The Master of Science (MS) in Game Science and Design is a program that seeks to give students a comprehensive understanding of how successful game products are created in a player-centric environment. Focusing on the science of game development, students have an opportunity to learn the design and technological skills needed to build a game and develop a deep understanding of playability and analytics that make products successful in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
The game industry 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, the game industry needs professionals with interdisciplinary skill sets who can meld knowledge about development with knowledge about evaluation methods and players’ behavior and psychology.
Jointly offered by Northeastern’s Colleges of Arts, Media and Design and Khoury College of Computer Sciences, the Master in Science in Game Science and Design is a one-of-a-kind interdisciplinary program that seeks to prepare students to meet this need by weaving together science and design. This is a two-year, 34-credit-hour program.
All admitted students will be assigned to an advisor who will help them select a pathway with a coherent set of electives depending on their career goals. The advisor will also monitor their progress through the master’s degree.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
September 2025
Northeastern University
360 Huntington Avenue,
BOSTON,
Massachusetts,
02115, United States
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
September 2025
Oakland Campus
5000 MacArthur Boulevard,
Oakland,
California,
CA 94613, West, United States
Enrolling graduate and professional program students are required to submit to Northeastern University (NU) their official transcripts including evidence of the completion of the bachelor’s degree and the date of degree conferral within 30 days from the start of their first academic term.
Minimum Score Required: TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language: 79 and a writing portion of 20; Academic IELTS: 6.5 no band lower than 6; Pearson: 53; Duolingo English Test: (ON 160-POINT SCALE): 105; (ON 100-POINT SCALE): 48.
Deadline: Fall Entry Term: May 1.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
Students gain more than a degree at Northeastern University. They also graduate with real-world experience that fuels lifelong success.