The School of Game Development at Academy of Art University (Academy of Art) offers an MA in Game Development. Course examples across pathways include Creating Mobile Games, 3D Animation Techniques, Game Content Creation, Game Systems Development, Game Design and Production, Digital Storytelling, Game Development, and Interaction & Usability. Small class sizes allow for individual instruction and the cooperative (co-op) education program enables students to gain work and world experience prior to graduation. DePaul University is a private, Catholic school located in Chicago, IL. The MS in Computer Science is offered in the Department of Computer Science. The Master of Arts (MA)is an advanced degree that focuses on areas such as the humanities. Students will also obtain real-world experience by working on projects with the Game Studio, and with clients such as local studios, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. while Master of Science degrees are concerned with the technical aspects of game design, such as coding and software development.
With an emphasis on work that is at once socially, culturally, and emotionally intuitive, DePauls students study theory, application, and everything in between. More than 66,000 students attend UCF. American University (AU) offers an MA in Game Design and an MS in Computer Science. MA degrees are typically available in the areas of communications, English, teaching, literature, linguistics, art, and languages.
Founded in 2001, the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) at George Mason University (GMU) offers more than 1,400 majors across four disciplines including Computer Game Design, Arts Management, Film and Video Studies, and Art and Visual Technology: Dance, Music, and Theater. Are you a current college student? The school specializes in video game design, animation, and computer science education. Graduates of the Computer Science and DPA Programs at Clemson have gone on to become game designers, animators, technical directors, art directors, 3D graphics programmers, AR/VR designers, and software engineers, among others. Michigan State University (MSU) houses the College of Communication Arts and Sciences (ComArtSci). The Game School at Full Sail University offers a Game Design MS. The University of Southern California (USC) is home to USC Gamesa collection of 10 minors and four degree programs leading to a BA, BS, MFA or MS. Programs are housed in the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) Interactive Media & Games Division or the Viterbi School of Engineering, Department of Computer Science. Though the former is more arts-centric and the latter requires a lot of coding, both will give you a foundation in gaming concepts and applications. These are a great way to illustrate your technical skills, career plans, and creativity to future employers. Other program high points include collaboration with students from other departments such as Digital Media Design (DMD), and access the SIG Center for Computer Graphics, which features a state-of-the-art motion capture studio, ViDi Center for Digital Visualization Center, AR/VR systems (Vive, Oculus, and HoloLens), and high-performance NVidia GPU processors. The certificate consists of the following classes: MSU is a Public Ivy ranked among the top 30 best public universities in the nation. This huge polytechnic school is comprised of 9 colleges that offer degrees in the fine arts, engineering, computer science, and imaging sciences. Once you have firm grounding in the fundamentals you will go on to take specialized coursework in an area corresponding to your personal career goals. The College of Engineering at MSU houses the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, which offers an MS in Computer Science with a Specialization in Media and Information Studies. Curriculum requirements differ depending on the degree, but you will have the opportunity to explore the ins-and-outs of game design through electives such as: The Princeton Review along with Gamepro magazine ranked the collective game design programs at UC Santa Cruz as being among the top 50 best in the nation. The School of Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC) at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is a research school that offers multidisciplinary STEAM (science, technology, art, engineering, and management) programs.
MS degree options include Serious Games, Computational Media, and Games and Playable Media. Core classes youll take at Penn include: Penn is ranked among the top 10 most prestigious schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to gaining work experience, MS students benefit from hands-on learning in collaborative classrooms and studios, access to state-ot-the-art production facilities, courses taught by industry professionals, and access to 3,350+ employer partners, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global companies. Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI was founded as one of the first agricultural schools in the nation. AU Game students will also have opportunities to network at DC-area events such as the Global Game Jam, MAGfest, Games+, and Indie Arcade at SAAM. The non-thesis track is a popular option for TAMU students who would like to focus on portfolio development in a specific area. Students will also work individually and in teams to complete projects in state-of-the art facilities such as the labs and SCAD Digital Media Center. MGTA provides the opportunity for students to develop skills in game design and programming, artificial intelligence (AI), and Machine learning. It offers a Serious Game Design Certificate consisting of three classes. Other Guildhall highlights include professional development coursework, career fairs, guest speakers, workshops, lectures, mentorship programs, team game projects, and portfolio reviews. Around 6,000 combined undergraduate and graduate students attend WPI.
