Top 20 Game Design Schools and Colleges in the Midwest – 2024 College Rankings

The College of Communication Arts and Sciences (ComArtSci) and the College of Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) provide several paths to study game design. Serving more than 3,500 students, the ComArtSci houses the Department of Media and Information (MI)—home to the Game Design and Development Program. Established in 2005, the program consists of a Games and Interactive Media BA, a Game Design and Development minor, a Media and Information MA (MI MA), and a Serious Games MA certificate. 

The College of Engineering at Michigan State University houses the Department of Computer Science and Engineering—home to the Computer Science (CS) program. Available pathways include the BS, MS, and PhD. All programs allow students to specialize in MI Studies, with the option to take games-related courses in other departments. Students in all programs will also take courses in Systems Design and Analysis; Theory and Algorithms; and Data Analysis and Applications. 

The Game Design and Development minor in the College of ComArtSci can also be added any other major at MSU. The program requires 15 credit hours, including courses such as Game Design and Development I and II; Collaborative Design; and Game Design Studio. 

The Serious Games MA certificate attracts MSU MI graduate students, CS students, Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) students, and doctoral students from other universities. However, the certificate is open to all MSU graduate students as a stand-alone program. Courses include Theories of Games and Interaction Design; Understanding Users; and Foundations of Serious Games. The Serious Games MA certificate is transcriptable, and it can be completed on campus or online. 

The MSU Games and Interactive Media BA is a collaborative, project-based program with three focus areas: Game Design, Games Graphics and Animation, and Game Development. Students in all areas will explore the design process, effects, artistry, management, and production of video games, emerging interactive media, AR/VR, and board games. Examples of required courses include Media and Sketching Graphics; Games and Society; Methods for Understanding Users; Games and Interactivity; and Bringing Media to Market. 

Students in the Game Design focus area will take additional courses such as Game Level Design; Building Virtual Worlds; Game Interface Design; Game Design and Development I and II; and Serious Game Design Studio. Course examples for the Games Graphics and Animation area include Advanced 3D Modeling; Compositing and Special Effects; Concept Design for Games, Film, and TV; and Advanced Three-Dimensional Computer Animation.

Game Development students will take courses such as Introduction to Programming I and II; Building Innovative Interfaces; Game and Interactive Media Development; and Matrix Algebra with Computational Applications.  

All BA students will have opportunities to work on real-world projects with partners such as Electronic Arts (EA), Blizzard Entertainment, Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, Insomniac Games, and Bungie. Students also have access to the GEL Lab and the Games for Entertainment and Learning Lab. Both provide state-of-the-art technology for designing prototypes, learning new techniques, and to advance research on the individual and social impacts of digital games. 

Students will graduate from the MSU Games and Interactive Media program with a professional portfolio of both large and small projects that reflect a wide range of works. Program alumni are prepared to pursue careers such as Game Designer, 2D Artist, Interaction Designer, Game Scenario Writer, Producer, Technical Designer, Usability Engineer, Programmer, UI/UX Designer, Technical Artist, Level Designer, Quality Assurance, and Project Manager. 

The Media and Information MA at Michigan State University is a STEM-approved program that explores the design, the use of communication technologies and information, and management. The program is immersive, hands-on, and customizable, with opportunities to engage in real world experiences. As of 2024, MI MA students also have the option to focus in Game Design, HCI/UX, Information Studies, or Media Policy, or customize a track with courses from all focus areas. 

In addition to specific focus area courses, all MI MA students will take courses such as Foundations of Serious Games; Game and Project Design Studio I and II; Interaction Design; Interactive Usability and Accessibility: Design and Evaluation; Global Media and Communications; and Theories of Games and Interaction Design. 

Other program features include access to state-of-the-art facilities; participation in game development and testing; access to labs that explore virtual reality (VR); and participation in research groups and visiting artist talks. 

The culminating experience for the MI MA is the Master’s Project, completed across two courses. Graduates of the MI MA program at Michigan State University are prepared to pursue leadership roles in areas such as 3D Game Design, UI/UX, and 3D Technology. Program alumni have been hired at major studios such as Rockstar Games, EA, Insomniac Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Ubisoft, and Bungie.

