graphics Studio; Data Structures; and Screenwriting.
Other MAGD features include access to facilities such as the Motion Capture Studio and a gaming room that hosts the departments weekend-long game jams; participation in student organizations such as GAMED (Game and Media Entertainment Developers), Gaming Group of Whitewater, Anime, and Smash Bros.; and participation in regional game design expos and competitions such as M-Dev, and the MAGD Expo held annually at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
In the past, the Expo has welcomed leaders in the industry who have developed games such as Assassin’s Creed, Baby Driver, God of War, Transformers, and Madden NFL.
All MAGD students will participate in two team-based projects (The Senior Capstone), and complete a professional internship, which provides the opportunity to gain work experience in the UW-Whitewater Digital Media Lab or off campus at a game studio, animation studio, film and video production company, or media production firm.
Students may also participate in an optional study abroad experience at HAN University in Holland. During the experience, students will collaborate with HAN students on a team game project from the UW-Whitewater campus, then travel to Holland during the spring semester to complete the game with them.
Graduates of the MAGD program at University of Wisconsin – Whitewater are prepared to pursue positions in areas such as game design and development, animation production, 3D art, interface design, usability engineering, motion graphics, multimedia production, and mobile app development.
MAGD alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Bethesda Game Studios, Obsidian Entertainment, Filament Games, Image 360, PerBlue, Concurrency, Raven Software, iCombat Equipment, and Bird. Some MAGD graduates go on to enroll in a graduate program such as UW-Whitewater's Computer Science MS program. Others go on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
University of Silicon Valley (USV) is home to the Department of Game Design & Development, which houses the Game Art and Game Design programs. Leading to a BA, programs take place in a collaborative, technical, hands-on environment, with access to state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and studios. All students have opportunities to work on studio-like projects in interdisciplinary teams, with options to complete coursework for the programs on campus or 100% online.
Students in the Game Art BA Program will explore 2D and 3D Art, interactive audio production, and game and level design, while learning to master industry-standard software and hardware tools. Course highlights include Game Engines; Game 3D Asset Creation; Character Rigging; Level Design for Single Player Games; 3D Animation Principles; Game Storytelling; Environment Art; and Visual Design. Three Game Studios are also part of the program and include Production Pipeline; Interactive Design; and Portfolio.
The Game Art BA program at University of Silicon Valley culminates with Senior Capstone Project 1 and Senior Capstone Project 2. The final online portfolio will demonstrate techniques, skills, and principles applicable in the industry.
The Game Design BA program at University of Silicon Valley explores game design principles, interactive media, game storytelling, user-centered design, and best practices. All students have the opportunity to work in the Game Studio where they will produce actual games for real clients. Course examples for the program include Game Systems Design; Game Usability & UX; Level Design for Multiplayer Games; Serious Games Development; Foundations of Digital Art for Production; Game Studio 1: Production Pipeline; Game Studio 2: Interactive Design; and Game Studio 2: Portfolio. The culminating experience for the Game Design BA is the Capstone Project completed across two courses.
Graduates of the USV Game Art and Game Design programs are Game Designers, Game Artists, Game Writers, Content Editors, Producers, 3D Modelers, Narrative Designers, Character Artists, Environment Artists, Level Designers, Quality Assurance (QA) Testers, 3D Animators, and Concept Artists.
Program alumni have landed positions at studios such as Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Epic Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Zynga, Sony, Atari, Bungie, Bethesda, 343 Industries, Crystal Dynamics, 2K Games, and Double Fine.
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Quinnipiac University (QU) has a Game Design and Development (GDD) BA that consists of six team projects (Game Lab I-VI: Team Projects). Upon completion of this six-course sequence, student teams will present a working game and provide documentation of their design and development process.
Consisting 120-126, the program provides the option to take courses in a related area such as computer science or graphic interactive design. The program also encourages students to pursue a minor or double major, as well as experiential learning opportunities. This allows students to complete an internship, study abroad, or participate in an academic/professional product collaboration.
In addition, Quinnipiac University GDD BA students add a concentration in an area such as Game Studies, Technology, Programming, Art, Game Studies, Audio or Design Process. All consist of game courses in relation to the concentration area. For example, the Art concentration consists of Game Art I-III, while the Technology concentration includes courses such as Game Lab III: (Unreal) and Game Design Tools and Processes. BA core course examples include Introduction to Game Design; Introduction to Game Development; Creativity and Computation; Introduction to Visual Design for Games; and Professionalism Practice for Game Design.
Other course examples include Drawing for Games and Animation; Board Game Design; Acting and Directing for Game Design; Game Art I-III; VR/AR Development for Games; Advanced Topics in Game Development; Object-Oriented Design and Programming; Digital Music Composition for Games; Interactive Storytelling and Narrative; Games, Learning & Society; The Business of Games; and eSports Management.
Graduates of the Game Design and Development program at Quinnipiac University are prepared to pursue advance roles across the games industry. Program alumni have gone on to establish careers at places such as Riot Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Rockstar Games, Sesame Street Workshop, Bethesda Softworks, Hi-Rez Studios, Grover Gaming, F84 Studios, Hellosaurus, Black Rocket Productions, Cool Math Games, and SphereGen Technologies.