For example, those who go into the creative field of game development, such as multimedia artists and animators, have salary averages hovering around $70,500 a year. The Game Design Program at DePaul University (DePaul) offers an MS in Game Programming. 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. Housed in GMUs Science and Technology Campus, VSGI focuses on job creation, start-ups, and research. Youll graduate ready for several potential careers: These 20 programs vary in length, requirement, and emphasis. Program offerings at SMU Guildhall include a Master of Interactive Technology (MIT) in Digital Game Development (thesis required) and a Professional Certificate in Digital Game Development (no thesis). There are also four tracks of specialization, in: Utah has produced dozens of Rhodes Scholars, MacArthur Fellows, Nobel Prize winners, and Pulitzer recipients, to name a few. Elective requirements allow students to take additional courses that focus on games. Undergraduates will complete a Capstone Project during the final year of their program and graduate students will complete a Thesis Project, Research Project, or both. The UF Digital Worlds Institute MiDAS Program also explores game engines and development, software and hardware integration, design and interactivity, emerging technologies such as AR/VR, and proposals, project management, and production pipelines. Can you envision yourself designing such stories through detailed coding as well as creative character development? On top of those concentrations, this program also covers key focus areas that includes everything from virtual sculpting to rigging, modularity, game engine pipelines, and more. Graduates of the MA in MI Program are prepared for careers in 3D game design, UI/UX, and 3D technology, among others. Becker College has several campuses located throughout Massachusetts, including in Worcester and Leicester. Besides opportunities to customize the curriculum, individuals interested in studying game design at MIT may do so through several programs that have the option to choose electives from any department or a built-in cluster. Examples include the Comparative Media Studies (CMS), and Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) Programs. To determine which degree matches your career goals, it is important to understand how each qualification differs. And each quarter, students have the opportunity to interview and present their portfolios to professionals in the industry. We want to hear what you have to say! One of the best schools on the West Coast and one of the most renowned within the wider University of California System, UCLA hardly needs an introduction. Course examples include Game Development, Practical Scripting for Games, Animation, Game Sound Design, and 3-D Design and Modeling. Did you know? Graduates of the Game Design Programs at Drexel University are prepared to pursue positions in pc, mobile and console game design, game art, simulation, education, training, and more. Guildhall specialization options include Art Creation, Level Design, Production, and Software Development. Some of the top careers for DePaul Game Design graduates include game development, software engineering, computer graphics, animation, commercial production, and project management. It boasts more than 330 academic programs and has nearly 45,000 students. The ATEC Lecture Hall has hosted speakers from Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks. For those who want a creative-based degree, NYU offers the perfect program. The MSE CGGT program prepares students for a variety of positions in game design and animation. Graduates of Digital Arts and Sciences Programs at University of Florida are freelance designers, entrepreneurs, game designers, character modelers, production coordinators, level designers, technical animators, visual effects artists, software engineers, motion graphics animators, digital storytellers, UI/UX designers, and more. It has around 18,000 students and is organized into 10 small colleges. With technical roots in computer and information science, this degree covers the spectrum of game development, from graphics to game engines, game world design, and interactive narrative. Students may create a specialization from electives as well. NYU is comprised of dozens of colleges, research institutes, and cultural centers, including the Tisch School of the Arts. Students may also add a Game Development Minor. The Technical concentration is for students with a software development background who want to expand their skills and knowledge in IMGD. CVPA Computer Game Design students have access to the Virginia Serious Game Institute (VSGI).
Programs lead to the BA, MA, MFA, or PhD in ATC. Our figures and information come from the university and colleges websites, PayScale, and nationally recognized U.S. News & World Report and The National Center for Education Statistics. American University is a Methodist school located in Washington, DC. Nearly 12,000 students attend SMU and are enrolled in one of the seven academic colleges or professional schools.
