Video Game Design and Development: Diploma Description

About this article
A degree in video game design and development is appealing for designers who wish to take their career to the next level or to gamers who are interested in developing their own games. A video game design and development program will give you the skills need to design games by studying courses such as 3-D modeling, programming, and character development. Read on to find out more.
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Reasons to Earn a Degree in Video Game Design and Development

Gain an edge in the video game industry by earning a degree in video game design and development. Through a VGDD program, you will graduate with the skills to develop video games and the programming concepts that surround them.

Career Possibilities for Video Game Design and Development

Occupational Outlook and Demand

As stated in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, individuals in the video game design and development industry will experience high growth in job opportunities over the next seven years. The OOH states that the software publishing industry is expected to be the third-fastest growing industry among all other industries through the year 2014.

Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2004, experienced game designers and those working in the video game development field earned salaries upwards of $65,000. Individuals working for larger companies, mainly in software, can expect even higher salaries.

Video Game Design and Development Degree Specifics

Coursework Requirements

By participating in a video game design and development degree program, you will have the opportunity to study the following courses:

  • Animation
  • C++ Programming
  • Design Concepts
  • Graphics and Media
  • Java Programming

Skills Learned

As a graduate of a video game design and development degree program, you will be well-versed in the following skills:

  • Character development and concepts
  • Graphics creation, writing and design
  • Programming language for software and gaming development

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • M.S. in Computer Science
      • M.S. in Computer Science (Bridge)
      • M.S in Software Development
      • M.S in Software Engineering
      • Bridge to the M.S. in Information Technology Management
      • M.S. in Instructional Technology
    Bachelor's
      • B.S. in Software Development
      • B.A. in Digital Design with an Emphasis in Web Design
      • B.S. in Information Technology
      • B.S. in Applied Technology
      • B.S. in Applied Cybersecurity Management
      • B.S. in Cybersecurity Management
  • Online Programs Available
    2. National University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
      • PhD-TIM - Computer Science
      • DBA - Information Technology
      • Doctor of Philosophy in Cybersecurity
      • Doctor of Philosophy in Data Science
      • PhD - General and Technology
    Master's
      • Master of Science in Computer Science
      • Master of Science in Data Science
      • MSIT - Cloud and Networking Infrastructure Management
      • MSCY - General Cybersecurity
      • MSTM - Cybersecurity Management
      • MSTM - Information Technology Management
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Keiser University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Science in Information Technology Leadership
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Science in Cloud Engineering
      • Bachelor of Science in Applied Engineering
      • Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    Associate's
      • Associate of Sciences - Information Technology
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Colorado Christian University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Cyber Security, M.S.
    Bachelor's
      • Computer Science, B.S.
      • Computer Information Technology, B.S.
      • Computer Information Technology - Database Management, B.S.
      • Computer Information Technology - Networking, B.S.
      • Information Systems Management, B.S.
      • Computer Information Technology, B.S. Cyber Security
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master: Information Technology - Project Management
      • MS in IT - Secure Software Development and Quality Assurance
      • MS in Cybersecurity Management - Secure Software Development and Quality Assurance
      • MSM in Information Technology
      • Master: Information Technology
      • MS in IT - Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Technologies
    Bachelor's
      • BS in Analytics - Game Development
      • BS in Cybersecurity - Game Development
      • BS in Analytics - Software Development Using C#
      • BS in Analytics - Software Development Using Java
      • BS in Analytics - Software Development Using Python
      • BS in Analytics - Software Development Using Web Languages
    Associate's
      • Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology
    Certificate
      • Professional Focus + Google UX Design Certificate
      • Professional Focus + Google IT Support Certificate
  • Campus and Online Programs
    6. Full Sail University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Game Design Masters - Campus
      • Computer Science Masters - Online
      • Game Design Masters - Online
      • Mobile Gaming Masters - Online
    Bachelor's
      • B.S. - Game Design
      • B.S. - Game Development
      • Game Business and Esports Bachelors - Online
      • Computer Science Bachelors - Online
      • Game Business and Esports Bachelors - Campus
      • Interactive Technology Bachelors with Game Design Concentration - Campus
    Certificate
      • Computer Science Bachelors with AI Concentration - Online
      • User Experience Bachelors - Online
  • Online Programs Available
    7. Saint Leo University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • MBA: Cybersecurity Management
      • MS: Cybersecurity
    Bachelor's
      • BS: Computer Science
      • BA: Software Engineering
      • BS: Computer Information Systems
    Associate's
      • AA: Information Technology
  • Online Programs Available
    8. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • DBA: Information Systems
    Master's
      • MA: Digital Content
      • MAT: Computer Science Education 6-12 (36 Hours)
      • MAT: Computer Science Education 6-12 (45 Hours)
      • MS: Information Technology: Software Design & Management
      • MA: Visual Communication Design
      • MA: Strategic Communication: Social Innovation in Visual Communication
  • Winfield, KS

    Southwestern College

  • Ogden, UT

    Weber State University

Featured Schools

Grand Canyon University

  • M.S. in Computer Science
  • M.S. in Computer Science (Bridge)
  • B.S. in Software Development
  • B.A. in Digital Design with an Emphasis in Web Design

What is your highest level of education?

National University

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
  • PhD-TIM - Computer Science
  • Master of Science in Computer Science
  • Master of Science in Data Science

What is your highest level of education?

Keiser University

  • Master of Science in Information Technology Leadership
  • Bachelor of Science in Cloud Engineering
  • Associate of Sciences - Information Technology

What is your highest level of education?

Colorado Christian University

  • Cyber Security, M.S.
  • Computer Science, B.S.
  • Computer Information Technology, B.S.

What is your highest level of education completed?

Purdue Global

  • Master: Information Technology - Project Management
  • BS in Analytics - Game Development
  • Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology
  • Professional Focus + Google UX Design Certificate

Which subject are you interested in?

Full Sail University

  • Game Design Masters - Campus
  • B.S. - Game Design
  • Computer Science Bachelors with AI Concentration - Online

What is your highest level of education?

Saint Leo University

  • MBA: Cybersecurity Management
  • BS: Computer Science
  • AA: Information Technology

What is your highest level of education completed?

Liberty University

  • DBA: Information Systems
  • MA: Digital Content
  • MAT: Computer Science Education 6-12 (36 Hours)

What is your highest level of education?