| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California | California |
| 2 | University of Utah | Utah |
| 3 | Rochester Institute of Technology | New York |
| 4 | University of Central Florida | Florida |
| 5 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Georgia |
| 6 | University of California, Santa Cruz | California |
| 7 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts |
| 8 | Full Sail University | Florida |
| 9 | DePaul University | Illinois |
| 10 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Georgia |
| 11 | Southern Methodist University | Texas |
| 12 | Michigan State University | Michigan |
| 13 | Drexel University | Pennsylvania |
| 14 | Northeastern University | Massachusetts |
| 15 | Texas A&M University | Texas |
| 16 | University of Florida | Florida |
| 17 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Massachusetts |
| 18 | University of Texas at Dallas | Texas |
| 19 | College Temporarily Paused By Publisher | |
| 20 | University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| 21 | Clemson University | South Carolina |
| 22 | American University | DC |
| 23 | George Mason University | Virginia |
| 24 | Louisiana State University | Louisiana |
| 25 | University of Advancing Technology | Arizona |
For our graduate degree rankings, we have evaluated animation schools and programs with the best Master of Arts (MA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Master of Science (MS) options. To determine which degree matches your career goals, it is important to understand how each qualification differs.
The Master of Arts (MA) is an advanced degree that focuses on areas such as the humanities. MA degrees are typically available in the areas of communications, English, teaching, literature, linguistics, art, and languages. Seminars are the main method of learning for MA programs and most programs do not require a thesis.
The Master of Science (MS) degree option typically focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math. This advanced degree often includes immersive lab work, scientific research, analysis, and evaluation. Unlike MA programs, most MS programs require a thesis.
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is academically recognized as a terminal degree and it is typically awarded in the visual, fine and performing arts. The MFA degree demands the highest level of professional competency in these areas and practicing artists must exhibit the highest level of accomplishment through the generation of a body of work.
Below are the Top 25 Game Design Schools and Colleges with MS-MA Programs for 2025.
University of Southern California (USC) is home to the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) and Viterbi School of Engineering. Founded in 1929 by directors and screenwriters such as D.W. Griffith and William Churchill De Mille, the SCA houses eight academic divisions, including Interactive Media and Games (IMGD). IMGD graduate programs include the Cinematic Arts-Media Arts, Games and Health MA.
Founded in 1905, Viterbi School of Engineering (USC Viterbi) houses the School of Advanced Computing (SAC), home to the Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science. Accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), the department provides a Computer Science MS with a specialization in Game Development.
The SCA and USC Viterbi programs are collectively known as USC Games. Curriculums are integrated and all programs are part of the same multidisciplinary, collaborative community. Across programs, students will explore the art, design, engineering, and production of games. All classes are immersive and hands-on, with opportunities to work on projects with peers across all degrees.
Courses for all programs are led by accomplished industry professionals and, depending on the program, students may focus in a specific area of games through a formal specialization, minor, or electives.
All USC Games students have access to numerous game development labs open from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week; a Mixed-Use Lab featuring systems for VR/AR development, advanced engineering systems, large-scale game testing spaces, and 15 HD monitors with attached gaming consoles; two 100+ person theaters with lobbies that allow students to display their work; and a Console Development Laboratory with PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo development kits.
For master’s degree students, USC’s Interactive Building houses the IMGD Graduate Student Thesis Lab, conference rooms, a Virtual Production Laboratory, two Usability Labs, and the Vive Lab. Between the SCA and USC Viterbi, all students also have access to USC Game Studios—a two-story building that houses more than 100 VR-ready development systems, audio studios, and usability facilities. USC Game Studios is also the main teaching lab for Advanced Game Projects, which is the cross-disciplinary Capstone course for students in all USC Games programs. During this full academic year course, students will work in teams with faculty, peers, and industry professionals to complete a final market-ready project.
Other facilities include the SCA Motion Capture Stage; the Esports Lab; the Ganek Immersive Media Studio; the Game Innovation Lab; the Creative Media and Behavioral Health Center; and the MFA Thesis Lab.
The programs of USC Games culminate with a final project and possible participation in the USC Games Expo. At the end of each year, this event showcases the best student and recent graduate games.
Graduates of USC Games are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of the games industry. Program alumni have gone on to develop and sell their own games; launch their own independent studios; or land a position at a major game studio such as Riot Games or Epic Games. Graduates have also been hired at places such as Disney, Apple, CBS Interactive, and ESPN.
University of Utah (The U) houses the College of Architecture and Planning is the Entertainment Arts and Engineering (EAE) program. Established more than a decade ago by faculty from the School of Computing and the Division of Film Studies, the EAE is a collection of degree programs known as Utah Division of Games. Graduate options include the Master of Entertainment Arts and Engineering (MEAE) and a dual MBA/MEAE provides in partnership with the U’s David Eccles School of Business.
The dual program prepares students for careers in game development and the business of game design and development. So, in addition to courses such as Rapid Prototyping, Game Engineering, and Integrative Experience, students will take courses such as Management Communication, Competitive Strategy, and Managing and Leading Organizations.
All University of Utah EAE programs are interdisciplinary and immersive with a focus on computational research, art, and social science. The MEAE is designed as a cohort model, where students from five different tracks remain together for the entire two years of the program. Tracks include Game Arts; Game Design (launched in 2024); Technical Art; Game Production; and Game Engineering. In addition to courses in their chosen track, all MEAE students will take electives such as Virtual Worlds; Paper Prototyping for Games; Serious Games; Narrative in Game Design; and Experimental Gameplay.
All MEAE students will also take game design, pre-production, and rapid prototyping classes. The MEAE program culminates with a final project completed across three courses and in teams. Students in all EAE programs at University of Utah will graduate with several completed games to be included in their professional portfolios.
Across programs, EAE graduates will be prepared to pursue titles such as Game Designer, Visualization Developer, Game Programmer, Creative Project manager, Training Simulation Game Designer, Executive Producer, Game Simulation Software Engineer, Game Artist, Director of Production, Video Game Engineer, Marketing Manager, Creative Director, Associate Game Producer, and Game Developer.