All students, however, will be required to complete the common core, which consists of: With research and academic strengths in numerous areas and subjects, American is most known for its film, media, and business programs, among others. All students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities, such as the 3,300 square feet MOCAP studio, where they have the opportunity to develop their own games (in teams) from start to finish. Unlike MA programs, most MS programs require a thesis. The Games and Interactive Media Cluster consists of more than 20 game design course options. Additionally, SCADs online programs are ranked among the best byU.S. News & World Report. Students will leave the DePaul Game Design Program with a portfolio of their best work. University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz or UCSC) was the first institution in the University of California System to launch an undergraduate game major. All Rights Reserved.The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University, Privacy Policy | More than 10,000 students attend SCAD, a number of which study at one of SCADs international campuses in Hong Kong or Lacoste, France. Design students will have opportunities to work with fine art, audio, programming, and writing students. Graduates of UAT Games work for major studios and organizations such as Nickelodeon, the Department of Defense, Intel, Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, Blizzard Entertainment, and Google, among others. When you earn an MS in Interactive Entertainment from UCF you will collaborate with leaders in the industry through the renowned Interactive Entertainment Academy. Graduates not only go on to become game designers, but artists, curators, critics, and scholars too. Program alumni have secured positions with companies such as Google, Disney Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), Blur Studio, Sledgehammer Games, IBM, and CrowdStrike. And, when Rolling Stone Magazine calls the university one of the five best music programs in the country, then its a safe bet that this is the university all things media. Helping you prepare and gain the most out of your educational experience. Penns engineering school offers a Masters in Computer Graphics and Game Technology degree that uniquely integrates computer science, technology, and art. As we wrote above, some of these programs are creative while others are technical. Michigan State University Games and MI alumni work for major studios such as Rockstar Games, Activision Blizzard and Blizzard Entertainment, Bungie, Insomniac Games, Electronic Arts (EA), and Ubisoft, among others. But it is also highly regarded for its School of Digital Media, which proffers degrees in interactive design and game development. Other program benefits include participation in the Annual Games Showcase, game design internships, and frequent studio tours. Graduates of the UC Santa Cruz Game Design Programs have gone on to establish careers in the industry at companies and studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Tencent, Amazon, Universal, Google, TicToc Games, Method Studios, Ubisoft, TopGolf, and Hi-Rez Studios, among others. The MA in Game Design is administered jointly by the School of Communication and the Department of Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Students will also take courses in Systems Design and Analysis, Data Analysis and Applications, and Theory and Algorithms. All specializations require completion of the core: The Princeton Review ranks WPIs gaming programs among the top 10 nationally. Therefore, some of the classes youll take as a Laguna student include: On top of its reputation for offering some of the nations most regarded art degrees, Laguna is also known for its integration of technology and the liberal arts. It is one of the few programs of its kind offered at a four-year research university. The College of Arts, Media, and Design at Northeastern offers an MS in Game Science and Design.
Serving more than 1,800 students today, ATEC launched in 2015 after the merging of two departments: Arts and Technology and Emerging Media and Communication. Terms of Use | Our 2022 Top Graduate Programs for Video Game Design list is based on institutional survey data, including quality of lab facilities, faculty credentials, career outcomes, and more. You will graduate fully equipped to not only design and develop games, but to cultivate assets and demonstrate leadership in the industry. Elite New York University is primarily based in Greenwich Village and is one of the best schools on the island. Penn is one of the nations most active research universities. Co-op experiences are local, national, and in places such as Hong Kong, London, Spain, Ghana, and Greece, among others. Full Sail University graduates have worked on popular games, films, and ad campaigns. Seminars, game development and research studios, and independent study are also part of the programs. They have one of the best co-op programs in the nation, through which their 25,000 students are employed. Located in Rochester, New York, the Rochester Institute of Technology has nearly 19,000 students. This MFA in Game Design is a two-year program where students explore design and development in games while also studying critical and cultural literacy. The MS in Game Science and Design at Northeastern University (Northeastern) is jointly offered through the College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD) and Khoury College of Computer Sciences. The Digital Media Program has a Game Design Track and the MS in Interactive Entertainment has specializations in Programming, Modeling, Tech Art, Animation, Level Design, Tech Design, and Project Management. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is located in Worcester, MA. The MA in Cinematic Art (Media Arts, Games and Health) is offered in conjunction with SCA, the Graduate School and the Creative Media & Behavioral Health Center. Here, students can enroll in the DPA MS or the fast-track Bachelors/Masters (BS/MS) in Computer Science. Programs at the school are all-encompassing, so student designers will explore animation/animation VFX, game, systems, and tools programming, coding, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), user interface/user experience (UI/UX) design, artificial intelligence (AI), coding, programming, rigging, concept art, 3D modeling, technical art, level design, and more. It is a leader in both STEM and the fine arts. Texas A&M University VISL graduates are often hired at major studios such as Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), DreamWorks Animation, and Pixar. Level up with one of the nations best masters in game design degrees! Housed in DePauls College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM), the Game Design Program emphasizes collaboration and interdisciplinary learning. You can earn an MS in Game Design from Full Sail University in just one year. Indeed, for the eco-minded, theres hardly a better place to earn your degree than Utah. All UF Digital Worlds Programs combine arts, engineering, communications, and science. This likely entails classes on graphics, prototyping, animation, and more. Programs are offered at the UC Santa Cruz and Silicon Valley campuses. Internship and research opportunities are also part of the program.
