A Degree in Game Design

• At UAT's Tempe, AZ, campus
• In the comfort of your home through UAT-Online

• To earn a Bachelor of Arts degree: 120 weeks.*
• To earn an Associate of Arts degree: 60 weeks.

When can I start?

• Classes on UAT's campus start three times a year: September, January and May. Start Dates  Course List
• UAT-Online classes start every five weeks. Start Dates  Course List

2012-2013 Tuition Costs and Fees

A graduate of UAT's Game Design program will:
Prototype and build original games for multiple platforms, including complete documentation, prototypes and complete games using the full game production pipeline.

1. Create and implement game elements, systems and play mechanics using industry-standard tools, techniques and production methods, including both art and scripting/programming applications.
2. Develop critical analysis skills and master best practices of effective design through the study of games across platforms and genres.
3. Establish leadership, communication and project management skills by participating in team projects with students from other disciplines using industry-standard team and project management techniques.
4. Demonstrate high-level writing and analysis skills to promote the creation of clear, concise documentation and strong communication of design elements and mechanics to both programming and art team members.

Game Design Recommened Courses:
UAT creates recommended course listings for every major to provide solid educational experiences to students so that they can master their learning outcomes and be prepared to graduate. Students work with an advisor to select courses and when they wish to customize their major.

Sample Course Listing:
GAM101 - Introduction to Game Design
Credits: 3.00
Prerequisites: none
Whether the goal is to become a game designer, artist or programmer, this course is a path into the world of video game production. Students will explore what career paths lay ahead in the respective areas of game development through an understanding of the game design process and develop awareness of the many positions within the game industry. By learning fundamental design and visualization techniques needed to express complex game ideas, students will apply professional documentation techniques to their projects. Students will also learn how to convert their own game-playing skills to tools used to analyze popular games and break down game play elements to discover what makes the greatest games tick.

GAM330 - Advanced Level Design
Credits: 3.00
Prerequisites: GAM215, GAM230
Having mastered the basics, students in this course will apply level design principles to the creation of entire game environments, interactive elements and objects, storytelling through level design, and texturing and lighting. The emphasis will be on using advanced game engines and their toolsets, and may involve expert topics such as texturing with shaders, cut scenes, scripted events and large-scale environments.

GAM405 - Applied Game Development
Credits: 4.00
Prerequisites: Instructor Approval
This course concentrates on techniques to produce a game from the standpoint of production. Students will tackle topics such as people management, team building, communication and work­flow in order to grasp the complexities of running a development team. Game teams and projects continue to grow in size and complexity and it is essential to have an understanding of every­thing is involved in game development.