Top 25 Private Game Design Schools and Colleges in the U.S. – 2025 College Rankings

New York University (NYU) is home to Tisch School of the Arts (NYU Tisch). Founded in 1965 as the School of the Arts, the school was renamed in 1982 after receiving a gift from billionaire brothers and businessmen Laurence A. and Preston Robert Tisch. Today, NYU Tisch provides BA, BFA, MA, MFA, MPS, and PhD degrees in areas such as cinema studies, collaborative arts, film and television, game design, interactive media arts, performance studies, and recorded music. 

NYU Tisch also houses the Department of Game Design. Founded in 2008 and known as NYU Game Center, the department hosts workshops, academic seminars, playtests, tournaments, and other events such as NYU Game Center Lecture Series; No Quarter Exhibition (est. 2010); the annual Strategy Guide—Breaking into the Game Industry Workshop; and the professional game conference PRACTICE—Game Design in Detail. 

Other NYU Game Center highlights include access to the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music; the Game Center Open Library; hands-on experiences in the center’s development studios and play labs; internship opportunities at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, and Disney; and the opportunity to participate in study away programs at NYU’s other campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai, and academic centers in London, Paris, Washington, D.C., Prague, Berlin, Tel Aviv, Buenos Aires, Sydney, Florence, and Madrid. 

NYU Game Center students may also participate in The Game Center Incubator. Launched in 2014, the incubator provides expertise, funding, and space for projects with commercial potential. Incubator leaders help select students see projects through to a public launch.

NYU Game Center programs include a BFA, MFA, and minor in Game Design. Single courses are also available for students enrolled in just about any NYU major. Examples include Game Design I-II; 3D Game Studio-Unity; Code Lab; and Game Development-Team Studio.

The NYU Game Center minor is a 16 credit hour program that explores design, production, and the study of games. All students will take Introduction to Game Design or Think Like a Game Designer and at least one of the following four courses: Games 101; Introduction to Programming for Games; Introduction to Games Development; and Introduction to Visual Communication. The remaining credits will come from any other Game Center courses. 

Upon completion of the NYU Game Center minor, students are prepared to work in the game industry. Some graduates also go on to become critics or scholars. 

The Game Design BFA is a 128 credit hour program with a strong foundation in the liberal arts. This means students will complete a significant amount of coursework in social sciences, humanities, explanatory writing, and hard sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.). BFA students will also explore different styles of creative production by taking a production course in another NYU Tisch department. 

The Game Design BFA curriculum consists of primary areas including game design, game development, and game studies, as well as production areas such as programming, visual design, game business, and audio design. Course examples for the program include Introduction to Game Design; Level Design Studio; 3D Development; Modern Tabletop Literacy; Pixel Prototype; The Immersive SIM; Programming for Games; 3D Modeling for Games; Art Direction for Games; XR Studio; Music and Gameplay; Games in Narrative; Shade Lab; Roleplaying on the Margins; 2D Animation for Games; and Business of Video Games. 

The Game Design BFA program at NYU culminates with the Senior Capstone. This final project can be a group or solo game, curated exhibition, or research paper—student’s choice. 

The NYU Game Center MFA is a two-year program that consists of coursework in game history, game design, game studies, game production, game studio, and play labs. Students will also select a number of electives that support their interests and goals. The first semester of the program is structured to include Game Design 1; Code Lab 0; Games 101; Game Studio 1; and Visual Lab 0. The second semester is more flexible, so students will take just two required courses—Game Studies 1 and Game Studio—along with their chosen electives. 

Examples include Intermediate Programming for Games; Prototype Studio; 3D Game Studio-Unity; Shader Lab; Tech Art Studio; Tackling Representation in Games; Horror Games; American Computer Games of the 1980s; UI/UX for Games; Mobile Game Studio; and Survival Skills. 

The Game Design MFA program at NYU culminates with a thesis, completed across two courses (12 credit hours). Thesis projects may be completed individually or in teams. Examples of possible projects include a series of small games, a sport, digital games, or card games. MFA projects will be presented at the NYU Game Center Spring Show.

NYU Game Center BFA and MFA graduates will enter the job market with a resume, several finished games or related works, and the assistance of NYU’s extensive Wasserman Career Center. As part of Tisch School of the Arts, NYU Game Center graduates also have access to the school’s own Office of Career Development, which helps alumni launch their creative careers. 

Across programs, graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of games. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Disney, Nickelodeon, ESPN, Amazon, Tencent Holdings, Avalanche Studios Group, Take-Two Interactive Software, Arkadium Games, and the International Game Developers Association Japan (IGDA Japan). 

Some NYU Game Center alumni have also gone on to launch their own studios, write books, organize festivals, and win awards. 

