| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California | California |
| 2 | University of California, Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz |
| 3 | University of Central Florida | Florida |
| 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 Texas at Dallas | Texas |
| 10 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Massachusetts |
| 11 | University of Florida | Florida |
| 12 | Miami University | Ohio |
| 13 | Columbia College Chicago | Illinois |
| 14 | University of Denver | Colorado |
| 15 | University of Advancing Technology | Arizona |
| 16 | Bradley University | Illinois |
| 17 | University of Wisconsin – Whitewater | Wisconsin |
| 18 | University of Connecticut | Connecticut |
| 19 | University of Silicon Valley | California |
| 20 | The College of New Jersey | New Jersey |
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 2023.
University of Southern California (USC) houses USC Games—a collection of minors and multiple programs leading to degrees at all levels, including the BA in Interactive Entertainment. Programs are part of SCA’s Interactive Media and Games Division and the Department of Computer Science at Viterbi School of Engineering. USC Games combines the study of art, design, engineering, and production. Classes are collaborative, immersive, and hands-on, allowing students to develop team-building skills and expertise in every area of game design and development. Courses for all programs are taught by working professionals in the field.
Graduates of USC Games have developed and sold their own games, launched their own studios, or landed positions at major studios such as Riot Games, Disney, Epic Games, Apple, ESPN, and CBS interactive.
University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz or UCSC) houses the Jack Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE), home to Games @ UC Santa Cruz. This intensive program has an Art & Design: Games and Playable Media (BA AGPM) pathway that requires a minimum of five lower-division and 11 upper-division courses in residence. Course examples for the program include Video Games as Visual Culture, Game Design Studio I-III, Game AI, Interactive Storytelling, and Game Graphics and Real-Time Rendering.
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 game design internships, frequent studio tours, and participation in the Annual Games Showcase. Undergraduates will complete a Capstone Project during the final year of the program.
Graduates of Games @ UC Santa Cruz are prepared to pursue positions such as Game Designer, Game Writer, Digital Artist, Board Game Designer, Producer, VR/AR Artist, and 2D/3D Artist. Program alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Tic Toc Games, Method Studios, Ubisoft, Tencent, Amazon, Universal, Google, TopGolf, and Hi-Rez Studios.
The College of Sciences at University of Central Florida (UCF) houses Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM), which has a Digital Media BA Program with a Game Design Track. Students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities, such as the 3,300 square feet MOCAP studio, where they have the opportunity to develop their own games and interactive projects (in teams) from start to finish. Internships and career development resources are also available, and many students publish their games through avenues such as Xbox or Steam, resulting in their first published title.
Graduates of the Games Programs at University of Central Florida have been hired by more than 300 companies. Examples include Epic Games, Walt Disney Imagineering, Zynga, Unity Technologies, Lockheed Martin, Marvel, Sony, Gameloft, Blizzard Entertainment, Nintendo, Cartoon Network, Electronic Arts (EA), Google, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and Blur Studio.
The School of Digital Media at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has a number of pathways to study game design. This includes a Digital Media BA with both Game Development and Interactive Design Tracks. Across Tracks, students have opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships with local and national studios.
SCAD Game Development and Interactive Design students will also work individually and in teams to complete projects while utilizing state-of-the-art customized facilities at Montgomery Hall—a 130,000 square feet space consisting of studio classrooms, more than 800 computers, stop-motion sets, a green-screen stage, motion-capture technology, and AR/VR resources. The SCAD Digital Media Center in Atlanta provides an in-house theater, green screen lab, and a real-world studio environment.
Each quarter, SCAD Game Development and Interactive Design students have the opportunity to interview and present their portfolios to professionals in the industry. Past visitors have been affiliated with studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Zynga, and Activision Blizzard. Graduates of the Game Development and Interactive Design Programs at Savannah College of Art and Design are routinely hired by these and other studios such as Epic Games, Firaxis Games, and Sucker Punch Productions.
DigiPen Institute of Technology (DigiPen) was the first college in the world to offers a Bachelor’s degree in Video Game Technology and Development. Today, the DigiPen has a number of bachelor’s degrees for game designers. Among them is the Game Design BA that explores interactive systems, communications, user experience, psychology, and games. In all DigiPen games programs, students will work in multidisciplinary teams in a studio environment to create software and a series of video games.
