School of Game Development

By the end of this program, a successful undergraduate will have gained experience in architecture, implementation, and professionalism. They will be adept at writing technical documentation and code. They become pros at using architectural design patterns, writing algorithms, and implementing data structures. Students will meet professional standards when it comes to naming conventions, coding, and production.

Coursework includes Principles of Computer Science, Programming for Games, Data Structures & Algorithms, History of Gaming, Programming Languages, Artificial Intelligence, Fundamentals of Computer Graphics, Mobile Game Development, Programming for Game UI and Tools, Systems Design, and more. For more information, refer to the comprehensive list of BS coursework.

The Game Programming degree requires 30 in-major units, 45 liberal arts units, 9 elective units, and 36 core units, for a total of 120 units. Each course is 3 units. Although this is a B.S. degree, we believe game programming is a true fusion of art and science.

Through all the B.F.A. paths offered, students will learn how to effectively communicate visually, verbally, and in writing. They will be able to talk the talk by presenting professionally – and then walk the walk by creating a stellar portfolio of their best work samples. They will become fluent in professional lingo and adept at proactive problem solving. Students will familiarize themselves with professional workflows in their coursework.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Concept Art is all about creating environments for characters to live in, as well as memorable characters themselves. Students will learn to set the mood of a game using color, lighting, and 3D detail.

Coursework includes 2D Tools for Game Development, Game Engines, 3D Modeling for Games, Intro to Anatomy, Digital Environment Sketching, Heads & Hands, Prop & Weapon Design for Games, Survey of Landscape Architecture, C3: Character, Costume, & Creature, internship, collaborative Game Development, and more.

All B.F.A. paths require 132 units total: 42 in-major, 45 liberal arts, 9 elective, and 36 core. Each course is 3 units. For more information on a BFA in Concept Art, refer to the comprehensive list of BFA coursework.

Declaring 3D Art as a career interest sets students up for a dynamic and creative career. Students will learn the craft from every angle: from 3D modeling, to lighting, to engine technologies. They will implement design principles to create unforgettable game environments and characters. A professional portfolio by the end of this degree will show off students’ favorite aspect of 3D art and set them up for a rewarding career.

Coursework includes Game Engines, History of Gaming, Sketching the Clothed Figure, Elements of Digital Painting, Texture & Light, 3D Modeling, Ecorche, Survey of Landscape Architecture, Collaborative Game Development, Maquette Sculpting, as well as English composition and creative writing classes.

The skills students accumulate in 3D Art will shine through in their portfolios because they will be able to show off not only their style, but also versatility in creating in the style of others. For more information on a BFA in 3D Art, refer to the comprehensive list of BFA coursework.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Game Design gives students proficiency in the language of game engine design and technology – in other words, the communication skills to articulate their process and the how-to of game art principles, pre-production, and production.

Coursework includes Game Engines, Game Design, Theory, & Analysis, Level Design for Video Games, Designing Careers, Systems Design, Advanced Scripting, Game Freemium & Monetization, Rapid Game Development, Combat Design, Programming languages, World Literature, Survey of Traditional Interior Architecture, and more.

By the end, students will be able to create game prototypes in game engines, create documentation and paper maps for pre-production, implement mechanics using code-based scripting, and work collaboratively. For more information on a BFA in Game Design, refer to the comprehensive list of BFA coursework.

Choose your own adventure! Your curriculum requirements depend upon the path you choose. Besides the required liberal arts and general education classes, your classes will depend upon your chosen specialty within the major. See more about coursework above.

Cost of attendance depends upon the video game school’s specific program. The cost estimate for the academic year starting in fall 2022 for full-time undergraduate domestic students is $30,544. For more tuition specifics, see our Cost of Attendance page. You can also compare tuition costs between the Academy of Art University and other similar art and design programs.

Absolutely! We are only at the beginning of what gaming can do, especially with VR/AR. Our faculty has connections at Lucasfilm, Adobe, Pixar, Sony, Dreamworks, EA, and more. Our faculty is not composed of stuffy college professors in ivory towers: our instructors are still actively working in the gaming field. With extensive real world experience, they provide students with an inside look into the industry’s latest.

Jobs possible to graduates include 3D Character Artist, Environment Concept Artist, Tools Programmer, UX/UI Designer, Animation VFX, Game/Level Designer, and many more. Plus, our alumni support network is over 50,000 strong, featuring some of the gaming industry’s best. Alumni are excellent resources for navigating post-grad life, ready to help you get a foot in the door or look over a portfolio. Companies that have hired graduates of our game design school include Blizzard Entertainment, Arenanet, Sledgehammer Games, among others.

We accept online applications on a rolling basis. No standardized testing is required. An English speaking language test and student visa are required for international students. Official transcripts are required for all applicants and undergraduates must supply proof of high school completion. All applicants must pay the application fee.

Yes. We are more than just an art and design school, we also offer a robust athletics program. Did you know that Academy of Art University is the only higher arts education institution in the U.S. to have an NCAA athletics program? We have 16 intercollegiate NCAA sports teams. Join our team and become an Urban Knight!

The Academy of Art University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, physical handicap, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.

There are lots of fun facts about us, but we have a couple of favorites. For example, the School of Game Development was ranked by College Consensus as among the Top 25 Best Online Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Game Design in 2021. Additionally, Academy of Art University was the very first art university to be invited to show student work at New York Fashion Week not once, but twice a year.

In short, the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree is a four semester program with no thesis project, whereas the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree includes a thesis project and lasts for six semesters. The specialty track offerings are the same for both graduate programs. Students in both programs complete portfolios.

The M.A. has 36 total required units, comprising primarily in-major units. Its three graduate liberal arts units come from an Art Historical Awareness and Aesthetic Sensitivity course. M.A. classes include Rapid Game Development, Drawing Bootcamp for Games: The Human Figure, Scripting for Games, 3D Modeling & Animation (Maya), User Experience Design, and more.

Course offerings for the M.F.A. include Writing & Research for the Master’s Student, Prototype Game Development, Directed Study, and more. 63 units are required for the M.F.A., comprising 30 in-major units, 18 directed studies units, 9 graduate liberal arts units, and 6 elective units. Successful thesis completion in your chosen path is required for the M.F.A. degree.

Here are the requirements for undergraduates vs graduates:

• Undergraduates must receive a C- is all major coursework and certain liberal arts and general education courses with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA.
• Graduates must earn a minimum of a C in all units. A minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA is required for successful completion of graduate degrees.

For all classes in the School of Game Development, you can go at your own pace, either in person, online, or both. Be a full time or part time student – you have the freedom to choose what works best for you.

• The A.A. degree is a four semester program with some recommended summer classes.
• The B.S. and B.F.A. are eight-semester programs designed to be completed in four years, with some recommended summer courses, including an internship.
• Going at a traditional pace, the M.F.A. degree is designed to be completed in three years, including recommended summer courses, whereas the M.A. is designed to be completed in two.

Academy of Art University offers different types of financial aid, including state and federal aid, alternative loans, and work studies. We also offer grants and scholarships. The Spring Forward Scholarship is for prospective students wanting to make a change in direction from a previous career or course of study. We also offer scholarships for emerging artists and prospective graduate students. For graduate students, federal aid may come in the form of a Direct Stafford Loan, Federal Work Study, or Direct Graduate Plus Loan. Although our admissions are rolling, it is important for prospective students to keep track of important financial aid deadlines.