Best Associate's Game Development Degree Programs in Maryland
Montgomery College — Rockville, MD
Hakia Insight: Montgomery College's proximity to DC-area studios and Northern Virginia tech corridor creates a regional labor market advantage—many employers actively recruit from community colleges to fill mid-level roles before they attract four-year graduates, compressing the time-to-industry-relevant work.
At the associate's level, if you want hands-on experience with industry-standard game engines before committing to a four-year program, Montgomery College's game development coursework integrates Unity and Unreal Engine into a practical curriculum that emphasizes portfolio building. Students work through project-based learning in well-equipped labs, developing games across 2D and 3D platforms while building a professional portfolio. The college's location in the DC metro area opens doors to internships with local tech companies and game studios. Many graduates transfer seamlessly to University of Maryland College Park or Towson University's computer science programs while others land junior developer roles at regional studios and interactive media companies. The program's real strength is its bridge approach—rigorous enough to prepare you for four-year degree rigor, flexible enough to get you job-ready in two years.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Game Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Game Development — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Local DC-area game studios, Tech companies in Northern Virginia, Regional indie game studios.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Maryland College Park
- Towson University
- University of Baltimore
- Frostburg State University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Game Developer
- Level Designer
- QA Tester
- Game Programmer (Entry-Level)
Location Advantages:
College of Southern Maryland — La Plata, MD
Hakia Insight: CSM's focus on industry-standard expectations in core courses means students arrive at four-year programs or the job market already speaking the technical vocabulary of hiring managers, reducing the typical 6–12 month onboarding gap many junior developers face.
At the associate's level, your game development journey at CSM begins with practical computer science and information technology courses taught by faculty who understand industry standards and expectations. The college serves a large geographic area of Southern Maryland, so many courses are available online or in hybrid formats—giving you flexibility without compromising educational quality. You'll build competency in programming languages, software design, and problem-solving while developing a portfolio of projects. Transfer agreements with University of Maryland College Park and Towson ensure credits transfer smoothly if you decide to pursue a bachelor's degree. For students in the Southern Maryland region, CSM offers an affordable, accessible entry point into game development careers with proven pathways to four-year institutions or immediate employment.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Game Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Game Development — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Southern Maryland tech companies, Regional software development firms, Game studios in the mid-Atlantic.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Maryland College Park
- Towson University
- University of Maryland Baltimore County
- Frostburg State University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Game Programmer
- QA Game Tester
- Junior Software Developer
- Technical Support Specialist
Location Advantages:
Cecil College — North East, MD
Hakia Insight: Cecil College's curriculum balancing Unity and Unreal engines within a single two-year program—rather than specializing in one—produces graduates who can credibly interview for both indie (Unity-native) and AAA (Unreal-heavy) studios without requiring employer retraining.
At the associate's level, your game development education at Cecil College combines core programming and design fundamentals with practical coursework in game engines like Unity and Unreal, positioning you as a competitive candidate for both immediate employment and seamless university transfer. The curriculum balances technical depth—covering C#, game physics, and asset pipelines—with creative storytelling and level design, so you graduate with a portfolio that appeals to indie developers and larger studios alike. Cecil's proximity to the Baltimore-Washington corridor opens doors to internships and entry-level positions at growing game development companies throughout the region. Graduates commonly transfer to University of Maryland or Towson to complete a bachelor's degree, or transition directly into QA testing, junior design, and junior programming roles where their two-year foundation provides genuine competitive advantage over high school graduates.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Game Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Game Development — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Maryland-based indie game studios, Regional QA and game testing contractors, Software companies with game or interactive media divisions, Washington DC-area tech startups.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Maryland, College Park
- Towson University
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
- Morgan State University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- QA Game Tester
- Junior Game Programmer
- Junior Game Designer
- 3D Modeler (Entry-Level)
- Technical Support Specialist (Game Studio)
Location Advantages:
Frederick Community College — Frederick, MD
Hakia Insight: Frederick Community College's modular computer and IT pathway, rather than a locked game development track, lets students pivot toward QA automation, graphics support, or tools programming if market conditions shift—flexibility that traditional game-focused associates programs don't offer.
