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Master of Fine Arts in Games and Interactive Media

Game for Something Greater

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Create Games for Change

The MFA in Games and Interactive Media will help you create bridges and make change through the power of active engagement through games. This terminal degree can be completed in threeÌýyears and will offer you the qualifications to teach at the university level. Beyond traditional game design and development, students will learn toÌýtailor play design to meet specific goals in player impact, focusing on both theory and practice. The program stretches the students' capacities as designers, developers and administrators and prepares them to take on a variety ofÌýcreative leadership and instructional roles.

Students who graduate from the program will be poised for a variety of roles in the creative economy, including instruction and creative leadership. Whether your passion is digital game design, physical computing, virtual reality, analog games, new media art or something else, our MFA lets you develop the skills to create great games.

Admissions

The School of Communication operates on a rolling admissions basis for our graduate programs.ÌýApplications are reviewed on an ongoing basisÌýuntil programs reach capacity.

While an undergraduate degree in one of our visual media is desirable, applications from candidates who have majored in other fields also will be considered. Your essay demonstrating aÌýserious commitment to a career in this fieldÌýwill be essential,Ìýalong with the other required application materials.ÌýIf you have prior experience in visual media, you should submit a portfolio illustrating relevant professional work.

Our Games and Interactive MediaÌýMFA program is aÌýfull-time program, but it can be completedÌýpart-time. Students are generally expected to complete the 54-credit-hour program within 36 months. First-year students areÌýrequired to attend our Film & Media Arts Boot CampÌýin late July — early August before their first semester. Boot Camp teaches you the essential building blocks for production. Focusing on a digital skill set, you will work on practical exercises to get up to speed with equipment and learn about the expectations of the programs in SOC.ÌýSubstitutions for Boot CampÌýare possible.

Cost and Financial Assistance

The MFA in Film & Electronic Media is a 54 credit program. To estimate theÌýcost of tuition, please see theÌýcurrent cost per credit hourÌýfor graduate students.ÌýTo estimate the cost of attendance (COA) andÌýviewÌýanticipated educational expenses that a student incurs while enrolled at º£½Ç»»ÆÞ, visitÌýtheÌýÌý·É±ð²ú±è²¹²µ±ð.

The School of Communication (SOC) offers graduate students both merit-based and need-basedÌýfinancial aid.ÌýMerit awardsÌýare administered by the SOC Graduate Admissions Office, while need-based awards are administered by theÌýº£½Ç»»ÆÞ Office of Financial Aid. A number ofÌýscholarshipsÌýare also available for students in the Film and Electronic Media program.ÌýAdditional financial support is available forÌýveterans.

75 percent

of students receive financial assistance

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no typical Games & Interactive Media student! Students bring their unique backgrounds and passions to the program, having addressed diverse topics such as mental health, social justice, journalism, politics, money management, and advertising. The program can lend itself to your particular area of interest.

You do not need to have a background in coding to become a Game Center student, just a love for games and the desire to learn.

Consistently ranked as one of the best cities for job seekers, Washington, DC, offers game design master’s students unparalleled access to private and public sector opportunities.Ìý

Take advantage of institutional relationships with government agencies, locally based companies, and not-for-profits alike. Clients you may contract with include theÌýEducational Testing Service (ETS), theÌýNational Institute of Mental Health (NIMH),ÌýSmithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM),ÌýandÌýWAMU 88.5. Ìý

Connect through renowned DC-held events, such asÌýIndie Arcade at the Smithsonian Museum,ÌýGlobal Game Jam,Ìý,Ìý, and more.Ìý

Whether your next career step is local or global, you’ll gain the skills and network you need to succeed.

Program Directors: Brigid Maher and Andrew Phelps

The MFA brings together faculty from the Game CenterÌýand the award winning artists, filmmakers, and leaders in theÌýfilm & media arts division. Students can take graduate courses across the institution, working with creative people in every corner of º£½Ç»»ÆÞ. Class and studio time is spent with internationally award-winning faculty, who not only study a wide array of media — they practice it.

With aÌý4:1 full-time student to faculty ratio, Games and Interactive Media students benefit fromÌýone-on-one interactionÌýwith world-renowned faculty. From working withÌýGame StudioÌýclients to performing scholarly research, students are able to learn from, and work side-by-side withÌýfaculty.

With more than $60 billion in annual revenue, the game industry is bigger than Hollywood and almost surpasses the music industry.

The industry is constantly growing and shifting in different directions. Here are some quick facts about the gaming industry you might not know about:

  • At least 155 million Americans play video games!
  • The video game industry made 2.5 billion dollars in revenue in 2015.
  • There is a projected 30% increase in employment for game designÌýcareers for 2018.
  • 23 game companies call the Washington, DC area home

Still have questions? CheckÌýour general admission FAQ or send us an email:ÌýGradComm@american.edu