The Game Studies programs at Illinois are designed around the Playful By Design curriculum model. The model incorporates Gaming Technologies, such as Mixed Reality (VR/AR/XR), AI, and other interactive and immersive technologies within the game space. Game Studies and Game Design involve the critical interdisciplinary study of gaming, game design practices, and the gaming industry. Gameful Pedagogy incorporates these studies and design principles into the classroom for immersive learning.
Undergraduate Minor
The undergraduate GAME STUDIES & DESIGN MINOR is a set of courses that fosters critical skills in academic game studies, and technical skills in game design. The minor will serve undergraduates who are interested in the study and design of games, gaming, game design and the digital, extended and virtual reality (XR/VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies involved with the crafting of interactive systems and interfaces relevant to the game, film, education, and media industries, as well as a range of other emerging professions.
Graduate Minor
The GAME STUDIES GRADUATE MINOR is a set of courses that fosters graduate level critical, theoretical, and methodological approaches to game studies. This degree has been designed for students who have been admitted to the Graduate College in any campus program, whose research or professional interests with the study and design of games, gaming, game design and the digital, VR/XR and AI technologies involved with the crafting of interactive systems and interfaces relevant to the game, film, education, and media industries, as well as a range of other emerging professions.
Interdisciplinary Certificates
GSD certificate programs provide the training that their students need in order to be competitive in emerging fields and rapidly transforming professions.
MS in Game Development
– Expected to Launch Fall 2026
The MS Game Development Program provides a comprehensive blend of foundational theory, technical skills-building, creative exploration, and professional development for students interested in working in professional game studios, game-adjacent industries or other businesses where game-related skills are increasingly in demand. The curriculum provides both a strong theoretical framework and hands-on project experience.
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