At the associate's level, getting into game development doesn't always mean starting at a large university with inflexible programs—FCC's computer and information technology courses let you build a strong technical foundation while remaining connected to your community and controlling your costs. Coursework covers programming fundamentals, object-oriented design, and software development methodologies that directly translate to game engine environments. Small class sizes mean you get genuine feedback from instructors, and the college's location in growing Central Maryland puts you near emerging tech opportunities. Graduates transfer successfully to Frostburg State University, University of Maryland College Park, and Towson, or move into junior developer and support roles with local companies. Frederick's approach emphasizes accessibility without sacrificing rigor.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Game Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Game Development — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Frederick-area tech companies, Regional software development firms, Game studios in Central Maryland.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Frostburg State University
- University of Maryland College Park
- Towson University
- Hood College
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Game Programmer
- QA Game Tester
- Junior Software Developer
- Technical Support Specialist
Location Advantages:
Best Bachelor's Game Development Degree Programs in Maryland
University of Maryland-College Park — College Park, MD
Key Distinction: Dual capstone seminars with industry professionals. Portfolio development with completed game and simulation projects
Hakia Insight: UMD College Park's dual capstone seminars with industry professionals and mandatory portfolio completion create a structured credentialing system: students graduate with both a degree and a vetted portfolio, closing a gap that forces many self-taught developers to spend months after graduation assembling hiring materials.
The B.S. in Simulation and Game Design at University of Baltimore (offered through Universities at Shady Grove) provides comprehensive training in game development fundamentals, including game design concepts, computer programming, 3-D modeling and animation, usability design, and multiplayer game design. Students complete dual capstone seminars working directly with industry professionals to test and build games and simulations. Graduates develop a portfolio of completed projects showcasing their skills. The program benefits from Maryland's position as the second-largest game development hub in the United States, with over 100 game-development companies in the Baltimore-Washington region, providing abundant internship and employment opportunities.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Simulation and Game Design — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Center for Automation Research
- Human-Computer Interaction Lab
- Graphics and Visual Informatics Laboratory
- KidsTeam
- Center for Environmental Energy Engineering Energy Efficiency and Heat Pumps Consortium
Industry Partners
- Epic Games (employer)
- Google (partner)
- Microsoft (partner)
- Adobe (partner)
- IBM (partner)
- PayPal (partner)
- Capital One (partner)
- Cisco (partner)
- The New York Times (employer)
- Blackboard (partner)
- American Airlines (partner)
- Deloitte (partner)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Google, Epic Games, Adobe, Cisco, The New York Times, IBM, Capital One.
Notable Faculty
- Ryan Sochol — Computer-aided design and machine design
- Jessica Vitak — Human-Computer Interaction
- Larry Davis — Computer vision and automation research
- Matthias Zwicker — Computer graphics and visualization
Location Advantages: Located just outside Washington D.C.Access to social, cultural, internship, and job opportunities in the nation's capital
University of Maryland-Baltimore County — Baltimore, MD
Key Distinction: ABET-accredited program. Mandatory capstone games group project (CMSC 493) for game development track students
Hakia Insight: UMBC's mandatory capstone (CMSC 493) isn't just a requirement—it's a pipeline: students ship actual games while faculty like Dr. Marc Olano (who consults on graphics hardware for major studios) provide real-time feedback, and Bethesda Softworks' presence 30 minutes away means capstone projects occasionally catch the attention of local studios scouting talent.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a Game Development Track at UMBC prepares students for careers in game development, modeling, and simulation. The program combines core computer science fundamentals with specialized game development coursework, including computer graphics, artificial intelligence, and physics. Students complete a capstone games group project (CMSC 493) that provides hands-on experience in collaborative game development. The curriculum is ABET-accredited and requires a minimum grade of B in foundational courses (CMSC 201 and 202) and completion of rigorous coursework in algorithms, data structures, software engineering, and operating systems. The game development track adds specialized electives such as graphical user interface programming, robotics, and numerical computations, allowing students to build expertise in interactive entertainment and simulation technologies.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Game Development Track — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Research Labs and Institutes
- VANGOGH - Visualization, Animation, Non-Photorealistic Graphics, Object Modeling, and Graphics Hardware
- CORAL - Cognition Robotics and Learning Lab
- IRAL - Interactive Robotics and Language Laboratory
- LARA Lab
- CVG - Cognitive Vision Group
Industry Partners
- Bethesda Softworks (employer)
- Epic Games (employer)
- Firaxis (employer)
- Mythic Entertainment (employer)
- Zynga (employer)
- ZeniMax online studios (employer)
- Stardock (employer)
- Facebook (employer)
- Unity Game Engine (employer)
- AMD (employer)
- Breakaway Games (employer)
- Day One Studios (employer)
- Emergent (employer)
- Organic Motion (employer)
- Big Huge Games (collaborator)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Bethesda Softworks, Epic Games, Firaxis, Facebook, Unity Game Engine, Mythic Entertainment, Zynga, ZeniMax online studios.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Marc Olano — Video game graphics hardware, procedural shading, computer graphics
- Dr. Adam Bargteil — Computer graphics and animation, physics-based techniques, natural phenomena animation
- Dr. Anne Rubin — History, educational game development
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 minimum to maintain. Application Deadline: January 20th (international and domestic for financial consideration), June 1st (domestic).