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has a long history of firsts. In 1983, RIT became the first university in the nation to provide a BS in Biotechnology. In 1990 the school became the first in the U.S. to launch an Imaging Science PhD program. And in 1996, RIT became America’s first university to house a bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering.
In 2016, Rochester Institute of Technology also became the first university in the world to publish a video game on the Xbox One gaming platform. Today, RIT houses the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences (GCCIS)—home to the School of Interactive Games and Media (IGM). Within the school is a Game Design and Development (GDD) MS, and an accelerated 145 credit hour BS/MS that takes just five years to complete instead of six.
Across programs, students benefit from up to two paid blocks of cooperative education experiences with places such as Epic Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Microsoft, Cartoon Network, and Google; access to game development and research studios; independent study opportunities; lectures, workshops, seminars, and demonstrations by industry professionals; Creative Industry Days; and access to the Digital Games Hub.
Creative Industry Days is a series of networking events with major companies and studios, where students can engage in panel discussions and portfolio reviews. Examples of past participating companies include Walt Disney, Epic Games, Adobe, Ogilvy, DraftKings, Iron Galaxy Studios, Enduring Games, NetherRealm Studios, Zash Global Media & Entertainment, MahiGaming, and CGI Digital.
The Digital Games Hub provides mentoring and resources for students and independent developers to create new games, launch start-ups, and enter the games industry.
RIT IGM GDD students also have the opportunity to develop and commercialize their own games at RIT’s MAGIC Spell Studios. With support from the Epic MegaGrants program, this state-of-the-art facility houses a 7,000 square feet sound stage; several media labs; 32’ x 16’ LED wall, with technical support for motion capture, camera tracking, the virtual art department, and real-time in-camera visual effects; a 4K Dolby Atmos theater; post-production sound mixing and color correction suites; a green room; hair/makeup/shower facilities; and production offices.
The GDD degree programs at RIT explore game design and development, modeling, animation, interactive media, science, user interaction, and math. The GDD MS is a cohort-based, 33 credit hour program designed for students seeking careers in the games industry, visualization, simulation, or edutainment. Course examples include Game Design; Gameplay and Prototyping; Game Development Process; Colloquium in Game Design and Development; and Game Industry Themes and Perspectives.
Advanced elective examples include Console Development; Graduate Seminar in IGM; Global Illumination; Advanced Topics in Game Design; Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) for Computing – Graduate; Applied Perception in Graphics and Visualization; Game Design and Development for Casual and Mobile Platforms; and Research Methods: Human-Centered Research in Games; and Computer Animation: Algorithms and Techniques.
The GDD MS program at Rochester Institute of Technology culminates with a capstone project completed across the 700-level Capstone Design and Capstone Development courses. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in game design and development, software engineering, computer hardware, aerospace, defense, systems design, graphics automation engineering, animation, film and television, internet and software, media and publishing, education, health, and science, among others.
Program alumni have been hired by major game studios such as Sony Interactive Entertainment and Insomniac Games.
University of Central Florida (UCF) is home to the College of Sciences. Within the college is the Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM), which houses an Interactive Entertainment MS in collaboration with UCF’s Florida Interactive Academy (FIEA). Students in all FIEA and 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.
The Interactive Entertainment MS at University of Central Florida’s FIEA is a 30 credit hour program that focuses on game design, 3D artistry, teamwork, programming, problem-solving, and project management. Throughout the program, students will work in teams with industry mentors across courses that cover technical art, level design, 3D animation and modeling, prototyping, game design, motion capture, technical design, software engineering, pre-production, post-production, and legal and ethical issues.
All students may specialize in Art, Production, or Programming. Each specialization requires nine credit hours. Courses for the Art specialization include Digital Asset Creation; Advanced Digital Asset Creation; and Digital Asset Portfolio Development. Production specialization courses include Production Design I-II, and Media Distribution. Students in the Programming Specialization will take Game Programming Fundamentals; Advanced Game Programming; and Applied Programming Mechanics.
Students in all specializations will complete the 12 credit hour MS core consisting of Production for Media; Rapid Prototype Production; Experimentation, Application, and Innovation in Games; and Preproduction and Prototyping. Course examples across specializations include Digital Asset Creation; Production and Design; and Advanced Game Programming.
All Interactive Entertainment students will complete the Game Design Practicum or Digital Venture Practicum. The Game Design Practicum is an internship/full-time job. For the Digital Venture Practicum, students will build a start-up. The program culminates with the Capstone/Interactive Entertainment Project, where students will work in teams of 15-20 to develop their own games and interactive projects. Many FIEA students publish their games through avenues such as Xbox or Steam, resulting in their first published title.
Graduates of the Entertainment MS program at University of Central Florida are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of game design and development, interactivity, visualization, simulation, and entertainment. Program alumni have been hired by more than 300 companies across the U.S.
Examples include Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Cartoon Network, Walt Disney Imagineering, Epic Games, Nintendo, Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Iron Galaxy Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Marvel, Gameloft, Apple, Universal, Sony, Zynga, Google, Lockheed Martin, WB Games, Unity Technologies, and Blur Studio.
Located in Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) provides more degrees and specializations than any other art and design school in the U.S. This fully accredited, nonprofit institution also houses six galleries that focus on fashion, film, educational events, and special collections.
For students interested in a graduate game design program, Savannah College of Art and Design has an MA in Interactive Design and Game Development (IDGD) that can be completed in person at the Atlanta or Savannah campus, and online via SCADnow. Courses stream online in real time or students may access the courses on their own schedule.
All MA students have opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships with local and national studios. Students will also work individually and in teams to complete projects on campus and in state-of-the-art customized facilities within the SCAD Digital Media Center and Mongomery Hall.
Launched in the Fall of 2009, the SCAD Digital Media Center is a 60,000 square feet facility that houses SCAD Film Studios, an in-house theater, a green screen lab, and a real-world studio environment. The Center sits in the former home of the Atlanta TV Station WXIA. Montgomery Hall has more than 130,000 square feet of space including studio classrooms; 800+ computers; stop-motion sets; a green-screen stage; motion-capture technology; and AR/VR labs.
