| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Tulsa | Tulsa |
| 2 | Rogers State University | Claremore |
| 3 | Oklahoma Christian University | Oklahoma City |
Our 2022 ranking of the top game design school programs in Oklahoma. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The College of Engineering & Natural Sciences at University of Tulsa (TU) serves more than 1,500 undergraduates and 320 graduate students. The college features small class sizes, a wide variety of majors, and a 91% job placement rate within six months of graduation. College of Engineering alumni have been hired at Amazon and Google, and some have started their own companies or studios.
Housed in the College of Engineering & Natural Sciences is the Tandy School of Computer Science, which offers a BS in Computer Simulation and Gaming (BSCSG), and Minors in Computer Simulation and Gaming Design and Computer Simulation and Gaming Development. The Minors require 18 credit hours of study. Course examples across programs include Game Design Concepts, Game Assets: 3D Character Design, Game Level Design, Game Programming, and Digital Video and Animation.
The interdisciplinary Tandy BSCSG program is a member of the Unity Academic Alliance (UAA), which means students may take the Unity Certified Associate exam at no cost. The exam leads to a certificate that is a recognized credential in the game development industry.
Other benefits of the Tandy BSCSG Program include opportunities to join student organizations such as Tulsa University Game Designers (TUGD) and Esports at the University of Tulsa, participation in the annual hosts the annual Computer Simulation and Gaming Conference (CSGC), and the option to focus in Design or Development. The Design option includes coursework in animation, graphics, and 3D modeling, and the development option covers game engine development. Development students will also take both a Computer Science and Mathematics Minor.
Course examples across options include Exploration of Gaming Technology, Game Production and Development, Game Engine Design, Game Assets: 3D Modeling and Animation, and Game Development and Production. All BSCSG students will complete Senior Software Projects I-II.
In addition to careers in game development and design, graduates of the University of Tulsa BSCSG Program are prepared for careers in special effects and digital production, training and development, aerospace and automotive, and museum arts and entertainment, among others.
University of Tulsa (TU) has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) since 1929. Chartered in 1894 as Henry Kendall College, TU is an independent, nondenominational university that serves nearly 4,000 students enrolled in 67 undergraduate programs, 47 graduate options, and 10 doctoral programs. The degree programs at University of Tulsa are housed in six colleges and schools.
In 2005, Rogers State University (RSU) launched a game design program that was the first of its kind in the State of Oklahoma. Housed in the School of Professional Studies Department of Technology & Justice Studies, the BS in Business Information Technology with a Game Development Option (BS BTGD) is an interdisciplinary program that blends computer science, art, writing, math, and physics.
The Game Development Option consists of 42 credit hours of study. Course examples include Game Development, 3D Modeling, Game Programming, Computer Graphics Programming, Modeling and Simulation, Mobile Application Development, Game Development Seminar, Creative Writing for Popular Market, and Advanced Web System Development.
Opportunities for BS BTGD students include the chance to develop their own software and write their own programs, access to co-op programs, portfolio evaluation, performance exhibitions, and internships. Since 2006, dozens of students have completed internship and co-op programs with a variety of companies. Many of these companies hired their interns prior to graduation.
Because the Rogers State University BTGD BS program is interdisciplinary, graduates will have the skills needed to pursue positions in just about any area of game development. Examples include game animation, serious games, games creation for entertainment, software engineering, game programming, and multimedia art.
Rogers State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). Founded in 1909, this public, four-year university serves around 3,200 students across three campuses in Claremore, Bartlesville, and Pryor, Oklahoma. Rogers State University offers more than 100 programs at all degree levels.
Oklahoma Christian University (OC) offers a BS degree in Gaming and Animation, a BS in Computer Science (CS) with Gaming and Animation, BA and BFA degrees in Gaming and Animation, and a 21 credit hour Minor in 3D Modeling and Animation.
All programs provide access to Sparks Advanced Visualization Lab, Baugh Motion Capture Lab, Cox Digital Art Lab, and Kicker Audio Lab. Depending on the program, students will complete studio courses, Team Game Production, Gaming and Animation Studio, and the Gaming and Animation Capstone. Courses for all programs are taught by professionals who are active in the game and animation industries.
Course examples across the BA and BFA programs include Game Technology, Game History and Development, Texturing, Rendering, and Lighting, Gaming and Animation Studio, Motion Imagery, 3D Modeling and Animation, and Digital Painting. BA students are required to complete six hours in a foreign language and BFA students will complete the three credit hour Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management course. The Oklahoma Christian University BA in Gaming and Animation requires 51 hours in the major, and the BFA requires 72.
The BS Programs in Gaming and Animation require 126 total credit hours in the major, core and minor (non-CS students). Students in the CS BS will complete 84 credit hours in the major and Gaming and Animation BS students will complete 54. Examples of recommended Minors for non-CS students include Computer Science, Music, Art, Graphic Design, and Management Marketing. While BS in Gaming and Animation students will take some of the same courses as CS BS students, the Computer Science Program requires more programming and software engineering coursework.
Course examples for the CS BS with Gaming and Animation include Programming I-II, Software Engineering I-V (multiple topics), Game Programming-Unity, Game Programming-Unreal, Object Oriented Programming, Assembly Language, Team Game Production, and Team Experience. Elective examples include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computer Simulation, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Cryptography, and Mobile Application Development.
Gaming and Animation BS students will choose from electives such as Illustration I-II, Audio for Gaming, Programming I-II, Digital painting, and Interactive Media Design I-II. Students in this program also have the option to take The Business of Branding Yourself OR Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management to fulfill the business course requirement. Major courses for the BS are nearly identical to those required for the OC BFA in Gaming and Animation.
Graduates of the Oklahoma Christian University Game Design Programs are prepared to pursue positions in animation, game design, programming, engineering, and development, computer science, serious games, science and health, simulation design, architecture, and multimedia, among others.
Oklahoma Christian University was established in 1950 as Central Christian College. The school serves more than 2,250 students enrolled in nearly 100 programs and areas of study across 10 colleges and divisions. Oklahoma Christian University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
