by: Pamela Whitten on Friday May 11, 2012
Last Saturday, we celebrated with outstanding alumni, friends and our Media Sandbox finalists to recognize each of them for their phenomenal work for the college. The Media Sandbox is MSU’s destination for talented and creative students who want to study the latest tools, work with the best faculty and prepare for the media world of the future. Here students s…
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MSUCommarts on Twitter:
We are so proud of all of the MSUcommarts grads! What are your plans now that you're alumni? Be sure to share them with us. - Tue May 08
by: Kirsten Khire on Wednesday March 02, 2011
Michigan State University is among the best universities to study video game design in North America, according to a newly released ranking.
MSU earned the No. 5 ranking in North America in The Princeton Review’s list of “Top Schools for Video Game Design Study for 2011.”
Brian Winn, associate professor and undergraduate director of the game design and development specialization, says this honor is significant for current and future students.
“We are the only school in the Midwest and east of Utah to be listed in the top five, so this program is a real boost for students looking for this education outside of the western region of the U.S.,” he said. “We are honored to receive this recognition and excited about the future of video game education at MSU.”
The Princeton Review chose the schools based on a survey of administrators at 150 institutions offering video game design coursework and/or degrees in the United States and Canada. Conducted during the 2010-11 academic year, the Princeton Review survey included more than 50 questions. Topics ranged from academics, curriculum, and faculty credentials to graduates’ employment and career achievements. School selections were based on a comprehensive analysis of data that analyzed the quality of the curriculum, faculty, facilities, and infrastructure, plus the school's scholarships, financial aid and career services.
The Princeton Review’s “Top Undergraduate Schools for Video Game Design Study for 2011" are:
1. University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
2. University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT)
3. DigiPen Institute of Technology (Redmond, WA)
4. The Art Institute of Vancouver (Vancouver, BC, Canada)
5. Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI)
6. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester, MA)
7. Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA)
8. Champlain College (Burlington, VT)
9. Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY)
10. Becker College (Worcester, MA)
The complete list is available online at www.princetonreview.com/game-design.aspx.
Michigan State University offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees with specialized curriculum in video game design and development. At the undergraduate level, students in a variety of degree programs can also earn a specialization in game design and development. The specialization brings together students from computer science; studio art; and media arts and technology to explore the history, social impacts, technology, design fundamentals and team-based production of digital games. At the graduate level, students can pursue a master's degree in telecommunication, information studies and media and pursue a concentration in serious game design.
Pamela Whitten, dean of the College of Communication Arts & Sciences, says this honor reflects the high caliber of faculty in the college and the quality of the college’s programs.
“Since the launch of the specialization in 2005, our college has steadily been building its expertise in a variety of high-tech areas including video games, social media, film production and broadband deployment,” Whitten said. “With the upcoming 2011 launch of the college’s Integrated Media Arts Program for undergraduates, I am confident that MSU will continue its upward trajectory toward the distinction of being the world’s best of class for an education in media design and production.”
Reported in the April GamePro magazine (on newsstands March 8, 2011), the list is also accessible on the websites of The Princeton Review and GamePro.
