Game Design
Associate in Science
Program Details
The Game Design program is designed to prepare students for freelance careers and/or entry-level employment as independent game developers or with game design and development companies. Students explore creative, technical, critical, and design-based solutions to real-world issues in order to meet the rigors of a dynamically evolving array of game-oriented professions.
Game Design Pathways
Pathways listed below are for the catalog year 2023-2024. Maps for previous years are available on each pathway page. What is a catalog year?
Featured Careers
Find your calling. Explore high-earning careers with entry-level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Computer Programmers
Bachelor's degree
- Job growth: Declining
- Low salary: 52,190
- High salary: 162,090
- Average salary: 98670
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree
- Job growth: Rising
- Low salary: 60,690
- High salary: 166,960
- Average salary: 102610
Special Effects Artists and Animators
Bachelor's degree, Some college
- Job growth: Stable
- Low salary: 57,220
- High salary: 174,630
- Average salary: 99800
All Careers in Game Design (13)
| Computer Hardware Engineers | Bachelor's degree, Master's degree | Rising | 155,020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Directors | Bachelor's degree | Stable | 111,040 |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | Certificate after high school, Associate's degree | Rising | 108,970 |
| Database Administrators | Bachelor's degree | Rising | 104,620 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree | Rising | 103,790 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree | Rising | 102,610 |
| Validation Engineers | Bachelor's degree | Rising | 101,140 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | Bachelor's degree, Some college | Stable | 99,800 |
| Computer Programmers | Bachelor's degree | Declining | 98,670 |
| Video Game Designers | Bachelor's degree, High school diploma/GED | Rising | 98,090 |
| Producers & Directors | Bachelor's degree, High school diploma/GED | Rising | 83,480 |
| Film & Video Editors | Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree | Stable | 70,980 |
| Graphic Designers | Bachelor's degree, High school diploma/GED | Stable | 61,300 |
Program Pathways Mapper incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes help you work towards your educational goals.
- apply core competencies in the cultural, theoretical, artistic, and narrative aspects of game design, as well as a broad background in the creation and development of playable media.