The best game design master’s degrees focus on the process of making, testing, developing, and designing video games. If you have a computer science degree or IT degree and have dreamed of making video games, then a Master’s Degree in Game Design will provide you with the technical skills in all aspects of game design you need to succeed in the field.
With so many game design master’s degree programs out there, it can be difficult to know which is best. To help with your school search, we’ve put together a list of the best game design master’s degrees and a breakdown of each one’s admission requirements, the application process, and more. We’ve also listed the best game design master’s degree jobs for grads.
Where Can I Get a Master’s Degree in Game Design?
The best colleges where you can get a Master’s Degree in Game Design include the American University, Laguna College of Art and Design, Full Sail University, Bradley University, and DePaul University. Each of these schools has a fantastic curriculum with courses covering topics such as game studies, 3D animation, and mobile gaming.
What Schools Offer the Best Game Design Master’s Degrees?
- American University
- Bradley University
- DePaul University
- Full Sail University
- Laguna College of Art and Design
What Are the Admission Requirements for a Master’s Degree in Game Design?
The admission requirements for a Master’s Degree in Game Design are often different from school to school but always require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree. Other common requirements include having a GPA above 2.75, one or multiple letters of recommendation, a statement of intent or short essay, and a portfolio of work or resume.
Many schools have a highly-competitive acceptance rate, so having competitive standardized test scores may be required, along with a GPA lower than the minimum requirement. Keep in mind that although all programs require applicants to have a game development bachelor’s degree, many don’t require that bachelor’s degree to be in a field of study related to game design.
Game Design Master’s Degree Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of intent or essay
- Resume and portfolio of work
- Competitive GPA and standardized test scores
How to Get a Game Design Master’s Degree
The best way to get a game design master’s degree is by fulfilling all of the degree completion requirements. Requirements generally consist of completing multiple capstone projects, completing a thesis project, participating in group and team assignments, completing an internship, and demonstrating your work at a portfolio showcase.
How Many Credits Do You Need for a Master’s Degree in Game Design?
You typically need between 30 and 64 credits for a Master’s Degree in Game Design. Depending on the program, it can take between one and two and a half years to obtain a Master’s Degree in Game Design. Many programs break up the entire degree into equal parts and workshops rather than individual credits.
Game Design Degree Requirements
- Complete three capstone projects
- Complete a thesis project
- Finish an internship
- Enter your portfolio pieces into a student showcase
- Performing a new role in the development process each semester
Best Game Design Master’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview
| School | Program | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| Academy of Art University | Master of Arts in Game Development | Western Association of Schools and Colleges |
| American University | Master of Arts in Game Design | The Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools |
| Bradley University | Master of Science in Game Design and Development | Higher Learning Commission |
| DePaul University | Master of Fine Arts in Game Design | Higher Learning Commission |
| Full Sail University | Master of Science in Game Design | Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |
| Laguna College of Art and Design | Master of Fine Arts in Game Design | Western Association of Schools and Colleges |
| New York University | Master of Fine Arts in Game Design | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Master of Science in Game Design and Development | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| University of Central Florida | Master of Science in Interactive Entertainment | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| The University of Utah | Master of Entertainment Arts and Engineering | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Best Schools for Game Design: Top Game Design Master’s Degree Programs
The best schools for a Master’s Degree in Game Design can be found all across the country. Whether a private or public university, each of these schools provides a program designed to create the next generation of talented video game designers. You’ll gain game development skills and study topics like art direction, design concepts, and animation techniques.
What Is a Game Design Master’s Degree?
A game design master’s degree is an advanced degree that prepares students for a career in the field of game design. Master’s Degrees in Game Design provide graduate students with hands-on experience in the video game industry, an overview of higher-level theoretical concepts like player-game interaction, and practice working using higher-level digital media tools.
No matter which game design master’s degree program students graduate from, they’ll have taken a great step in launching their career in the gaming industry. Game design master’s degree programs give students the real-world experience that is paramount for developing physical or digital games.
