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Video game designers combine artistry and technical proficiency. According to a study by Zippia, 74 percent of game designers have a bachelor's degree, 11 percent have a master's degree, and 11 percent have an associate degree [].

By earning one of these degrees, you can gain or advance key skills, learn more about computer science, and develop the technical know-how needed to work in the industry. As a career, game designers (what the US Bureau of Labor Statistics calls 鈥渟pecial effects animators鈥�) earned a median salary of $99,060 in 2023, and the role is expected to hold steady with 4 percent growth over the next decade [].

This article will cover the types of degrees you can earn when you鈥檙e interested in game design and how to choose the best program for your needs.听

What degree should you get to be a game designer?听

To become a game designer, earning a traditional degree is one way to learn the skills and qualifications you鈥檒l need to begin in the field. You can find degree programs at the associate, bachelor鈥檚, and master鈥檚 level. You can also consider non-degree programs like the Game Design and Development with Unity 2020 Specialization.

Associate in game design听

In an Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Fine Arts program, you may have the choice between majoring in game design, which focuses on the process of creating a game, or game development, which focuses on programming and testing games. Not every community college or technical school offers these majors, so it鈥檚 best to search for institutions in your area that do.听

Associate degree programs take around two years of full-time study, though some institutions may offer accelerated options of intensive study so you can earn your degree faster.听

Courses for game programming

At the associate level, your coursework may include an introduction to programming, narrative storytelling, and game design. You may also learn how to use some of the software programs often used in game design, such as Unreal Engine.听

Sample courses:听

• Intro to design

• Intro to programming

• Graphic design tools

• Intro to modeling

• Video game art

• Quality assurance

Job possibilities听

Some companies in the video game industry may prefer candidates with a bachelor鈥檚 degree, but having your associate degree can be a valuable credential while you gain real-world experience. With an associate degree, you can get started in several types of junior roles, gaining the necessary expertise to further your career.听

Bachelor鈥檚 in game design

At the bachelor鈥檚 degree level, you can earn your Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in game design, game development, or interactive media. Instead of a BFA, some schools will offer a Bachelor of Science. In that case, your program may emphasize more of the technical aspects of game development, such as programming, rather than art and story development.听

Similarly, some schools may offer game design as a concentration you can take while earning your degree in computer science. In that instance, you may focus on the technical aspects of game design, such as the technologies and algorithms used in creating games.

A bachelor鈥檚 degree takes four to five years of full-time study, and the cost varies depending on whether you attend a public or private institution. Learn more about the total cost of college.听

Courses for game programming

Your coursework will involve a mixture of computer programming and principles of game design that emphasize aspects like environment, character development, and progression. When you work on developing characters and environments, you may also take some natural science courses, such as physics, to understand the principles of motion.

Sample courses:

• Computer graphics

• Introduction to artificial intelligence (AI)

• Writing and editing music

• Online and mobile gaming

• Platform analysis

• Story design

• Game design studio听

Alternative majors

When you鈥檙e interested in a game design career, you have a few different options when it comes to college majors.听

• Computer science: Given the technical proficiency required to build a game, majoring in computer science can provide you with a strong programming foundation.听

• Graphic design: Graphic designers work with technology to create visuals, and a graphic design major emphasizes key creative and technical skills.

• Animation: A degree in animation emphasizes 2D and 3D modeling, motion graphics, and other fundamentals that can be useful for game design.

Job possibilities听

Many employers prefer鈥揳nd even require鈥揳 bachelor鈥檚 degree for many entry-level jobs in the gaming industry. With your bachelor鈥檚, you may qualify for the following roles:听

Master鈥檚 in game design

At the master鈥檚 degree level, you can earn a Master of Fine Arts or Master of Science in game design. Each program categorizes its programs differently, calling it interactive design, interactive media, game design, or game development. What you study with each specialty will depend on the program, so it鈥檚 a good idea to review the coursework and make sure it aligns with your educational goals.

Some programs prefer (but don鈥檛 necessarily require) applicants to have some programming experience, while others do not expect you to have any previous game design experience. Instead, they look to see if you鈥檙e passionate about games and creativity. Make sure to review the prerequisites and application requirements for each program you鈥檙e interested in attending.

Depending on the length of your program, a master鈥檚 degree takes between two and three years to earn when you can attend full-time.听

Courses for game programming

Designed to advance your knowledge of game design and help you pursue senior roles in the industry, a master鈥檚 degree in game design or interactive media emphasizes software development and coding, as well as advanced game theory, design, and production.听

As part of your program, you will likely complete a thesis project, which typically entails creating a game.听

Sample courses:

• Research and practice

• Gameplay scripting

• Virtual world building

• Art direction

• Digital sculpting

• Interactive design听

• Information architecture听

• Audio for games

• 3D modeling for games

• UI/UX for games

Job possibilities听

While many senior roles in the game industry may not require a master鈥檚 degree, earning one can be an excellent way to advance your knowledge and skill set while earning a notable credential to distinguish yourself from other job candidates.

How to pick the best game design degree for you听

What you learn in a degree program is important. Think about your larger reasons for enrolling and what you hope to accomplish through your program. It鈥檚 also helpful to think through the following parameters:听

Career goals: Which degree is best for gaming?听

What are your career goals? What type of degree will best help you achieve them? For example, a bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science may be a strong choice if you want to go into game engineering. However, if you鈥檝e worked in game design for a few years and want to advance your career to take on more managerial responsibility, then it may be worth considering a master鈥檚 degree.

Coursework听

Each degree requires different coursework. As you research potential programs, take time to review the core curriculum and elective courses that are available to take. Will you learn what you need to? Are there any gaps that another program might better fill?听

Hands-on training

Most game design degree programs emphasize hands-on training, expecting you to work independently and collaboratively to complete a game project. This type of training can be important when it comes to developing a portfolio. Make sure you understand what kind of hands-on experience you鈥檒l gain in a program and how it aligns with your larger goals.听

Resources听

Lastly, the available resources, including both time and money, will often determine the type of degree you pursue. Perhaps it鈥檚 best to start with an associate degree program before entering the workforce to gain experience and later return to complete your bachelor鈥檚 degree.听

Next steps听

Earning your degree online can offer more flexibility than in-person learning. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of London on 糖心vlog官网观看 offers concentrations in video game development and 3D graphics and animation.

Or learn about the fundamentals of designing games with individual courses, such as Introduction to Game Design from CalArts or Game Design and Development with Unity 2020 Specialization from Michigan State University.听