A Bachelor’s Degree program in Game Design can help aspiring game designers find employment in the gaming field right after graduation.
Undergraduate programs in Game Design are typically focused on equipping students with the skills needed to succeed in the highly competitive industry of creative technology.
Pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree can be time-consuming but there are a few programs specifically designed for busy students who have to harmonize a full-time job with their studies.
Online programs give students the possibility of choosing their own schedules and learn at their own pace, from the comfort of their homes.
So if you want to make a living creating games and you’re looking for a flexible, online Bachelor’s Degree program in Game Design we invite you to read our list and pick out the one that best fits your educational needs and professional aspirations.
Southern New Hampshire University
Founded in 1932 as a teaching business, Southern New Hampshire University now offers programs and courses in a variety of fields.
The school’s educational offer includes an online bachelor’s degree program for students who want to learn the art of creating games.
The program includes classes in 3D-Modelling and Animation, Environment Design, and Game Art and Development.
Students need 120 credit hours for graduation.
The university accepts more than 90 transferable credits for bachelor degree programs.
Southern New Hampshire University is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Official WebsiteCogswell Polytechnical College
Cogswell College is a private institution located in San Jose, California that offers academic programs in technology, music, animation, business, and game design.
Cogswell Polytechnical College offers a fully online Bachelor of Arts in Game Design program that prepares future game designers by teaching them both the technical and the creative aspects of game design.
The program offers two concentrations: Game Art, which includes courses such as 3D Modelling, Environment Art, and Level Design and a Game Writing Concentration that focuses on the narrative aspects of game creation.
Tuition for undergraduate programs at Cogswell Polytechnical College is $825 per credit.
Official WebsiteLindenwood University
With eight campus locations, Lindenwood University offers more than 110 programs, many of them designed to also be accessible to working adults.
Lindenwood University is a school of arts, media, and communications that provides a diverse educational offer that also includes an online Bachelor of Arts in Game Design.
The program is comprised of advanced courses in game design and storytelling and character development classes.
The curriculum consists of classes such as Game Development, Concept Design and 3D Animation.
The courses are accessible online 24/7 and can be finished in a seven-week term.
Graduates are equipped with the skills needed to build successful careers in the gaming industry as game programmers, game artists, mechanics designers, concept artists, modelers, art directors, engine programmers, or audio programmers.
Official WebsiteDavenport University
Founded as Grand Rapids Business College in 1866, Davenport University is offering online education for 20 years.
The university now has more than 50 online degree programs including one in Computer Science.
This program gives students the opportunity of choosing from several specialties, such as Artificial Intelligence, Computer Architecture, and Game and Simulation.
Students enrolled in the Game and Simulation program take classes in programming, design, 2D and 3D game development, and prototyping.
Davenport University is an independent, nonprofit institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Official WebsiteUniversity of Advancing Technology
Founded in 1983 as a training school for engineers and architects who wanted to learn computer-aided design, the University of Advancing Technology now offers a variety of programs in Digital Arts, Cyber Security, Game Studies, Software Engineering, and more.
Its educational offer includes an online Bachelor of Arts in Game Design degree program that is focused on multiple gaming platforms.
The university offers three majors that prepare students for a career in game development: Game Design, Game Art and Animation, and Game Programming.
The curriculum is divided between Conceptual Courses, Skills Development Courses, and Synthesis Core.
The programs consist of 120 credit hours and can be completed in eight semesters.
The University of Advancing Technology is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Official WebsiteFull Sail University
The accelerated online Bachelor’s Degree program in Game Design offered by Full Sail University is centered on game development and prototyping.
The online program can be completed in 29 months and focuses on topics such as Game Mechanics, Game Balancing and Prototyping.
Students can access the coursework 24/7.
The program is designed to prepare students for work in a game studio environment.
Full Sail University focuses on developing creative problem-solving skills and providing its students with real-world industry experience.
Official WebsiteGeorge Mason University
A public university located in Fairfax County, George Mason University offers an online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computer Game Design that aims to arm students with the skills needed for building a successful career in the game design industry.
The curriculum requires core courses in Portfolio Presentation, Consumer Gaming Platform Analysis, Advanced Game Design Animation, Game Design Studio, and a game design capstone.
The program also includes several electives in Digital Media and Visual Arts.
Students can graduate after earning 120 credits.
Senior students must also attend a pre-internship seminar before the senior capstone project and internship.
George Mason University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Official WebsiteSavannah College of Art and Design
Established in 1978, the Savannah College of Art and Design has eight art divisions covering topics such as Entertainment Arts, Digital Media, Fine Arts, Design and more.
The university won an E3 College Game Competition, a distinction offered during a trade event for the gaming industry.
The school offers Interactive Design and Game Development degrees online.
Students can choose between a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media with a concentration in Game Development or Interactive Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Interactive Design and Game Development with a concentration in Game Development or Interactive Design and Physical Computing.
Regardless of the track pursued, students complete 180 hours of study with many classes in Game Design and Game Development.
Official WebsiteLiberty University
Founded in 1971 in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University offers an online bachelor’s degree program in Information Technology with a specialization in Game Design.
The program can be completed in as few as 3.5 years by full-time students.
The program includes courses in Digital Imaging, Graphic Design, and 3D Graphics, each session being eight-weeks long.
The 120-credit curriculum offers a variety of classes for students who are passionate about coding and gaming.
Liberty University has received institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The tuition rate for undergraduate programs is $390 per hour.
Official WebsiteFrequently Asked Questions
Q. What coursework is included in an online Bachelor’s in Game Design?
Students enrolled in an online Bachelor’s in Game Design take basic classes, such as History, Mathematics, and Statistics but also courses specific to their field of studies, such as Game Development, Game Design, 3D Animation, Modeling or Game Development.
Game Design programs typically also include a capstone project and students have to create a portfolio or a video game by their senior year.
Q. What jobs can I get with a Bachelor’s in Game Design?
Those who earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Game Design may choose to pursue a career in the game design industry or to continue their studies with a graduate program.
Many graduates find employment as Video Game Designers, Creative Directors, Video Game Artists or User Interface Designers.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment for multimedia artists and animators will grow by 4 percent from 2018 to 2028, so job prospects for those who hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Game Design are expected to be good.
Q. How much can I make as a game designer?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for multimedia artists and animators was $72,520 as of May 2018.
However, salaries in this field vary based on the designer’s level of experience, the region of employment, and the employer.
Experienced game designers who work full-time can make more than $120,000 a year while beginners earn somewhere in the range of $40,000 a year.
Final Thoughts
If you’re passionate about computer programing, design and gaming, a career as a Game Designer can sound like the dream job for you.
A Bachelor Degree program in this field will teach you all the technical and creative skills you need for a successful career in the gaming industry.
If you’re a busy person who’s looking to accommodate classes with your work schedule, an online program can be the ideal option for you.
In the list above we compiled information about nine of the best online undergraduate programs that prepare aspiring game designers.
We invite you to continue your research and choose the program that best fits your educational needs.