An independent guide to game design degrees in the United States
Master of Fine Arts in Game Design
A 64-quarter-hour, cohort-based MFA in Game Design offered in person in Chicago's Loop, designed to be completed in 2.5 years with a three-quarter thesis studio, public showcase and thesis defense.
Dedicated MFA in Game Design.
Source: catalog.depaul.edu · verified October 12, 2026We list dedicated game degrees and officially named game concentrations at institutionally accredited US schools. Eligibility rules
Exhibition / showcase Required
Public showing of the thesis in the annual MFA showcase or a juried venue.
Source: catalog.depaul.edu · verified October 12, 2026Thesis defense Required
Thesis defense before the thesis committee.
Source: catalog.depaul.edu · verified October 12, 2026Required courses cover creative computation, a game design workshop, art games, games with a purpose, a game design proseminar, game studies, a game development practicum and an incubation studio, plus 20 hours of focus area electives and 12 hours of Thesis Studio.
No hardware or software requirement published on the pages we checked.
Portfolio required
Digital portfolio that may include digital prototypes or games, board or physical games, game design documents, performance documentation, writing samples or other creative practice, with a short statement of intent for each item.
Format: Uploaded with the application
Official portfolio instructions
Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 12, 2026We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate admission chances. How to prepare a game design portfolio
Priority deadline
December 15 · for Fall (year not printed)
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 12, 2026Application deadline
May 15 (final deadline; admitted as space is available) · for Fall (year not printed)
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 12, 2026| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| All students — Graduate, Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media, per credit hourFrom the school-wide rate table for this level | $1,003 | per credit · 2026-2027Estimated tuition$64,192 = 64 credits × $1,003 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: depaul.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
CDM Graduate Presidential Scholarship / CDM Graduate Dean's Scholarship Institutional scholarshipCompetitive
$6,000 to $9,000 over six consecutive terms · six consecutive terms
Eligibility: From Fall 2026 available to admitted MFA in Game Design students; cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; awarded at admission.
Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 12, 2026Funded research assistantships Assistantship
Eligibility: MFA Game Design students working with faculty.
Source: depaul.edu · verified October 12, 2026CDM Graduate Dean's Scholarship (U.S. Citizens and Residents Only) Institutional scholarshipCompetitive
$6,000 to $9,000 over six consecutive terms · six consecutive terms
Eligibility: New U.S. citizen or permanent resident students in eligible CDM master's programs, including the MS in Game Programming and, from Fall 2026, the MFA in Game Design; cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
How to apply: Awarded at admission; no separate application.
Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 12, 2026Graduate assistantships and Graduate Research Assistant Program AssistantshipCompetitive
Eligibility: Qualified CDM graduate students.
Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 12, 2026School-wide awards are listed because they apply at this degree level; eligibility conditions apply.
None verified for this program. Game design degrees do not require one specific specialized accreditation.
Not verified for this program.
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