New York University is the largest private university in the U.S. Founded in 1831, the school serves more than 55,000 students across degree-granting campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. With more than 19,000 employees, New York University is also one of the state’s largest employers. Students at NYU have access to more than 400 program options across 20+ colleges, schools, and institutes. New York University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). 

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 are several paths to study game design including BS and MS degrees in Game Design and Development (GDD); an accelerated BS/MS that takes just five years to complete instead of six, and minors in Game Design and GDD.  

The College of Art and Design at RIT has an additional path to study games. Housed in the college’s School of Design, the 3D Digital Design BFA is a STEM-designated program with specializations in Game Arts and 3D Visualization.

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 BS consists of 121 credit hours; the MS requires 33 credits; and the BS/MS is 145 total credit hours. 

Students in the BS have opportunities to specialize in areas such as narrative, engines, audio, or graphics through electives across the entire university. Course examples for the program include Interaction, Immersion, and the Media Interface; Game Design and Development I-II; Introduction to Web Technology for Game Developers; and Data Structures and Algorithms for Games and Simulation I-II. 

RIT GDD BS students may also complete approximately 40 credit hours of open, advanced, and general education electives. Examples of advanced electives include Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) for Computing I-II; Games for Change; Level Design 1-2; IGM Production Studio; Artificial Intelligence for Game Environments; Digital Audio Production; Casual Game Development; Theory and Design of Role Play and Interactive Narrative; Game Graphics Programming I-II; and Game Development Processes. 

The GDD BS program culminates with a final project and presentation. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in industries such as game design and development, animation, film and television, aerospace, internet and software, defense, media and publishing, computer hardware, education, science, and health. 

The Game Design and Development MS is a cohort-based 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. 

The Game Design and GDD minors at Rochester Institute of Technology require 15 credit hours. Students in both options will complete Game Design and Development I-II. Other course examples include New Media Interactive Design and Algorithmic Problem Solving I-II; 2D Animation and Asset Production; Data Structures for Games and Simulations I-II; and Interactive Media Development. 

Across all Game Design and Development programs, graduates have been hired at major companies and studios such as Rockstar Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, and Epic Games. 

The 3D Digital Design BFA at Rochester Institute of Technology requires 120 credit hours. Both the Game Arts and 3D Visualization specializations allow students to study games. Students in both programs will take courses such as Modeling and Motion Strategies; 2D, 3D and 4D Design; Layers and Effects; Anatomical Frameworks for 2D and 3D Applications; Layers and Effects; and Scripting.  

Game Art students will take other courses such as Digital Illustration; The History of Game Arts; Game Design and Development I-II; Contemporary Practices – Technology in Game Arts; and IGM Production Studio. Examples of Game Art-specific electives include Principles of Animation; Fantastic Illustration; Zoological and Botanical Illustration; 2D/3D Pre-Visual World Building; and Drawing for Animation. 

Visualization students also have access to programming electives such as Game Development and Algorithmic Problem Solving I; Software Development and Problem Solving; Computer Science I; Computational Problem Solving for Engineers; and Principles of Computing. 

All 3D Digital Design students have access to electives such as Simulating Natural Phenomena; Character Design and Rigging; Real Time Design; 3D Motion Graphics; Experimental Workshop; and Physical Interface Design. 

The 3D Digital Design program at Rochester Institute of Technology culminates with the Senior Capstone completed across two courses. Game Art students will also complete Contemporary Practices: Technology in Game Arts to graduate. All finished projects will be submitted to competitions, integrated into student portfolios, and presented at the Senior Capstone Show. 

Graduates of the 3D Digital Design BFA program at RIT are prepared to pursue titles such as Game Designer, Rigger, CG Artist, Character Designer, Game Developer, AR/VR Designer, Visualization Artist, Digital Asset Designer, Level Designer, Special Effects Artist, Lighting Technical Director, and Environment Designer. Program alumni have been hired by major game studios such as Sony Interactive Entertainment and Insomniac Games. 

Rochester Institute of Technology was founded in 1829 as the Rochester Athenaeum. With global campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo, this research university serves more than 20,000 students, making it one of the largest private universities in the U.S. RIT provides 200+ academic programs across 10 colleges and institutes, and the School of Individualized Study. Rochester Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

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 include Comparative Media Studies (CMS) and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS). 

For students seeking careers in emerging industries for game designers, the MIT Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences (BCS) has a Brain and Cognitive Science BS program. This option is provided in partnership with the EECS Department and students can work with MIT Game Lab to customize a plan of study. 

For students interested in launching their own studios or those seeking careers that focus on the business side of game design and development, MIT’s Sloan School of Management houses a Business BS program that allows students to work with the MIT Game Lab to develop a focus area that matches their goals. 