Other program benefits include quarterly meetings with industry professionals from studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Zynga, and Activision Blizzard. During these meetings, SCAD students have the opportunity to interview and present their portfolios.
The IDGD MA requires 45 credit hours of study. The MFA requires 90. Both programs provide two concentration options including Game Development or Interactive Design. Students in the Game Development concentration will take courses such as Game Art - Virtual World Building; Game Design - Immersive Level Design; Game Tech - Real-Time Particles and Effects; Game Art - Art Direction and Look Development; and Game Design-Professional Production Pipeline. Students also have the option to take one 700-level game design course or other area such as animation, interaction design, visual effects, motion media design, or sequential art.
Students in the Interactive Design concentration will take courses such as Human Experience Prototyping; Human-Centered Interactive Design; Innovative Systems for Digital Convergence; Physical Computing for Immersive Environments; User Interface Design for Virtual Communities; and Physical Computing for Tangible Interfaces.
Interactive Design Students also have the option to complete a 700-level course in game design or other area such as animation, industrial design, motion media design, service design, or design management.
All IDGD MA students will complete the Interactive Design and Game Development MA Final Project. For this culminating experience, students will produce an industry-level project from research and conceptualization to implementation. All projects will incorporate everything the student has learned throughout the program.
Graduates of the IDGD program at Savannah College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of game design and development, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), animation, film and video, software development, education, research, advertising, and more.
Program alumni are routinely hired places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Apple, Epic Games, Activision Blizzard, Riot Games, Gearbox Software, Microsoft, Adobe, YouTube, Meta, Zynga, Sucker Punch Productions, Firaxis Games, and Bethesda.
In 2019, University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz or UCSC) was invited to join the Association of American Universities (AAU). The school became the youngest university to join and one of only five AAU members. UC Santa Cruz is also 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 has grown from a single undergraduate program to six programs leading to a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD. Programs are available at the main UC Santa Cruz campus and the Silicon Valley (SVC) campus.
For students seeking an MS, Games @ UC Santa Cruz provides a Computational Media (CM) major with access to facilities and centers such as the Center for Computational Experience; The Other Lab; the Expressive Intelligence Studio; the Advanced Visualization and Interactive Systems Lab; the Augmented Design Laboratory (ADL); Ludo Lab; the Critical Realities Studio; the Software Introspection Laboratory; and the Social Emotional Technology Lab.
Other program benefits include frequent studio tours; project evaluations by industry professionals; participation in the Annual Games Showcase; interactions with guest speakers from the game design industry; game design internships; study abroad experiences; and networking events.
Students in the CM MS program also have access to courses such as Artificial Intelligence in Games; Interactive Storytelling; Computer Graphics for Games; Human-Computer Interaction; Game Usability; Playable Media; Foundations of Serious Games and Gamification; Participatory Design; Advanced Topics in Games; Collaborative Research Project Group: Experimental Play; Advanced Game Technologies; Immersive Analytics; Machine Learning for Creativity and Design; and Games User Research.
The culminating experience for the MS program is the thesis project, research project, or both. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in game design and development, education, and research, among others.
Across all UC Games @ Santa Cruz programs graduates have been hired at companies and studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Amazon, Universal Studios Japan, Google, Ubisoft, TopGolf, NCSoft, Zynga, Tencent, Hi-Rez Studios, Method Studios, Tic Toc Games, WB Games Boston, NetEase Games, Glu, and Toys for Bob.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is home to a research and development hub known as MIT Game Lab. In addition to providing a space for students to collaborate, create games, and work with MIT partners, the lab helps students select a department and plan of study that matches their career goals.
Ideal departments for graduate students include the Department of Comparative Media Studies (CMS) in the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) in the Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing This is the largest department at MIT.
Program options include the CMS MS and the Schwarzman Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) MS. The CMS MS is an interdisciplinary and collaborative program that includes a weekly Colloquium. Colloquia are open to the public and consist of talks by industry professionals. In the first year of the program students will work together in all but one subject. In the second year, students have more flexibility to take electives and work solo on projects and other activities.
Course examples include Game Design; Playful and Social Interaction; Design and Development for Games Learning; Advanced Video and Related Media; Games for Social Change; Media Theories and Methods I-II; Major Media Texts; Advanced Identity Representation; and Workshop I.
The program culminates with the thesis. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in all areas of game design and development, education, and research.
The MIT CSE MS is housed in the Schwarzman Colleges Center for Computational Science and Engineering (CCSE). This graduate division allows students to work with faculty and coursework from across MIT. The CSE MS focuses on hands-on projects and the master’s thesis. Students may also select five graduate subjects that align with their goals.
Examples include Introduction to Modeling and Simulation; Architecting and Engineering Software Systems; Advanced in Computer Vision; Multidisciplinary Design Optimization; Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Engineering Design; and Dynamic Programming and Reinforcement Learning.
Graduates of the Computer Science and Engineering programs (with MIT Game Lab) are prepared to pursue advanced roles across the game design and development industry, serious games, the broader technology industry, animation and film, digital advertising, simulation and visualization, research, and education.
Program alumni have been hired at studios such as Blizzard Entertainment, Harmonix Music Systems, Bungie Studios, Muzzy Lane (educational game studio), Learning Games Network (LGN), Moonshot Games, and Fire Hose Games, which launched in 2008 by MIT alumni.
Full Sail University has a full suite of game design programs that function like today’s production studios. For students seeking a flexible graduate degree, the school houses a Game Design MS that can be completed on campus or online.
In addition to gaining production experience in a real-world studio environment on the Full Sail University campus, all games, interactive technology, and simulation and visualization students have opportunities to work off campus at local and national studios through the school’s internship program. Courses are also project-based and immersive providing additional opportunities to gain hands-on experience.
The Game Design MS at Full Sail University also provides the opportunity for students to customize a track to match their career goals. All students will explore all roles in the production pipeline as well as game effects; test simulation; video game development for computers, networks, and console; animation; and narrative design. Course examples include game design, producing, research, and publishing. Course examples for the program include Game Production Tools; Methods and the User Experience; Game Design; Asset Management; Game Usability and Testing; Advanced Production Techniques; and Quality Assurance.