Founded in 1855, Michigan State University began as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan. On the first day of classes on May 14, 1857, the College welcomed five faculty members and 63 students into three buildings: College Hall, Saints’ Rest, and a brick horse barn. When it opened, the school became the first institution of higher learning in the U.S. to teach scientific agriculture. 

Today, MSU is one of the nation’s premier land-grant research universities. The school serves approximately 51,315 students enrolled in more than 200 programs across 17 degree-granting colleges. Michigan State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The Ohio State University (OSU) has several paths to study game design. In the College of Engineering, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, options include a BS, MS, and PhD in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). Students can also earn a BS in Computer and Information Science (BS CIS). Although the CIS program is listed in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences awards the degree. 

Students in the BS and MS programs may add the Computer Graphics and Game Design (CGGD) specialization, housed in the College of Engineering. Course examples for the CGDD include Computer Game and Animation Techniques; Virtual Reality; Advanced Computer Graphics; Geometric Modeling; Real-Time Rendering; and Project: Design, Development, and Documentation of Interactive Systems. Many of these courses are offered as electives for the PhD program. 

The culminating experience for the CGGD specialization is the Capstone in Game Design and Development or Computer Animation, student’s choice. PhD students may also select either Capstone as an elective. 

The Department of Art in the OSU College of Arts and Sciences has several additional options to study game design. Students can earn a BA in Art, a BFA in Studio Art, or an MFA in Studio Art with Thesis and Non-Thesis tracks. Across programs, students may select the emphasis in Art & Technology, which explores areas such as art games, 3D modeling and animation, digital imaging, moving images, sound, interactive installations, and emerging forms. 

Also housed in the College of Arts and Sciences is the Department of Design, which has a fully-funded, three-year MFA program with tracks in Digital Animation and Interactive Media (DAIM); Design Research and Development (DRD); and Art and Technology. The DAIM Track requires 12 studio elective credits and six credits of interdisciplinary electives, allowing for plenty of opportunities to focus in games. 

The DRD track is a collaborative, interdisciplinary program that encourages study across departments, research areas, and themes. Open electives provide many opportunities to explore games. 

Art and Technology is an interdisciplinary area that explores experimentation and new forms. Course examples include Special Topics in Art Games; Sound and Image: Aspects of Art and Technology; 3D Modeling; New Media Robotics; Computer Animation; and Digital Imaging. 

Across all options, possible elective options include Game Design I-II; Games Virtual Modeling; Computational Thinking in Context: Game Development or Image; Video Game Music; Philosophy and Videogames; Esports and Game Studies; Artificial Intelligence (AI); Computer Game Art and Design; Animation; Video Games and Society; Screenwriting, Art, and Technology; and Computer Vision for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). The culminating experience for the MFA program is the Thesis Project. 

The College of Arts and Sciences has one non-degree option for students interested in games—the  Game Studies minor. Consisting of 15 credit hours, the program is interdisciplinary, with the option to concentrate the minor by taking courses from one of four focus areas. All students will take Introduction to Video Games Analysis; Video Games and the Individual; and Introduction to Game Design. 

Focus areas with course selections include Create/Engagement (Intermediate Game Design II and II, and Aspects of Art and Technology—in relation to videogame creation); Technical Coding (Computer Game and Animation Techniques, and Capstone Design: Game Design and Development); Critique/Interpretation (Music of Video Games, Philosophy and Videogames, Special Topics in Film (focused on games), and The U.S. Experience: Writing About Videogames); and Social Analysis (Human-Computer Interaction, Social Implications of Communication Technology, and Computer Interface and Human Identity). 

Graduates of the games-related programs at The Ohio State University are prepared to pursue careers in fields such as entertainment, technology, art, and engineering. Potential job titles include Game Designer, CG Specialist, Software Programmer, Virtual Reality Designer, Motion Graphic Designer, Interaction Designer, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Designer, Design Strategist, and User Interface/User Experience Designer (UI/UX). 