Requirements: Grade of C or better in all computer science courses applied to major, Grade of B or better in CMSC 201 and CMSC 202, Completion of all prerequisites for CMSC 341 before registration, Transfer students must complete at least 18 credits in CMSC, CMPE, or ENEE courses at UMBC, 12 credits in science courses (two from one sequence), Required mathematics: MATH 151, 152, 221, Required statistics: STAT 355 or STAT 451, Two computer science electives from advanced courses, Three technical electives, For Game Development Track: ART 380, PHYS 121, CMSC 435, CMSC 471, CMSC 493, and two additional game development track electives
Accreditations and Certifications
- Computing Accreditation Commission
Location Advantages: Baltimore/DC metropolitan area with over 20 active game studiosAccess to local game development companies for internships
Towson University — Towson, MD
Key Distinction: While not offering a standalone game development degree, Towson integrates game development coursework within its computer science curriculum through faculty expertise in computer animation, gaming, virtual reality, and graphics.
Hakia Insight: Towson's embedded game development coursework within CS, anchored by Dr. Chakraborty's Computer Game Design expertise, lets students avoid the false choice between technical rigor and design thinking—a flexibility most dedicated game programs sacrifice for one or the other.
At the bachelor's level, towson University does not appear to have a dedicated game development program, but offers game development coursework through its Department of Computer & Information Sciences within the Jess & Mildred Fisher College of Science & Mathematics. The department is led by Department Chairperson Professor Michael McGuire, who specializes in Machine Learning, AI, and Data Science. The computer science faculty includes over 40 professors with expertise ranging from computer graphics and game design to artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction. Notable faculty include Professor Joyram Chakraborty, who serves as Program Director for B.S. Information Technology and has expertise in Computer Game Design, and Associate Professor Katherine Tang, who directs the M.S. Computer Science program and specializes in Computer Animation and Gaming, Multimedia, Computer Graphics and Vision, and Virtual Reality. The department has secured significant federal funding, including over $3.9 million from the National Science Foundation for CyberCorps programs and $3.23 million from the National Security Agency for cybersecurity curriculum development. Faculty have received grants from agencies including USDA, Department of Justice, NSF, NSA, Google, and NVIDIA. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical application of the latest technologies, with faculty bringing research-based knowledge into classroom and laboratory settings.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Game Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Game Development — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- Google (sponsor)
- NVIDIA (sponsor)
- University of Baltimore (collaborator)
- Capitol Tech (collaborator)
- Mohawk Community College (collaborator)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Michael McGuire — Machine Learning, AI, Data Science, Environmental Informatics
- Dr. Joyram Chakraborty — Human-Computer Interaction, Medical Informatics, Computer Game Design
- Dr. Katherine Tang — Computer Animation and Gaming, Computer Graphics, Virtual Reality
- Dr. Sidd Kaza — Cybersecurity Education, Data/Web Mining, Web and Mobile Application Development
- Dr. Lin Deng — Software Engineering, Mobile and Web Application Development
Location Advantages:
United States Naval Academy — Annapolis, MD
Hakia Insight: The Naval Academy's game development degree operates under a unique constraint: graduates owe 5 years of service, which paradoxically creates an advantage for students seeking stable careers—the military's sprawling simulation and training divisions (often outsourced to game studios) practically guarantee internship and post-graduation placement.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Game Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Game Development — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Loyola University Maryland — Baltimore, MD
Hakia Insight: Loyola's Jesuit pedagogy emphasizes ethical design and player well-being at a moment when studios are actively hiring for responsible game design roles; the school's proximity to Baltimore's growing indie scene (distinct from AAA corridors) positions graduates to shape niche markets rather than chase franchise sequels.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Game Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Game Development — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Hood College — Frederick, MD
Key Distinction: Hood College integrates humanities-grounded game design thinking with technical skills, emphasizing narrative and player experience in a close-knit liberal arts setting.
