Find out which Texas schools offer game design degree programs. See requirements, prerequisites, school information, tuition cost, and student population.

Game design programs can be found at several schools in Texas. Below you will find information on different levels of degree programs at some of the schools that offer game design.

What You Need to Know

To work in the field of game design, you can pursue a certificate, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree program. Certificate or associate’s degree programs can be in game design, animation, or a related area. Bachelor’s degree programs are in fields like arts and technology.

Game Design Certificate Programs in Texas

Collin College

Collin College offers two specialization options within their broader animation program, but you can choose the game art track to learn about conceptual game development. You may take courses in computer graphics, 3-D modeling, and rendering in Maya, digital imaging, and Flash animation. You’re also required to complete a capstone portfolio course and a game group project.

• Program Name: Certificate in Animation
• Specializations: 3-D animation, game art
• Program Length: 41 credit hours (two years)
• Tuition and Fees (2018-2019): $1,504 per year for in-district students; $2,884 per year for in-state; and $4,864 per year out-of-state
• School Type: 2-year, public; about 33,668 students (all undergraduate)

Lone Star College – Kingwood or Tomball Campuses

You can choose a programming or artistic option within this game design program. You are required to complete coursework in composition and rhetoric for both options. The programming option includes coursework in C++ and game testing; the artist option has classes in digital imaging and interactive digital media.

• Program Name: Certificate in Game Design
• Specialization Areas: Programming, artist
• Program Length: 42-43 credit hours (two years)
• Tuition and Fees (2018-2019): $1,600 per year for in-district students; $3,880 per year for in-state; and $5,200 per year out-of-state
• School Type: 2-year, public; about 73,499 students (all undergraduate)

Game Design Associate’s Degree Programs in Texas

Collin College

Similar to Collin College’s certificate program, you can choose a game art track in this degree program. You’re required to complete general education classes, such as college math, psychology, English composition, and speech. Major-specific courses include storyboarding, digital sound, rendering in Maya, drawing, 3-D animation, and 3-D modeling.

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Animation
• Specializations: 3-D animation, game art
• Program Length: 72 credit hours (two years)
• Tuition and Fees (2018-2019): $1,504 per year for in-district students; $2,884 per year for in-state; and $4,864 per year out-of-state
• School Type: 2-year, public; about 33,668 students (all undergraduate)

Lee College

Through Lee College’s game design degree program, you learn about all aspects of game development. The program provides coursework in programming, animation, storyboarding, and graphic arts. While the completion of this program can prepare you for the game industry, you can also transfer to other degree programs and qualify for a career in graphic arts, software engineering, or computer programming. This school offers game specialist and game developer certificate programs as well.

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Game Development Specialist
• Program Length: 67-70 credit hours (two years)
• Tuition and Fees (2018-2019): $2,043 per year for in-district students; $3,403 per year for in-state; and $4,179 per year out-of-state
• School Type: 2-year, public; about 7,773 students (all undergraduate)

Lone Star College – Kingwood

Both of the concentrations in this associate’s degree program provide basic general education credits, like college algebra and humanities. Foundational game design principles in animation and level design are also covered. However, these concentrations differ widely on other coursework. For example, the programming track focuses on computer programming languages, game engines, AI programming, scripting, and physics. The artistic track concentrates more on drawing, 3-D modeling and rendering, digital imaging, and interactive writing.

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Game Design
• Specialization Areas: Programming, artist
• Program Length: 71-72 credit hours (two years)
• Tuition and Fees (2018-2019): $1,600 per year for in-district students; $3,880 per year for in-state; and $5,200 per year out-of-state
• School Type: 2-year, public; about 73,499 students (all undergraduate)

Game Design Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Texas

University of Texas at Dallas

The University of Texas provides a general art bachelor’s degree, but you can choose electives that focus on computer game development. You’re required to take liberal arts classes in communication, social and behavioral sciences, math, and humanities. The major requirements include drawing, computer imaging, 2-D design, modeling and texturing, and a capstone project. You also can choose electives like computer game design, virtual environments, and game production.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Arts and Technology
• Program Length: 120 credit hours (roughly four years full-time)
• Tuition and Fees (2018-2019): $13,034 per year for in-state students; $36,876 per year for out-of-state
• School Type: 4-year, public; about 28,755 students (19,872 undergraduate)

In summary, this article focuses on a few of the schools in Texas that offer certifications, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees in game design, along with some specializations such as 3-D animation, game art, and programming.