The Ohio State University was established in 1870 as Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College. The school serves close to 67,800 students across six regional campuses including Columbus (main), Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark, and OSU’s Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster. More than 200 majors, minors, and specializations are offered in 18 colleges and schools. The Ohio State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The College of Creative Arts at Miami University (Miami U) is home to the Department of Emerging Technology in Business + Design (ETBD). Within the department is a Games + Simulation program with BS and minor options. The Games + Simulation BS has concentrations in Game Art, Game Studies, and Game Development. Students in all concentrations will complete a total of 124 credit hours including 76 in the Games + Simulation major. Concentration areas are 21 credit hours, with a specific set of required client-based, collaborative courses for each. The Games + Simulation program culminates with the 12 credit-hour Capstone Studio, consisting of Game Pipeline and Production (three credits); Game Pre-production (three credits); and Game Production (six credit hours). Upon completion of the Capstone, students will have an industry-ready game. 

The cross-disciplinary Games + Simulation minor consists of 19 total credit hours, with collaborative courses between ETBD and the Art and Computer Science Departments. Electives within the program allow students to create a specialty area such as Game Development, Writing for Games, or 3D Art and animation.   

Other ETBD features include access to more than 50 games courses; semester-long preprofessional experiences at locations across the U.S. and Europe; an honors program consisting of special course selections and the opportunity to work with the same cohort for four years; and access to state-of-the-art production facilities and labs. 

The Miami U ETBD Department has an additional option that is ideal for game designers seeing careers that combine game design, the game design business, and games marketing. The BA in Emerging Technology in Business and Design (ET BA) is a highly competitive program that features four foundational pillars: Design, Technology, Collaboration & Making, and Business. All students will study coding; design and design thinking; product management; artificial intelligence (AI); marketing; augmented reality (AR); The Internet of Things (IoT); communication; and entrepreneurship. 

Course examples for the program include Game Design; Principles and Practices of Managing Interactive Projects; Game Programming; Interactive Business Communication; Social Media Marketing; Online Community Management; Game Studies; Interaction Design and Development; Art and Digital Tools; and Mobile Application Development. ET BA students may also add the Games + Simulation minor. 

To gain valuable work experience in the industry, all ETBD students will complete an internship at a local or national studio. Students have access to more than 20 local game studios. Examples include Max Gaming Technologies, MouseMouse Media, Inc., SGM Games, Ganbaru Games, Funky Visions, Green Door Games, Multivarious Games, Aertherbyte Studios, Wraith Games, and Few Remain. 

Graduates of the Game Design programs at Miami University have continued on to graduate school or careers in Game Design and Development, Writing for Games, Game Art, AR/VR, 3D Modeling, UI/UX, and Multimedia Design, and many others. 

Founded on February 2, 1809, Miami University is one of the oldest public universities in the U.S. Also an original Public Ivy, the school serves approximately 18,900 students across campuses in Oxford (main), Hamilton, Middletown and West Chester, Ohio. The school has an overseas location—the John E. Dolibois European campus in Differdange, Luxembourg (Western Europe)—that welcomes 220 students each year. 

Miami University Ohio provides 200 majors and minors in more than 120 areas of study, and 70+ master’s and doctoral degree programs. Miami U’s regional campuses also provide a variety of associate degree programs. All other programs are housed across seven academic colleges and schools. Miami University Ohio is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The School of Media Arts at Columbia College Chicago (Columbia College or CCC) is home to the Interactive Arts & Media (IAM) Department. Recognized for its work with Epic Game’s Unreal Engine, the department is now a member the Unreal Academic Partner Program. The partnership provides access to a library of asset management tools, and training opportunities with the engine and its technologies, including Twinmotion and MetaHuman Creator. 

The IAM Department at Columbia College also provides cross-disciplinary training in game development, animation, programming, visual effects, virtual reality (VR), user experience design, and app development. Students in all programs have opportunities to work with traditional and emerging technologies to create games, animations, and immersive experiences—beginning on the first day of class. 

