Game Development Degree Online BS in Video Game Programming

Flexible

With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.

Affordable

Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, plus financial aid for those who qualify. We also make it easy to transfer to SNHU by accepting up to 90 credits from your previous institution.

Respected

Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 100,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.

SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:

• Named Most Innovative University in the North every year since 2015 by U.S. News & World Report
• A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
• Recognized as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium
• INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine's 2019 award for Inspiring Programs in STEM
• Named a 2020 Building, Recruiting and Inclusion for Diversity (BRAID) affiliate for its commitment to supporting underrepresented students in technology programs

Network

At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 135,000 online students and 150,000 alumni that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.

96.5% of students would recommend SNHU.³ Discover why SNHU may be right for you.

Part of our mission to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That’s why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials.

Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.

Simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options, answer all your questions and walk you through the application process. Start by:

• Completing a free undergraduate application
• Providing previous institutions attended – so SNHU can retrieve transcripts for you at no cost

Test scores are not required as part of your application.

Notes: 

• Laptop or desktop?  Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility. 

• Note:  Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10. 

• Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government. 

• Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers. 

The path to becoming a game developer often starts with earning a degree in programming or a related field, like computer science or software engineering. You'll need to learn technical skills, including programming languages like C++ and C#, which help you build the mechanics behind a functional video game.

A game programming degree will also explore more advanced topics like Artificial Intelligence for games, game engines, multiplayer video game development and game engine development.

The ability to work as part of a team is another essential skill to become a successful game programmer. Much like a movie set, many video games require a large collaborative team. This typically means programmers or developers will specialize in a specific area – such as audio, AI or simulation.

But having these skills is not enough – you'll need to apply them. Make something that will impress industry insiders and employers, then network. Attending industry conventions, for example, is a great way to make connections. Come armed with a strong portfolio, and you could be one step closer to finding work in your field.

"We tell our students they should always be working on projects outside of what they are working on in class," said Ed Brillant, a game artist and instructor at SNHU. "This work can become published titles for students before graduation, helping them build an amazing portfolio and resume."

"Most definitely have something in your portfolio that is above and beyond everything else," he said. "You should be able to specialize in one area and be able to confidently navigate other areas in your field. You don't want to be a jack of all trades and master of none. Work hard and always create new art, projects and games."

While there are many pathways you can take to become a game developer, earning a degree could be a good place to start. Many opt to study game programming or a related field, like computer science or software engineering. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical entry-level education for a software developer is a bachelor's.²

The right degree not only helps you build skills, a portfolio and even networking connections in the field, it could help you gain the confidence you need to stand out in a highly competitive industry.

This can be especially valuable to populations that are underrepresented in tech industries. The BLS reported that, while women made up 57% of professional occupations in 2020, they contributed to only 25.2% of professional computing and mathematical occupations.² That number was even lower for software developers, where women represent a scant 19.4% of all occupations.²

At SNHU, our goal is to even the playing field by providing an accessible, affordable education for all. We take it a step further, too – by offering students opportunities to network at events like the Grace Hopper Celebration and the ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing. Because we know the value of the face-to-face interactions that can help you get your foot in the door.

The best game programming degree is the one that works best for you. That means taking several factors into consideration, such as cost, credibility, format (online versus in-person), staff and faculty and a whole host of other criteria.

At SNHU, a private, nonprofit, accredited institution, our #1 goal is student success. In fact, it's a big reason why 96.5% of our students would recommend us.³

Joe Primo, Class of 2022, is one such student. "My experience at SNHU, and my degree program, were worth every second of my time and energy," he said.

Despite his initial fears about how he'd fare in an online environment, Primo quickly fell in love with the program.

"The BS in Game Programming and Development had it all," he said. "I was introduced to the more popular coding languages, and learned about the art of developing levels, landscapes and objects. This list goes on and on."

Beyond the curriculum, Primo had a community of supporters at SNHU – even as an online student.

"Without the instructors here I truly feel I would not have had such an amazing experience," he said. "The faculty here is above and beyond any Ivy league school, in my opinion."

And the best part? Even before graduating, doors started to open.

"I was in the restaurant business for almost 20 years and knew my time was over," Primo said. "I needed a change and I wanted to do something I was passionate about. So here I am. This degree has helped me land a job working for an amazing company creating whole home automation smart systems."

Beyond support and course curriculum developed by industry experts, SNHU offers:

• Affordability. Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation – frozen since 2012. We also offer a number of scholarships and grants, along with up to 30% tuition discounts for military service members and their families.
• Credibility. SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
• Flexibility. With 24/7 access to online courses, and no set class times, you'll have the tools you need to balance schoolwork and other commitments.