Part of the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS), the Department of Comparative Media Studies (CMS) provides a BS or MS in CMS. The EECS Department is part of the Schwarzman College of Computing and it is the largest department at MIT. Popular degree options for game designers include a BS and MS in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). 

The CMS BS is an interdisciplinary program that explores game design, virtual worlds, interactive writing, and more. Course examples include Game Design Methods; Virtual Reality and Immersive Media Production; Creating Videogames; Interactive Narrative; Game Studies; Visual Design; Design and Development of Games for Learning; Critical Worldbuilding; Games and Culture; Imagination, Computation, and Expression Studio; Designing Interaction; Transmedia Storytelling - Modern Sci-Fi; Digital Media in Japan and Korea; History of Media and Technology; and Education Technology Studio.

The Comparative Media Studies BS at MIT culminates with a capstone project and presentation. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of game design and development. 

The CMS MS at MIT 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 Comparative Media Studies MS at MIT culminates with the thesis. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in all areas of game design and development, education, and research. 

The Computer Science and Engineering BS program at MIT is highly interdisciplinary, allowing students to explore areas such as human-computer interaction (HCI) and graphics; programming languages; machine learning; algorithms and theory; artificial intelligence (AI); software engineering; and computer systems. The program emphasizes team and independent projects; lab work and research; and professional internships with MIT partner companies. 

Elective requirements allow students to take additional courses that focus on games. Courses are available within and outside the department. Examples include Game Design Methods; Interactive Narrative; Games for Social Change; Advanced Game Design Studio; Game Design; Videogame Theory, Computation, and Expression Studio; Design and Development for Games and Learning; Fun and Games - Cross-Cultural Perspectives; Designing Interactions; and Games and Culture.

The CSE MS program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology is provided through the Schwarzman College of Computing’s 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 technology careers across industries, including game design and development. Graduate students are prepared to pursue leadership roles, research jobs, and teaching positions as well. 

CSE 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. 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology was founded on April 10, 1861—just two days before the start of the Civil War. The school serves approximately 11,890 students from all 50 states, DC, four territories, and nearly 140 foreign countries. MIT provides more than 115 undergraduate majors and minors, along with 50 departments and programs that provide graduate degrees. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). 

Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM) at DePaul University (DePaul) houses the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA); the School of Computing; and the School of Design. All provide paths to study games. The School of Cinematic Arts houses the STEM-designated Animation BFA with a concentration in Game Art, and the Computer Science + Animation BS (CS+ANI BS) with a Game Art Technical Director concentration. Across programs students have access to the state-of-the-art DePaul Cinespace Studios. 

This 60,000 square feet production facility houses six professional soundstages; animation studios and labs; Arri and RED cameras; green screen cycloramas; stop motion and motion capture stages; post-production video editing and color correction facilities; mixing studios; a scenic shop; and production offices. Other program highlights include courses taught by accomplished industry professionals who have worked at places such as WMS Games, Nickelodeon, and Disney Feature Animation; opportunities to gain hands-on experience at DePaul’s virtual production stage—the first of its kind in the Midwest—and through the schools Indie Studio; the visiting artist series; the LA Quarter Program at the historic Sunset Las Palmas Studio; Project Bluelight; access to the Animation Lodge; and the annual Premiere Film Festival. 

The Animation BFA/Game Art concentration focuses on real-world problem-solving; teamwork, and pipelines. Students will work alongside game designers and game programmers on cross-disciplinary game development projects. Course examples for the program include Game Development I-II; Visual Design for Games; Art for Game Mods; and Game Modification Workshop. 

Game Art students can also choose a focus in Animation or Modeling and Rigging. The Game Art concentration culminates with the Game Development Capstone I and Game Development II courses. 

The Computer Science + Animation BS with a Game Art Technical Director concentration combines liberal studies, animation, computer science, and game art. Course examples include Computer Systems I-II; Rendering and Graphics Programming; 3D Modeling and Shading; Optimized C++; 3D Animation for Games and Cinematics; Game Modification Workshop; Motion Capture; Advanced Animation Production; 3D Dynamics; Object-Oriented Game Development; and Game Art Pipeline. 

The Game Art Technical Director concentration culminates with the Game Development Capstone I and Game Development Project II courses. 

Graduates of the SCA Games programs are prepared to pursue roles at major game companies, film studios, and animation studios. Program alumni have been hired at game design companies such as Electronic Arts (EA), Blizzard Entertainment, Iron Galaxy Studios, Bioware, and The Mill. They have also been hired at studios such as Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, LAIKA Studios, and Warner Bros. Animation.

The School of Computing at DePaul University houses the Computer Science BS with a concentration in Game Systems, a BS in Game Programming, and a Game Programming MS. These STEM-designated programs provide 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. 