All CCC IAM students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment such as The Game Lab; The Equipment Cave (assets: game consoles, equipment, digital cameras, and more); The Motion Capture Studio; The Open Lab; The Sound Studio; and Animation Production Spaces. 

Specific IAM Programs for game designers include BA degrees in Game Art and Game Design with concentrations in Game Development and Game Sound Design; BA and BS degrees in Programming with concentrations in Game Programming and Application Programming; and minors in Game Art and Game Design. Both minors are ideal complements to the Animation, Filmmaking, Illustration, and Creative Writing majors.                                           

Across degree programs, students will complete courses such as Game Programming I and II; Simulation and Serious Games; Story Development for Interactive Media; Game Level Production; Game Audio Studio; Advanced Game Scripting and Environments; Game Culture; Sound Design for Games I and II; Studio Collaboration; and Sound and Music for Interactive Games. 

Students will also complete the Games Studio Capstone, which provides opportunities to develop a game following the gaming industry production model. Across two semesters, students will work in groups in an Indie Game Studio (small) or Large Team Game Studio to produce games. 

Final games are eligible to be presented at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, California; Industry Night at Columbia College Chicago; South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas; and the Chicago Toy and Game Fair.  

Graduates of the IAM programs at Columbia College Chicago are Serious Game Designers, Sound Effects Designers, Animators, Technical Artists, Simulation Designers, Game Designers, Game Programmers and Coders, Environmental Artists, and Quality Assurance Testers. Program alumni have been hired at major companies and studios such as Pixar, Sony, Bungie, Weta Digital, Iron Galaxy, Jellyvision, High Voltage Software, NetherRealm Studios, Incredible Technologies, Inc., John Deere, and Walmart.

Columbia College Chicago was established in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory. The school serves nearly 6,700 students enrolled in more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. In addition to programs in creative areas such as communication and writing, media and digital, and music and sound, Columbia provides several business management programs. Columbia College Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Bradley University is home to Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts, which houses the Interactive Media Department. Within the department is a production-focused Game Design program with degree options at all levels. For undergraduates, the program has BA/BS degrees in Game Design and Game Art. An 18-21credit hour Game Design minor is open to all students in the Department of Interactive Media and the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems. 

At the graduate level, students can earn a Game Design and Development MS. This program consists of 30 credit hours without a concentration, and 31 credit hours with a Game Programming concentration. Program features include an environment that simulates a real industry production studio; the opportunity to form a corporation inside the Bradley University Interactive Media Department, where they will spend a year developing games; and regular feedback from working AAA game development professionals. 

Students in the Game Design and Development (no concentration) option will take 30 credit hours of required courses. This includes Game Prototyping (six credit hours); Game Production (12); Game Seminar (six); Game Practicum (two); and Game Post-Production (four). Students in the Game Programming concentration will take Game Engine Programming; Game Prototyping; Game Production; Game Post-Production; and Fundamentals of Software Engineering OR Computer Systems Analysis, Design and Integration. 

Elective examples for the concentration include Advanced Mobile Programming; Algorithms; Directed Individual Studies in Computer Information Systems; and Computer Game Capstone Project.

All MS students will have the option to sell their final game to a major manufacturer and produce a professional portfolio of their best work. 

The Game Design BA/BS programs at Bradley University emphasize mentoring by faculty who have worked on game series such as League of Legends (produced by Riot Games), Red Faction (developed by Volition), and Far Cry (published by Ubisoft). BA/BS students also benefit from hands-on learning with industry software; participation in game jams; opportunities to show their work at the annual FUSE exhibit; and professional internships at major design companies. 

The Game Design BA/BS programs begin with the development of storytelling skills. Students will advance to computer science as it relates to games. During each semester, the program allows students to create videogames, tabletop games, and more. The major requires 53 credit hours. Course examples include Game Design I-II; Introduction to Game Scripting;  Critical Game Studies; Appreciating Comics; Introduction to Game Development; Game Production I-II; Survey of Games; History of Animation; Film Theory & Criticism; Fundamentals of Interactive Design; and Practicum. 