How Important Is a Master’s Degree in Game Design?
A Master’s Degree in Game Design is important for students who want to learn more advanced techniques in game design and build a portfolio of projects while being supported by experienced professionals and peers. Master’s degree programs are fantastic places to create a strong support network when it comes to starting your career.
What Types of Master’s Degrees Can You Get in Game Design?
The types of Master’s Degrees in Game Design you can get include a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), or Master of Science (MS). The best type of Master’s Degree in Game Design you can get depends on your goals. If you want to focus on the more artistic side of game design, you’ll benefit more from a Master of Fine Arts compared to if you want to focus on coding or programming.
Is It Better to Get a Master of Fine Art or a Master of Science in Game Design?
It’s better to get a Master of Science in Game Design if you want to work primarily in technical roles that involve programming and coding. In a Master of Science program, you’ll take a larger number of courses focusing on the actual technical development of games. This will allow you to more easily apply for software engineering or artificial intelligence jobs in the field of gaming.
That being said, it’s better to get a Master of Fine Art in Game design if you want to work on the more artistic side of game design. In an MFA program, you’ll take more courses that focus on topics such as 3D modeling, storytelling through gameplay, animation, or sound design. However, you may have fewer job options with an MFA than an MS.
What Is the Difference Between a Game Design Master’s Degree and a Game Design Certificate?
The main difference between a game design master’s degree and a certificate in game design is the time it takes to complete the program and the depth of the education provided. The first is a degree program that takes between one and two years to obtain, while the second is generally awarded after only a few months and requires the completion of fewer classes.
A game design certificate can be a great option for students who want more experience in the area of game design in a shorter timeframe and at a lower cost. A game design master’s degree is more in-depth and provides an accredited degree but comes with a higher time commitment and cost. A master’s degree is generally more respected than a certificate.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Master’s Degree in Game Design?
A Master’s Degree in Game Design costs an average of $19,314 per year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The actual cost of a master’s degree can vary significantly depending on the institution providing it. Typically, the cost of a degree provided by a public university will be much lower than that of a private university.
The best way to reduce the cost of your master’s degree program is to apply for financial aid opportunities like federal or private loans or scholarships and bursaries. An easy way to know which of these you qualify for is to talk to a financial services officer at the school you are or intend on attending.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Game Design Master’s Degree?
It takes between one and two years to get a Master’s Degree in Game Design on average when attending a full-time program. With the average master’s degree requiring the completion of 36 credits, this means that a student needs to take nine credits per semester to graduate within two years. That being said, some programs require the completion of many more credits, leading to a more intense workload.
Depending on the university or college, the duration of a game design master’s degree program can also vary based on additional certifications and courses offered. Some game design master’s degrees also include an internship with a video game developer, which can change the overall length of the program.
How Hard Is It to Get a Master’s Degree in Game Design?
It is not hard to get a Master’s Degree in Game Design. If you already have a solid foundation in the required skills for the trade, thanks to your bachelor’s degree or work experience, you’ll have an easy time demonstrating sufficient knowledge of game design fundamentals, creating at least one feature complete game from start to finish, participating in an internship, and creating portfolio projects in order to graduate.
Why Should You Get a Game Design Master’s Degree?
You should get a game design master’s degree if you want to improve your knowledge and skills in programming for video games or with the artistic tools and techniques used in the medium. A Master’s Degree in Game Design is a great choice for students who want to network more and gain more experience before venturing into the game design industry.
There are many skills taught in a game design master’s program, including concepts and technical aspects like human-computer interaction, marketing digital media, enemy and level video game design, game art, and creating game prototypes. All of these skills are taught and tested on a much deeper level than in an undergraduate degree.
What Courses Do You Need to Take in a Master’s Degree Program in Game Design?
The required courses for a Master’s Degree in Game Design are dependent on the type of degree and the school offering it. That being said, there are some common courses you can often find across any game design program. Some of these core courses include game mechanics, game theory, game world design, capstone projects, and a thesis project.
