Study Game Design (MFA) at DePaul University in the USA, Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media
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Game Design (MFA)

USA

21

What will I learn?

DePaul’s nationally recognized Master of Fine Arts in Game Design program is intended for creative visionaries intent on producing socially, culturally, and emotionally substantial work. While games are often perceived as pure entertainment, the MFA takes a deeper look, exploring games-as-art as well as games-for-a-purpose. This degree prepares students to advance the frontier of games by exploring emerging theories and applying them to practice. Throughout the program, students will create games that are challenged by peers and faculty in critiques. Graduates will be prepared to invent the future of games and adapt to the ever-changing composition of conventions, tools, and platforms. As the terminal degree in the field of game design, an MFA also opens doors to teaching at the university level or entering an academic tenure-track career.The MFA Game Design is a cohort-based program designed to be completed in 2.5 years, taking place over eight 10-week quarters. Students will take foundational classes and engage with game design methods, reflective practice, making, and collaboration through a mix of bootcamp, theory, and production studio classes. Over half of the courses leading to the degree can be tailored by the students to their personal interests and allows them to truly create their own individual journey.

Which department am I in?

Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media

Study options

Full Time (5 Semesters)

Tuition fees
US$24,448.00 per year
Transportation - 924

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

September 2026

Venue

Loop Campus

1 E. Jackson Blvd.,

Chicago,

Illinois,

60604, Midwest, United States

Entry requirements

For international students

A graduate applicant is a student who has completed at least a bachelor's degree or an equivalent higher education degree, and is interested in applying for a master's or a PhD program. You are considered an international graduate applicant if you have earned a bachelors degree outside of the U.S.

English proficiency requirement

  • ETS TOEFL – minimum score of 80 iBT TOEFL with no section lower than 17; minimum score of 550 on the paper-based exam.
  • TOEFL Essentials Test – minimum score of 8.5.
  • IELTS & IELTS Indicator – minimum overall score of 6.5 on the IELTS Academic.
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) – minimum English academic score of 53
  • TOEFL, IELTS and PTE exam scores are valid for two years. Scores that are older will not be accepted.
  • Duolingo English Test (DET) – minimum overall score of 115 on the DET.

Application Deadlines: Fall (Priority Deadline) - December 15, Fall (Final Deadline) - May 15.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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About DePaul University

92 percent of DePaul undergraduate students enter into professional employment or continue their studies within sixth months of graduating.

  • Two campuses in Chicago, Illinois
  • 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio
  • One of the nation’s Best Value Colleges (Forbes)
  • Over 350 student clubs and organizations

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