Courses for all programs are topic-based and hands-on, with a focus on global software development and lab work. Game Programming students will collaborate on interdisciplinary teams with game designers, producers, game designers, and audio designers to create games. BS course examples include Fundamentals of Game Design; Practical Scripting for Games; 3D Design and Modeling; Game Engine Programming I-II; Object-Oriented Game Development; Rendering and Graphics Programming; Game Modification Workshop; Optimized C++; and Game Development II. The BS program culminates with the Real-Time Networking and Software Projects courses or the Game Development Capstone I and Game Development Project II courses, student’s choice. 

The Game Systems concentration combines computer science, mathematics, and programming. Course examples include Discrete Mathematics I-II; Game Engine Programming I-II; Real-Time Networking; Object-Oriented Game Development; Computer Graphics Development I-II; Computer Systems I-II; Technical Writing; Applied 3D Geometry; and Concepts of Programming Languages. The program culminates with the Game Development Capstone I and Game Development Project II courses or the Software Projects course and one major elective, student’s choice. 

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 BS program at DePaul University are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of game programming, development, and design. MS graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in these areas, 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. 

The School of Design at DePaul University houses the BS and MFA in Game Design. Students in these STEM-designated programs have access to everything the CDM has to offer as well as the Idea Realization Lab (IRL and IRL2); the interdisciplinary design PUSH Studio; the School of Design Talks Series; the Jarvis Speaker Series; mentored independent studies (MFA); and funded research assistantships (MFA). 

PUSH Studio partners with industry professionals and social organizations. The Talks and Speaker Series’ have welcomed guests such as Bungie Founder Alex Seropian; Antionette Caroll—Founder and CEO of the Creative Reaction Lab; Co-CEO of Iron Galaxy Chelsea Blasko; Dale Dougherty—Founder and CEO of Make Media; Young Horses Games; and Scott Starrett—Brand Advisor to the Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez campaign. 

The Depaul Game Design BS consists of courses such as Games Literacy; Unreal Engine Workshop; Game Development I-II; Playgaming; Solo Game Development Project; Sound for Games; 3D Design and Modeling; Practical Scripting for Games; 3D Animation; Advanced Game Design; and Data Analysis. 

The Game Design BS program at DePaul university culminates with the Game Modification Workshop Game Development Capstone I, and Game Development Project II courses. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in game design and development, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), animation, and interactive media, among others. 

The Game Design MFA is a flexible program that consists of courses such as Creative Computation; Art Games Bootcamp; Game Design Proseminar; Incubation Studio; Games With A Purpose Bootcamp; Game Design Workshop; and Game Development Practicum (internship, art game installation, development of a wearable device). 

The Game Design MFA program at DePaul University culminates with the MFA Thesis, Showcase, and Defense. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in areas such as game design, game development, game programming, research, teaching, and software development. 

DePaul’s Game Design BS and MFA alumni have been hired at places such as Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media, Phosphor Games, NeatherRealm Studios, Owlchemy Labs, Wargaming, and Firaxis. Some graduates have also gone on to launch their own studios, such as Young Horses—creators of Octodad. Developed at DePaul, this adventure game is an Independent Games Festival Student Showcase Winner and a Game Developer (formerly Gamasutra) Top 10 Indie. 

DePaul University is the largest Catholic university in the United States. Serving 21,210 students, the school is also the nation’s 12th-largest private, not-for-profit university, and the largest private, not-for-profit college in the Midwest. Founded in 1898, DePaul provides more than 300 undergraduate majors and graduate programs across two campuses that house 10 academic colleges and schools. DePaul University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Southern Methodist University (SMU) is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The school houses Meadows School of the Arts, which provides an interdisciplinary Creative Computing program leading to a BA or a minor. The program requires students to pursue coursework in Meadows and Lyle School of Engineering. 

The Creative Computing BA is a 120 credit hour program that consists of SMU’s Common Curriculum, the major, and a combination of electives and/or minors. Course examples include Creative Coding I (3D animation, gaming, visualization, interactivity); Creative Computing II (Java programming); Creative Computing III (C++, software engineering, object-oriented programming); Principles of Computer Science I-II; and Digital/Hybrid Media (digital imaging, sound, and video using Adobe Creative Cloud and open-source software). 

All Creative Computing students will complete the Junior Milestone course, which consists of proposing, designing, and implementing a creative computing project that will be presented in a final public presentation. The program culminates with the Creative Computing Capstone or Senior Design II course—student’s choice. For the Capstone, students will work with a faculty adviser on an independent creative computing project such as an exhibition, performance, or hardware/software development. The Senior Design II course consists of a multidisciplinary group software project to be presented in a public forum.  

Southern Methodist University is also 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 two paths to study game design including the Master of Interactive Technology (MIT) in Digital Game Development and a Digital Game Development Certificate (DGDC). MIT students may specialize in Level Design; Production; Software Development (Programming); or Art Creation. 

