BA in Games and Interactive Media Design
Lawrence Township, USA
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 61,215 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for international applicants studying in country | international applicants studying out of country: 15 june 2025
** for living on campus | living at home: 43,515 USD per year
Develop your core design and creative storytelling expertise, plus gain an in-depth understanding of the writing, art, gameplay, audio, music, and animation skills needed to create immersive and interactive games. Rider's New Jersey campus offers state-of-the-art game design labs, and you'll benefit from our central location between New York City and Philadelphia for access to internships and employment opportunities.
Work for play
Put theory to practice, starting in your freshman year, using our industry-standard software and design suites in our new, state-of-the-art game design labs. Then, bring your vision to the marketplace as Rider’s central Jersey location offers unparalleled access to internships in New York City and Philadelphia — two thriving centers of established and start-up gaming companies.
Transferable skills:
- Adaptability
- Critical thinking
- Effective communication
- Time management
- Storytelling
Game and interactive media design students also have the opportunity to spend a semester in Los Angeles to study and intern with industry professionals while living full-time in the heart of Hollywood's entertainment industry.
Rider’s financial aid office works with families to ensure an undergraduate education is affordable at every income level. Scholarship and aid award offers are customized to fit your unique financial circumstances.
To get a full picture of the scholarships, grants, and other aid that you may be eligible to receive, apply to Rider and transmit your FAFSA using federal school code 002628. Merit-based scholarships and aid are automatically awarded when you apply, and once we receive your FAFSA, the Office of Financial Aid can help identify additional resources to fund your education.
Scholarships and Awards
The scholarships below are competitive and are typically awarded based on a comprehensive review of the student's academic record, including cumulative high school GPA, rigor of academic course selection, test scores, and auditions (if applicable), and other supporting credentials.
| Scholarships Awards | Award Range | Maximum value over 4 years |
|---|---|---|
| Merit-based scholarships | $14,000 - $27,000 annually | Variable based on financial aid offer. Students who meet the criteria and qualifications for a scholarship automatically receive the award upon admission to Rider. No additional scholarship application is required. |
To be considered for a merit-based academic scholarship, you must:
- Apply to Rider: Submit your completed application for admission, including official transcripts, standardized test scores (unless applying test-optional), essay, and one letter of recommendation by January 15. (Note: the final deadline is November 15th for all Musical Theatre and Acting applicants.)
- Rider offers Test-optional Admission, which means SAT/ACT scores are not required for admission and most scholarships at Rider. Test-optional applicants will be given full consideration for most merit-based scholarships.
- Are you a high achiever? Students with a 4.0 GPA and 1300+ SAT/28+ ACT score may be eligible to receive the maximum merit-based scholarship offer of $27,000. You must submit your SAT/ACTs to Rider in order to qualify for this award level.
- Complete an audition, if required (audition results are a factor in scholarship awards).
- Be regularly admissible to the University as a full-time student.
- Have a minimum cumulative academic 2.7 GPA (unweighted) on a 4.0 scale.
For New Jersey residents—the Rider Tuition Guarantee:
Rider guarantees free tuition for qualified in-state students! If you're a New Jersey resident with a GPA of 3.5 or above based on a 4.0 grading scale, an adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less, and are receiving both full TAG and Pell grants, you may be eligible to attend Rider University tuition-free when you apply as an undergraduate student for the fall 2025 or spring 2026 start terms. Terms and conditions apply.
Visit our website to learn more about the scholarships and aid opportunities.
The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year, who are in a Continuing Education Program, who change their major, or who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure a timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from their academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.
Year 1
Fall Semester
- Seminar in Writing and Rhetoric or Honors Seminar: Great Ideas I
- Communication, Culture, and Media
- Introduction to Game Logic
- Game Design
- Game & Interactive Media Forum
- Digital Foundations
Spring Semester
- Game & Interactive Media Forum
- Introduction to Game Studies
- Game Elective
- Fundamentals of Video Production or Filmmaking I
- Survey of Art History II
- Seminar in Writing and Research or Honors Seminar: Great Ideas II or Literature and Composition
Year 2
Fall Semester
- Game & Interactive Media Forum
- Game Development I
- Minor or Free Elective
- Three General Education Courses
Spring Semester
- Game & Interactive Media Forum
- Game Development II
- Communication Ethics
- Minor or Free Elective
- Two General Education Courses
Year 3
Fall Semester
- Game & Interactive Media Forum
- Special Topics in Game Design
- Game Elective
- Two General Education Courses
- Minor or Free Elective
Spring Semester
- Special Topics in Game Design
- Game & Interactive Media Forum
- Game Elective
- Two General Education Courses
- Two Minor or Free Electives
Year 4
Fall Semester
- Game Workshop I
- Game & Interactive Media Forum
- Four Minor or Free Electives
Spring Semester
- Game Workshop II
- Game & Interactive Media Forum
- Game Elective
- Two Minor or Free Electives
Students will learn to analyze, conceptualize, and create games and interactive media, in addition to exploring motion-capture, animation, audio, non-linear narrative, software interface design, and user experience design.
All students will complete courses covering media theory, interactive system design, basic software development, visual art and design, and general education. Additionally, they will select electives focusing on areas such as visual design, 3D, audio design, narrative design, or project management.
The degree culminates in a multi-disciplinary, year-long project, equipping students with the skills, theoretical framework, experience, and portfolio necessary for entry into the gaming industry or related interactive media fields.
Game and interactive media design is a multibillion-dollar industry, leading to high-demand careers for out-of-the-box thinkers who can turn their dreams into exciting, immersive experiences. After graduation, you may find yourself working for play in one of these many career paths.
Common careers:
- Animator
- Visual artist/designer
- 3D modeling artist
- Game designer/Level designer
- Writer
- Audio/sound effects developer