GAME DESIGN M.A.

Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

WVU provides a comprehensive approach to helping you finance your education. Learn more by visiting the Student Financial Services website.

Students are encouraged to:

• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form by the March 1 deadline to determine their eligibility for federal and state funds as well as scholarships. WVU’s FAFSA Code is 003827; and
• Check with your employer to see if they provide financial support for earning your graduate degree.

Game Design M.A. total degree cost: $20,580 – Residents and Non-Residents

Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies and living expenses. Please see the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage for how to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.

Your future in Game Design

Graduates are qualified for employment with large game development companies such as Tencent, Sony, Microsoft, and Apple, as well as smaller companies such as Citadel Studios, GSN Games, and Little Arms Studios. Graduates are also qualified to work in the gamification industry which has a wide range of employers from banks to educational software developers.

The Benefits to Choosing Our Program

Our selective enrollment ensures regular individual contact with dedicated, diverse faculty who are committed to a sustained professional exchange with each student. Students must be able to apply and communicate a diverse body of knowledge of historical, cultural, contemporary, and aesthetic issues to their professional practice. Students are expected to articulate and defend their capstone project proposal and final prototype within the context of the contemporary game field.

Currently only 14% of employees in this industry have advanced degrees, consequently a master’s degree in Game Design will give a graduate a competitive edge for promotion and advancement. In addition, upon program completion the graduate will have a completed game prototype that demonstrates their capabilities to show to a future employer.

Career Outlook for Game Design

Employment of special effects artists and animators (which includes game designers) is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The demand for game designers is driven by the popularity of video games and the increasing complexity of game development. Game designers are responsible for creating the gameplay mechanics, levels, characters, and storylines that make a game engaging and fun to play. As games become more advanced and sophisticated, there is a growing need for skilled designers who can create innovative and immersive experiences for players.

Game designers typically work in the video game industry, which includes game development studios, publishers, and other related companies. Many game designers work on a project basis, moving from one project to another as they are completed. Some may also work as freelancers or start their own independent game development companies.