UTD Lands in Game Design Program Rankings

UTD earned a spot on this year’s “Top Game Design” rankings from the Princeton Review, with the School of Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication’s graduate program ranked 14th.

In its ninth year, the ranking considers the academic curriculum, the faculty who deploy it, the technology available to students while enrolled and the career options that graduates of each program can realistically hope to achieve.

One hundred and fifty game design programs in the United States, Canada, and some programs abroad were considered for this year’s rankings report.

A vital component to ATEC’s success in this field can be attributed to its GameLab program. More than a specific curriculum, students can expect to work in a simulated professional environment and receive input from faculty with real development experience. Preparing students for life beyond the campus remains a guiding principle.

“GameLab gives groups of students an opportunity to create a game from concept to completion within a controlled class environment. They’re not just burying their heads in code and art programs; they’re collaborating, pitching ideas, experimenting and learning how to work as a team,” senior lecturer Adam Chandler said. “Building collaborative skills isn’t something they can get just from tutorial videos, and GameLab teaches students that game development isn’t a one-person job.”

ATEC’s undergraduate program ranked 25th this year and was the top program in its category in Texas.

–Chase Carter