Does anyone know of a school where its not online but they offer classes for a degree in video game designing?
March 28, 2010 by
Filed under video game design degree
I need a website of a school(s) that gives info on getting classes for college to get a degree in video game designing/ a bachelors degree in Digital Entertainment and Game Design.
Actually, most reputable schools don’t offer a specific degree in video game design. Instead, they offer degrees in what employers in those fields want to hire: either computer science, or software engineering. Within those fields, you can focus your work on video game design. There is only one reputable exception to this rule, and that’s Digipen, in Washington State. They offer an excellent and highly respected major in this field.
I’ve seen a lot of “digital media” or “video game design” majors popping up, but the schools they are at – frankly, NOT STRONG. They’re picking up on this trendy field and trying to attract students, but they have no real rep for getting you prepared to get a job once you graduate. Be a bit cautious. Go to a school with a decent rep.
In general, there are two approaches to game design: via art, and via engineering. So, depending on your path, you can find strong programs with good reps at the following schools:
Art
——
- Rhode Island School of Design
- Mass Art
- Parsons
- The School of the Visual Arts
- Syracuse
- Cooper Union
- Carnegie Mellon
- Rochester Institute of Technology
Engineering/Tech (Usually software engineering or computer science)
——————————…
- MIT
- Cooper Union
- Carnegie Mellon
- Boston University
- UMass Amherst
- Rensellaer Polytechnic
- Worcester Polytechnic
- Rochester Institute of Technology
Or you own state university
You’ll need to check with these schools to make sure that you can take a path that will lead you to the career you desire.
No matter where you go to school, try hard to get internships and co-ops in the field. Having experience in the field, and a strong portfolio, is the way you’ll get that first job once you graduate.
This is a highly competitive field. Arm yourself with internships, a strong portfolio, and etc., and you’ll stand a better chance of getting that first job.
Check out Wallace State in Huntsville (Hanceville is a burb of Huntsville) Alabama. I believe they offer a two year degree. You combine the technical aspect of computers and programming and also take “art”. I had two employees of mine going through this program while they worked here in Electronics Manufacturing. They best thing to do is call and ask for this specific type of program.