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The University of Arizona

Tucson , Arizona ,United States

Game Design and Development Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development will provide undergraduate students with the design and development skills necessary to create virtual interactive environments that span across devices and platforms.This game program would include games for entertainment but also serious games and virtual reality simulations for training, education, healthcare and other purposes.The degree will provide students with the real-world skills and experience needed for successful game design and development; and will signal to employers that students have dedicated the time and energy necessary to build fluency with the underlying concepts and tools. The degree will cover all aspects of game design and development.This would include conceptualization, market analysis, technical design, and usability studies.The degree program will serve a diverse student population, training learners in artistic, technical and business aspects of games.The degree will require students to complete a set of core courses, yet also allow students to choose among a large set of electives in order to focus on their preferred areas of study (e.g., intensive programming, creative computing, and entrepreneurial aspects of game development). Students will apply the key theories and best practices they learned to practical game projects and refine their skills. Students will have multiple opportunities to produce finished games, both individually and team-based.The degree is intended for students who aspire to hold careers in the digital games industry.

Campus Information

Main/Tucson

Intakes

  • Jan
  • May
  • Aug

Application Processing Time in Days: 20

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Our mission at Student Engagement & Career Development (SECD) is to support you in your career journey. Your circumstances might require knowledge on specific programs and processes so make sure you meet with your coordinator in International Student Services as well as the International Student Career Coach.

Searching for employment in the United States can be especially challenging for international students, but developing a plan for your search can lead to success. Here are some tips and resources to help you along the way.

Start your career exploration and development early. LifeLab offers activities and trained staff to help you explore options. There are also opportunities for skill- building, and leadership development through our Design Thinking Challenge, Build the Skill, and Bluechip programs.
Use Handshake to find employment, events, and networking opportunities.
Recognize that networking will be very important to your search. Utilize your University of Arizona network through Handshake, Bear Down Network, and the alumni tool on LinkedIn.
Be prepared with professional looking documents. LifeLab is a great drop-in resource to get your resume started or reviewed. We can also help you with other career-related skills such as interviewing, job searching, online profiles and networking.
Look for internship opportunities early in your academic career. Not only will this help you build skills, but you’ll network in the process. Our Job Shadow Program is another great way to try out a career and network with a one-day job shadow.
The job or internship search is a process and takes time, planning, and the right information. The following resources provide information on potential sponsoring employers, occupational outlooks, and job opportunities. Plan out a strategy for your search and utilize as many resources as possible to create a list of employers to target in your search.

List of H1B Visa Reports – This list shows the top visa sponsors which can help you identify organizations that may be open to sponsorships. There is a job board as well as explanation of different types of work authorization & visas.

GoinGlobal – This site has career guides as well as job and internship postings all over the world. There is also an H1B database providing information on American employers interested in hiring international talent.

Inside Higher Ed – Job Tips for International Students – Article outlining advice for international students in the United States.

International Student – A variety of information from international student financial aid, visas & immigration, working in the U.S., international student blogs with discussion from other universities across the U.S, and more.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services – Site has a H-1B employer data hub listing employers who have employed temporary foreign workers.

Dreambridge Partners – Information on adapting to the U.S., job searching, academics and socializing as well as many links to professional and cultural associations, job websites, and networking.

United States Department of Labor – Answers to questions for workers & employers regarding certification and the Visa process.

Foreignborn – Overview of US Visa & Immigration including information on financial aid, how to send money abroad, work authorization and US Visa wait times and USCIS immigration processing times.

PSW Opportunity

3 years PSW

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

First-year undergraduate students have a 3.00 (recalculated) GPA from a secondary school, have at least three years of high school work, and present a completed high school diploma or certificate. Some programs and colleges may require additional information.

All students entering the upper-division professional program must possess a high level of language proficiency. To demonstrate receptive language proficiency, all international applicants must submit at least one of the following as proof of English proficiency at the time of professional admissions application:

TOEFL score of at least 79 iBT (internet Based Test)
IELTS score of at least 6.5
CESL endorsement from level 8 or 9 in CESL's University Track prior to UA matriculation
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing at least 580 or ACT English at least 21 upon admission to the UA