A game development degree can help prepare you for any number of jobs – both in and outside of the gaming industry. Several promising occupations with a game development degree include:

• Game programmer or game developer
• Tools programmer
• Simulations programmer
• Software applications developer

But even this list is just scratching the surface. For military veteran Derald Wise '14 '18G, a game development degree empowered him to take a deeper dive into “immersive and gaming technologies for modeling and simulation,” for a tech-enabled consulting firm.

This helped him not only build upon his knowledge of simulated military training – but also introduce the technology to whole new demographics of clients as a trainer and consultant.

These partnerships, Derald said, are critical to his success – and wouldn't be possible without a degree.

"SNHU helped me achieve my career goals," he said. And with multiple promotions and another degree under his belt, he's continuing to advance his career forward.

The time it takes to break into the field of game programming depends on a variety of factors.

If you decide to earn your bachelor's, that will generally take about 4 years to complete. There are, however, several other factors that can help position you to earn your degree faster.

At SNHU, our programs are designed for optimal transferability. In fact, we accept up to 90 credits toward your bachelor's. That means, if you have enough previous college experience under your belt, you could already be 3/4 of the way to completing your program – saving you time and tuition.

Plus, in the online BS in Game Programming and Development, you'll get 18 free elective credits. That means more opportunity to apply college credit you've already earned.

This all depends on your personal goals and priorities. If you're interested in the technical side of gaming, a game development degree from the right university could help you gain invaluable skills, experiences and connections.

At SNHU, our game programming and development program is taught and updated by experts who know firsthand how to play the field. We offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation and, with 24/7 access to coursework online, our programs are flexible, too.

We also understand the power of networking and experiential learning. That's why we offer online students a number of hands-on experiences outside of the classroom, including:

• Grace Hopper Celebration. Billed as the largest gathering of women technologists, this annual event includes an impressive roster of keynote speakers, workshops led by trailblazers in technology and a massive career fair with some of the country’s top employers. This event aligns with SNHU's mission to even the playing field for women in tech – which is why we send some of our best and brightest women in STEM to attend each year.

Creating a game requires a mix of creativity and technical aptitude in areas like coding and software engineering. Collaboration is also key. Artists, developers, producers and designers are all essential to the process. Depending on the scope of each game, those roles can become even more specialized.

Think about all the elements that go into a successful game: 3D environment and character design, story, audio – and this is just what the user can detect. Programmers control the back-end of these often vast worlds, ensuring that game play and mechanics are up to snuff before they reach their audience. Everything, from the physics of your character's movements, to the point system that helps you reach the game objectives, needs to be carefully considered and executed.

The only way to really master the process is to learn by doing – and that starts with assembling your dream team.

While every environment is unique, the difference between working for a large video game company versus a smaller, independent video game company can be vast.

AAA video game companies (in other words, mid-sized or major game publishers) are typically much larger than their indie counterparts. Oftentimes, these teams consist of hundreds of people, many of whom take the reins on a very specialized area of game development.

These companies tend to have access to larger budgets, with major "blockbuster" titles costing millions to make. Beyond paying employees, these costs will usually be allocated to marketing and research, ensuring that these big investments pay off.

Indie game companies may lack the spending power of giant publishers, but more than make up for it with an "all hands on deck" sense of camaraderie. These tight-knit teams may consist of about 30 people or less – all of whom must be resourceful to get their projects in front of consumers.

Smaller budgets mean less room for "big swing" financial risks. But, on the other hand, smaller companies may have a certain degree of creative freedom that would be impossible under the leadership of a "major player" game studio or publisher.

The short answer is yes. While the option to work from home was once dependent on factors like experience level and the needs of your employer, opportunities for remote work have climbed as the industry adapts to the global pandemic.

In fact, companies big and small have found several creative solutions to collaborate remotely in the wake of COVID-19. Apps like Slack and Zoom have become a regular part of many gaming companies’ lives.⁴ Game development kits (GDK), once limited to office settings, suddenly became widely distributed to employee's homes.

While it's uncertain if the industry will continue to trend toward a work-from-home format in the years to come, those seeking off-site opportunities may find what they're looking for.

¹ Newzoo, Global Games Market Report 2021, on the internet at https://newzoo.com/insights/trend-reports/newzoo-global-games-market-report-2021-free-version/ (viewed Aug. 3, 2021)

² Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm (viewed July 22, 2021)
• https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat11.htm (viewed July 22, 2021)

Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

³ According to survey responses from over 9,200 SNHU online students conducted in the fall of 2019.

⁴ How the pandemic has transformed work in the game industry. VentureBeat, on the internet at https://venturebeat.com/2020/06/12/how-the-pandemic-has-transformed-work-in-the-game-industry/ (viewed July 22, 2021)