With an emphasis on work that is at once socially, culturally, and emotionally intuitive, DePauls students study theory, application, and everything in between. More than 66,000 students attend UCF. American University (AU) offers an MA in Game Design and an MS in Computer Science. MA degrees are typically available in the areas of communications, English, teaching, literature, linguistics, art, and languages.
Founded in 2001, the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) at George Mason University (GMU) offers more than 1,400 majors across four disciplines including Computer Game Design, Arts Management, Film and Video Studies, and Art and Visual Technology: Dance, Music, and Theater. Are you a current college student? The school specializes in video game design, animation, and computer science education. Graduates of the Computer Science and DPA Programs at Clemson have gone on to become game designers, animators, technical directors, art directors, 3D graphics programmers, AR/VR designers, and software engineers, among others. Michigan State University (MSU) houses the College of Communication Arts and Sciences (ComArtSci). The Game School at Full Sail University offers a Game Design MS. The University of Southern California (USC) is home to USC Gamesa collection of 10 minors and four degree programs leading to a BA, BS, MFA or MS. Programs are housed in the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) Interactive Media & Games Division or the Viterbi School of Engineering, Department of Computer Science. Though the former is more arts-centric and the latter requires a lot of coding, both will give you a foundation in gaming concepts and applications. These are a great way to illustrate your technical skills, career plans, and creativity to future employers. Other program high points include collaboration with students from other departments such as Digital Media Design (DMD), and access the SIG Center for Computer Graphics, which features a state-of-the-art motion capture studio, ViDi Center for Digital Visualization Center, AR/VR systems (Vive, Oculus, and HoloLens), and high-performance NVidia GPU processors. The certificate consists of the following classes: MSU is a Public Ivy ranked among the top 30 best public universities in the nation. This huge polytechnic school is comprised of 9 colleges that offer degrees in the fine arts, engineering, computer science, and imaging sciences. Once you have firm grounding in the fundamentals you will go on to take specialized coursework in an area corresponding to your personal career goals. The College of Engineering at MSU houses the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, which offers an MS in Computer Science with a Specialization in Media and Information Studies. Curriculum requirements differ depending on the degree, but you will have the opportunity to explore the ins-and-outs of game design through electives such as: The Princeton Review along with Gamepro magazine ranked the collective game design programs at UC Santa Cruz as being among the top 50 best in the nation. The School of Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC) at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is a research school that offers multidisciplinary STEAM (science, technology, art, engineering, and management) programs.
MS degree options include Serious Games, Computational Media, and Games and Playable Media. Core classes youll take at Penn include: Penn is ranked among the top 10 most prestigious schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to gaining work experience, MS students benefit from hands-on learning in collaborative classrooms and studios, access to state-ot-the-art production facilities, courses taught by industry professionals, and access to 3,350+ employer partners, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global companies. Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI was founded as one of the first agricultural schools in the nation. AU Game students will also have opportunities to network at DC-area events such as the Global Game Jam, MAGfest, Games+, and Indie Arcade at SAAM. The non-thesis track is a popular option for TAMU students who would like to focus on portfolio development in a specific area. Students will also work individually and in teams to complete projects in state-of-the art facilities such as the labs and SCAD Digital Media Center. MGTA provides the opportunity for students to develop skills in game design and programming, artificial intelligence (AI), and Machine learning. It offers a Serious Game Design Certificate consisting of three classes. Other Guildhall highlights include professional development coursework, career fairs, guest speakers, workshops, lectures, mentorship programs, team game projects, and portfolio reviews. Around 6,000 combined undergraduate and graduate students attend WPI.