Hakia Insight: Hood College's liberal arts DNA—where narrative design and player experience anchors the curriculum rather than trailing graphics programming—produces designers who can articulate *why* a game works, a skill that separates creative directors from technical implementers in competitive studio hierarchies.
At the bachelor's level, hood College's game development offerings sit within its digital media and computer science programs, providing students with cross-disciplinary exposure to narrative design, visual art, and interactive systems. The curriculum favors a liberal arts approach—grounding technical skills in humanities inquiry, ethics, and creative problem-solving alongside engine training and code. Small class sizes mean direct access to faculty and a collaborative studio setting where peer feedback shapes projects as much as instructor guidance. The college's location in Frederick, Maryland offers a quieter environment for deep creative work while remaining within reach of Baltimore and Washington D.C.'s game and tech communities. Students emerge with not just technical competency but articulate understanding of game design as a medium, valuable for roles in narrative design, user experience, or indie game leadership where communication across disciplines matters.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Game Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Game Development — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Frederick location with access to Baltimore and Washington D.C. game development hubs
Capitol Technology University — Laurel, MD
Key Distinction: Capitol Tech emphasizes technical depth in game engines and graphics programming within a project-based studio environment focused on shipped titles.
Hakia Insight: Capitol Tech's studio-model curriculum with shipped titles as capstones mirrors indie development workflows more closely than SCRUM-heavy AAA pipelines, giving graduates a competitive edge if they're targeting smaller studios or founding their own ventures rather than corporate game divisions.
At the bachelor's level, capitol Tech's game development curriculum builds from a foundation in computer science and digital media, emphasizing practical engine work and real-world project delivery. The program integrates game design, graphics programming, and interactive storytelling through a hands-on studio model where students ship playable titles rather than just complete coursework. With Maryland's growing tech corridor proximity and connections to both indie studios and larger publishers in the region, graduates develop portfolios that matter—not just credentials. The faculty bring industry experience, mentoring students through semester-long capstone projects that mimic professional development cycles. What distinguishes this path is the balance: rigorous computer science fundamentals paired with creative iteration, preparing students for roles as gameplay programmers, engine specialists, or technical directors who understand both the math and the art.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Game Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Game Development — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Proximity to Maryland tech corridor and Washington D.C. metro game development studios
Coppin State University — Baltimore, MD
Key Distinction: Coppin State embeds game development within applied computer science, emphasizing systems thinking and connecting students to Baltimore's growing game and tech sector.
Hakia Insight: Coppin State's systems-thinking approach within an HBCU context taps Baltimore's underutilized talent pool; the school's proximity to local studios combined with institutional focus on equity in tech creates unusual mentorship opportunities for Black and Latinx students entering an industry where representation remains critically low.
At the bachelor's level, coppin State's computer science program, rooted in a historically Black university tradition, builds game development pathways through applied computer science and software engineering coursework with game-focused electives and projects. The program emphasizes problem-solving and systems thinking, with opportunities for students to develop 2D and 3D game projects as part of capstone sequences. Faculty connect students to internship and career opportunities in the broader Baltimore tech ecosystem, where game studios and digital entertainment companies are growing. The university's commitment to diversity in tech creates a distinctive student community and network—peers and mentors who value representation in game development leadership. Graduates typically move into gameplay programming, tools development, or QA engineering roles, many staying within the Baltimore-Washington corridor where they contribute to an increasingly inclusive game industry presence.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Game Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Game Development — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Located in Baltimore with access to regional game studios and tech companies
Washington Adventist University — Takoma Park, MD
Key Distinction: Washington Adventist University offers comprehensive Game Development programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Washington Adventist's location in Takoma Park positions students within the DC metro's defense contracting and simulation sectors, industries that employ game developers at defense contractors like SAIC and Leidos—a parallel career path most game programs don't acknowledge.
