The Associate of Applied Science in Game Design and Development is designed to provide entry-level employment training, support the pursuance of advancement opportunities, and provide entrepreneurial training for those seeking to enter the gaming industry. Game design, development, testing, research, production, and business development are all skills that the program addresses. Additionally, the Game Design and Development program will provide future transfer opportunities to local universities offering baccalaureate level Game Design and Development programs. 

Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Education Coursework
ENGLISH 101	Composition	3
MATH 118	General Education Math (or higher)	4
SPEECH 101	Fundamentals of Speech Communication	3
Fine Arts or Humanities course (HD)		3
PSYCH 201	General Psychology	3
Required Program Core
ART 161	Freehand Drawing	3
COM DSGN 101	Introduction to Communication Design	3
COM DSGN 213	Motion Graphics II	3
GAME 105	Game Design I	3
GAME 106	Game Development and Society	3
GAME 109	Creating the Art of the Game I	3
GAME 153	Game Design II	3
GAME 160	Game Producing and Management I	3
GAME 209	Creating the Art of the Game II	3
GAME 241	Gamification	3
GAME 253	Game Design III	3
GAME 254	Game Programming	3
GAME 259	Business of Games	3
GAME 260	Game Producing and Management II	3
GAME 299	Game Studio	3
Total Hours		61

At least one course must meet the Human Diversity (HD) requirement. 

Pathway

This is an example course sequence for students interested in earning a degree in Game Design and Development. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If the pathway is followed as outlined, you will earn an Associate in Applied Science degree in Game Design and Development. One course will satisfy the Human Diversity (HD) requirement, and is labeled with an (HD) in the sequence below.

Semester-by-Semester Program Plan for Full-Time Students

All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students by adding more semesters.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
ART 161	Freehand Drawing	3
COM DSGN 101	Introduction to Communication Design	3
GAME 105	Game Design I	3
GAME 106	Game Development and Society	3
ENGLISH 101	Composition 1	3
	Hours	15
Semester 2
GAME 109	Creating the Art of the Game I	3
GAME 153	Game Design II	3
GAME 160	Game Producing and Management I	3
COM DSGN 213	Motion Graphics II	3
MATH 118	General Education Math 1	4
	Hours	16
Semester 3
SPEECH 101	Fundamentals of Speech Communication 1	3
GAME 209	Creating the Art of the Game II	3
GAME 241	Gamification	3
GAME 253	Game Design III	3
GAME 254	Game Programming	3
	Hours	15
Semester 4
GAME 259	Business of Games	3
GAME 260	Game Producing and Management II	3
GAME 299	Game Studio	3
PSYCH 201	General Psychology 1	3
Fine Arts or Humanities Course (HD) 1		3
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	61

¹

General Education course

Choose your courses with your College Advisor.

Careers

This program can prepare students for the jobs listed below. Click on each one to learn more, including average earnings, annual job openings, and how much education people in that field have. For additional guidance and resources on career options, current City Colleges students and alumni can contact the Career Services Office.

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Job Description

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

Salary Based on Experience Level

Take a look at the average hourly/annual earnings for this career in Cook County

Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

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• View Hourly Wages

Annual Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile	$28,990
Median 50th Percentile	$56,955
Senior-Level 90th Percentile	$134,594

Hourly Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile	$14
Median 50th Percentile	$27
Senior-Level 90th Percentile	$65

Annual Job Openings

74 annual openings in Cook County

National Education Attainment

Here, you can see the level of education that people in this career complete.

Degree Program	% of Jobs
A high school diploma or less	5.53%
A certificate	0.00%
Some college	39.68%
An Associate degree	1.70%
A Bachelor's degree	52.75%
A Master's or Professional degree	0.34%
A Doctoral degree or more	0.00%

53.09% continue their education beyond an associate degree