The Full Sail Game Design MS culminates with the Thesis Portfolio course, where students will produce a publishable thesis paper and participate in a research presentation. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in game design and development, animation and film, software development, simulation, visualization, graphic design, and advertising, to name a few.
Full Sail University graduates have been hired at studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, Nickelodeon, Disney, Universal Studios, ESPN, Miramax, MTV, and Bunim Murray. Alumni have worked on games such as Fortnite; Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II; Destiny 2; Horizon Forbidden West; Apex Legends; and Overwatch 2.
More than 350 Full Sail graduates were also credited on 30+ projects nominated in over 20 categories at the 2023 Game Awards. Thirty-five Full Sail graduates contributed to nine winning projects in 15 categories including Best Narrative and Best Game Direction for Alan Wake 2; Innovation in Accessibility for Forza Motorsport; Best Score and Music for Final Fantasy XVI; Best Ongoing Game and Best Community Support for Cyberpunk 2077; and Best Audio Design, Hi-Fi Rush.
Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM) at DePaul University (DePaul) is home to the School of Computing. Within the school is a STEM-designated Game Programming MS that provides access to the game development studio DePaul Originals; the Deep Games Laboratory; the DePaul Esports Gaming Center; and the DePaul Fundamental Research in Academic Gaming (DeFRAG), which hosts week-long game jams, multiplay nights, and video game Jeopardy. Students also have access to all CDM facilities such as the gameplay, playtest and usability, virtual reality, and game development and research labs.
Other program features include participation in exhibitions; internships with local and national studios; and the biennial Japan Study Abroad Program. This two-week trip to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nagoya includes visits to game and animation studios; temples, cultural centers, and historic sites; and galleries and museums. In Nagoya, students will collaborate with Japanese game and animation students at Trident College of Computing. This two-day game/animation jam is the culminating experience for the trip.
Game Programming MS students will take a combination of introductory, foundation, and advanced courses, along with major electives. These courses come from nine defined areas such as Game Specialties, Mobile Games, and Graphics. Elective examples from these areas include Physics for Game Developers; Advanced Rendering Techniques; Tool Programming for Game Development; Visualization; Game Programming for Mobile Devices; and Principles of Computer Animation.
Graduates of the Game Design MS at DePaul University are prepared to pursue leadership roles in all areas of game programming, development, and design, as well as research and education.
Across programs, alumni have been hired at places such as Disney Interactive Studios, Microsoft, Amazon, NetherRealm Studios, Abbott Laboratories, GitHub, Phosphor Games, Lockheed Martin, DeepMind, Scientific Games, Carbine Studios, Raytheon Missiles and Defense, and Scientific Games.
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is home to the Allen College of Liberal Arts, which houses the School of Literature, Media, and Communication. In partnership with the College of Computing’s School of Interactive Computing the school provides a Digital Media MS with access to the GVU Center Game Studio at Georgia Tech; the Institute for People and Technology (IPaT); and international campuses in the world’s largest games industry—China. Internships, workshops, and participation in student organizations are also part of the programs.
Courses for the program may include Special Topics in Game Design; Human-Computer Interaction (HCI); Principles of Interactive Design; Experimental Media; Interactive Fiction; Pro-Seminar; and Project Studio. MS students also have access to 11 specialization areas. Many provide additional coursework in games.
Examples include Computer Graphics, with courses such as Video Game Design, Computer Animation, Video Game Design and Programming, and Foundations in Computer Graphics; Artificial Intelligence (formerly Interactive Intelligence), which consists of courses such as Game AI, Computer Vision, AI Storytelling in Virtual Worlds, Advanced Game AI, and Modeling and Design; and Human-Computer Interaction, which includes courses such as Video Game Design, Mixed Reality Experience Design, Game AI; Principles of Design; Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing; and Cognitive Modeling.
Graduates of the Digital Media MS program at Georgia Institute of Technology are prepared to pursue advanced roles in game design and development; interactive design and game simulation; film and animation; visual effects; AI and robotics; 3D modeling; the broader simulation and visualization industry; special effects; and software design and development.
Some of the top hiring companies for Georgia Tech alumni include Electronic Arts (EA), Boeing, Apple, Google Interactive, Microsoft, Amazon, NBC Universal, TNT Sports, Delta Airlines, Cox Communications, and Ogilvy.
Southern Methodist University (SMU) is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and home to SMU Guildhall. Launched in 2003 with just 32 students, this education initiative was the first digital game development program of its kind. Serving hundreds of students today, SMU Guildhall is still the only graduate program in the country to provide specializations in all four areas of video game development: Art, Design, Production, and Programming.
All SMU Guildhall students benefit from the initiative’s partnerships with hundreds of studios and companies around the world. More than 1,000 SMU Guildhall alumni have worked at more than 350 studios worldwide. Examples include Disney Interactive, Epic Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Unity, Microsoft Game Studios, Samsung, Gameloft, Bungie, Insomniac Games, and Bethesda.
Other SMU Guildhall benefits include team-based learning; workshops; portfolio reviews; lectures; professional development coursework; guest speakers; career fairs; and mentorship programs.
SMU Guildhall also provides a Master of Interactive Technology (MIT) in Digital Game Development. Students have the option to specialize in Level Design; Production; Software Development (Programming); or Art Creation. All SMU Guildhall students will also develop a minimum of three industry-ready 2D and 3D games.
Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in all areas of game design and development. Across all games-related programs at SMU, alumni have worked on games such as Grand Theft Auto, League of Legends, Disney Infinity, Game of Thrones, Call of Duty, Batman, Marvel Avengers, Fortnite, Guitar Hero, Assassins Creed, God of War, Elite Force, Diablo, Days Gone, Doom, and Atlas.
In addition to the companies and studios mentioned earlier, graduates have also been hired at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, Sony, Obsidian Entertainment, Google, Ubisoft, Bioware, Gearbox, Crystal Dynamics, Oculus VR, Irrational Games, Zenimax Online Studios, and Valve.
Michigan State University (MSU) is home to the College of Communication Arts and Sciences (ComArtSci). Serving more than 4,500 students across five departments, the College of ComArtSci provides houses the Department of Media and Information (MI). Within the department is the Game Design and Development program (GDD). Established in 2005, the program consists of graduate programs such as the Serious Games MA certificate and a Media and Information MA (MI MA).