Graduates of all programs at DigiPen Institute of Technology enjoy a high job placement rate. To date, more than 600 companies have hired DigiPen graduates. A few examples include Epic Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Interactive Entertainment, DreamWorks Interactive, Google, Amazon, Walt Disney Imagineering, SpaceX, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Microsoft, Activision, Insomniac Games, Zynga, Booz Allen Hamilton, Intel Corporation, Ubisoft Shanghai, Take-Two Interactive, ArenaNet, and Bungie, Inc.
Michigan State University (MSU) houses the College of Communication Arts and Sciences (ComArtSci) and the College of Engineering. Both offer pathways to study game design.
Serving more than 3,500 students, the College of ComArtSci houses the Department of Media and Information (MI)—home to the Game Design and Development Program. Established in 2005, the program consists of a Games and Interactive Media BA and an 18 credit hour Game Design and Development Minor that can be added to the BA Program or any other major at MSU. A Media and Information MA with a Games Studies and Design Focus is also available.
The MSU Games and Interactive Media BA is a project-based program that explores topics such as the game design process, emerging interactive media, and production. Focus areas include Game Design, Game Development, and Games Graphics and Animation. Course examples across focus areas include Building Virtual Worlds, Serious Game Design, Game Writing, Compositing and Special Effects, and Media Sketching and Graphics. Students will graduate from the MSU Games and Interactive Media BA Program with a professional portfolio of their best work.
The Michigan State University MI MA with Games Studies includes courses such as Foundations of Serious Games, Game and Film Design Studio I-II, Theories of Games and Interaction Design, Interaction Design, and Interactive Usability and Accessibility: Design and Evaluation. To graduate, students must complete two final courses: Master’s Thesis Research (4-6 credits) and the Master’s Project (4-6 credits). Graduates of the MI MA Program are prepared for careers in 3D Game Design, UI/UX, and 3D Technology, among others.
Michigan State University Games and MI alumni work for major studios such as Insomniac Games, Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts (EA), Ubisoft, and Bungie.
The College of Engineering at Michigan State University houses the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, home to the Computer Science Program. Available pathways for game designers include BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Computer Science. All programs offer a Specialization in Media and Information Studies with the option to take games-related courses offered in other departments. Students in all programs will also take courses in Systems Design and Analysis, Theory and Algorithms, and Data Analysis and Applications.
The College of Computing & Informatics (CCI) at Drexel University (Drexel) has a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (BAC) with a Game Programming and Development (GMPD) Concentration that provides a hands-on curriculum combined with valuable co-op experiences. Students in the program may also customize the degree through a variety of CCI minors including Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Software Engineering, Computing Technology, Information Systems, Data Science, and Security, or choose from hundreds of available minors at Drexel.
Examples of Drexel minors include Animation and Visual Effects, Entertainment & Arts Management, User Experience and Interaction Design (UX/UI), Entertainment Engineering, Virtual Reality & Immersive Media, Robotics and Automation, Screenwriting, Systems Engineering, Film & Television Production, Fine Arts, Science, Technology & Society, Graphic Design, and Writing,
Other BAC GMPD Program highlights include access to 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 positions in PC Game Design, Game Art, Simulation, Mobile Game Design, Job Training, and Console Game Design, and Serious Games, among other areas. More than 80% of Drexel Games graduates are working in an area directly related to game development. Examples of companies that employ Drexel alumni include Xbox Game Studios, Microsoft Studios, Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, Zynga, Blizzard Entertainment, Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney Interactive, Digital Domain, BioWare, Disney Imagineering, Lockheed, Volition Inc., NCSoft Carbine Studios, Comcast Corporation, Razorfish, and Gameloft.
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 visiting artists and researchers, guest speaker events, and workshops. The Lab is also supported by sponsors such as Unity, HP, Zbrush, Oculus, Nvidia, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
While UCLA Extension does not have a formal Game Design Program, it offers a number of game design courses such as Developing Video Game Narratives, Unity: 3D Game Design and Game Engines, Composing Music for Video Games, Producing Commercials for Games, and 3D Real-Time Animation.
Housed in the School of the Arts and Architecture at UCLA is the Department of Design Media Arts (DMA), which has a DMA BA that provides access to UCLA Game Lab and the course offerings at UCLA Extension. On its own, the DMA BA program explores everything from interactivity and motion to film/video and game design. Courses for the program are taught as studios of up to 22 students. Course examples for the program include 3D Modeling and Motion, Game Design, Tangible Media, Word + Image, and Video.
Graduates of the DMA and Game Design Programs at University of California Los Angeles work in all areas of game design and development at local, national, and global game design studios, software companies, production studios, and more.