The Guildhall allows students in any undergraduate degree program in the Meadows Art Division to add the Art Creation or Level Design specialization. Both focus areas include the Team Game Production course. In addition, Computer Science BS (CS BS) students in Lyle School of Engineering may apply to the Guildhall DGDC program. Upon successful admission, CS BS students may also enroll in Lyle’s Game Development track. 

All SMU Guildhall students will develop a minimum of three industry-ready 2D and 3D games. Graduates of the Digital Game Development and Creative Computing programs at Southern Methodist University are prepared to pursue leadership roles in all areas of game design and development. 

Program alumni have worked on games such as Grand Theft Auto, Game of Thrones, Call of Duty, Batman, Marvel Avengers, Fortnite, League of Legends, Disney Infinity, Guitar Hero, Assassins Creed, God of War, Elite Force, Diablo, Days Gone, Doom, and Atlas.

In addition to the studios mentioned earlier, SMU graduates have been hired at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, Obsidian Entertainment, Sony, Google, Ubisoft, Bioware, Gearbox, Crystal Dynamics, Oculus VR, Irrational Games, Zenimax Online Studios, and Valve. 

Southern Methodist University was founded in 1911. The school serves more than 12,000 students enrolled in 250 programs in Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences and seven degree-granting schools. Southern Methodist University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 

Drexel University (Drexel) houses one of the nation’s largest cooperative education programs. Founded in 1919, the program was among the first of its kind. Student in Drexel’s mandatory co-op program can gain up to 18 months of work experience in their chosen field—all before graduation. Co-op experiences can be completed at local and national companies or overseas in places such as Greece, London, Ghana, Hong Kong, and Spain.

A leader in technology, in 1983, Drexel became the first university to require all entering students to have microcomputers, and in 2000 it became the first university to operate fully wireless campus—indoors and out. In addition, the school launched the first mobile Web portal service for students in 2002, and the first university portal app (DrexelOne Mobile) in 2011. DrexelOne was offered across all platforms. 

Drexel University is also home to one of the nation’s largest media arts and design colleges—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 the co-op program, 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.

Westphal programs for game designers include the Game Design and Production BS; Digital Media MS; Digital Media PhD; Game Design and Production BS/Digital Media MS; Digital Media and Virtual Production BS/Digital Media MS; the undergraduate Virtual Reality and Immersive Media minor; and the graduate Digital Media minor.

All programs are hands-on and studio-based, with small class sizes that allow for individual instruction. Across all programs, students will also develop skills in computer programming; motion capture; computer graphics; scripting and storytelling; real-time visualization (virtual reality, augmented reality, and immersive media); and animation. 

The College of Computing and Informatics (CCI) at Drexel University has several additional options for designers seeking programs that combine the full computer science curriculum with game design studies. Options include a BA or BS in Computer Science (BAC, BSCS), or the 24-credit hour CS minor. The BA/BS programs provide an optional concentration in Game Programing and Development. Topics cover areas such as Creating Virtual Worlds (Numeric and Symbolic Computation); 2D and 3D Games (Game Development and Design); and Game Playing and Logic Programming (Artificial Intelligence). 

Like all Westphal programs, College of Computing and Informatics programs provide a hands-on curriculum combined with valuable co-op experiences. Across programs, students have access to all of the labs, studios, and facilities mentioned earlier, as well as the Entrepreneurial Game Studio (EGS), and the Center for Games, Artificial Intelligence, and Media Systems (GAIMS Center). All programs culminate with a full-year capstone project.

Graduates of the Westphal and College of Computing Game Design programs 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 and nearly 90% of dual degree 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. 

Drexel University was founded in 1891 by philanthropist and financier Anthony J. Drexel. Known as Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry, the school’s first graduating class was just 70 students. Today, Drexel University is an R1 Doctoral University that serves approximately 21,705 students enrolled in more than 200 degree programs across 15 colleges and schools. 

Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The school’s academic programs in art, design, and media are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). 

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is home to the Houdini Certified School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS). The school houses the Departments of Communication and Media; Arts; Science and Technology Studies; Economics; Cognitive Science; and Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS). Across departments, HASS students have opportunities to enroll in a dual major and work with peers, accomplished faculty members, and professionals in engineering, business, science, architecture, and more. 

The GSAS Department at RPI houses the GSAS BS and Critical Game Design (CGDS) MS and PhD programs. The GSAS also leads the Center of Excellence in Digital Game Development. Funded by the Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation (NYSTAR) in New York’s Empire State Development Department, the RPI Center of Excellence hosts trade shows and conferences such as the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco; the annual student games showcase and research symposium known as GameFest; and Ripcord, a joint blog-and-podcast series that focuses on games. 

