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Game Design and Development

Admission Requirements

Following are requirements for admission to the program:

  1. Official transcript confirming an undergraduate degree with a major in game development or the equivalent, and in fulfillment of requirements of Graduate Education. Alternatively, a major in animation, computer science, or user experience without game development would be considered with additional required study.
  2. A minimum undergraduate last-60-hour grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is needed for unconditional admission. Students with a GPA below that threshold may be admitted on a conditional basis.
  3. A portfolio of game development work that demonstrates technical, design, or artistic accomplishment. Applicants should indicate which projects were collaborative efforts as well their role and contribution.
  4. One or two letters of recommendation.
  5. A statement of one’s interests, abilities, and direction in game design & development. (250 words).
  6. Application deadlines are August 15 (for spring entrance) and January 15 (for fall entrance) to be assured full consideration.

Degree Requirements

General Requirements:

  1. Students must enroll in the program full-time.
  2. Students may not transfer graduate credit from another institution or program.
  3. Undergraduate or additional graduate study may be necessary where deficiencies exist. The graduate faculty will make a collaborative decision regarding courses that fulfill specific deficiencies for the student’s continuation in the program.

Master of Science in Game Design & Development

The Master of Science in Game Design & Development requires 30 hours of credit. Students may also choose to earn a concentration in Game Programming, which requires 31 hours of credit.

M.S. candidates must hold a B.F.A., B.A., B.S. or degree in a game development equivalent to that offered by Bradley University. Undergraduate or graduate courses to remediate deficiencies must be completed but do not apply toward the semester hour graduate degree requirements.

All M.S. students undergo graduate faculty review for advancement to candidacy for M.S. degree after completion of 10 hours (1 semester).

The game programming concentration provides students with essential background, understanding, knowledge, and skills in the practice of game programming and software design and development. The concentration consists of 31 semester hours of study including 28 semester hours of required courses and 3 semester hours of elective courses as outlined below.

Game Design & Development Course Requirements

  • IM 526 Practicum - 2 hrs.
  • IM 580 Game Seminar - 6 hrs.
  • IM 588 Game Prototyping - 6 hrs.
  • IM 589 Game Production - 12 hrs.
  • IM 590 Game Post-Production - 4 hrs.

Total: 30 hrs.

Game Design & Development with Game Programming Concentration Course Requirements

  • CIS 556 Game Engine Programming - 3 hrs.
  • IM 588 Game Prototyping - 6 hrs.
  • IM 589 Game Production - 12 hrs.
  • CS 590 Fundamentals of Software Engineering
    • or CIS 575 Computer Information Systems Analysis, Design and Integration - 3 hrs.
  • IM 590 Game Post-Production - 4 hrs.

Elective Courses (choose one from the following):

  • CIS 546 Advanced Mobile Programming - 3 hrs.
  • CIS 559 Computer Game Capstone Project - 3 hrs.
  • CIS 697 Advanced Topics in Computer Information Systems - 3 hrs.
  • CIS 698 Directed Individual Studies in Computer Information Systems - 3 hrs.
  • CS 514 Algorithms - 3 hrs.
  • CS 591 Software Project Management - 3 hrs.

Total: 31 hrs.

Plan of study for Game Design & Development

Semester 1

  • IM 526 Practicum - 1 hr.
  • IM 580 Game Seminar - 3 hrs.
  • IM 588 Game Prototyping - 6 hrs.

Total: 10 hrs.

Semester 2

  • IM 526 Practicum - 1 hr.
  • IM 580 Game Seminar - 3 hrs.
  • IM 589 Game Production - 6 hrs.

Total: 10 hrs.

Semester 3

  • IM 589 Game Production - 6 hrs.
  • IM 590 Game Post-Production - 4 hrs.

Total: 10 hrs.

M.S. Total: 30 hrs.

Plan of study for Game Programming Concentration:

Semester 1

  • CIS 556 Game Engine Programming - 3 hrs.
  • IM 588 Game Prototyping - 6 hrs.
  • CS 590 Fundamentals of Software Engineering OR CIS 575 Computer Information Systems, Analysis, Design and Integration - 3 hrs.

Total: 12 hrs.

Semester 2

  • CS/CIS Elective - 3 hrs.
  • IM 589 Game Production - 6 hrs.

Total: 9 hrs.

Semester 3

  • IM 589 Game Production - 6 hrs.
  • IM 590 Game Post-Production - 4 hrs.

Total - 10 hrs.

M.S. Total: 31 hrs.

This is the official catalog for the 2024-2025 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.