University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is home to the School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (AHT), which launched in August 2022 after the consolidation of the School of Arts & Humanities (est. 1975), and the School of Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC), established in 2002 as Texas’s first arts and technology degree. All ATEC Programs are still in force and provide opportunities to study game design and development.
The ATEC BA has an Animation & Games (A&G) Concentration that provides access to a variety of state-of-the-art studios and facilities including the Game Lab, Motion Capture Studio, Games Research Lab, Surround Studio, The Studio for Mediating Play, Animation Lab, ATEC Lecture Hall, CG Animation Lab, 3D Studio, experimenta.l., Render Farm, Mixed Media Lab, Games and Media Library, Render Farm, Surround Studio, and the Narrative Systems Research Lab. The ATEC Lecture Hall has hosted speakers from Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks.
Graduates of the ATEC Programs at University of Texas at Dallas have been recruited by major studios and companies such as DreamWorks, Disney, Pixar, Apple, Google, Capital One, and Toyota.
The School of Arts and Sciences at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is home to the Interactive Media & Game Development (IMGD) Program. One of the earliest gaming programs in the U.S. IMGD houses an IMGD BA with Concentrations in Animation, 3D Sculpting, Design, Writing, and Technical Artistry.
The program provides access to state-of-the-art facilities such a dedicated IMGD Lab equipped with industry-standard software and hardware tools, a Digital Art Studio, an Artificial Intelligence & Intelligent Tutoring Lab, and a Sound Recording Studio. In addition, the IMGD Program blends 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% success rate. Examples of companies that have hired WPI IMGD graduates include Kaon Interactive, NextGen Interactions, Zudy, and Centre Technology.
Established in 1925, the College of the Arts at University of Florida (UF) houses the Digital Worlds Institute, home to the Digital Arts & Sciences (DAS) Program. For students seeking a Bachelor of Arts, the Digital Arts & Sciences (DAS) Program has a DAS BA (BADAS) that can be completed on campus and 100% online through UF Online.
Digital Worlds Institute highlights include the DAS Mentorship Program, guest lecturers, access to LUMA at Digital World Studios, Portfolio Open House events, and participation in the internship program. In addition, all Digital Worlds Institute Programs at UF are interdisciplinary and combine arts, engineering, communications, and science.
Course examples include Creating Mobile Games, 3D Animation Techniques, Game Content Creation, Game Systems Development, Game Design and Production, Digital Storytelling, Game Development, and Interaction & Usability. An optional internship is also part of the program. The BADAS Program requires 120 credit hours of study and successful completion of the final DAS project.
Graduates of the BADAS Program at University of Florida 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 Microsoft and DreamWorks.
The College of Creative Arts at Miami University (Miami Oh or Miami) houses the College of Creative Arts, home to the Department of Emerging Technology in Business + Design (ETBD)—formerly AIMS. The ETBD has a Games + Simulation Minor that can be taken with the Emerging Technology in Business and Design BA (ET BA). This highly competitive program has four foundational pillars: Design, Technology, Collaboration & Making, and Business. Students will take courses such as Game Studies, Game Design, Game Programming, Art and Digital Tools, Interaction Design and Development, Interactive Business Communication, and Social Media Marketing and Online Community Management.
The cross-disciplinary Games + Simulation Minor consists of 19 total credit hours, with collaborative courses between The ETBD and the Art and Computer Science Departments. Electives within the program allow students to create a specialty area such as Game Development, Writing for Games, or 3D Art and Animation.
To gain valuable work experience in the industry, all students at Miami University may complete an internship at a local or national company. There are more than 20 local game companies. Examples include SGM Games, Ganbaru Games, Green Door Games, Aertherbyte Studios, Wraith Games, Max Gaming Technologies, Few Remain, Funky Visions, Ganbaru Games, Multivarious Games, Green Door Games, and MouseMouse Media, Inc.
Graduates of the ETBD and Games + Simulation Programs at Miami University have continued on to graduate study or careers in Game Art, Game Design and Development, Writing for Games, Multimedia Design, AR/VR, 3D Modeling, and UI/UX, among others.
The School of Media Arts at Columbia College Chicago (CCC) is home to the Interactive Arts & Media (IAM) Department, which provides cross-disciplinary training in game development, animation, programming, visual effects, virtual reality (VR), user experience design, and app development. Students in all programs will 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 Sound Studio, The Open Lab, 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 Programming with Concentrations in Game Programming and Application Programming.