Game Mechanics
Game mechanics are simply the human-computer interaction that occurs when a player plays the game. In a racing game, the game mechanics could be drifting, shifting gears, or avoiding a crash. In a platformer, the game mechanics can be as simple as jumping. Each game is different and learning how to create different interactions for players is key to great game design.
Game Theory
Game theory courses are found across math, philosophy, and game design undergraduate studies. Graduate-level courses on game theory use mathematical models to try and predict what a user will do in a given scenario. Games are interactive narrative experiences where players can choose to interact in many ways, making understanding game theory vital.
Game World Design and Game Level Design
Game worlds can be vast and complex. Levels, while not as formulaic as in past decades, are the backbone of many games and are the playgrounds for players to interact in. Lessons in the game world and game level design are very important for graduate students during their degree program.
Capstone Projects and Team Projects
Depending on the school, students may need to work on several different projects throughout the year. These projects can range from game demos to fully formed and distributed games. Games like the multi-award-winning Portal and Octodad were fully student-created games for capstone projects.
Thesis Project
A thesis project is the final project for many degree programs. In game design master’s programs, thesis projects are generally the most significant endeavor that students undertake. These projects will challenge them to incorporate everything they’ve learned through their degree. Moreover, thesis projects usually involve students taking on a specified role within a team of peers.
Continuing Education Paths for Game Design Master’s Degree Graduates
The best paths to take with a game design master’s degree include pursuing graduate degree programs like a PhD degree, obtaining a certification in a programming language, getting a certification in a game engine, pursuing an internship at a game studio, or attending a bootcamp or workshop. The latter half of these paths are generally the most practical ones for earning a high salary and starting your career.
Related Game Design Degrees
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What to Look For in the Best Game Design Master’s Degree Programs
The factors to look for in the best game design master’s degree programs include an affordable cost of tuition, a quick completion time, multiple post-graduation options, a wide variety of courses of study, and many capstone projects allowing you to develop a robust portfolio. These are all important factors when deciding which game design master’s program is right for you.
Affordability
Master’s degree programs are often less expensive than their undergraduate degree counterparts. However, this doesn’t mean that a master’s degree program is cheap. When looking into master’s degree programs, factor in all of the fees and other costs that might come along with your education and consider what financial aid opportunities are available to you.
Completion Time
The time it takes to complete a course is an important factor when considering master’s degree programs in game development. Depending on your needs and goals, look for a degree that works well in conjunction with them, whether that means looking for shorter programs with accelerated options or longer programs that offer part-time options.
Post-Graduation Help
Many schools offer direct pipelines to game development spaces which can make it easier to find a job upon graduation. DePaul University offers students the experience of selling the projects that they work on during their master’s program. Other universities offer tours of game industry giants like Nintendo, Electronic Arts, and Microsoft or internships at large studios.
Courses Offered
All game design master’s degree programs offer programming courses. That being said, there is more to designing games than writing code. Great game design programs teach aspects of digital arts like technical art, concept art, story scenario planning, creative writing, and other aspects of game development. The best game design schools offer well-rounded programs.
Portfolio and Capstone Projects
A capstone project is a project that is a culmination of everything students have learned in game design and development. Capstone projects are generally larger, and once an individual or team completes them, they can be added to a portfolio. The best masters game design programs include these projects to help give students a body of work for their portfolios.
What Is the Most Affordable Game Design Master’s Degree?
The most affordable Master’s Degree in Game Design is offered by Full Sail University. Full Sail University’s Master of Science in Game Design costs $867 per credit, meaning a total cost of $35,980 for the degree. Besides being the least expensive, it’s also the most straightforward, with many companies hiring graduates immediately upon graduation.