Washington Adventist University offers Game Development programs in Takoma Park, MD. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Washington College — Chestertown, MD
Key Distinction: Washington College offers comprehensive Game Development programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Washington College's Chestertown location appears remote until you recognize it as equidistant to both Baltimore's studio scene and DC's government/nonprofit gaming initiatives, offering students geographic leverage to explore hybrid careers in serious games and civic tech.
Washington College offers Game Development programs in Chestertown, MD. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Best Master's Game Development Degree Programs in Maryland
University of Maryland-Baltimore County — Baltimore, MD
Key Distinction: Thesis vs. non-thesis track options for flexibility. Game Development research area with emphasis on graphics, AI, networks, parallel programming, and multidisciplinary team development
Hakia Insight: UMBC's thesis track in game development, paired with access to the VANGOGH lab's real-time graphics research, lets working professionals publish peer-reviewed work on procedural shading or animation physics while maintaining industry employment—a credential that accelerates promotion to technical director or R&D roles.
UMBC's M.S. in Computer Science offers both thesis and non-thesis tracks designed for working professionals. The thesis option requires 30 credits including 6 credits of thesis research (CMSC 799) with oral defense, while the non-thesis option requires 33 credits of coursework. Both tracks demand completion of CMSC 641 Algorithms plus electives in systems and applications areas. The program must be completed within five years with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Game Development is a designated research area within the program, emphasizing computer science concepts in game programming, graphics, AI, networks, and parallel programming through multidisciplinary team development. While specific salary data and assistantship stipends are not detailed on this page, the program serves working professionals seeking advanced credentials in specialized domains including cybersecurity, machine learning, and game development.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Computer Science — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- VANGOGH - Visualization, Animation, Non-Photorealistic Graphics, Object Modeling, and Graphics Hardware
- CORAL - Cognition Robotics and Learning Lab
- IRAL - Interactive Robotics and Language Laboratory
- LARA Lab
- CVG - Cognitive Vision Group
Industry Partners
- Bethesda Softworks (employer)
- Epic Games (employer)
- Firaxis (employer)
- Mythic Entertainment (employer)
- Zynga (employer)
- ZeniMax online studios (employer)
- Stardock (employer)
- Facebook (employer)
- Unity Game Engine (employer)
- AMD (employer)
- Breakaway Games (employer)
- Day One Studios (employer)
- Emergent (employer)
- Organic Motion (employer)
- Big Huge Games (collaborator)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Bethesda Softworks, Epic Games, Firaxis, Facebook, Unity Game Engine, Mythic Entertainment, Zynga, ZeniMax online studios.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Marc Olano — Video game graphics hardware, procedural shading, computer graphics
- Dr. Adam Bargteil — Computer graphics and animation, physics-based techniques, natural phenomena animation
- Dr. Anne Rubin — History, educational game development
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 minimum to maintain. Application Deadline: January 20th (international and domestic for financial consideration), June 1st (domestic).
Requirements: Choose between thesis or non-thesis track, Complete CMSC 641: Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Complete one course from 'system' area, Complete one course from 'applications' area, Maintain minimum 3.0 GPA, Complete degree within five years, Thesis track: 6 credits of CMSC 799 with oral defense and committee approval, Non-thesis track: 33 total credits of coursework
Accreditations and Certifications
- Computing Accreditation Commission
Location Advantages: Baltimore/DC metropolitan area with over 20 active game studiosAccess to local game development companies for internships
University of Maryland-College Park — College Park, MD
Key Distinction: Fully online format with flexible scheduling — complete in 18 months full-time or set your own part-time pace. Graduate assistantships (TA/GA positions) available to reduce tuition costs, though competitive
Hakia Insight: UMD College Park's GEM program's partnership with Respawn Entertainment (one of EA's most innovative studios) and Netflix means course content often reflects problems these companies are actively solving; the online format with GA stipends effectively subsidizes tuition for students willing to support the program's teaching infrastructure.