The Games Studio Capstone provides opportunities for students to work in teams in an environment that mirrors a small, independent studio or a large studio. Final games are eligible to be presented at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, CA, South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, TX, Industry Night at Columbia College Chicago, and the Chicago Toy and Game Fair.
Graduates of the IAM Programs at Columbia College Chicago are Game Programmers and Coders, Serious Game Designers, Simulation Designers, Game Designers, Sound Effects Designers, and Quality Assurance Testers. Program alumni have been hired at major companies and studios such as Sony, Pixar, Bungie, Weta Digital, NetherRealm Studios, Iron Galaxy, Jellyvision, High Voltage Software, Incredible Technologies, Inc., Walmart, and John Deere.
The Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science at University of Denver (DU) houses the Computer Science (CS) Department, which allows students to specialize in just about any area. Other department highlights include small class sizes, coursework in modern software engineering with classes taught by faculty members who are active in research, and access to student-run, synergetic clubs such as the DU Game Developers Society, DU Esports, Women in Technology, and DU Computer Science.
In addition to custom specializations, the Computer Science Department at University of Denver has BA degrees in both Applied Computing (AC) and Game Development. Both programs include a Game Capstone where students work in teams to conceptualize, design, test, and debug an industry-ready game. In addition to learning about the game design process from start to finish, University of Denver CS students will develop group collaboration and researching skills.
Both graduate and undergraduate CS students will have the chance to participate in experiential learning opportunities, DU’s study abroad and internship programs, and cooperative education. Recent University of Denver internship employers include The Walt Disney Company, Oracle, NBC Universal, Charter Communications, and Ball Aerospace.
Graduates of the Games Programs at University of Denver work in all 50 states and across 145 countries. Program alumni are Game Designers, Game Developers, Game Programmers, Software Engineers, Multimedia Artists, and Entrepreneurs.
University of Advancing Technology (UAT) launched its Game Design (GD) Program in 1995. Today, UAT GD is one of the few fully accredited Game Design Programs to provide a comprehensive collection of games studies degree programs. This includes a Game Design BA and a Game Art and Animation BA.
All undergraduate programs consist of 120 credit hours, with 36 credit hours in the major. Programs also feature live simulation and mentors, as well as the opportunity to work on technology-based and community projects individually and with a team. A mandatory industry internship is also part of every UAT 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. Students will work their way through the entire game production pipeline to create an original game. In addition, students will complete a professional portfolio and the Student Innovation Project.
Graduates of the Games Programs at University of Advancing Technology have been hired by major organizations and studios such as Nickelodeon, U.S. Department of Defense, Electronic Arts (EA), Google, Blizzard Entertainment, Intel, and Microsoft.
Bradley University has a production-focused Game Design Program that provides degrees at all levels. The BA has both Game Design and Game Art options. Students in both options are mentored by faculty who have worked on the popular, team-based game League of Legends, 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, internship experiences, and opportunities to show their work at the annual FUSE exhibit.
Course examples across options include 2D for Game Art, Game Production, Critical Game Studies, Environment Art, and Survey of Games. The Game Capstone allows students in both programs to develop a polished game and portfolio.
Graduates of the Game Design and Game Art Programs at Bradley University have been hired at Blizzard Entertainment, Oculus VR, Warner Bros. Games, and NetherRealm Studios.
The College of Arts and Communication at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UW-Whitewater) houses the Department of Art and Design, home to the Media Arts and Game Development (MAGD). Students in this BA Program have the opportunity to focus in one of three emphasis areas or take any emphasis area as a minor. The MAGD program also allows students to add a second major to enhance the degree. Popular second major options include Computer Science, Electronic Media, Graphic Design, and Film.
Emphasis options include Gaming Technology, Communication/Gaming, and Media Arts. The Gaming Technology Emphasis covers programming and software development as it relates to game design and development. Communication/Gaming explores video, audio, and writing for digital media, as well as games and emerging technology roles in society. Students in the Media Arts Emphasis will learn to create digital content for computer games, motion graphics, animation, special effects, and 3D.
All MAGD students will participate in two team-based projects (The Senior Capstone), and some will have the opportunity to participate in regional game design expos, competitions, 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 God of War, Assassin’s Creed, and Madden NFL.
The MAGD Program hosts a number of student organizations for game designers such as GAMED (Game and Media Entertainment Developers), Gaming Group of Whitewater, Anime, and Smash Bros. All MAGD students have access to facilities such as the Motion Capture Studio and a gaming room that hosts the departments weekend-long game jams.
