Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computer Game Design
Fairfax, USA
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Jun 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 4,897 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* International student deadline is 1st of June of every year | Domestic student deadline is 1st of February
** in-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 16,980 - out-of-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 1,803 - mandatory student fee
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
The BFA in Computer Game Design requires 120 credits and, as is true of all baccalaureate degrees at George Mason, includes a significant component of general education courses. The curriculum is drawn from the following areas:
- computer science
- visual arts
- digital arts
- computer music, and
- a new gaming design area of study.
This degree prepares students for employment in the computer gaming design and development field, within the commercial and federal sectors. The program's mix of liberal arts and technology satisfies an industry that demands academically rigorous technical expertise coupled with an understanding of the artistic and creative elements of the evolving medium. Mason's proximity to the nation's capital and to some of the gaming industry's giants also provides students with opportunities to secure an internship while studying.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 120
Mason Core
- AVT 180 New Media in the Creative Arts (Mason Core) 3
- PSYC 100 Basic Concepts in Psychology (Mason Core) 3
Select one from the following (or any other PHYS natural science course with advisor approval): 4
- PHYS 103 Physics and Everyday Phenomena I (Mason Core)
- PHYS 160 & PHYS 161 University Physics I (Mason Core) and University Physics I Laboratory (Mason Core)
Total Credits 10
Non-Specific Mason Core Requirements
- Oral Communication 3
- Arts 3
- Literature 3
- Natural Science 4
- Western Civilization/World History 3
- Global Understanding 3
- Quantitative Reasoning 3
- Written Communication (Foundation) 3
- Written Communication (Integration) 3
Total Credits 28
Major Core
- GAME 140 Applied Coding for Game Designers 3 or CS 112 Introduction to Computer Programming (Mason Core)
- GAME 104 Two-Dimensional Design for Games 3
- GAME 101 Introduction to Game Design (Mason Core) 3 or GAME 210 Basic Game Design
- GAME 230 History of Computer Game Design 3
- GAME 231 Three-Dimensional Game Art I 3
- GAME 250 Music for Film and Video 3
- GAME 240 Gameplay Scripting Implementation I 3
- GAME 300 Portfolio Preparation 1
- GAME 310 Digital Game Design 3
- GAME 330 Computer Game Platform Analysis 3
- GAME 331 Consumer Gaming Platform Analysis Lab 1
- GAME 332 RS: Story Design for Computer Games 3
- GAME 367 Writing and Editing Music and Sound 3
- GAME 398 Three-Dimensional Game Art II 3
- GAME 410 Advanced Game Design Studio 3
- GAME 489 Pre-Internship Seminar 1
Six credits of 6
- GAME 490 Senior Game Design Capstone (Mason Core) (Must be taken twice for 3 credits each)
- GAME 491 Internship 3-4
Total Credits 51-52
Digital Media Electives
Select at least 12 credits from the following (or another course approved by your advisor): 12
- AVT 280 Introduction to New Media Arts
- AVT 354 Digital Photography II
- AVT 382 2D Experimental Animation
- AVT 383 3D Experimental Animation
- AVT 390 Video Art
- AVT 482 Advanced Image Making
- AVT 487 Advanced Topics: New Media Art
- ENGH 372 Introduction to Film (Mason Core)
- FAVS 399 Special Topics in Film and Video Studies
- GAME 320 Digital Painting for Games
- GAME 399 Special Topics
- GAME 431 Advanced Game Animation I
Total Credits 12
Visual Arts Electives
Select 6 credits from the following (or another course approved by your advisor): 6
- AVT 215 Typography (Mason Core)
- AVT 217 Introduction to Web Design
- AVT 222 Drawing I (Mason Core)
- AVT 232 Painting I (Mason Core)
- AVT 243 Printmaking I (Mason Core)
- AVT 252 Darkroom Photography I (Mason Core)
- AVT 262 Sculpture I (Mason Core)
- AVT 311 Graphic Design Methods and Principles
- AVT 323 Drawing II
- AVT 324 Figure Drawing
- AVT 333 Painting II
- AVT 337 Figurative Painting
- AVT 343 Printmaking II
- AVT 353 Darkroom Photography II
- AVT 363 Sculpture II
Total Credits 6
General Electives
Select 8-13 credits of General Electives 8-13
Total Credits 8-13