Bachelor in Video Game Design
Waukesha, USA
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Combine equal parts science, storytelling, design, music and imagination.
Those are the main components of video game designing – one of the world's fastest growing industries. The demand for video game designers is expected to reach near double digit growth over the next several years, as the number of gamers is reaching three billion worldwide.
Carroll University's unique Video Game Design major will prepare you for a career in game design and development. As a student in this major, you will learn design thinking as it applies to the game design process. You will develop skills in creating graphics, sound and writing for games, and will learn basic coding principles.
The Video Game design major has been developed to pair with a second major in a related field so you can create your own personalized path.
Options include:
- Art
- Business
- Computer Science
- Communication
- English
- Graphic Design
- Music
- Photography
- Theatre
Minor
In addition to the major, Carroll offers a minor in video game studies that complements many areas of study.
Upon graduation, a Video Game Design major will be able to:
- Design a video game through a process of defining intended user experiences, ideation, prototyping, analysis and critique, playtesting and revising in order to achieve a successful final game design
- Verbally and visually communicate their video game designs effectively to others, using design-specific vocabulary
- Describe, analyze and evaluate video game designs
- Acquire and apply fundamental skills in three artistic areas—graphics, sound and writing
- Employ basic programming skills to build a digital prototype of a game
- Work independently or as part of a small team to design and develop a video game for public release
Core Courses (36 Credits)
- VGD 115 - Intro to Video Game Design; 4 Hour(s)
- VGD 315 - Video Game Design II; 4 Hour(s)
- VGD 316 - Video Game Design III; 4 Hour(s)
- VGD 391 - Topics in Video Game Design; 4 Hour(s)
- VGD 499 - Video Game Design Capstone; 4 Hour(s)
- ART 112 - Visual Narrative: 2D and 3D Design; 4 Hour(s)
- ENG 205 - Interactive Fiction Writing (Fall evens); 4 Hour(s)
- ENG 215 - Video Game Studies (Every spring); 4 Hour(s)
- GRC 150 - Digital Toolbox - Photoshop/Illustrator 1; 4 Hour(s)
- Courses based on the required second major
Bachelor of Arts Requirement
The requirements for a Bachelor of Arts are:
- Students are required to take two modern language classes on Carroll’s campus to fulfill the BA requirement, with the exception of:
- Transfer students who have completed language courses at their previous institutions;
- Carroll students who take language courses at other institutions of higher education while enrolled at Carroll;
- International students who come from non-English speaking countries; and
- Students from Puerto Rico.
- Students who have taken a language course through a dual-enrollment high school program need to take only one language course at Carroll. Neither retroactive credits nor AP credits fulfill the BA requirement. These policies reflect Carroll’s commitment to promoting cross-cultural education and fostering global citizenship.
- MAT 106 - Mathematics for the Liberal Arts; 4 Hour(s)
- ENG 170 - Writing Seminar; 4 Hour(s)
Degree requirements cannot be waived.
Note: Each major may have specific course sequencing requirements. For specific requirements, see “Required Support Courses” within each major.
Our students can go into these careers:
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
- Special Effects Artists and Animators
- Software Developers
- Video Game Designers
- Art Directors
- Graphic Designers
The University participates in three types of financial aid programs for its International students: scholarships, grants, and employment.
Scholarships
Carroll University offers completive scholarships for international undergraduate students. 100 percent of Carroll University students receive scholarship assistance, which helps them find a balance between studies, work, and extra-curricular activities. Scholarships play a key role in maintaining Carroll's accessibility for all students. On average our international scholarship covers 45-55% of the cost of attendance for full-time undergraduate students.
Grants
Grants are awarded based upon a student’s demonstrated financial need in addition to the guaranteed International scholarship. Like scholarships, grants are considered gift aid that does not need to be repaid.
Student Employment
University employment opportunities allow students to work part-time on campus, earn an hourly wage and receive a monthly paycheck while attending Carroll. Students may work from approximately five to fourteen hours each week. The number of hours a student may work depends upon the student’s financial aid award. International students get awarded an average of $2,000-$2,500 in university employment grants every year.