DURATION
8 Semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Jun 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 1,463 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
* per unit for international students / USD 1,239 per unit for domestic students
Key Summary
Introduction
The Game Design BFA gives a well-rounded education in the arts with an emphasis on understanding and applying techniques including 3D modeling, animation, and lighting in video game production.
Students graduate with a solid grasp of the fundamental game art principles, including knowledge of game engine technology and pre-production and production environments.
Scholarships and Funding
Review your options and discover the various types of financial aid available to students at Academy of Art University. Below you will find information on federal loans and grants, work-study programs, alternative loan options, and more.
Federal and State Aid
Academy of Art University participates in the following programs:
Undergraduate Students
| Federal Aid | Type of Aid |
| PELL Grant | A Federal Pell Grant does not have to be repaid. The amount depends on your financial need as determined by the Department of Education, costs to attend school, and status as a full-time or part-time student. |
| SEOG | Grant aide that does not have to be paid back |
| Federal Work-Study | Financial Aid earned while working |
| Direct Stafford Loans | Loans from the government that must be paid back |
| Direct Parent Plus Loans | Loans that are taken out by parents of dependent students that must be paid back |
| Veterans Benefits | Academy of Art University is authorized by the Department of Veterans Affairs to certify eligible students for Veterans Benefits |
| State Aid | Type of Aid |
| CAL Grant | Grant aid is awarded to California residents who meet certain financial and GPA requirements |
Grants
Federal Pell Grant (Pell) Awarded to eligible undergraduate students (first BA/BS) and eligible education credential candidates seeking an initial credential who are enrolled in at least 6 units and are not concurrently admitted to a Master’s degree program.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) Awarded to eligible undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.
Loans
Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students receiving loans must be enrolled half-time to be eligible.
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans Subsidized loans are available to undergraduate students with financial needs. No interest is charged on a subsidized loan while the student is in school. Unsubsidized loans are available to all students regardless of income, less any subsidized amount received.
Parent PLUS Loans (for parents) Federal Direct PLUS Loans are available to parents and stepparents of dependent students. Borrowers must meet credit history and debt burden requirements. Repayment is amortized over 10 years.
Federal Direct Graduate (Grad) PLUS Loan Federal Direct Grad PLUS loans are available to Master’s students who are enrolled at least half-time. A credit check is required to determine if the borrower has an adverse credit history.
Please contact the Student Financial Services Office for more information.
State Aid
California Grants (Cal Grants) The California Student Aid Commission makes new awards to eligible undergraduate students (based on financial need and GPA) who are California residents, who are enrolled in a minimum of six units, and who meet the application-filing deadline of March 2 (California Grants A and B.) These grants are renewable.
Federal Loan Interest Rates
Congress has passed and the President has signed the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013 which ties federal student loan interest rates to financial markets. Under this Act, interest rates will be determined each June for new loans being made for the upcoming award year, which runs from July 1 to the following June 30.
Alternative Loans
Academy of Art University strongly encourages you to apply for and exhaust your eligibility for federal student loans and grants before taking out private student loans. This is because federal education loan programs offer fixed-interest loans at lower interest rates with flexible repayment plans, as well as forgiveness or discharge options.
Private Education Loans, also known as Alternative Education Loans, can help you and your families to bridge the gap between the actual cost of your education and the amount the government allows you to borrow in its programs. There are no federal forms to complete and eligibility depends on you or your cosigner’s credit score.
Additional eligibility requirements may be considered and are determined by each private lender. The interest rate and repayment provisions vary with each lender and will often change from year to year. We are happy to assist you in accessing information about outside alternative loans.
Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study is a federal student aid program that provides opportunities for current undergraduate and graduate students to earn money to pay for school through part-time jobs. Students can gain valuable work experience in Federal Work Study positions working for various departments within the Academy of Art University or in community service positions with our off-campus non-profit partners.
Grants & Scholarships
Since the Academy of Art University’s art scholarships program was founded over 40 years ago, we have helped over 45,000 aspiring artists and designers pursue their educational goals. Academy of Art University offers a number of innovative and inexpensive ways for first-time students, high school students, and teachers to improve their skills and experience all that we have to offer.
Achievement Scholarship
Aspiring Artists and Designers looking to attend the Academy of Art University may be eligible for the Achievement Scholarship, based on their Expected Family Contribution, which offers a limited number of awards up to $5000.
