University of Southern California · Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science, Viterbi School of Engineering

Computer Science (Game Development)

Master of Science in Computer Science (Game Development)

Master'sMSGame ProgrammingNamed concentration

Overview

A 32-unit MS in Computer Science with a Game Development specialization in the Viterbi School of Engineering, combining algorithms, AI and graphics with School of Cinematic Arts interactive design courses and a two-semester graduate game project.

Official program title: Computer Science (Game Development)
Exact award: Master of Science in Computer Science (Game Development)
Source: cs.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Degree level: Master's
Discipline: Game Programming Game Development
Degree type: Named concentration“Game Development” within the Master of Science in Computer Science. The degree you receive is the parent degree; the concentration is how the school names the game-focused pathway.
School and department: University of Southern California — Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science, Viterbi School of Engineering
Source: games.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Why this program is listed

MS in Computer Science with a named Game Development specialization and a game development core.

Source: cs.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026

We list dedicated game degrees and officially named game concentrations at institutionally accredited US schools. Eligibility rules

Format, length and attendance

Delivery, campus attendance, schedule and study intensity are separate facts, each shown only as the school states it. Online coursework does not by itself mean there is no residency, exhibition, internship or proctored exam.

Delivery: On campusClasses meet on campus.
Source: games.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Campus attendance: Regular campus attendanceClasses meet on campus (campus and hybrid programs).
Study intensity: Not published
Duration: Not verified
Credits: 32 units
Source: cs.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Curriculum

What the school publishes about the program's game design, programming, art and production content. Tools and engines are listed only when the school names them — a program not listed as teaching Unity or Unreal may still use them, but we have not verified it.

Core in analysis of algorithms; emphasis courses in AI, 3D graphics and rendering, interactive design and production, and design for interactive media; a two-part Graduate Advanced Game Project; one elective such as game engine development or AR/VR.

Programming content

Electives include Game Engine Development and Advanced Mobile Devices and Game Consoles.
Source: cs.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Production and team projects

Cinema courses in interactive design and production and design for interactive media.
Source: cs.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Capstone

Two-semester Graduate Advanced Game Project.
Source: cs.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Other published details

No comprehensive examination; minimum 3.00 GPA on coursework applied to the degree.
Source: cs.usc.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Hardware and software requirements

No hardware or software requirement published on the pages we checked.

Admissions and portfolio

Required, optional and not-required items are shown exactly as the school states them. Anything not listed is not verified — not “not required”.

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 admission requirements: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

Tests

GRE 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

Dates are shown with the intake the school printed. A past date is marked passed and is never carried into a new cycle.

Application deadlines: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

Tuition and costs

Each amount keeps its student category, academic year and basis. Per-credit, per-term and whole-program figures are not comparable with each other, and tuition is not the full cost of attendance.

Tuition for this program: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

Understanding tuition and equipment costs

Scholarships, assistantships and funding

Awards published by the school for this program or for students at this level. “Guaranteed” only when the school says every eligible student receives it. Loans must be repaid and are not scholarships. Scholarships guide

Program-specific funding: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

Accreditation and authorization

Institutional accreditation covers the school. Programmatic accreditation is shown only when it is named for this program — it is never transferred from another department or degree.

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

Every fact on this page comes from the official pages below. Last checked October 12, 2026.

games.usc.edu/degrees — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
games.usc.edu/facilities — 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
cs.usc.edu/academic-programs/masters/game-development/ — Official program page, 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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Chicago, ILInstitution location, not a residency requirement

Online (on-site requirements not stated)

Campus attendance not verified

Portfolio policy not published

Duration not verified · 48 credits

Tuition: $1,003 per credit · All students — Graduate, Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media, per credit hour (university table; not stated whether it applies to online study) · 2026-2027

No upcoming verified deadline

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