The Serious Games MA certificate attracts CS students, MSU MI graduate students, Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) students, and doctoral students from other universities. Open to all MSU graduate students as a stand-alone program, the certificate requires the following courses: Theories of Games and Interaction Design; Foundations of Serious Games; and Understanding Users. The Serious Games MA certificate is transcriptable, and it can be completed either on-campus/hybrid or 100% online.
The Media and Information MA at Michigan State University is a STEM-approved program that explores the design, the use of communication technologies and information, and management. The program is immersive, hands-on, and customizable, with opportunities to engage in real world experiences. As of 2025, MI MA students also have the option to focus in Game Studies and Design; Human-Computer Interaction/and User Experience Design (HCI/UX); or Media Policy. Students may also build their own focus area from all available courses.
In addition to specific focus area courses, all MI MA students will take courses such as Foundations of Serious Games; Interactive Usability and Accessibility-Design and Evaluation; Theories of Games and Interaction Design; Global Media and Communications; Interaction Design; and Game and Project Design Studio I-II. The culminating experience for the MI MA is the Master’s Project, completed across two courses.
Students in both the MI MA and the Serious Games MA certificate have access to state-of-the-art labs, facilities, and centers. This includes the Games for Entertainment and Learning Lab; the GEL Lab; virtual reality (VR) labs; the Social and Psychological Approaches to Research on Technology-Interaction Effects (SPARTIE) Lab; Quello Center for Media and Information Policy; and the Rural Computing Consortium.
The Games for Entertainment and Learning Lab and the GEL Lab house state-of-the-art technology for designing prototypes, learning new techniques, and to advance research on the individual and social impacts of digital games.
Across programs, students also have the opportunity to participate in game development and testing projects; complete an internship; participate in group research projects; and engage with industry professionals through visiting artist talks. Students have interned at places such as Insomniac games, Apple, ABC Studios, Will Winn Games, Fabrik Entertainment in LA, The Daily Show, BrainSurf Informatics, Gray Television, DaySmart Software, Re-Source Partners, and MOSAIC Unity Center.
All degree-seeking students have additional opportunities to gain hands-on experience with businesses and non-profit organizations in areas such as video game design, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), information technology, and human-computer interaction (HCI).
Graduates of the MI MA and Serious Games MA certificate program at Michigan State University are prepared to pursue leadership roles in areas such as game design and development, 3D technology, serious games, digital media, game programming, web design and development, user experience (UX), simulation and visualization, and information studies.
Program alumni have been hired at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Insomniac Games, Bungie, Ubisoft, Publicis Sapient, BuzzFeed, and ESPN.
The College of Engineering at Michigan State University houses the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Within the department is an additional option for students seeking an advanced degree in games. Besides providing courses such as Computer Vision, Design and Theory of Algorithms, Machine Learning, and Advanced Software Engineering, the department’s Computer Science (CS) MS program allows students to add the Serious Games certificate.
Graduates of the CS MS program at Michigan State University are prepared to pursue roles in all areas of game design, development, and programming; the broader software engineering industry; mobile application development; web design and development; and UX design, among others.
MSU Computer Science alumni have been hired at game design studios and other places such as Amazon, Epic Systems, Boeing, Microsoft, Compuware, General Motors, IBM, and Ford Motor Company.
Drexel University (Drexel) houses the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), and the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), Westphal provides more than 50 undergraduate majors, graduate programs, minors, STEM-designated programs, and accelerated degree programs. Options span the entertainment, visual art, design, performing arts, and media disciplines.
In addition to mandatory participation on one of the nation’s largest cooperative education programs, students in all Westphal Media Arts and Design programs benefit from an immersive studio-based curriculum; courses led by accomplished industry professionals; and access to state-of-the-art production facilities and studios.
Examples include the 1200 square feet Animation Capture and Effects Lab (ACE-Lab); computer labs outfitted with advanced graphics workstations; the Immersive Research Lab (IRL) for augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), immersive media projects; screening rooms; the URBN Center, which features an open floorplan, shared making spaces, and innovative labs and studios; and a theme-park quality motion simulation platform.
For students seeking a master’s degree, Westphal houses the Digital Media MS. This hands-on, studio-based, program features small class sizes that allow for individual instruction. Students will develop skills in computer programming; motion capture; computer graphics; scripting and storytelling; real-time visualization (virtual reality, augmented reality, and immersive media); and animation.
Course examples for the program include Game Design I-II; Designing for Interactivity; Animation I-II; Serious Games; Organic Modeling; Experimental Games; Interactivity I-II; Spatial Data Capture; Immersive World Building; Game Development Foundations; Advanced Concepts and Applications in Interactive 3D Environments; and Game Design from the Player’s Perspective.
Students will spend the final year working on the New Media Project (Capstone), the Thesis Development course, and in Directed Studies. Graduates 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, among others. More than 80% of Drexel gaming graduates are currently working in an area directly related to game design and development.
Drexel Westphal and CCI alumni have been hired at places such as Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Gameloft, Pixar, Microsoft Studios, DreamWorks Animation, Disney Imagineering, Lockheed, Xbox Game Studios, Blizzard Entertainment, Digital Domain, Disney Interactive, Razorfish, NCSoft Corporation, Zynga, BioWare, and Comcast Corporation.
Northeastern University (Northeastern) houses a Game Science and Design (GSND) MS that is the only program of its kind in the U.S. The GSND is multidisciplinary and STEM-designated with five different specialization areas. Jointly provided through Northeastern’s College of Arts, Media, and Design (CAMD) and Khoury College of Computer Sciences, the program highlights a common core that provides students in all specializations with a foundation in game science and design.
Specializations include Extended Realities; Game Science; Game Art; Game Programming; and Game Science. This two-year, 34 credit hour program consists of courses such as Game Design and Analysis; Mixed Research Methods for Games; Player Experience; and Business Models in the Game Industry. All students will have the opportunity to take a number of elective courses to enhance the degree.