The Game Design BA/BS culminates with three courses totaling 12 credit hours: Prototyping for Capstone; Game Capstone Project I; and Game Capstone Project II. Graduates will leave the program with a publishable game and professional portfolio. 

The Game Art BA/BS programs at Bradley University explore character art, animation, asset creation, concept art, and environment art. Students in this program benefit from hands-on learning with industry-standard software; participation in game jams and other competitions; the opportunity to work in game art of real-time visualization with a major company; and the chance to show digital artwork to the public at the annual FUSE exhibit. 

The Game Art major requires 53 credit hours. Course examples include Character Art; 2D for Game Art; Drawing 1 and 2; Game Art Fundamentals; Introduction to Animation; Game Production I-II; Environment Art; Game Art Development; Critical Game Studies; and Practicum. 

The Game Art BA/BS programs culminate with the Game Capstone Project completed across two courses totaling nine credits.

Graduates of the Game Design programs at Bradley University are prepared for careers across industries such as games for entertainment, serious games, film and television, aerospace and aeronautics, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), science and medicine, user interface and user experience (UI/UX), advertising, human-computer interaction (HCI), museums, architecture, training simulations, artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, and education. 

Program alumni have been hired at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, NetherRealm Studios, Oculus VR, and Warner Bros. Games. 

Bradley University was founded by Lydia Moss Bradley in 1897. The school serves approximately 5,900 students from the U.S. and 43 other countries. More than 130 programs are provided across eight colleges and schools. Bradley University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) is home to a Game Design BFA program that combines coursework and immersive studios with opportunities to work on real-world projects with partners such as NASA and 360 Alley. Housed in the CIA Game Design Department, the BFA program is also collaborative, so students will have opportunities to work in teams to complete console games, mobile apps, and AR/VR content--from idea to implementation to finished product. Team members may come from the CIA Game Design Department or Computer Gaming at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). 

Students in the Game Design BFA program will explore areas such as animation, 3D modeling, interactive storytelling, programming, visual design, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), audio and, of course, game production. All students will master game engines such as Unreal and Unity through coursework and projects. Course examples for the program include Game Media Production I-IV; Game Testing + Level Design; Serious Game Design: Theory + Applications; Special VFX/Simulation + Virtual Reality; 3D Texture, Mapping, and Digital Lighting; Sound Design Fundamentals; and Advanced Digital Sculpting & Modeling. 

The BFA program dedicates two three-credit courses to the Game Design BFA Thesis + Exhibition. This solo project will represent the student’s best work at the CIA Game Design Show. Instead of the Engaged Practice component of the program, which provides the opportunity to work with CIA partners, students may complete an internship with a game production studio, animation studio, or other company. 

Several courses help students prepare for careers in the games industry or to launch their own studios or freelance businesses. Examples include Professional Practices: Industry; Professional Practices: Studio to Gallery; and Professional Practices: Entrepreneurial Ventures. 

Graduates of Game Design BFA program at Cleveland Institute of Art Game are prepared to pursue positions such as Game Designer, Visual Effects (VFX) Developer, Game Programmer, 

Animator; Senior Game Developer; Storyboard Artist; Game Art Lead; Modeler; Art Director; Game Production Lead, Layout Artist, and Virtual Reality (VR) Designer.  

Cleveland Institute of Art was chartered as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women in 1882. This independent, not-for-profit college employs 50 full-time and 60 adjunct faculty, who are all professional artists and designers. These active members of the creative community serve 600 students across 13 majors. Cleveland Institute of Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) has two paths to study game design: the Game Art & Design BFA and an Animation/Game concentration that can be added to any major. CCAD concentrations require nine credit hours of coursework. The BFA consists of 120 credit hours including 60 hours of program requirements, 21 in CORE Studio, and 39 in CORE Liberal Arts. 

