
University of Arizona · College of Information Science
Game Design
Bachelor of Arts in Game Design
Overview
A main-campus BA in Game Design in the College of Information Science focused on game design and its social implications, without requiring extensive programming knowledge.
- Official program title
- Game Design
- Exact award
- Bachelor of Arts in Game DesignSource: catalog.arizona.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Degree level
- Bachelor's
- Discipline
- Degree type
- Dedicated degree
- School and department
- Source: catalog.arizona.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Location
- Tucson, AZ
Why this program is listed
Dedicated BA in Game Design (catalog code GMBVBA, formerly Games and Behavior).
Source: catalog.arizona.edu · verified October 12, 2026We list dedicated game degrees and officially named game concentrations at institutionally accredited US schools. Eligibility rules
Format, length and attendance
- Delivery
- On campusClasses meet on campus.Classes meet on campus.Source: infosci.arizona.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Campus attendance
- Regular campus attendanceClasses meet on campus (campus and hybrid programs).
- Study intensity
- Not published
- Duration
- four-year undergraduate degreeSource: infosci.arizona.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Credits
- 120 unitsSource: infosci.arizona.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Entry routes
- Transfer entry. Admits students transferring credits from another college.Source: infosci.arizona.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Curriculum
The 120-unit degree requires 24 units of core courses, 12 units of game design electives and a 3-unit engagement course (ESOC 480), plus a minor of at least 18 units or a double major. The catalog lists courses in game mechanics and systems design, interactive storytelling and world-building, and player experience.
Curriculum overview
- 24 units of core courses, 12 units of game design electives and a 3-unit engagement course (ESOC 480).Source: infosci.arizona.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Game design topics
- Courses in game mechanics and systems design, interactive storytelling and world-building, and player experience.Source: catalog.arizona.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Other published details
- Designed without the need for extensive knowledge in computer programming.Source: infosci.arizona.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Hardware and software requirements
No hardware or software requirement published on the pages we checked.
Admissions and portfolio
Portfolio
Portfolio policy not published
The school's pages we checked do not state a portfolio policy for this program. That does not mean no portfolio is required — ask the admissions office.
- Other requirement
- Not requiredNo additional admission requirements beyond general University of Arizona undergraduate admission.Source: infosci.arizona.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Tests
SAT/ACT 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
Start dates and deadlines
- Year not printed
Early action
November 1 (Early Application Deadline) · for Fall (year not printed)
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: infosci.arizona.edu · verified October 12, 2026 - Year not printed
Application deadline
May 1 (Regular Decision) · for Fall (year not printed)
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: infosci.arizona.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Tuition and costs
| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| In-state — In-state, main campus, per semester (12+ units), non-guaranteed | $6,084 | per semester · academic year not printedSource: infosci.arizona.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Out-of-state — Out-of-state, main campus, per semester (12+ units), non-guaranteed | $20,665 | per semester · academic year not printedSource: infosci.arizona.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
Other published fees
- University fees, per semester (12+ units)
- $869 per semesterSource: infosci.arizona.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Scholarships, assistantships and funding
Program-specific funding: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.
Accreditation and authorization
Institutional accreditation
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) — accreditedSource: ope.ed.gov · verified October 12, 2026
Programmatic accreditation
None verified for this program. Game design degrees do not require one specific specialized accreditation.
International applicants
Not verified for this program.
Sources and verification
- catalog.arizona.edu/programs/GMBVBA — Official catalog / bulletin, verified October 12, 2026
- infosci.arizona.edu/ba-game-design — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
- infosci.arizona.edu/ba-game-design/admissions-cost — Official tuition and fees page, verified October 12, 2026
- infosci.arizona.edu/ba-game-design/curriculum-courses — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
- DAPIP — WSCUC institutional accreditation record (data files downloaded 2026-10-12) — U.S. Department of Education dataset (IPEDS / DAPIP), verified October 12, 2026
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Similar programs at other schools
Same degree level and primary field. Listed for discovery, not ranked.
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