Elective examples include Game Artificial Intelligence; Psychology of Game Play; Generative Game Design; Exploratory Concept Design; Building Game Engines; Computer/Human Interaction; and Advanced Topics in Game Science; Spatial and Temporal Design; and Data-Driven Player Modeling.
Other program highlights include access to The Games Studio, which allows students to work on projects and be credited on up to four shipped titles; exhibitions; the Media Studios Organization, which houses labs, studios, and making spaces; guest lectures; the Center for Design—a space for collaborative and interdisciplinary design research; workshops; and the opportunity to complete a full-semester (paid) summer co-op.
Northeastern University partners with more than 20,000 co-op employers nationwide and across more than 65 countries. Examples include Hasbro, Live Nation, Harmonix, Mass DiGi, Splash Damage Games, Jamspot, Demiurge Studios, and Greenbrier Games.
The Game Science and Design MS program at Northeastern University culminates with a thesis project. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in fields such as software development, game design and development, special effects, animation, software quality assurance, and graphic design.
Texas A&M University (TAMU) is home to the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts (PVFA), which houses the Visualization; Dance; Performance and Visual Studies; Theatre; and Music Performance departments/programs. The college also houses student organizations such as the Texas Aggie Game Developers (TAGD); Women in Animation; the TAMU SIGGRAPH Student Chapter; and the VIZ Industry Fair (VIF).
For students seeking a graduate degree, the PVFA Visualization Department provides a Visualization MS with two options: Thesis and Non-Thesis. The Thesis option requires 32 credit hours and the Non-Thesis option requires 36 credit hours. Both options allow students to specialize in one of eight areas including Gaming; Computer Animation; Interactive Design; Augmented Reality; Computer Graphics; Virtual Reality; User Experience Design; or Data Visualization.
Thesis track students will produce final works to be exhibited at the local and competitive levels. The culminating experience for Non-Thesis is the creation and defense of a capstone project. For both tracks, a faculty advisor will direct student projects from start to finish.
Graduates of the Visualization MS program at Texas A&M University are prepared to pursue advanced roles in game design and development, UI/UX, animation, VR/AR, filmmaking, technical art, visualization, graphic design, visual effects, simulation, architecture, special effects, education, advertising, web design, marketing, amusement/theme parks, and research.
TAMU Visualization alumni known as "Vizzers" have worked on more than 400 films across 20+ production studios. Both Game Design and Vizzers have been hired at companies and studios such as Disney Animation Studios, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), Microsoft, Blizzard Entertainment, LucasFilm Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, DreamWorks, Reel FX, Presagis, Bouncing Pixel, and Aspyr Media.
University of Florida (UF) is home to the College of the Arts (COTA). Established in 1925 through the School of Architecture, COTA houses the Digital Worlds Institute; the Schools of Art and Art History, Music, and Theatre and Dance; and the Center for Arts in Medicine. These academic units are accredited by National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD); the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM); the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST); and the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).
For students seeking a graduate degree in games, the Digital Worlds Institute houses the Digital Arts and Sciences (DAS) Masters (MiDAS). This one-year accelerated program explores game engines and development; software and hardware integration; design and interactivity; digital compositing; emerging technologies such as VR/AR; digital storytelling; audio; UI//UX; and proposals, project management, and production pipelines. This professional degree culminates with an industry-standard project and portfolio.
All Digital Worlds students benefit from the DAS Mentorship Program; access to LUMA at Digital World Studios; guest speakers and lecturers; participation in the internship program; and Portfolio Open House events.
Graduates of the MiDAS program at University of Florida are prepared to pursue titles advanced roles in the game design industry. Program alumni have been hired at places such as DreamWorks and Microsoft. Some graduates also go on to teach or launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a Top 25 STEM college that houses one of the nation’s oldest games and interactive degree programs—Interactive Media and Game Development (IMGD). The school is also home to the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDigi). Launched in 2011, MassDigi is a center for education, entrepreneurship, and workforce development in the Massachusetts games industry.
MassDigi programs and labs include the Reverse Internship/Sabbatical, where students can work on projects in teams of college and university students; the Virtual Production Laboratory; the Education Working Group; the Summer Innovation Program (SIP); and Live Code, which allows students to work on real games in the market.
Launched in 2004, and part of the School of Arts and Sciences, the IMGD program at WPI provides an IMGD MS and a dual IMGD BS/MS degree. The dual IMGD BS/MS allows students to complete two degrees at an accelerated pace. This means students can complete two degrees in four to five years instead of six or more.
Across both options, students will gain experience in art and technology through a co-op or professional internship. On campus, all IMGD students will also work their way through the entire game development process alongside industry advisors and faculty researchers.
Other program benefits include project-based learning (team-based game projects); access to state-of-the-art facilities such as the IMGD Interaction Lab, Foisie Innovation Studio, the Intentional Design Studio (IDeaS), and the Digital Art and Fabrication Studio—FabLab; and participation in gaming activities, competitions, and conferences. Examples include the International Game Developers Association (IGDA); the annual PAX East Game Festival; Game Jam; the Diversity in Games Club; the Game Developers Conference (GDC); and the MassDiGi Game Challenge.
The interdisciplinary IMGD MS is a two-year program designed for students interested in careers in game design, game development, and interactive media. Like MFA students, MS students may specialize in Serious Game; Technical; or Production and Management. Course examples include IMGD Studio; Serious and Applied Games; Design of Interactive Experiences; Production Management for Interactive Media; and Multidisciplinary Research Methods in Computational Media. The IMGD MS culminates with a thesis or group project capstone.
Graduates of the IMGD programs at WPI are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of game design and development as well as teaching, research, and consulting positions. Some program alumni also go on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
WPI IMGD alumni enjoy a 92.7% employment rate. Examples of companies that routinely hire WPI graduates include Rockstar Games, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Google, Microsoft, Epic Systems, HubSpot, BrainCo, Raytheon Technologies, NextGen Interactions, Kaon Interactive, and Jitterbit.
University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is home to the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (The Bass School or Bass). Established in 1975, Bass is a Houdini Certified School that serves more than 1,960 students enrolled in over 45 majors, minors, and certificate programs.