All students have access to the Cloyd Family Animation Center's Stop Motion Lab, editing suites, play-testing areas, Mac and PC compute labs outfitted with industry-standard software, sound rooms, and more. All CCAD degree-seeking students may also participate in the internship program, which provides the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the industry before graduation. 

During the first three years of the CCAD Game Art & Design BFA program, students will take courses such as Game Theory and Design; Programming for Play; Game Art Production 3D; New Realities AR and VR Production; Advanced Drawing Entertainment Design; 3D Animation Models & Surfacing; Digital Sculpture Illustration; Acting for Animators; and SODA Professional Practice. In the senior year of the program, students will have access to courses such as Table Top Prototype Play and Level Design for Games. 

The culminating courses/experiences for the program include: Game Pipeline Capstone, Game Projects Capstone, and the Game Collaboration Practicum. 

Graduates of the Game Design programs at Columbus College of Art & Design can pursue positions with regional employers such as Pixel Park, Game-U, and Multivarious Games. Graduates may also compete for positions at major studios such as Riot Games, BioWare, and Insomniac Games. 

Established in 1879 by five women, Columbus College of Art & Design is one of the nation’s oldest private, nonprofit art and design schools. Serving approximately 1,010 students, CCAD provides 11 BFA programs, 18 Minors, an MFA in Visual Arts, and a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Retail Design. 

Columbus College of Art & Design is accredited by Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). CCAD is also affiliated with the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD).

The College of Arts and Communication at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UW-Whitewater) houses the Department of Art and Design. Within the department is the Media Arts and Game Development (MAGD) program with BA and minor options. 

The MAGD minor at UW-Whitewater can be added to other programs such as Computer Science, Film Studies, Electronic Media, or Graphic Design. The BA has three emphasis areas including Gaming Technology, Communication/Gaming, and Media Arts. The Gaming Technology emphasis within the BA program explores programming and software development as it relates to game design and development. 

Communication/Gaming explores games,  emerging technology roles in society, audio and video, and writing for digital media. Students in the Media Arts emphasis will learn to create digital content for computer games, special effects, motion graphics, animation, and 3D. Across options, students will take core courses and electives such as Introduction to Media Arts and Game Development; Video Games and Learning; Game Studies and Design; Drawing for Digital Media; Game Development; Interactive Communication; Electronic Music and Sound Design; Motion Graphics Studio; Data Structures; and Screenwriting. 

Other MAGD features include access to facilities such as the Motion Capture Studio and a gaming room that hosts the departments weekend-long game jams; participation in student organizations such as GAMED (Game and Media Entertainment Developers), Gaming Group of Whitewater, Anime, and Smash Bros.; and participation in regional game design expos and competitions such as M-Dev, and the MAGD Expo held annually at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. 

In the past, the Expo has welcomed leaders in the industry who have developed games such as Assassin’s Creed, Baby Driver, God of War, Transformers, and Madden NFL. 

All MAGD students will participate in two team-based projects (The Senior Capstone), and complete a professional internship, which provides the opportunity to gain work experience in the UW-Whitewater Digital Media Lab or off campus at a game studio, animation studio, film and video production company, or media production firm. 

Students may also participate in an optional study abroad experience at HAN University in Holland. During the experience, students will collaborate with HAN students on a team game project  from the UW-Whitewater campus, then travel to Holland during the spring semester to complete the game with them. 

Graduates of the MAGD program at University of Wisconsin – Whitewater are prepared to pursue positions in areas such as game design and development, animation production, 3D art, interface design, usability engineering, motion graphics, multimedia production, and mobile app development. 

MAGD alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Bethesda Game Studios, Obsidian Entertainment, Filament Games, Image 360, PerBlue, Concurrency, Raven Software, iCombat Equipment, and Bird. Some MAGD graduates go on to enroll in a graduate program such as UW-Whitewater's Computer Science MS program. Others go on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses. 

