Turn your passion for gaming into a career with a Bachelor of Science in Game Development.

At SEMO, you’ll dive into coding, design, storytelling, and user experience to create immersive, interactive experiences. Whether you're drawn to programming, 3D modeling, or narrative design, our game development program equips you with the skills to bring your ideas to life.

What You'll Do

As a game development degree student, you’ll explore the technical and creative aspects of building interactive experiences. From coding your first game to designing intuitive user interfaces, you'll gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge tools and industry practices.

  • Learn programming languages and game engines used by professionals.
  • Develop and prototype games through coursework and collaborative projects.
  • Explore visual storytelling, 3D modeling, and mixed-reality development.
  • Apply game theory, user research, and machine learning to create engaging experiences.
  • Build a portfolio that showcases your skills to future employers and studios.

What can you do with a game development degree?

Game development is a fast-growing industry with opportunities beyond traditional studios. Students gain real-world experience through internships with gaming companies, software firms, and tech startups. You’ll have the chance to work on real projects, gaining insights into production pipelines, game mechanics, and user experience research.

Graduates pursue careers in game design, software engineering, UX/UI design, artificial intelligence, and mobile app development. Whether you want to work for a top game studio, create indie titles, or push the boundaries of interactive media, this degree gives you the foundation to make it happen.

Game Development Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.

Outcomes and Careers

  • $106k

    Game Developer

    According to Glassdoor, the mean annual salary for game developers is $106,000.

  • $108k

    Web and Digital Interface Designers

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for web and digital interface designers is $108,820.

  • $99k

    3D Artists and Animators

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for special effects artists and animators is $99,060.

What You'll Study

Degree Map

In the game development program, you'll exercise your creativity and get hands-on experience building games. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.

78 hour major – no minor required

Required courses:

  • AR180 Digital Literacy for Art + Design (3)
  • AR423 Visual Narratives (3)
  • AR480 3D Production for Interactive Media (3)
  • CS101 Introduction to Computer Programming (3)
  • CS155 Computer Science I (3)
  • CS173 Introduction to Game Development (3)
  • CS215 Game Theory (3)
  • CS245 Discrete Structures I (3)
  • CS265 Computer Science II (3)
  • CS350 Analysis of Algorithms (3)
  • CS373 Game Programming I (3)
  • CS420 Mixed Reality Game Development with HCI (3)
  • CS440 Database (3)
  • CS445 Software Engineering I (3)
  • CS453 Machine Learning (3)
  • CS460 Rapid Game Prototyping (3)
  • CS465 Game User Research (3)
  • CS469 Development of Educational and Serious Games (3)
  • CS473 Game Programming II (3)
  • CS499 Capstone Experience (3)
  • CS505 Data Mining (3)
  • EN478 Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction (3)
  • IS360 Mobile Application Development (3)
  • MA117 Precalculus B (3)
  • MC221 Digital Media Production (3)

Choose 3 hours:

  • CS485 Internship in Computer Science (3)
  • CS483 Problems in Computer Science (3)
  • CS493 Independent Study (3)
  • CS591 Artificial Intelligence (3)

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities and Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

First Year

Fall Semester (13 hours)
  • UI100 (1)
  • EN100 (3)
  • CS101 (3)
  • CS173 (3)
  • General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 hours)
  • CS155 (3)
  • CS215 (3)
  • MA117 (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)

Second Year

Fall Semester (16 hours)
  • CS245 (3)
  • CS265 (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (4)
Spring Semester (15 hours)
  • AR180 (3)
  • CS373 (3)
  • MC221 (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)

Third Year

Fall Semester (15 hours)
  • CS350 (3)
  • CS460 (3)
  • CS465 (3)
  • IS360 (3)
  • General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 hours)
  • CS420 (3)
  • CS453 (3)
  • CS469 (3)
  • CS473 (3)
  • General Education

Fourth Year

Fall Semester (15 hours)
  • AR423 (3)
  • CS440 (3)
  • CS445 (3)
  • CS505 (3)
  • EN478 (3)
Spring Semester (16 hours)
  • AR480 (3)
  • CS499 (3)
  • CS Elective (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (1)

A minimum 2.0 GPA in the major is required to graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree

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Accreditations and Designations

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET): Computing Accreditation Commission logo
  • National Security Agency logo
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security logo
  • official Centers of academic excellence in cybersecurity community logo
Location
Office
Dempster Hall, 021A
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 5950
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701