Also part of MAGD is the internship program, which provides the opportunity to gain work experience ion the UW-Whitewater Digital Media Lab or off campus for a game or animation studio, film and video production company, or media production firm.
Graduates of the MAGD Programs at University of Wisconsin – Whitewater are prepared to pursue positions in game design and development, 3D art, motion graphics, animation, usability engineering, mobile app development, and multimedia production.
Recent MAGD graduates have been hired at companies and studios such as Obsidian Entertainment, Bethesda Game Studios, Image 360, Filament Games, Raven Software, and PerBlue.
The School of Fine Arts at University of Connecticut (UConn) is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD). Within the School is the Department of Digital Media Design (DMD). Serving more than 375 students across seven concentrations, the DMD emphasizes a collaborative learning environment, hands-on projects, and visiting experts who present workshops and mentor students. The Department also provides access to state-of-the-art production studios, gaming clubs, and more than 100 internships annually at companies in Connecticut and across the U.S. DMD students have interned at major studios and companies such as HBO, Pixar Animation Studios, Disney, Adobe, and ESPN.
For students seeking a Bachelor of Arts, UConn DMD has a Digital Media and Design BA that provides the opportunity to take the Generalist Path or Specialize in Game Design. Courses for the program are led by full-time instructors who are professionals in the industry and may include 3D Virtual World & Simulations, Digital Game Design, Game Scripting, History of Computer Graphics, Critical Perspectives on Digital Media, and Fundamentals of Programming for Game & Web. Digital Media and Design BA students will complete the Portfolio and Professional Development courses and a Senior Project to graduate.
Approximately 90% of University of Connecticut DMD alumni are employed in the industry within one year of graduation. UConn DMD graduates are prepared to pursue careers such as Game Designer, Video Game Artist, Producer, Serious Games Designer, Gameplay Programmer, and Esports Manager. UConn DMD alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Blur Studio, Epic Games, Disney, Adobe, The Game Agency, ESPN, HBO, Viacom, NBC Universal, Owlchemy Labs, NBC Sports, Deck Nine Games, and World Walker Games.
University of Silicon Valley (USV), formerly Cogswell College, houses the Department of Game Design & Development, home to the Game Art BA Program. The USV learning environment is immersive, collaborative, highly technical, and hands-on. 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 for the USV Game Art Program include Character Rigging, Level Design for Single Player Games, 3D Animation Principles, Game Storytelling, Environment Art, Game Engines, Game 3D Asset Creation, and Visual Design. Three Game Studios are also part of the program and include Production Pipeline (1), Interactive Design (2), and Portfolio (3).
The Game Art BA Program at University of Silicon Valley culminates with Senior Capstone Project 1 and Senior Capstone Project 2. The students final online portfolio will demonstrate techniques, skills, and principles applicable in the industry.
Graduates of the USV Game Art Program go on to establish careers in game design and development, game programming, game art, animation, and entertainment design. Graduates have been recruited by studios such as Blizzard Entertainment, Zynga, Atari, Electronic Arts (EA), and 2K Games.
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) houses the School of the Arts and Communication, home to the Department of Design and Creative Technology, which has an Interactive Multimedia (IMM) BA Program with six focus areas. Options include Games and Playable Media, Creative Coding, Visual Storytelling and Animation, Culture and Technology, Music Technology, and Digital Fabrications. IMM BA students may select up to two focus areas, along with a minor or second major in Computer Science, Communications, Graphic Design, Business, or Art.
The most popular focus area for game designers is Games and Playable Media. Course examples for the area include Games I: Design & Architecture, Games II: Implementation and Project Management, Intro to Interactive Computing, Special Topics: Game Studies and Design or Delightful Little Games, and Independent Study in Game Design. Students often pair Creative Coding with Games and Playable Media. Creative Coding course examples include Introduction to Interactive Computing, Interactive Music Programming, Dynamic Web Applications, Physical Computing, Design Fundamentals for the Web, and Mobile Computing.
Students in all Department of Design Programs at The College of New Jersey have opportunities to gain experience through the TCNJ Internship Program. Students have had the opportunity to intern at companies and studios such as DreamWorks, NFL Films, and Amazon.
Graduates of the IMM BA Program at The College of New Jersey have bene hired at places such as Nickelodeon, TIME, and MakerBot. Some program alumni have gone on to pursue graduate study at top schools such as Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), School of Visual Arts (SVA), and New York University (NYU).
