Note: ABET-accredited online schools meet the exact same requirements of programs offered on-campus. Is ABET Accreditation Important for Computer Science Degree Programs?ĪBET-accredited schools, including ABET-accredited online schools, offer students an assurance that the game design program of interest meets the ABET accreditation requirements– set forth by professionals and industry experts in the fields of Technology, Engineering, Computing, and Applied Science. ABET does not accredit doctoral degree programs or certificate programs. Graduates from ABET-accredited programs bring forward a designation that impacts their career path as future employers understand their education includes ABET accreditation requirements.ĪBET accredits postsecondary programs offered by institutions of higher learning that have been regionally accredited.

The ABET accreditation process (which was formerly known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering, and Technology) focuses on STEM education degree programs. The gold standard to engineering and related fields is ABET. Specialized Accreditation follows the same evaluative process the difference is that the accreditation processes focus on a very specific topic or program. Regional accreditation is considered the standard for higher education by the US Department of Education. Regional accrediting agencies administer their oversight services to a defined geographic region within the country. Although most regionally accredited schools are reluctant, some will allow the transfer from a nationally accredited school, on a case-by-case basis.

A regionally accredited school typically allows for the transfer of credit units earned from a different regionally accredited institution of higher learning. Regional accreditation is a voluntary process that is the responsibility of each school’s administration. Programs, Colleges, Schools, and institutions are capable of receiving accreditation from a variety of industry-approved accreditation agencies. An accredited game design program signifies a designation of approval, similar to a seal of quality assurance.Īccreditation is generally divided into three categories - National, Regional, and Specialization. Employers, when determining the quality of job candidates, consider if the student holds a degree from an accredited school or degree programs - before deciding on which job applicant is the right candidate.įrom a game design student’s perspective, an accreditation for computer science programs is a valuable way to ensure the game design program or school meets fundamental game design industry standards. The accreditation process sets forth a benchmark on which an industry (mostly educators and students) has a consistent yardstick by which students can determine if a school will deliver on its education promises. Currently, teams of industry experts and educational professionals define the standards by which accreditation is measured. Academic accreditation in the 21st-century educational community has been radically decentralized. Accreditation for Computer Science and Game DesignĪccreditation, simply put, is a third party-peer review process with origins traceable back to the early 1900s.Īccreditation is a review method whereby independent oversight agencies (often regulated by the specific industry or the government) evaluate a school or a degree program against a set of pre-defined criteria. So, if you are still asking yourself, is a game design degree worth it? The answer is a resounding yes. casino, card, simulation, or role-playingĮssentially, a designer is responsible for creating the world in which the game exists.įrom an academic perspective, the art of game design requires rigorous education and hands-on experience in game theory, strategy & decision-making, artificial intelligence, and probability, among others.

Player Characteristics, Behaviors, and Missions.

Who is a Game Designer?Ī game designer is tasked with the responsibility of detailing the concepts/rules of the gaming experience. And worldwide, economists project nearly $140 billion. Just one segment of the game design industry - video games in the US - is anticipated to exceed a value of $20 billion in 2020. A game’s final product requires many talented professionals, each contributing the game design fundamentals required to create dynamic, engaging game content.

The world of game design is the creative application of art and technology in a digital environment - with a primary purpose to educate, to entertain, to train, or any combo thereof.

Video game designer education