An independent guide to game design degrees in the United States
University of Central Florida · Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA), Nicholson School of Communication and Media
Master of Science in Interactive Entertainment
A 30-credit, 16-month full-time master's degree taught at the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy at UCF Downtown, with art, production/design and programming specializations and admission to a specific specialization by portfolio.
Dedicated MS in Interactive Entertainment (FIEA) for artists, programmers and producers in game development.
Source: ucf.edu · verified October 12, 2026We list dedicated game degrees and officially named game concentrations at institutionally accredited US schools. Eligibility rules
A four-course team-based core, three specialization courses (art, production or programming), a 6-credit practicum (research, internship, venture or faculty research) and a capstone in which teams of about 15-20 students build a full game over multiple semesters.
Portfolio required
Track-specific portfolio submitted to FIEA by a Portfolio Review Date: programmers submit source code (C++ preferred); artists submit 5-10 pieces (technical artists also source code); producers complete a timed game analysis, level design, video production or game prototype.
Format: Portfolio submission form with links to files (DropBox, Google Drive or other file sharing); requirements emailed after the UCF graduate application
Official portfolio instructions
Source: fiea.ucf.edu · verified October 12, 2026We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate admission chances. How to prepare a game design portfolio
International applicants
January 15, 2027 · for Fall 2027
Source: fiea.ucf.edu · verified October 12, 2026Application deadline
July 1 · for Fall (year not printed), domestic
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: ucf.edu · verified October 12, 2026| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| In-state — Florida resident, total program | $32,940 | entire program · academic year not printedSource: fiea.ucf.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| Out-of-state — Non-Florida resident, total program | $60,145 | entire program · academic year not printedSource: fiea.ucf.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
FIEA Director Fellowship FellowshipCompetitive
Eligibility: Accepted FIEA students not awarded another fellowship; merit-based on GPA, GRE and portfolio.
Source: fiea.ucf.edu · verified October 12, 2026FIEA Director Technical Fellowship FellowshipGuaranteed (as stated)
Eligibility: Accepted programming applicants with a 3.7 GPA in computer science, engineering, math or related disciplines and a GRE score of 315 or greater.
Source: fiea.ucf.edu · verified October 12, 2026UCF Character Animation Fellowship FellowshipGuaranteed (as stated)
$2,500
Eligibility: Students accepted into the FIEA art discipline who graduated from UCF's Character Animation program.
Source: fiea.ucf.edu · verified October 12, 2026UF Digital Arts & Science Fellowship FellowshipGuaranteed (as stated)
$2,500
Eligibility: Students accepted into FIEA who graduated from the University of Florida Digital Arts & Sciences program.
Source: fiea.ucf.edu · verified October 12, 2026Electronic Arts Gaming Endowed Scholarship Institutional scholarship
Eligibility: Students who demonstrate overcoming life challenges and/or building community and connections through games.
Source: fiea.ucf.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.
Master of Entertainment Arts and Engineering
University of Advancing Technology
Master of Science in Game Production and Management
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