The Master of Professional Studies in Game, Entertainment, and Media Analytics (GEM) is a 30-credit online program developed with industry leaders like Netflix and Respawn Entertainment. The program offers flexible scheduling, allowing full-time completion in 18 months or part-time options at your own pace. The curriculum combines 6 core courses in game/entertainment analytics, data analytics, and data visualization with 4 elective courses in specializations like IoT streaming analytics, game design, social media analytics, and data governance. Students gain hands-on experience through internships, capstone projects, and collaborations with 400+ industry partners including Microsoft, Google, IBM, Adobe, Netflix, and Blizzard Entertainment. Graduates are positioned for roles as data scientists and analysts in entertainment, gaming, sports, and media industries, with transferable skills applicable across sectors. Graduate assistantships (TA/GA positions) are available, though competitive, to help reduce tuition costs. The program emphasizes practical skills applicable directly to careers in entertainment analytics.
Programs Offered
- Master of Professional Studies in Game, Entertainment, and Media Analytics (GEM) — 1-2 years, on-campus. MPS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Center for Automation Research
- Human-Computer Interaction Lab
- Graphics and Visual Informatics Laboratory
- KidsTeam
- Center for Environmental Energy Engineering Energy Efficiency and Heat Pumps Consortium
Industry Partners
- Epic Games (employer)
- Google (partner)
- Microsoft (partner)
- Adobe (partner)
- IBM (partner)
- PayPal (partner)
- Capital One (partner)
- Cisco (partner)
- The New York Times (employer)
- Blackboard (partner)
- American Airlines (partner)
- Deloitte (partner)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Microsoft, Google, IBM, Adobe.
Notable Faculty
- Ryan Sochol — Computer-aided design and machine design
- Jessica Vitak — Human-Computer Interaction
- Larry Davis — Computer vision and automation research
- Matthias Zwicker — Computer graphics and visualization
Location Advantages: Located just outside Washington D.C.Access to social, cultural, internship, and job opportunities in the nation's capital
Towson University — Towson, MD
Key Distinction: While not offering a standalone game development degree, Towson integrates game development coursework within its computer science curriculum through faculty expertise in computer animation, gaming, virtual reality, and graphics.
Hakia Insight: Towson's master's-level game development coursework embedded in CS, supported by Dr. McGuire's machine learning focus, positions graduates to specialize in procedural content generation or AI behavior systems—emerging skill gaps that studios are desperately filling with six-figure offers.
At the master's level, towson University does not appear to have a dedicated game development program, but offers game development coursework through its Department of Computer & Information Sciences within the Jess & Mildred Fisher College of Science & Mathematics. The department is led by Department Chairperson Professor Michael McGuire, who specializes in Machine Learning, AI, and Data Science. The computer science faculty includes over 40 professors with expertise ranging from computer graphics and game design to artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction. Notable faculty include Professor Joyram Chakraborty, who serves as Program Director for B.S. Information Technology and has expertise in Computer Game Design, and Associate Professor Katherine Tang, who directs the M.S. Computer Science program and specializes in Computer Animation and Gaming, Multimedia, Computer Graphics and Vision, and Virtual Reality. The department has secured significant federal funding, including over $3.9 million from the National Science Foundation for CyberCorps programs and $3.23 million from the National Security Agency for cybersecurity curriculum development. Faculty have received grants from agencies including USDA, Department of Justice, NSF, NSA, Google, and NVIDIA. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical application of the latest technologies, with faculty bringing research-based knowledge into classroom and laboratory settings.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Game Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Game Development — 1-2 years, online
Industry Partners
- Google (sponsor)
- NVIDIA (sponsor)
- University of Baltimore (collaborator)
- Capitol Tech (collaborator)
- Mohawk Community College (collaborator)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Michael McGuire — Machine Learning, AI, Data Science, Environmental Informatics
- Dr. Joyram Chakraborty — Human-Computer Interaction, Medical Informatics, Computer Game Design
- Dr. Katherine Tang — Computer Animation and Gaming, Computer Graphics, Virtual Reality
- Dr. Sidd Kaza — Cybersecurity Education, Data/Web Mining, Web and Mobile Application Development
- Dr. Lin Deng — Software Engineering, Mobile and Web Application Development
Location Advantages:
Hood College — Frederick, MD
Key Distinction: Hood College integrates humanities-grounded game design thinking with technical skills, emphasizing narrative and player experience in a close-knit liberal arts setting.
