An independent guide to game design degrees in the United States
American University · School of Communication, Film & Media Arts
Master of Fine Arts in Games and Interactive Media
A 54-credit terminal MFA in Games and Interactive Media in the School of Communication, generally completed within 36 months. It is a full-time program that can be completed part-time, and first-year students attend a summer boot camp.
Dedicated MFA in Games and Interactive Media.
Source: american.edu · verified October 12, 2026We list dedicated game degrees and officially named game concentrations at institutionally accredited US schools. Eligibility rules
Orientation Required
First-year students attend the Film & Media Arts boot camp in late July - early August; substitutions are possible.
Before the first semester
Source: american.edu · verified October 12, 2026The program covers game design and development and tailoring play design to specific player-impact goals, in theory and practice; areas named include digital game design, physical computing, virtual reality, analog games and new media art.
No hardware or software requirement published on the pages we checked.
Portfolio required for some pathways
Applicants with prior visual media experience should submit a portfolio of relevant professional work; the requirements page lists the portfolio as 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We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate admission chances.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$116,802 = 54 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.
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Same degree level and primary field. Listed for discovery, not ranked.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Master of Science in Interactive Media & Game Development
University of Southern California
Master of Fine Arts in Interactive Media
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