Overview
Games are one of the most powerful forms of storytelling and human expression. The Minor in Game Design offers students the opportunity to explore how play, technology, and creativity intersect to shape culture, communication, and innovation.
Housed in the Department of Interactive Media, this minor combines theory, design, and hands-on production to help students understand games not only as entertainment but as dynamic systems that engage psychology, drive innovation, and create meaningful opportunities for learning, social impact, and business growth.
The minor equips students from any discipline with creative, analytical, and technical skills that are increasingly valued across industries; from entertainment to education, health, business, and beyond.
Whether you’re an artist, programmer, storyteller, musician, entrepreneur, or scientist, the Minor in Game Design invites you to explore how the power of play can transform ideas into innovation. You’ll graduate with the design thinking, collaboration, and technical skills that today’s employers value most, along with the creative confidence to shape the future of how people learn, connect, and play.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| CIM 104 | Introduction to Game Studies | 3 |
| CIM 204 | Introduction to Game Design | 3 |
| CIM 444 | Designing Games for Impact | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Choose two of the following: | 6 | |
| Interaction Design | ||
| Intro to Creative Coding | ||
| Mobile Application Development | ||
| Building Virtual Worlds | ||
| Augmented Reality | ||
| Intro to 3D Design | ||
| Immersive Storytelling | ||
| Video Game Spectatorship and Esports | ||
| 2D Character Design | ||
| Advanced 3D Design | ||
| Startup Studio: from Idea to Launch | ||
| Interactive Media Practicum 1 | ||
| Introduction to Screenwriting | ||
| Advanced 3D Character Design and Motion Capture | ||
| Creative Writing (Prose Fiction) 2 | ||
| Creative Writing (Poetry) 2 | ||
| Creative Writing Special Topics | ||
| Writing Autobiography | ||
| Introduction to Scoring 2 | ||
| Video Game Scoring 2 | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 15 | |
- 1
For students pursuing the Minor in Game Design, it is recommended that the practicum be completed in the NERDLab, as it functions as a dedicated game design studio. With approval, students may alternatively fulfill the practicum requirement in another laboratory, provided the work undertaken is
substantively related to game design.- 2
These courses are elective options as accommodations for ENG and MSP majors.
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A grade of C or higher is required in all courses (a C- is not acceptable).
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Students cannot double count any CIM courses from the Game Design minor towards the Interactive Media minor.
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The Director of the Interactive Media Program or CIM faculty advisor must approve any exceptions or substitutions to the minor.
