Game Design, M.A.
College of Creative Arts and Media
The MA in Game Design, offered by the WVU College of Creative Arts and Media, is for emerging game designers seeking to expand and build upon their conceptual, production, and project management skills, as well as to further their professional credentials. With half the credits dedicated to the conception and creation of the capstone game project there is a strong emphasis on each student graduating with a strong portfolio of work.
Cost:
$713 / Cost per credit hour *
Courses and Credits:
10 Courses / 30 Credits
Duration:
One to two years
Dates:
Next Start: August 20, 2025 Admission Terms: Fall, Spring
Learning Format:
Online courses
Program Overview
Become a Professional Game Designer
You will learn game design, game theory, and game production, and will develop a specialized, advanced set of skills. All courses are online, except for an optional three-day residency that brings all students and faculty together for a dynamic games conference and game jam. For the capstone project, each student develops a functional and playable game prototype. Graduates are qualified for employment with game development companies, and a wide range of employers from banks to educational software developers.
Curriculum
The curriculum includes a 3-course foundational sequence that addresses game design, game theory and game production. In addition, a series of 1-credit micro-courses (ART 507 Focus Module) allows each candidate to advance a specialized skill set. All courses are only available online, however an optional campus residency component (ART 506 Residency) brings all students and faculty together for a dynamic games conference and game jam.
Early in the degree course sequence a capstone project is conceived and planned out for which the candidate designs and develops a functional and playable game prototype, in order to complete the degree. For the capstone project each candidate is simultaneously the director of their project while working in a production role in their specialization for a peer’s capstone project. The final requirement of the program is that each student present their capstone game project.
- ART 502: Game Design, 3 credit hours
- ART 503: Game Theory, 3 credit hours
- ART 505: Game Production, 3 credit hours
- ART 603: Concept and Research, 3 credit hours
- ART 604: Project Plan, 3 credit hours
- ART 606: Project Launch, 3 credit hours
- ART 607: Project Production, 6 credit hours
- ART 506: Residency (Optional), 3 credit hours
- ART 507: Focus Module (Taken 3 – 6 times depending on use of Residency option), 3 credit hours
Admissions Requirements and Eligibility
Successful completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Admissions Process and How to Apply
Step 1
- WVU Online Graduate Application
- Letter of Intent - A short 1-page essay on professional goals and reasons for seeking
admission.
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended (other than WVU)
- Email to: GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu
- Mail to: WVU Hub P.O. Box 6004 Morgantown, WV 26506
- International Students are required to submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score.
Portfolio can include up to 5 representative samples of your work with a total viewing duration of no longer than 60 minutes, including interactive projects, game prototypes, game components, graphic imagery, virtual environments, virtual character studies, photographs, or video documentation of the same.
After your WVU application has been submitted, the School of Art & Design will notify you and the Office of Admissions of the results of your portfolio review. Applicants may be required to take additional course work after careful review of undergraduate transcripts.
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
- File the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the June deadline to determine eligibility for funding and scholarships.
- Inquire with your employer about potential financial support for continuing your education.
Connect with an Admissions Coach
Ann Clayton Online Admissions Coach
(304) 293-0915 ann.clayton@mail.wvu.edu
Explore Profile Schedule Chat
Careers and Employment
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.
Typically, game designers 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.
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.
Career Paths
- Mobile Game Designer
- App Developer
- Game Designer
- Game Developer
- Technical Artist
- Character Artist
- User Interface (UI) Designer
- User Experience (UX) Designer