The Center also hosts lectures and technical workshops; game jams and hackathons; STEAM educational programs; research in games-related fields such as game AI, wargaming, historical simulations, and virtual reality; an intensive, yearlong games incubator known as the Level Upstate Mentorship Program; and training activities for gaming startups. 

GSAS BS and CGDS graduate students have access to everything the Center of Excellence in Digital Game Development has to offer. All programs are interdisciplinary, allowing students to explore experimental game design; software engineering; 3D animation; programming; digital arts; and music and audio for games. 

The GSAS BS has six concentrations including Computer Science; Electronic Arts; Writing; Cognitive Science; Music; and Management. Students have the opportunity to build a number of professional games throughout the program and a professional internship. Graduate students will complete research projects and game prototypes. All students may participate in study away programs such as the semester abroad in Singapore at Nanyang Technological University. 

Graduates of the GSAS BS and CGDS programs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are prepared to pursue careers in fields such as game design and development, artificial intelligence (AI), visualization, animation, software development, interactive simulation, and fine arts. CGDS graduates are also prepared to conduct research and teach at the university level or pursue leadership roles in the games industry as consultants, directors, producers, and entrepreneurs. 

RPI alumni have been hired at places such as Walt Disney, Hasbro, DreamWorks Animation, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Apple, Boeing, Adobe, Google, IBM, Amazon, Red Hat, LG, Pratt & Whitney, Dell, Meta, HP, Broadcom, Cruise, Tetra Tech, SAS Institute, and Boston Scientific.

Established in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the nation’s first technological research university. Serving approximately 6,970 students, RPI provides more than 145 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across five schools. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MCSHE) and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). 

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 BA, BS, MFA, MS, and BS/MS degrees, along with the recently launched interdisciplinary Computational Media PhD, which focuses on gameplay and art. 

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 all programs, 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 IMGD BA has concentrations in Design (board game design, narrative design, digital design); Technical Art (motion capture, 3D rigging, animation, pipeline management); Visual Art (2D animation, 3D modeling and animation, interactive art installations); and Writing (world building, narrative structure, character building). As part of the IMGD program, all students will explore the artistic and technical aspects of game development as well as art, science, music, and math. 

All IMGD BA students will complete courses such as The Game Development Process; Storytelling in Interactive Media and Games; Critical Studies in Media and Games; Game Audio; Technical Game Development; and Novel Interfaces for Interactive Environments. The IMGD BA program culminates with a final project. 

The IMGD BS consists of many of the same courses as the BA program. However, the BS has a stronger emphasis on software engineering and programming. Students in this program will complete projects and specialized courses in areas such as game engine programming, creative coding, computer graphics, artificial intelligence, software engineering, procedural content generation, networking, human-computer interaction, and live coding performance. The IMGD BS program culminates with  a final project. 

The WPI IMGD MFA is an interdisciplinary art- and studio-based program with three focus areas: Serious Games; Technical; and Production and Management. All students will complete 12 design studio credits, 21 core credits, six professionalization credits, three elective credits, and nine project credits. This customizable program culminates with a solo thesis project in digital games and a portfolio of the student’s best work. 

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 Games; 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. 

The IMGD PhD program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute requires 15 credit hours in the computational media core. All students have the option to create an individual path such as games and game engines; artificial intelligence; narratives; visual and sonic media; or human-computer interfaces. The program culminates with the dissertation and defense. 

For students in other majors, WPI has an IMGD minor with a customizable focus area. This 18-credit hour program also allows students to select from courses that explore game design, animation, visual art, game studies, technical development, audio arts, creative writing, and social impact of games. The minor culminates with a final project.   

Graduates of the IMGD and Computational Media programs at WPI are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of game design and development. Graduate and PhD students are also prepared for 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. 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute was established in 1865. One of just 187 R1 designated universities in nation, WPI has more than 50 global project centers on six continents. The school provides 70+ degree programs to approximately 7,355 students across the schools of Arts & Sciences; Engineering; and Business, and The Global School. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

The New School houses Parsons School of Design (Parsons). Serving more than 5,700 students, Parsons is The New School’s largest school. For game designers, Parsons provides a Design and Technology (DT) program with BFA and MFA options. Programs are interdisciplinary and STEM-designated, with studios and lab courses led by experts in the field. 

Other program features include industry internships; collaborations between artists and designers across The New School; networking opportunities and sponsored projects with external partners; and study abroad experiences in places such as Florence, Paris, and London.

The Parsons DT BFA is a 120 credit hour program that explores media storytelling, emerging art and design practices, and interaction technologies. Two paths are available including Game Design and Creative Technology. Game Design students will work on original projects that explore socially conscious video games, wearable technology, and digital art. Creative Technology students will tour and work on projects with major companies and studios such as Nickelodeon, Atari, MTV, Apple, Rockwell Interaction Lab, and UNESCO.

