Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Master of Science in Game Design and Development
Rochester Institute of Technology, USA
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 41,424 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* $41,424 - $54,974 | based on credits taken
Key Summary
About: The Master of Science in Game Design and Development at Rochester Institute of Technology covers game design and development, computer graphics, game engines, interactive narrative, and game world design. It's a two-year, on-campus, cohort-based programme admitted by portfolio. Curriculum has required courses, five advanced electives, and a team capstone where students build and defend a working game engine and software title at public exhibition. The course targets careers in games, simulation, edutainment, and visualization and emphasizes collaborative development, software engineering, level design, and interactive media.
Career Outcomes: Employers span internet and software, hardware, media, and defense. Typical roles include Game Developer, Game Designer, Software Engineer and programmer, technical artist, level designer, simulation developer, visualization specialist, media producer, and mobile engineer.
In the game design and development masters, students explore the entertainment technology landscape as well as other related areas. The program simultaneously covers the breadth of the game design and development landscape through study in topics such as computer graphics, game engines, interactive narrative, and game world design. The program is characterized by a clear focus on development, but also educates developers in the design process. The degree is intended specifically for students who aspire to hold careers within the professional games industry or a related field such as simulation, edutainment, or visualization.
The program's curriculum consists of required courses, a choice of five advanced electives, and a capstone experience. This is a two-year, on-campus, cohort-based program in which students are admitted through a portfolio review process. During the second year, students form development teams that construct a working game engine and software title as the program capstone experience. This requirement includes both individual and group expectations. The capstone culminates in defense before program faculty, as well as a public exhibition. Combined, these requirements provide a unique and comprehensive educational experience for individuals who aspire to a career in the game development industry.
Capstone experience
During the second year, students complete a team-based capstone experience where students present and defend their work. This presentation includes a faculty review, which constitutes the capstone defense, a public presentation, and a demonstration.
Game design and development, MS degree, typical course sequence
First Year
- IGME-601 Game Development Processes
- IGME-602 Game Design
- IGME-603 Gameplay and Prototyping
- IGME-695 Colloquium in Game Design and Development
- IGME-795 Game Industry Themes and Perspectives
- Advanced Electives
Second Year
- IGME-788 Capstone Design
- IGME-695 Colloquium in Game Design and Development
- IGME-789 Capstone Development
- Advanced Electives
RIT awards more than $37 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 5% of tuition all the way up to full tuition. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
RIT awards more than $30 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 10% - 40% of tuition. Our median scholarship amount is around 30% of tuition or $13,000. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
Optional Co-Op
Cooperative education is paid work assignments with corporations and organizations around the U.S. and abroad. Co-op allows students to spend one or more semesters employed in a full-time, paid position related to their academic program before they graduate. Many students use co-op earnings to help finance their education.
Work-Study
Graduate students studying full-time may apply to work part-time on campus. RIT has more than 9,000 jobs available yearly, and students typically work 10 – 20 hours per week. International students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa may work up to 20 hours per week on campus and 40 hours during break periods.
Industries
- Internet and Software
- Electronic and Computer Hardware
- Movies, TV, and Music
- Defense
Typical Job Titles
- Game Developer
- Game Designer
- Mechanic Designer
- Level Designer
- Programmer
- Modeller
- Audio Programmer
- Producer
- Quality Assurance Tester
- Technical Artist
- User Interface Programmer
- Tools Programmer
- Network Programmer
- Graphics Programmer
- Artificial Intelligence Programmer
- Lead Programmer
- Developer
- Software Engineer
- Mobile Engineer
- Interactive Developer
Most of our programs offer "rolling" application review - there is no specific deadline for applications; applications will be accepted and reviewed throughout the year.