For students seeking a broad graduate degree with a flexible curriculum, The Bass School houses an Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC) MA program. Students in this 36 credit hour program may study games through elective requirements. Required courses and elective examples include Interactive Narrative; Computational Design; Design Research Methods; Special Topics in Interaction Design; Human Computer Interaction; Interactive Environments; Computer Processing for Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication; Experimental Interactive Media; and Emerging Media Studio.
The UT Dallas ATEC MA culminates with the Advanced Master’s Thesis or Master’s Thesis course—student’s choice. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in the games industry, the broad technology industry, research, teaching, and consulting, among other areas. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Pixar, Apple, DreamWorks, Google, Disney, Toyota, and Capital One. Graduates have also gone on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) houses the Center for Human Modeling and Simulation (HMS) traces its roots back to 1975, when the Computer Graphics Research Lab of the Computer and Information Science (CIS) Department began conducting research on human body modeling and simulation. Funded by NASA, government entities such as the Army and the Air Force, and industry grants, today’s Center for HMS focuses on rendering, animation, and computer graphics modeling research.
The center also houses one of the few programs of its kind at a four-year research university. Launched in 2004, the Master of Engineering (MSE) in Computer Graphics and Game Technology (CGGT) is a multidisciplinary program designed for recent graduates and industry professionals seeking career advancement. Because the HMS is housed in the CIS Department, which is part the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, students will take at least four computer science, systems, and technology courses.
Other requirements include one creative art and design course; one graphics elective; one business and entrepreneurship course; and one technical elective. Course examples for the program include Game Design and Development; Physically-Based Animation; Interactive Computer Graphics; Applied Machine Learning; Advanced Topics in Computer Graphics and Animation; Enabling Technologies; and Physically-Based Rendering.
Other CGGT MSE program features access to the SIG Center for Computer Graphics, which features a state-of-the-art motion capture studio, high-performance NVidia GPU processors, ViDi Center for Digital Visualization Center, and AR/VR systems (Vive, Oculus, and HoloLens); opportunities to collaborate with students from other creative departments; and an accelerated one-year curriculum for students with a computer science or engineering degree.
The UPenn CGGT MSE program culminates with the Game Design Practicum or Master’s Thesis—student’s choice. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in the game design, entertainment, technology, design, and advertising industries, among others. Program alumni have been hired at major companies and studios such as Disney Animation Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, DreamWorks Animation, Zynga, and Crystal Dynamics.
Clemson University is home to the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences (CECAS), which houses the School of Computing. Within the school is Division of Visual Computing’s and the Digital Production Arts (DPA) Program.
Provided in collaboration with the Departments of Art and Performing Art, the DPA Program focuses on developing technical and creative skills through advanced studios, workshops, and immersive projects.
At the graduate level, the DPA Program provides a 30 credit hour MS with the option to study at the main campus in Clemson or the Zucker Family Graduate Education Center (ZFGEC) in Charleston, South Carolina. The curriculum for the program consists of core courses (12 credit hours); technical courses (12-18 credit hours); and six credits of technical electives.
Course examples include 2D Game Engine Construction; Visual Narrative; Software Construction; Human and Computer Interaction; Physically Based Visual Effects; 3D Modeling and Animation; Visualization; Rendering and Shading; Special Effects Compositing; Computer Graphics; and Digital Production I-II.
Because the DPA Program at Clemson is cross-disciplinary and collaborative, students will develop skills in multiple areas of games, computer science, and even audio engineering. The program also provides experiential learning opportunities such as internships and study abroad experiences. Each year, nearly 1,300 students participate in the study abroad program in locations such as Japan, Spain, the UK, and Germany. In addition, Clemson’s University Professional Internship and Co-op (UPIC) program provides more than 900 paid, on-campus internships each year.
In addition to the DPA MA program, the School of Computing houses the ABET-accredited Computer Science fast-track Computer Science Bachelor’s/Master’s (BS/MS). BS students will complete a common core which explores fundamental concepts and programming languages such as C, C++, and Java. Electives allow all students to study games. Examples include 2D Game Engine Construction; Virtual Reality; Human and Computer Interaction; Distributed and Cluster Computing; Eye-Tracking Methodology; and Cloud Computing.
MS students will select a concentration from six options. Visual Computing, Software Engineering, and Human Centered Computing are popular options for game designers. Students may select additional games courses from electives.
All Computer Science students may also add the DPA minor, which provides access to courses such as Advanced 3D Modeling; Visual Foundations of Digital Production I-II; Computer Graphics Images; 2D Dimensional Animation; Special Topics in Digital Production Arts; Film; and Digital Imaging.
Other Computer Science and DPA highlights include visits from professionals working at major studios such as DreamWorks; 24/7 access to four dedicated instructional computer labs and state-of-the-art production studios and facilities with specialized equipment; high-tech classrooms and collaboration spaces; and participation in the SIGGRAPH Conference.
Graduates of the DPA and Computer Science programs at Clemson University are prepared to pursue advanced roles across the game design and development industry, as well as fields such as animation, visual effects, and live-action films; simulation and visualization; aerospace; software design and engineering; AI engineering; augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR); education; and advertising.
Companies that have hired Clemson DPA and CS graduates include Microsoft, Electronic Arts (EA), Boeing, Sledgehammer Games, Apple, Lockheed Martin, Google, Blur Studio, IBM, Delta Air Lines, VMware, IBM, CrowdStrike, BMW, Michelin, Meta, GE, and Savannah River National Lab.
American University (AU) is home to the Game Center. Housed in the Don Myers Technology and Innovation (DMTI) Building, this research center is a partnership between the School of Communication and the College of Arts and Sciences. Highlights include academic and experiential learning programs; access to 2,758 square feet of meeting, production, and teaching space; and The Game Studio, which provides workshops and opportunities for students to work on real-world game projects with local studios, non-profit organizations, and government agencies.
For students seeking an advanced degree, American University’s School of Communication houses a Game Design MA program. The College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) Department of Computer Science houses a Computer Science MS with a Game and Computational Media specialization. The CAS also houses the Department of Literature’s MA in Literature, Culture and Technology with a Game Development track.
