An associate degree program in video game design typically is available at community colleges and trade schools, and many of these types of programs also are available online. Schools that offer this two-year degree usually require students to simply submit their high school diploma or GED along with a copy of official GED scores or an official high school transcript, according to Keiser University, which offers an associate degree program in video game design. Some schools also require students to submit their scores on standardized tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) or complete a college entrance examination.
To get into a four-year degree program in video game design, a high school diploma is just the first step of the admissions process. Bachelor's degree programs usually also look for students to have solid drawing skills, and some programs actually require students to submit a sample or a portfolio of their work before they are accepted into the program, according to Education-Portal.com. In addition, programs want students who possess strong computer skills and who have had exposure to industry software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Flash.
High school courses in subjects such as studio art, art history and computer science can prepare students for a bachelor's degree program in video game design, according to CollegeBoard.com. Schools also might require students to have successfully completed basic math courses such as algebra and geometry, reports Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, which offers a bachelor's degree in game design and development. At the bachelor's degree level, students additionally must submit an admissions essay explaining why they are interested in attending their school of choice and why they want to study video game design.
Graduate-level training additionally is available in the video game design industry and usually leads to a master's degree in interactive design or game design. Master's degree programs allow students to explore more in-depth artistic and technological concepts in the field such as community games, reports Education-Portal.com. To get into this type of degree program, students usually must have a regionally accredited bachelor's degree in a related field such as digital media, art or computer science, according to Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy. Graduate schools additionally often require students to achieve a certain minimum score on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE), which tests their reasoning and communication skills. In addition, applicants typically must have at least a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average. A portfolio, current resume or recommendation letters from educational or professional references also might be required for admission.