An independent guide to game design degrees in the United States
American University · School of Communication and Department of Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences
Master of Arts in Game Design
A 36-credit MA in Game Design administered jointly by the School of Communication and the Department of Computer Science, focused on game design and engagement mechanics applied to non-game contexts. It runs on weekdays over two years and can be taken part-time.
Dedicated MA in Game Design.
Source: american.edu · verified October 12, 2026We list dedicated game degrees and officially named game concentrations at institutionally accredited US schools. Eligibility rules
Required courses include Games and Rhetoric and Games and Society; 9 elective credit hours let students choose a concentration or create one. The program page states no coding background is needed.
No hardware or software requirement published on the pages we checked.
Portfolio optional
Portfolio (optional)
Official portfolio instructions
Source: american.edu · verified October 12, 2026GRE and English-language test policy: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.
We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate admission chances. How to prepare a game design portfolio
Early action
Rolling admission · for Fall (year not printed)
Source: american.edu · verified October 12, 2026Priority deadline
Rolling admission · for Fall (year not printed)
Source: american.edu · verified October 12, 2026International applicants
Rolling admission · for Fall (year not printed)
Source: american.edu · verified October 12, 2026Application deadline
Rolling admission · for Fall (year not printed)
Source: american.edu · verified October 12, 2026| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| All students — Graduate students, per credit hour (on-campus and most online programs)From the school-wide rate table for this level | $2,163 | per credit · 2026-2027Estimated tuition$77,868 = 36 credits × $2,163 per credit. Excludes mandatory fees, books, travel for any required visits or placements, transfer credit reductions and rate changes. Not the full cost of attendance.Source: american.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
School of Communication merit-based and need-based aid Institutional scholarship
Eligibility: Graduate students; merit awards administered by SOC graduate admissions, need-based awards by the Office of Financial Aid.
Source: american.edu · verified October 12, 2026None verified for this program. Game design degrees do not require one specific specialized accreditation.
Not verified for this program.
Something out of date? Suggest an update · Represent this school? Claim the profile
Same degree level and primary field. Listed for discovery, not ranked.
GameDesignSchools.net is independent and not affiliated with American University. Information is collected from official pages and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.