B.S. in Actuarial Mathematics
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Massachusetts, USA, offers a Bachelor of Scien...
M.F.A in Interactive Media & Game Design
Worcester, Massachusetts
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.F.A. in Interactive Media & Game Design program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Massachusetts, USA, offers students a dynamic and interdisciplinary education in the rapidly evolving field of game design and interactive media. The program combines creative expression, technical skills, and theoretical knowledge to prepare students for careers in the gaming industry, digital media production, and interactive storytelling.
STEM Designated: WPI's M.F.A. in Interactive Media & Game Design program is designated as STEM, recognizing its strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This designation underscores the program's focus on incorporating technical skills, computational thinking, and innovative technologies into the creative process of game design and interactive media production.
Curriculum: The curriculum of the M.F.A. in Interactive Media & Game Design program at WPI is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of game design principles, interactive storytelling techniques, digital media production tools, and emerging technologies. Core courses cover topics such as game design theory, 3D modeling and animation, interactive narrative design, user experience (UX) design, and game development methodologies. Elective courses allow students to specialize in areas such as virtual reality (VR) design, augmented reality (AR) development, serious games, mobile game development, or indie game production. The program may also include collaborative projects, game jams, and a final thesis or capstone project, allowing students to apply their skills to create innovative and immersive interactive experiences.
Research Focus: The Interactive Media & Game Design program at WPI emphasizes both artistic expression and scholarly inquiry in the field of game design and interactive media. Faculty and students engage in research across various areas, including game studies, game aesthetics, player experience research, interactive narrative analysis, and the impact of games on society and culture. Research initiatives often involve interdisciplinary collaborations with departments such as computer science, psychology, sociology, and humanities, providing students with opportunities to explore the social, cultural, and ethical dimensions of interactive media and gaming.
Industry Engagement: WPI maintains strong connections with industry partners in the gaming and interactive media sector, offering students numerous opportunities for industry engagement and collaboration. Through internships, co-op programs, industry-sponsored projects, and guest lectures by industry professionals, students gain hands-on experience, build industry connections, and receive valuable feedback on their work. Additionally, WPI's location in the Greater Boston area provides students with access to a vibrant gaming community, game studios, tech startups, and cultural institutions, further enriching their learning experience and professional development.
Global Perspective: The M.F.A. in Interactive Media & Game Design program at WPI emphasizes a global perspective, recognizing the widespread influence and cultural significance of games and interactive media worldwide. Students have opportunities to study international game design practices, explore cross-cultural perspectives on gaming and digital media, and participate in global game jams, conferences, or collaborative projects with international partners. Additionally, WPI's diverse community of students and faculty brings a range of perspectives to the program, fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration in the creation of interactive experiences.
Location
Worcester, Massachusetts
Score
IELTS 7
Tuition Fee
USD 24150
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fees: Waiver
Academic Qualifications: Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 80% or above.
English Language Proficiency
- IELTS Requirement: A minimum overall score of 7.0 with no individual component below 6.5.
- TOEFL Requirement: A minimum overall score of 84 is often required.
- PTE Requirement: A minimum overall score of 59 is often required.
- DET Requirement: A DET score of 115 is required.
Students must provide:
- academic marksheets & transcripts
- letters of recommendation
- a personal statement - SOP
- passport
- other supporting documents as required by the university.
It is important to note that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission, as the university considers factors such as availability of places and competition for the program. Additionally, some courses may have higher entry requirements or additional selection criteria, such as interviews or portfolio submissions.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) recognizes the importance of providing financial support to international students pursuing higher education in the United States.
International Student Scholarships: WPI provides a limited number of scholarships specifically designated for international students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. These scholarships may vary in terms of eligibility criteria, award amounts, and application requirements. International students are encouraged to explore scholarship opportunities offered by their academic departments, schools, and external organizations.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While WPI's scholarship programs primarily focus on merit-based awards, the university also considers financial need as a factor in determining eligibility for aid. International students with demonstrated financial need may be eligible for need-based financial aid, which could include grants, loans, or work-study opportunities. The Office of Financial Aid assists students in navigating the financial aid application process and exploring available resources.
External Scholarships and Sponsorships: International students are encouraged to explore external scholarship opportunities and governmental sponsorships offered by their home countries, international organizations, and private foundations. These scholarships may be available for specific fields of study, academic merit, or financial need. WPI provides guidance and support to students seeking external funding sources and assists them in applying for scholarships outside the university.
Research and Teaching Assistantships: Graduate students at WPI may have the opportunity to obtain research or teaching assistantships, which provide financial support in the form of stipends, tuition waivers, or both. These assistantship positions allow students to gain valuable research experience or assist faculty members in teaching courses while earning financial assistance to support their graduate studies.
Graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute's M.F.A. in Interactive Media & Game Design program possess a unique blend of creative, technical, and interdisciplinary skills that prepare them for diverse career opportunities in the gaming industry, digital media production, and interactive storytelling.
Game Designer: Graduates may work as game designers, responsible for conceptualizing game ideas, creating game mechanics, designing levels, and balancing gameplay elements to deliver engaging and immersive gaming experiences across various platforms such as PC, console, mobile, and virtual reality (VR).
Game Artist/Animator: Graduates may pursue careers as game artists or animators, specializing in 2D or 3D art, character design, environmental design, animation, and visual effects production for video games, interactive media projects, animation studios, advertising agencies, or film and television production companies.
Game Developer/Programmer: Graduates may work as game developers or programmers, responsible for implementing game mechanics, programming game engines, writing code for gameplay features, optimizing performance, and debugging issues to ensure smooth and responsive gameplay experiences.
UI/UX Designer: Graduates may specialize in user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, focusing on creating intuitive and visually appealing interfaces, designing user interactions, conducting user testing, and optimizing the user experience for games, mobile apps, websites, and interactive media platforms.
Narrative Designer/Writer: Graduates may work as narrative designers or writers, responsible for crafting compelling storylines, character arcs, dialogue, and interactive narratives for video games, interactive fiction, virtual reality experiences, and transmedia storytelling projects.
Level Designer: Graduates may specialize in level design, focusing on creating game environments, designing puzzles, challenges, and obstacles, pacing gameplay progression, and balancing difficulty levels to create memorable and engaging levels for video games and interactive experiences.
Audio Designer/Sound Engineer: Graduates may work as audio designers or sound engineers, responsible for creating sound effects, music compositions, voiceovers, and immersive audio experiences that enhance the atmosphere, gameplay, and emotional impact of video games, VR experiences, and interactive media projects.
Educator/Instructor: Graduates may pursue careers in academia as educators or instructors, teaching game design, interactive media production, digital arts, and related subjects at colleges, universities, art schools, or specialized training programs, and mentoring the next generation of game designers and digital storytellers.
Independent Developer/Entrepreneur: Graduates may choose to start their own game development studios, digital media production companies, or freelance businesses, creating original games, interactive experiences, apps, or digital content and bringing their creative visions to life independently or in collaboration with other artists, developers, and entrepreneurs.
Industry Consultant/Researcher: Graduates may work as industry consultants or researchers, providing expertise, conducting market research, analyzing trends, and advising companies, organizations, or government agencies on game design, interactive media strategies, audience engagement, and emerging technologies in the gaming and digital entertainment industry.
