Instant university degree

Instant Expert: Game Schools

Now that videogames are a multibillion-buck industry, higher education is taking notice. Universities around the country are offering a variety of courses—and even full-fledged degrees—in the art and science of game design. But it’s not all fun and fragging: Game programming is more about calculus than Castlevania. Here’s how to get schooled....

Where to go

There are two camps of game schools: ones that offer full-blown degrees and ones that offer nondegree courses in game programming and art. Nintendo-sponsored DigiPen in Redmond, WA; Full Sail in Winter Park, FL; and the Guildhall at Southern Methodist University in Dallas each offer a variety of programs—running from 18 months to four years—which grant you some kind of diploma in game making. Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA, the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, and the Art Institutes campuses located across the country (find locations at www.aii.edu) all offer some classes—from 3D animation to programming—in the field. Students can even pursue graduate degrees in game studies at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA.

What you’ll study

Most videogame courses focus on computer programming—and hardcore coding at that. Students enrolled in DigiPen, for example, have to master Introduction to Differential Equations and Discreet and Computational Geometry before they tackle making the next Mario Party. But more and more schools are offering a diverse menu for wannabe game makers. As part of Carnegie Mellon’s master’s program in entertainment technology, for example, students take courses in everything from screenwriting to improvisational acting.

What it costs

Learning the ropes of game design ain’t cheap. At DigiPen, classes are $345 per credit—that’s $53,130 for a four-year degree or $27,600 for a two-year program. Tuition at Southern Methodist University’s Guildhall will set you back $37,000 for three years. But hey, that includes a fully loaded laptop tailor-made for game making upon your arrival. The good news: Financial aid, based on your academic performance and need, is available at most schools. So spend more time hitting the books instead of sitting on the couch. A high score in Karaoke Revolution won’t get you a free ride.