Salary and Job Outlook for Game Design Master’s Degree Graduates
The best game design master’s degree jobs are easy to land for graduates in the same field, with their skills opening up a world of career possibilities in the game development industry. The average Master’s Degree in Game Design salary is impressive, too. That being said, the field of game design is narrow, and many traditional computer science careers are more difficult to obtain.
How Hard Is It to Get a Job With a Game Design Master’s Degree?
It’s very easy to get a job with a game design master’s degree. There are many different roles to fill when it comes to developing video games, such as video game art and design, software programming, scenario planning, quality assurance testing, and interaction design. With so many roles to fill, the hardest part of finding a job is picking what you want to specialize in.
What’s the Average Game Design Master’s Degree Salary?
The average salary for someone with a Master’s Degree in Game Design is $79,000 per year, according to PayScale. Naturally, what you end up making will depend on your position, experience, location, and the company for which you work. A master’s degree will let you earn significantly more than someone with just a Bachelor’s Degree in Game Design, who earns an average of $69,000 per year.
What Types of Jobs Can You Get With a Game Design Master’s Degree?
The jobs you can get with a game design master’s degree are varied, meaning that no matter your interest, you’ll be able to find something that caters to your passion. Jobs such as game developer or programmer, quality assurance testers, digital designers, animators, and graphic artists are all important and unique roles in developing video games.
Game Design Degree Jobs
- Game Developer
- Quality Assurance Analyst
- Digital Designer
- Game Animator
- Graphic Artist
Potential Careers With a Game Design Degree
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How Much Money Can You Make With a Master’s Degree in Game Design?
You can make between $50,710 and $110,140 with a Master’s Degree in Game Design, depending on your position and experience. Because there are so many roles needed to develop a game, there are many different potential salaries and benefits for those in the gaming industry.
The best way to earn a lot of money in this field is to leverage your unique skills in design, concept art creation, game art design, animation, or user interface design. While not the typical programming jobs most people associate with game development, these are great careers that will use your game design degree.
Highest-Paying Game Design Master’s Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview
| Game Design Master’s Degree Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Game and Software Developer | $110,140 |
| Quality Assurance Analyst | $110,140 |
| Game Animator | $78,790 |
| Digital Designer | $77,200 |
| Graphic Artist | $50,710 |
Best Jobs for Game Design Master’s Degree Grads
The best jobs for game design master’s degree grads include artists, developers, quality assurance testers, directors, designers, writers, and managers. Interactive design and game development require the collaboration of many individuals. Here’s a breakdown of the best jobs for a Master’s Degree in Game Design grad.
Best Jobs According to Your Major
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Is a Master’s Degree in Game Design Worth It?
Yes, a Master’s Degree in Game Design is worth it if you want to work for a specific company that requires you to have one. Moreover, a master’s degree in this field will help you gain more skills and experience in game design before starting your career. It can also help you become a senior programmer or team lead, and you can go on to pursue a PhD degree in game design if you want to enhance your skills further.
In the majority of cases, a Master’s Degree in Game Design of any kind is not necessary for a job in game development. Generally, a certification, bachelor’s degree, or experience programming your own games is enough to help you land your first job in the video game industry.
Additional Reading About Game Design
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Game Design Master’s Degree FAQ
No, you do not need a Master’s Degree in Game Design to work in the game industry. A Master’s in Game Design can help students understand complex concepts in a learning environment rather than an often hectic game development space.
A Master’s in Game Design allows graduates to understand the more advanced concepts of video game development and prepares them for senior and leadership positions in project management. While not necessary, a game design master’s is a great step to gaining more experience in the industry before entering the field of game development.
It can take anywhere from six months to a year to become a game designer after completing your degree. However, if you pursue an online degree, it may take you a bit longer. Depending on where you live and your qualifications, you may have an easier or harder time finding work in game design.
Game designers don’t need any qualifications to create and sell a game. There are many bootcamps for game design, free tutorials, and online programs and guides to help you create your first game. If you want to work for a larger game development studio, a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or a certificate can increase your chances of landing a job at a larger company.
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