For example, those who go into the creative field of game development, such as multimedia artists and animators, have salary averages hovering around $70,500 a year. The Game Design Program at DePaul University (DePaul) offers an MS in Game Programming. 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. Housed in GMUs Science and Technology Campus, VSGI focuses on job creation, start-ups, and research. Youll graduate ready for several potential careers: These 20 programs vary in length, requirement, and emphasis. Program offerings at SMU Guildhall include a Master of Interactive Technology (MIT) in Digital Game Development (thesis required) and a Professional Certificate in Digital Game Development (no thesis). There are also four tracks of specialization, in: Utah has produced dozens of Rhodes Scholars, MacArthur Fellows, Nobel Prize winners, and Pulitzer recipients, to name a few. Elective requirements allow students to take additional courses that focus on games. Undergraduates will complete a Capstone Project during the final year of their program and graduate students will complete a Thesis Project, Research Project, or both. The UF Digital Worlds Institute MiDAS Program also explores game engines and development, software and hardware integration, design and interactivity, emerging technologies such as AR/VR, and proposals, project management, and production pipelines. Can you envision yourself designing such stories through detailed coding as well as creative character development? On top of those concentrations, this program also covers key focus areas that includes everything from virtual sculpting to rigging, modularity, game engine pipelines, and more. Graduates of the MA in MI Program are prepared for careers in 3D game design, UI/UX, and 3D technology, among others. Becker College has several campuses located throughout Massachusetts, including in Worcester and Leicester. Besides opportunities to customize the curriculum, individuals interested in studying game design at MIT may do so through several programs that have the option to choose electives from any department or a built-in cluster. Examples include the Comparative Media Studies (CMS), and Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) Programs. To determine which degree matches your career goals, it is important to understand how each qualification differs. And each quarter, students have the opportunity to interview and present their portfolios to professionals in the industry. We want to hear what you have to say! One of the best schools on the West Coast and one of the most renowned within the wider University of California System, UCLA hardly needs an introduction. Course examples include Game Development, Practical Scripting for Games, Animation, Game Sound Design, and 3-D Design and Modeling. Did you know? Graduates of the Game Design Programs at Drexel University are prepared to pursue positions in pc, mobile and console game design, game art, simulation, education, training, and more. Guildhall specialization options include Art Creation, Level Design, Production, and Software Development. Some of the top careers for DePaul Game Design graduates include game development, software engineering, computer graphics, animation, commercial production, and project management. It boasts more than 330 academic programs and has nearly 45,000 students. The ATEC Lecture Hall has hosted speakers from Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks. For those who want a creative-based degree, NYU offers the perfect program. The MSE CGGT program prepares students for a variety of positions in game design and animation. Graduates of Digital Arts and Sciences Programs at University of Florida are freelance designers, entrepreneurs, game designers, character modelers, production coordinators, level designers, technical animators, visual effects artists, software engineers, motion graphics animators, digital storytellers, UI/UX designers, and more. It has around 18,000 students and is organized into 10 small colleges. With technical roots in computer and information science, this degree covers the spectrum of game development, from graphics to game engines, game world design, and interactive narrative. Students may create a specialization from electives as well. NYU is comprised of dozens of colleges, research institutes, and cultural centers, including the Tisch School of the Arts. Students may also add a Game Development Minor. The Technical concentration is for students with a software development background who want to expand their skills and knowledge in IMGD. CVPA Computer Game Design students have access to the Virginia Serious Game Institute (VSGI).
Programs lead to the BA, MA, MFA, or PhD in ATC. Our figures and information come from the university and colleges websites, PayScale, and nationally recognized U.S. News & World Report and The National Center for Education Statistics. American University is a Methodist school located in Washington, DC. Nearly 12,000 students attend SMU and are enrolled in one of the seven academic colleges or professional schools.