Students in all programs have access to the AU Game Center; the Open Editing Lab with 24/7 access; and the Visual Illusions Lab. Other program benefits include internships and microinternships with Fortune 500 companies and emerging start-ups; opportunities to network at DC-area events such as the Global Game Jam, Games+, Indie Arcade at SAAM, and MAGfest; and access to other facilities and resources such as the Design and Build Lab (DaBL), the Institute for Immersive Designs, Experiences, Applications, and Stories (Institute for IDEAS), the AU Center for Innovation (AUCI), and the Library Makerspace.
While the Game Design programs at American University have their own curriculums, all options provide access to courses such as Game Programming; Game Prototyping; Game Development I-II; Making Meaningful Games; Digital Art Tools and Techniques; Games, History, and Society; 3D Animation; The Design of Play; 3D Modeling for Games; Topics in Games and Interactive Media; Independent Study in Game Design; Game Research Methods; and Writing for Interactivity.
Graduates of the Game Design programs at AU are prepared to pursue advanced roles in game design and development, entertainment, the broad technology industry, visualization and simulation, and many other fields. American University alumni have been hired at places such as Amazon Studios, IBM, Disney, Google, Adobe, Boeing, NBCUniversal, EPIC, United Technologies, FOX, Ogilvy, CNN, Lockheed Martin, ESPN, Foursquare, Zenith Media, BlueShark Digital, Meta, SBD Digital, ICANN, Acronym Media, 4media Group, and A+G Digital.
George Mason University (GMU or Mason) has one of the most well-known game design programs in the South Atlantic Region. The school’s Korea-based campus (GMU Korea), in collaboration with the U.S. Embassies in Korea and Japan, and e-commerce giant Coupang, hosts the 2025 Korea-U.S.-Japan eSports Tournament. This global initiative attracts gamers from Korea, the U.S., and Japan to participate in weekly activities, online training, and esports matches.
For students seeking a graduate degree, GMU has a Computer Game Design MA program with access to the Virginia Serious Game Institute (VSGI). Housed at Mason’s Science and Technology Campus, the VSGI focuses on research, start-ups, and job creation. In collaboration with companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, the Institute develops research projects in areas such as EdTech Game platform development, mobile and wearable game technologies, AR/VR diagnostic and training solutions, and Cyber-Game education.
The VSGI also houses the Mason Game and Technology Academy (MGTA). Founded in 2013, the MGTA provides opportunities for students to develop skills in game design and programming, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning.
The Computer Game Design MA is housed in Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). Established in 2001 and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the CVPA serves close to 1,800 students across dozens of degree and minor programs.
The 36 credit hour MA is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in game design or a related area in technology, the arts, or humanities. Course examples for the program include Research Methodologies in Game Design; Game Design Graduate Seminar; Game Production; Entrepreneurship and Practice; and Game Business.
Students can specialize in an area of interest through electives from the CVPA or other Mason graduate programs. Just a few elective options include Advanced Game Animation, Game Studio Management, Interactive Game Systems Design, and Advanced Music and Sound for Games. An internship is also part of the program.
The program culminates with a group or solo project. Graduates of the Computer Game Design MA at George Mason University are prepared to pursue leadership roles in game design and development, the broad technology sector, serious games, animation, visualization and simulation, education, research, and consulting.
Program alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Epic Games, Amazon, Microsoft, Bethesda Softworks, 2K Games, Booz Allen Hamilton, Citadel Studios, Little Arms Studios, Big Huge Games, and Rudel Studios. Some GMU Games graduates have also gone on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
Louisiana State University (LSU) is home to the College of Engineering. Accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), the college houses a Digital Media Arts and Engineering MS (MS DMAE) that provides the opportunity to participate in the LSU Global Game Jam. The program also provides 24/7 access to the DMAE LAB.
Examples of available software, hardware, and resources include YoYoGames GameMaker; state-of-the-art Alienware workstations; Autodesk Maya; Adobe, Epic Unreal, and SideFX Houdini; a 1,500 square feet OptiTrack motion capture system; Audio Recording Studios; and Microsoft Visual Studio. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the LSU Global Game Jam.
The MS DMAE at LSU is a 45 credit hour (12 course) program that can be completed in just 22 months. Students in this program will complete a series of team-based projects using professional tools and pipelines. Industry software tools include Nuke, Unity, Houdini, and Maya. Course examples for the program include Interactive Design, Rapid Prototyping and Innovation; Digital Media Production and Management; Advanced Programming and Digital Art I-II; Principle Production Workshop; and Interactive Production Team I-II.
Halfway through the program, students will complete a Digital Media Internship. The culminating experience is the Capstone Production Team course, where students will complete an approved final project.
Graduates of the MS DMAE program at Louisiana State University are prepared to pursue advanced roles in areas such as game design and development, game software engineering, visual effects (VFX), film and animation, interactive sound design, digital illustration, 3D modeling, visualization and simulation, web development, user interface/ user experience (UI/UX) design.
University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is one of the nation’s few 100% STEM-based universities. The school also houses one of the nation’s only fully accredited Game Design Program (GDP), with degrees across the entire discipline. Launched in 1995, the UAT GDP provides a Game Production and Management MS (GPM MS) that can be completed on campus, online, and in hybrid format. The on-campus programs incorporate a mandatory 15-week internship at a professional studio, company, or non-profit.
The Game Production and Management MS consists of four nine-credit modules. In addition to the required Game Design and GPM modules, students may select two additional modules that align with their goals. Examples include Digital Maker; Robotics and Kinematics; Technology Leadership; App Development; Data Cloud A.I.; and Technology Startup. The UAT GPM MS may be completed in one to two years.
Graduates of the University of Advancing Technology GDP are prepared to pursue advanced roles in games for entertainment, serious games, simulation training, digital advertising, animation and film, law enforcement, architecture, television production, science and medicine, aerospace, visualizations, defense, and more.
Program alumni have been hired at places such as the Electronic Arts (EA), the U.S. Department of Defense, Nickelodeon, Microsoft, Blizzard Entertainment, Google, Bethesda Softworks, Intel, American Gaming Systems (AGS), Twitch, the Game Show Network (owned by Sony Pictures Television), and Gearbox Publishing.
