A video game joystick
While video games were once the reason students avoided their homework, in several colleges across the country, this leisurely activity is their homework. More specifically, creating video games has become a popular area of study and an occupational field that is part of an increasingly large market. From large state universities to small art schools, many colleges offer degrees in video game design.
The Art Institute of Los Angeles
Regarded as one of the top institutions for the creative arts, The Art Institute of Los Angeles has campuses around the country. Its School of Game Design is where many future designers get their degrees. Here students learn not only the technical side of things, such as interfaces and prototyping, but essential creative skills, such as storyboarding and character and prop animation. The Art Institute works with graduates to help them get hired by some of the biggest video game design companies.
The Art Institute of Los Angeles
2900 31st St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-752-4700
artinstitutes.edu
DePaul University
While DePaul University in Chicago offers a general liberal arts education, it also maintains its own school of Computing and Digital Media. This is where students can obtain a degree in game development with the option of concentrating in such areas as programming and design. Here, according to the university, "students receive an education in all areas of game development," which includes the business side of the gaming industry. The diverse range of courses include Intro to Game Design, Calculus I and even Ethics in Computer Games and Cinema.
DePaul University's College of Computing and Digital Media
243 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago IL 60604
312-362-8381
gamedev.depaul.edu
Full Sail University
Full Sail University in Florida is a private college with just less than 9,000 students. The college focuses primarily on the media arts, including audio, film and animation. Among the many degrees the school offers is a Master of Science in game design. Full Sail attempts to prepare students for the gaming industry by focusing on developing projects, collaborating with others and the acquiring the overall technical skills needed to operate the latest game design software. As part of the final project, most students need to put their skills to work and, in small teams, create a full, working video game.
Full Sail University
3300 University Blvd.
Winter Park, FL 32792
1-800-226-7625
fullsail.edu
University of Southern California
The distinguished University of Southern California already has a reputation as a leader in several areas of study, including film. Now, in the school's information technology program, USC offers a concentration in video game design and management. Although this is technically a minor degree, students need to take at least eight classes, which include introductory courses in various aspects of game development, as well as several design workshops. USC also offers recent graduates access to top video game companies.
University of Southern California
Olin Hall of Engineering
3650 McClintock Ave.
Suite 412
Los Angeles, CA 90089
213-740-4542
itp.usc.edu