All students, however, will be required to complete the common core, which consists of: With research and academic strengths in numerous areas and subjects, American is most known for its film, media, and business programs, among others. All students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities, such as the 3,300 square feet MOCAP studio, where they have the opportunity to develop their own games (in teams) from start to finish. Unlike MA programs, most MS programs require a thesis. The Games and Interactive Media Cluster consists of more than 20 game design course options. Additionally, SCADs online programs are ranked among the best byU.S. News & World Report. Students will leave the DePaul Game Design Program with a portfolio of their best work. University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz or UCSC) was the first institution in the University of California System to launch an undergraduate game major. All Rights Reserved.The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University, Privacy Policy | More than 10,000 students attend SCAD, a number of which study at one of SCADs international campuses in Hong Kong or Lacoste, France. Design students will have opportunities to work with fine art, audio, programming, and writing students. Graduates of UAT Games work for major studios and organizations such as Nickelodeon, the Department of Defense, Intel, Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, Blizzard Entertainment, and Google, among others. When you earn an MS in Interactive Entertainment from UCF you will collaborate with leaders in the industry through the renowned Interactive Entertainment Academy. Graduates not only go on to become game designers, but artists, curators, critics, and scholars too. Program alumni have secured positions with companies such as Google, Disney Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), Blur Studio, Sledgehammer Games, IBM, and CrowdStrike. And, when Rolling Stone Magazine calls the university one of the five best music programs in the country, then its a safe bet that this is the university all things media. Helping you prepare and gain the most out of your educational experience. Penns engineering school offers a Masters in Computer Graphics and Game Technology degree that uniquely integrates computer science, technology, and art. As we wrote above, some of these programs are creative while others are technical. Michigan State University Games and MI alumni work for major studios such as Rockstar Games, Activision Blizzard and Blizzard Entertainment, Bungie, Insomniac Games, Electronic Arts (EA), and Ubisoft, among others. But it is also highly regarded for its School of Digital Media, which proffers degrees in interactive design and game development. Other program benefits include participation in the Annual Games Showcase, game design internships, and frequent studio tours. Graduates of the UC Santa Cruz Game Design Programs have gone on to establish careers in the industry at companies and studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Tencent, Amazon, Universal, Google, TicToc Games, Method Studios, Ubisoft, TopGolf, and Hi-Rez Studios, among others. The MA in Game Design is administered jointly by the School of Communication and the Department of Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Students will also take courses in Systems Design and Analysis, Data Analysis and Applications, and Theory and Algorithms. All specializations require completion of the core: The Princeton Review ranks WPIs gaming programs among the top 10 nationally. Therefore, some of the classes youll take as a Laguna student include: On top of its reputation for offering some of the nations most regarded art degrees, Laguna is also known for its integration of technology and the liberal arts. It is one of the few programs of its kind offered at a four-year research university. The College of Arts, Media, and Design at Northeastern offers an MS in Game Science and Design.
Serving more than 1,800 students today, ATEC launched in 2015 after the merging of two departments: Arts and Technology and Emerging Media and Communication. Terms of Use | Our 2022 Top Graduate Programs for Video Game Design list is based on institutional survey data, including quality of lab facilities, faculty credentials, career outcomes, and more. You will graduate fully equipped to not only design and develop games, but to cultivate assets and demonstrate leadership in the industry. Elite New York University is primarily based in Greenwich Village and is one of the best schools on the island. Penn is one of the nations most active research universities. Co-op experiences are local, national, and in places such as Hong Kong, London, Spain, Ghana, and Greece, among others. Full Sail University graduates have worked on popular games, films, and ad campaigns. Seminars, game development and research studios, and independent study are also part of the programs. They have one of the best co-op programs in the nation, through which their 25,000 students are employed. Located in Rochester, New York, the Rochester Institute of Technology has nearly 19,000 students. This MFA in Game Design is a two-year program where students explore design and development in games while also studying critical and cultural literacy. The MS in Game Science and Design at Northeastern University (Northeastern) is jointly offered through the College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD) and Khoury College of Computer Sciences. The Digital Media Program has a Game Design Track and the MS in Interactive Entertainment has specializations in Programming, Modeling, Tech Art, Animation, Level Design, Tech Design, and Project Management. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is located in Worcester, MA. The MA in Cinematic Art (Media Arts, Games and Health) is offered in conjunction with SCA, the Graduate School and the Creative Media & Behavioral Health Center. Here, students can enroll in the DPA MS or the fast-track Bachelors/Masters (BS/MS) in Computer Science. Programs at the school are all-encompassing, so student designers will explore animation/animation VFX, game, systems, and tools programming, coding, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), user interface/user experience (UI/UX) design, artificial intelligence (AI), coding, programming, rigging, concept art, 3D modeling, technical art, level design, and more. It is a leader in both STEM and the fine arts. Texas A&M University VISL graduates are often hired at major studios such as Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), DreamWorks Animation, and Pixar. Level up with one of the nations best masters in game design degrees! Housed in DePauls College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM), the Game Design Program emphasizes collaboration and interdisciplinary learning. You can earn an MS in Game Design from Full Sail University in just one year. Indeed, for the eco-minded, theres hardly a better place to earn your degree than Utah. All UF Digital Worlds Programs combine arts, engineering, communications, and science. This likely entails classes on graphics, prototyping, animation, and more. Programs are offered at the UC Santa Cruz and Silicon Valley campuses. Internship and research opportunities are also part of the program.