Students in both paths have access to courses such as Creative Coding; Digital Asset Creation 2D and 3D; Game Design as Play Design; Environments; Anatomy and Perspective for Visual Storytellers; CG 1 and 2; Interaction Studio; Motion Graphics; Experimental Animation; Drawing/Imaging; Communication Design Studio: JavaScript; Physical Computing; Communication Design Foundations-Interaction; Data Visualization and Information Aesthetics; Web Design; Light and Image; and Critical Computation Lab. 

In the fourth year of the DT BFA program, students will complete a thesis project. The Pro Launch Studio course prepares students for careers in the industry.   

The DT MFA at Parsons School of Design is a studio-based program that explores game design, new media art, interaction design, physical computing, critical design, wearable technology, and data visualization. In addition to seminars, labs, and electives across Parsons and The New School, MFA students will complete Collaboration Studio and Thesis Studio courses. 

In Collaboration Studio courses, students will work with partner companies on real-world projects. Examples of past partners include NASA, Intel, Mozilla, Samsung, The Met, Samsung, One Plus, Ralph Lauren, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and Red Bull. Projects explore areas such as game design, film and video, audiovisual performance, and web and mobile apps.

Other program features include the Cloud Salon Series (CSS) and access to state-of-the-art facilities and labs. The CSS is a webinar series consisting of fine artists, designers, technologists, and other industry professionals. Past speakers have included Yuri Suzuki, New Red Order, Lauren Lee McCarthy, Zach Lieberman, and Audrey Bennett.

Graduates of the Design and Technology programs at The New School are prepared to pursue leadership roles across the game design, entertainment, advertising, and web design industries, among others. New School alumni have been hired at major companies and studios across the U.S. and abroad. 

The New School was founded in 1919 as the New School for Social Research. Serving approximately 10,815 students today, the school provides nearly 130 degree and diploma programs across six colleges and schools. This includes Parsons School of Design; Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts; the College of Performing Arts; The New School for Social Research; the Schools of Public Engagement; and Parsons Paris. 

The New School has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) since 1960. Parsons Paris is declared to the Rectorat de Paris as an établissement d’enseignement supérieur privé (a private higher education establishment) and has maintained its right to operate in France since 2013. This branch campus of The New School is also MSCHE-accredited. 

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. 

University of Pennsylvania has an additional option for students interested in an interdisciplinary program that explores games, animation, computer graphics, interactive technologies, and virtual reality environment design. Launched in 1998, and also housed in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Digital Media Design (DMD) major combines coursework from the CIS Department, UPenn School of Design, and Annenberg School and Fine Arts. A programming-intensive DMD minor is also available. 

Leading to a Bachelor’s in Engineering and Science (BSE), the DMD program consists of courses such as Interactive Computer Graphics; Advanced Rendering; Programming Languages and Techniques I-II; Automata, Computability, and Complexity; 3D Computer Modeling; Computer Animation; Advanced Computer Graphics; Introduction to Algorithms; and Mixed Media Animation. 

Graduates of the UPenn DMD BSE program are prepared to pursue roles in games, animation, virtual reality, computer graphics, interactive technology, and many other fields. Program alumni are frequently hired at major companies and studios such as Pixar, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks Microsoft, Google, and Disney Animation.

Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740, University of Pennsylvania is the fifth oldest university in the U.S. With nearly 5,000 professors, the school serves approximately 28,710 students enrolled in more than 400 programs across 12 schools. UPenn also houses more than 170 research centers and institutes, along with nine business divisions. University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The Game Design Initiative at Cornell University (GDIAC) launched in 2001, making it one of the first computer game programs of its kind, and the first established at an Ivy League School. Hosted within the Cornell Bowers College of Computing and Information Sciences’ (CIS) Department of Computer Science, this interdisciplinary program provides a Game Design minor available to students in all colleges and majors. Consisting of 18 credit hours (minimum), the minor focuses on project-based learning and a curriculum that emphasizes gameplay design, game analytics, software development, and project management. 

Required courses for the program include Analytics Driven Game Design; Introduction to Computer Architecture/Design; and Advanced Topics in Computer Game Architecture/Design. Students will choose four courses from Art, Computer Science, Information Science, Music, Performing and Media Arts, and Psychology. 

Across areas, ideal courses for game designers include Novel Interaction Techniques; Interactive Computer Graphics; Creative Character Design; Screenwriting; Graphics and Art; Natural Language Processing; Advanced Human-Computer Interaction Design; Psychology of Gaming; Rapid Prototyping and Physical Computing; Foundations of Artificial Intelligence; Object-Oriented Programming and Data Structures; New Media and Society; Sound Design; and Machine Learning for Intelligent Systems. 

