Member of the Higher Education Video Games Alliance
Mailing Address: 332 South 1400 East, BLDG 72, SLC, UT 84112
Office Hours: 8am - 5pm
Website: games.utah.edu
Phone: 801-581-7110
Email: gamesinfo@utah.edu
Department Chair: R.Michael Young, PhD
Undergraduate Director: Fernando Rodriguez, PhD
Graduate Director: Ryan Bown, MFA
Contact for Prospective Students: gamesadvising @utah.edu
Mission Statement
The University of Utah Division of Games offers a truly unique academic experience. We’ve brought together a diverse faculty with expertise in every facet of game development, and consulted with top industry professionals to create a one-of-a-kind learning experience in game development. Students studying games in the Utah Games division are typically interested in careers in interactive entertainment, and our curriculum is built with this goal in mind. Not only do we offer students a world-class education from a leading research university, but we also offer the opportunity to develop and enhance a professional game portfolio through our “studio simulation” projects courses.
Overview
The Division of Games is housed in the College of Architecture + Planning. The work we do in the Division of Games encompasses the wide array of disciplines that make up video game development, and students pursuing these various disciplines work closely together throughout their academic careers. The partnership between disciplines reflects the current state of the interactive entertainment business world, and our students leave the program prepared to work effectively in a team environment.
Types of Degrees
Bachelor of Science
Minor
Master of Entertainment Arts and Engineering
Graduate Certificate
Undergraduate Programs
From the beginning of their coursework, students across disciplines take classes together and focus on increasing their skills in discipline-specific courses, as well as project-based classes. During their final year, these students then come together in a senior capstone project where they build a video game from the ground up in large teams.
To help students complete their chosen degree program, the Division of Games offers multiple ways to receive support. We offer in-depth advising appointments, peer advisors, and on-site tutoring.
Graduate Program
The Division of Games' Master Games Studio is a truly unique professional graduate program. It was designed in close collaboration with our industry partners and offers students a one-of-a-kind advanced degree (the Master of Entertainment Arts & Engineering or MEAE) in game development. Students enrolled in the program are typically interested in pursuing a career in interactive entertainment, and our curriculum is built around this goal. Additionally, students have the opportunity to work in a custom built studio on progressively larger teams, where over the course of four semesters they work toward the ultimate goal of publishing a game.
Students interested in this program can pursue one of five tracks (game art, technical art, production, engineering, and technical design), and admissions information can be found at our website: games.utah.edu. We also have limited teaching assistantships available to apply for after a student is admitted to the program.