What to Expect from a Graduate Degree in Video Game Development
Posted on October 7th, 2016 by Bryanna DavisInternational students pursuing a graduate degree in video game development in the United States should pay particular attention to the curriculum of the graduate program in question as not every graduate degree in video game development is the same. Video game development majors should be aware that game development programs in the United States emphasize a specialization in one of the many aspects of video game development. Whereas an undergraduate degree in video game development prepares a graduate to take on any number of roles on a professional development team, a graduate degree in video game development should be considered specialized training for a specific role in the development process.
For instance, video game development majors during their undergraduate study are absorbing a diverse curriculum that covers the entirety of the video game production process. Undergraduate video game development majors are versed in a number of different aspects of game development, and can therefore serve in a number of capacities on a professional video game development team. However, a graduate degree in video game development will require a specialization either in the production aspects of game development, or the creation aspects. This means that unlike undergraduate video game development majors, those international students pursuing a graduate degree in video game development will be receiving training for a particular role on a development team (most often, a leadership role).
The curriculum comprising a particular graduate degree in video game development will clearly indicate to potential students what sort of role they will be prepared for upon graduation. Most of the time a graduate degree in video game development centers on guiding a project throughout the entire production process or the managerial aspects of video game production. This focus on production is in contrast to the programming and design aspects of creating a video game. Although there are video game development programs that focus on design at the graduate level, most will focus on leadership roles in the production process.
Pursuing a graduate degree in video game development is a dream come true for many gamers and international students. However, like any other discipline, planning a course of study that fits your particular interests is of paramount importance. Examining the curriculum of a graduate degree in video game development (listed on the website of your prospective school) is a prudent move for international students interested in a video game development major.
