The Master's of Science in Game Science and Design gives students a comprehensive understanding of how successful game products are created in a player-centric environment.
The gaming industry is growing. As it has expanded to include social and mobile gaming; games in health, education, and training; and innovations in play psychology, middleware, graphics tools, game mechanics, game evaluation methods, and advanced artificial intelligence and narrative techniques; it has become an increasingly competitive space. The selectiveness of the industry and the diversity of the skills required mean that students seeking entry need both broad and deep skills. As an emergent industry using diverse technology and collaborative practices, Game Science & Design needs workers with interdisciplinary skill sets that can weave knowledge about development with knowledge about evaluation methods and players’ behavior and psychology.
Jointly offered by Northeastern’s Colleges of Computer and Information Sciences and Arts, Media and Design, the MS in Game Science and Design is a one-of-a-kind interdisciplinary program that prepares students to meet this need. Weaving together science and design, the two-year, 34-credit hour program gives students a choice of three concentrations: game analytics, game user research and game design and development.
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Unique Features
- Learn the design and technological skills needed to build a game
- Develop a deep understanding of playability and analytics that make products successful in an increasingly competitive marketplace
- Three concentrations allow student to align their education with personal interests
- An advisor will help students select a pathway with a coherent set of electives determined by students' career goals
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Program Costs
Requirements
- Application form
- Application fee
- Resumé
- Transcripts for all institutions attended
- TOEFL or IELTS exam scores for international students
- Personal Statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test scores
- Learn more about our admissions process from the College of Arts, Media and Design
Admissions Dates
For Spring Admissions: Please contact the Game Design graduate faculty for details regarding the modified course sequence for students enrolling in the spring.
Core Requirements
Required Core
Choose one of the following courses:
Thesis
Electives
Note: In consultation with your faculty advisor, you may complete two other related courses offered by all options.
Complete two of the following:
Concentrations
Choose one from the following:
Complete three of the following:
Complete three of the following:
Complete three of the following:
Northeastern's signature experiential learning model combines academics with professional practice to help students acquire relevant, real-world skills they can apply to their desired industry. Each program offers its own unique experiential learning opportunities, but they might include:
- Full-Time Co-op Opportunities — Students on co-op work in a paid position in their field of study for three to six months.
- In-Class Case Studies — Professors integrate case studies and exercises into the classroom to bring a real-world perspective and relevance to what they’re teaching.
- Research — Students collaborate with faculty in our more than 30 federally funded research centers, tackling some of the most pressing challenges in health, security, and sustainability.
Our Faculty
Our faculty represents a wide cross-section of professional practices and in fields ranging from finance to education to biomedical science to management to the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors, and collaborate alongside students to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.
By enrolling in Northeastern, you gain access to a network of more than 245,000 alumni and 3,200+ employer partners, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global NGOs. Our current students and faculty across strategically located regional campuses further foster that lifelong global community of learning and mentoring.
Below is a look at where our Digital Media & Design alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.
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Where They Work
- Harvard
- MIT
- ViralGains
- Cognizant
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What They Do
- Art and Design
- Engineering
- Information Technology
- Marketing
- Media and Communication
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What They're Skilled At
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Social Media
- CSS
- Digital Media
- Marketing
Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on Linkedin.