Students may select courses from other departments, such as Game Studies and Japan; Human Factors and Inclusive Design; and History and Theory of Digital Art from other departments on a petition basis. 

While the GDIAC Game Design minor is open to all Cornell students, it is ideal for students in the CS BS program. Examples of CS courses related to games include Algorithmic Game Theory; Advanced Topics in Computer Game Architecture; Cloud Computing; and Machine Learning. 

All CS students also have the opportunity to complete a professional internship and participate in any one of Cornell’s study abroad (SA) programs. The school’s portfolio of SA options includes Cornell Global Hubs with locations such as India, Ghana, Denmark, and China; short-term study in places such as the UK, Madrid, and Paris; and semester- or year-long study dozens of different locations. 

The Game Design minor culminates with a final project. Students may work in teams or solo to complete the project, which can be a PC, mobile, or other game. Final projects may be entered into the annual GDIAC Showcase. 

Graduates of the CS/Game minor program are prepared to pursue advanced roles in the gaming, technology, architecture, aerospace, science and medicine, legal, education, advertising and marketing, and business industries, among others. 

Cornell University alumni enjoy a 99% success rate shortly after graduating. Some of the top employers for Cornell Game Design and CS graduates include Nintendo, Electronic Arts (EA), Blizzard Entertainment, PlayStation, Naught Dog, Epic Systems, Hulu, Riot Games, Zynga, Oracle, Microsoft, Apple, IBM, Bethesda, Amazon, Valve Corporation, Dell, Google, Tencent, Meta, Twitter, and Snapchat. 

Founded in 1865, Cornell University is the youngest of the eight Ivy League Universities. A federal land-grant institution, the school serves approximately 26,795 students enrolled in more than 300 majors, minors, and graduate fields of study across 16 colleges and schools. In addition to the main campus in Ithaca, New York, Cornell has campuses in Geneva, New York; New York, New York; Washington, D.C.; Rome, Italy; and Doha, Qatar. Cornell University has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) since 1921.

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) houses a collection of Game Design programs with options leading to a BFA, MFA, and a minor. Across all options, students work and learn in a project-based environment that promotes creativity, innovation, and collaboration. BFA students also have opportunities to work in teams with graduate MFA students to design industry-ready games that could be featured at the Independent Games Festival (IGF). 

Held as part of the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, this annual festival showcases independent games (on the Expo floor), with winners announced during the week-long GDC. All LCAD Game Design students will also participate in workshops led by artists and designers such as Animation and Film Artist Bill Perkins; Game Designer Chris Bateman; and former Blizzard Entertainment Art Director Justin Thavirat.

Specific program options include the Game Art BFA; the Game Art minor; and the Game Design MFA. Students in the Game Art minor will take courses such as Fundamentals of Game Art; 2D Development Studio; Level Design; Rigging and Animation for Games; and Development Team. The minor culminates with a final project. 

LCAD’s Game Art BFA requires 122 credit hours of study. Course examples include Drawing and Perspective for Games; Robots, Vehicles and Spaceships; Game Design; Advanced Real-Time VFX; Scripting for Games; 3D Character Design; Special Topics in Games; Visual Storytelling; Character Design for Games; Environment Design for Games; Prototyping; Game Industry 101; 2D Development Studio; Modeling for Games; Digital Painting; UI/UX for Games; 3D Environment Design; Advanced Technologies for Games; Digital Analytical Figure; Game Pipeline; Advanced Shaders and Materials; Professional Studies for Game Artist; Advanced Sound Design; Creatures and Characters; and Combat Design.

The Game Design MFA at Laguna College of Art and Design is a two-year, terminal degree program that requires 60 credit hours of study. Courses explore areas such as the game mechanics, game narrative, the game production cycle, game prototypes, game design processes, and the business of games. Course examples include Production Studio 1-2; Player Centric Design; Experimental Game Design; Prototyping; Specialized Programming; and Game Production. 

The culminating experience for the Game Design MFA is creation of a final, marketable game. This thesis project will be completed across two courses. 

Graduates of the Game Art and Game Design programs at Laguna College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue leadership roles in the games and entertainment industries. Program alumni have been hired at major companies and studios in the U.S. and abroad. Examples include Sony Interactive Entertainment, Riot Games, Microsoft Studios, DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, Marvel, 20th Century Fox, Disney Animation Studios, The Jim Henson Company, Insomniac Games, and Obsidian Entertainment. 

Laguna College of Art and Design opened in 1961 as Laguna Beach School of Art (LBSA). This private art school serves approximately 770 students enrolled in 15 degree programs and nine minors. LCAD has a main campus in Laguna Beach, with educational affiliates around the world including Florence Academy of Arts (Italy), Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, and Breda University of Applied Sciences (NHTV) in the Netherlands. 

Laguna College of Art and Design is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).