University of Wisconsin – Whitewater opened in 1968 as Whitewater Normal School. The school serves approximately 11,520 students, making it the third largest campus by enrollment in the University of Wisconsin System. UW - Whitewater is also the system’s second oldest member. University of Wisconsin – Whitewater is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The College for Creative Studies (CCS) houses the Entertainment Arts (EA) Department, which provides a STEM-designated BFA with a Game Design major. All first-year students, regardless of major, will take courses in the Foundation Department. Areas explored include drawing, color theory, and basic design. 

EA Game Design students will complete a total of 126-127 credits that explore environment design for game, animation, and film; traditional drawing and CGI tools; immersive gameplay; 2D and 3D; augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR); and mobile platforms. All students benefit from sponsored projects with major companies and studios such as Epic Games, GM, and Unity 3D.   

Other program benefits include access to state-of the art labs and equipment such as the Gaming Lab, AR/VR Lab, software and hardware, and editing suites; small class sizes; internship opportunities; and courses taught by industry professionals. Course examples for the program include Advanced Computer Generated Environments;  History of Video Games; Game Projects I-II; Game Ideation; Modeling and Texturing; Digital Techniques; Process and Making; Game Trend; and Game Professional Futures. 

The culminating experience for the EA Game Design program is Game Senior Studio, completed across two courses totaling six credit hours. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles such as Character Artist, Game Designer, VFX Artist, AR/VR Developer, Environment Designer, Technical Artist, and Vehicle Designer. EA Game Design alumni have created game environments for World of Warcraft at Blizzard Entertainment; they have worked on more than 15 Marvel movies; and they designed one third of the six Batmobiles. 

CCS Game Design graduates have also landed positions at Nickelodeon, Epic Games, Disney Animation Studios, Paramount, Disney Television Animation, Pixomondo, Turn 10 Studios, Outloud Media, Wedoo, Certain Affinity, General Motors, Funcom, ustwo Games, and Monomi Park. 

College for Creative Studies was founded in 1906 as the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts. This private, nonprofit college serves more than 1,400 students enrolled 12 majors leading to a BFA, four programs leading to an MFA, and one program leading to an MA. College for Creative Studies is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

The College of Engineering at University of Idaho (U of I) houses the Polymorphic Games Studio (PGS), which functions like a co-op program or research studio. Made up of students from the departments of Art, Computer Science, Music, business, English, and Biology, the PGS hires undergraduate students for summer positions to assist in game development. Any student interested in games may participate in the Polymorphic Games Studio. 

For students seeking a degree in game design, the College of Art and Architecture has a Virtual Technology & Design (VTD) BS program that covers all aspects of virtual design. For students seeking a shorter program, the college has a Virtual Technologies certificate consisting of 12 credit hours. Course examples for this program include Virtual World Building 1-4 and Lab: Virtual World Building 1-4. 

During the first year of the U of I VTD BS program, students will take courses such as Introduction to Virtual Reality and World Building. In the second year, students will take Virtual Design; Lighting and Materials Modeling; Cross-Reality Technology; and History and Theory of Virtual Reality. 

In the junior year of the VTD program, students will take upper division virtual design course, as well as advanced courses such as Visual Effects, Cross-Reality Technology 2; Advanced Character Design; and Theory and Applications of Virtual Reality. In addition to the PGS, students will also have opportunities to work with clients on real projects, and in campus facilities such as the CAA Technical Design Studio, Virtual Reality Lab, and Student Design Center. 

VTD BS students will spend the final year of the program in the Capstone Studio 1 and 2 courses; the Virtual Universe Senior Seminar course; and as Teaching Assistants under faculty supervision. In the Senior Studio courses, students will research, design, and implement a virtual design product. 

Graduates of the VTD BS program at University of Idaho will leave the program with solid experience in the industry, teaching experience, and a professional portfolio of their final design product and other creations. 

University of Idaho was founded on January 30, 1889. When the school opened in 1892, it welcomed just 40 students. Today, this public, land-grant research institution serves approximately 11,510 students across campuses in Moscow (main), Boise, Coeur d'Alene, and Idaho Falls. Students at U of I have access to more than 200 academic programs across 10 colleges and schools. University of Idaho is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).