Pre-College Programs
The Pre-College Art Experience (PCAE) provides intensive, no-tuition art and design courses to current high school students. Those students receiving a passing grade in their PCAE courses can also earn scholarship money toward their undergraduate degree at the Academy of Art.
Specialty Grants & Scholarships
- Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Scholarship (ROTC)
- Academy of Art Military Scholarship
- Alumni Tuition Benefit
- Art Educators Studio Program
Curriculum
Semester 1
- GAM 105: Introduction to Maya
- GAM 110: Introduction to Game Development
- AM 111: 2D Tools for Game Development
- LA 101: Freshman Symposium: Artistic Resilience
Semester 2
- GAM 107: Game Engines
- GAM 150: Game Design, Theory and Analysis
- GAM 201: 3D Modeling for Games 1
- LA 108: Composition for the Artist
- LA 120: Art History Through the 15th Century
- LA 255: College Math
Semester 3
- GAM 115: Elements of Scripting
- GAM 170: Level Design for Video Games 1
- LA 131: History of Gaming
- LA 291: Designing Careers
Semester 4
- GAM 215: Scripting for 3D Games 1
- GAM 235: 2D Level Design and Mechanics
- GAM 270: Level Design for Video Games 2
- GAM 310: Portfolio for Games 1
- GAM 353: Game Freemium and Monetization
- LA 202: English Composition: Creative Persuasion and Argument
Semester 5
- GAM 315: Advanced Scripting
- GAM 335: Story in Video Games
- LA 110: Writing the Short Story
- LA 121: Art History Through the 19th Century
Semester 6
- GAM 252: Systems Design
- GAM 350: Rapid Game Development
- GAM 416: Combat Design
- LA 117: Survey of Landscape Architecture
- LA 292: Programming and Culture
- N/A: Any Course
Semester 7
- GAM 410: Game Genre Focused Projects
- GAM 472: Game Studio - Game Design (Fall)
- LA 171: Western Civilization
- N/A: Any Course
Semester 8
- GAM 335: Story in Video Games
- GAM 405: Games Portfolio Preparation
- GAM 472: Game Studio - Game Design (Fall)
- GAM 483: The Game Production Cycle
- LA 306: Creatively Speaking: Presentation for Designers
- N/A: Any LA Course
Degree Requirements
BFA Game Design Degree Requirements
- A minimum grade of C- in all core courses, major courses, and LA 107 Writing for the Multilingual Artist or LA 108 Composition for the Artist.
- Minimum 2.0 GPA and the following general education requirements:
- 4 Art Historical Awareness courses
- 1 Written Communication: Composition course
- 1 Written Communication: Context & Style course
- 1 Written Communication: Critical Thinking course
- 1 Historical Awareness course
- 1 Cultural Ideas & Influences course
- 1 Employment Communications and Practices course
- 1 Fundamental Math course
- 4 Art Historical Awareness courses
- 1 Written Communication: Composition course
- 1 Written Communication: Context & Style course
- 1 Written Communication: Critical Thinking course
- 1 Historical Awareness course
- 1 Cultural Ideas & Influences course
- 1 Employment Communications and Practices course
- 1 Fundamental Math course
After the above general education requirements are met, take Liberal Arts electives as needed to fulfill the Liberal Arts unit requirement.
Unit Requirements
| Major Coursework | Units |
| Core | 36 |
| Major | 33 |
| Liberal Arts | 42 |
| Elective | 9 |
| Total | 120 |
Program Outcome
Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Visual Communication
- Visually demonstrate skills that meet game industry standards
- Use simple sketches, maps, and wireframes to communicate gameplay intent
- Employ basic graphic design principles to create clear and aesthetically pleasing documentation
Technology
- Demonstrate proficiency with technology related to contemporary game production
Presentation Skills
- Clearly and professionally present work and ideas using industry-standard terminology
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Visually communicate research and ideas throughout the design process
- Research and generate workable solutions under a deadline
Professional Readiness
- Produce a professional portfolio that meets industry standards
- Work cooperatively and effectively in a professional production environment
- Apply appropriate production methodologies and scope in relation to time and task management
Specialty Skills:
- Design, organize, and build game prototypes in established game engines
- Create design documentation and detailed paper maps for a professional preproduction package
- Effectively use visual and code-based scripting to implement game and level mechanics
- Tune systems for balance and playability while taking into consideration dependencies on related systems
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
- Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
- Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
- Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
- Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
- Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
- Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
- Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
- Engage with a variety of communities beyond the classroom through internship opportunities, study abroad programs, athletics, and student interest clubs as well as collaborative, civic, and pro bono projects.