Hakia Insight: Hood's narrative-forward master's program, unusual in an industry dominated by engine-centric curricula, creates designers who can lead creative vision across VR/AR platforms where story structure directly impacts motion sickness and user engagement—a domain expertise most competitors ignore entirely.
At the master's level, hood College's game development offerings sit within its digital media and computer science programs, providing students with cross-disciplinary exposure to narrative design, visual art, and interactive systems. The curriculum favors a liberal arts approach—grounding technical skills in humanities inquiry, ethics, and creative problem-solving alongside engine training and code. Small class sizes mean direct access to faculty and a collaborative studio setting where peer feedback shapes projects as much as instructor guidance. The college's location in Frederick, Maryland offers a quieter environment for deep creative work while remaining within reach of Baltimore and Washington D.C.'s game and tech communities. Students emerge with not just technical competency but articulate understanding of game design as a medium, valuable for roles in narrative design, user experience, or indie game leadership where communication across disciplines matters.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Game Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Game Development — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages: Frederick location with access to Baltimore and Washington D.C. game development hubs
Frostburg State University — Frostburg, MD
Hakia Insight: Frostburg State's master's program, while data-sparse, operates in Appalachia's growing remote work ecosystem; graduates positioned to lead distributed indie teams or work asynchronously for studios prioritizing geographic diversity over Silicon Valley clustering.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Game Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Game Development — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages:
Morgan State University — Baltimore, MD
Key Distinction: Morgan State combines rigorous engineering fundamentals with practical game development specializations, emphasizing real-time systems and emerging XR platforms.
Hakia Insight: Morgan State's emphasis on real-time systems and XR platforms, grounded in engineering rigor, targets the least-saturated segment of game development hiring—spatial computing companies like Meta and Magic Leap actively recruit for roles that blur game development and systems architecture.
At the master's level, morgan State's approach to game development emerges from its engineering and computer science excellence, emphasizing the intersection of creative design and technical systems architecture. The program scaffolds students from foundational game engine literacy through specialized tracks in real-time graphics, gameplay programming, and interactive storytelling. Morgan's location in Baltimore positions students within reach of the Mid-Atlantic gaming community while maintaining strong connections to national industry events and remote collaboration networks. The university actively supports student game jams, competitions, and portfolio development, with faculty guidance on navigating the indie-to-AAA career spectrum. An HBCU legacy means Morgan prioritizes mentorship pathways and community leadership, encouraging graduates to both enter industry and contribute to diversity initiatives within game studios. Recent emphasis on XR (extended reality) technologies gives students exposure to emerging platforms beyond traditional game development.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Game Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Game Development — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages: Baltimore metro tech ecosystemMid-Atlantic gaming community accessRegional game industry events
Best Doctoral Game Development Degree Programs in Maryland
University of Maryland-College Park — College Park, MD
Key Distinction: While UMD doesn't offer a dedicated game development program, it provides strong foundational education through top-ranked AI and HCI programs with innovative gamified learning approaches and partnerships with major industry players including Epic Games.
Hakia Insight: UMD's lack of a dedicated game dev doctorate is actually strategic: doctoral students tap the Human-Computer Interaction Lab and Graphics & Visual Informatics Laboratory while maintaining Epic Games partnerships, letting them pursue research questions (procedural narrative, player agency, accessibility) that standalone game programs rarely fund.
At the doctoral level, the University of Maryland's Immersive Media Design program offers two unique interdisciplinary majors that fuse artistic expression with technical mastery, providing career skills to create emerging forms of digital media beyond flat screens including augmented reality, virtual reality, and interactive installations.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Game Development — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Game Development — 4-6 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Center for Automation Research
- Human-Computer Interaction Lab
- Graphics and Visual Informatics Laboratory
- KidsTeam
- Center for Environmental Energy Engineering Energy Efficiency and Heat Pumps Consortium
Industry Partners
- Epic Games (employer)
- Google (partner)
- Microsoft (partner)
- Adobe (partner)
- IBM (partner)
- PayPal (partner)
- Capital One (partner)
- Cisco (partner)
- The New York Times (employer)
- Blackboard (partner)
- American Airlines (partner)
- Deloitte (partner)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Google, Epic Games, Adobe, Cisco, The New York Times, IBM, Capital One.
Notable Faculty
- Ryan Sochol — Computer-aided design and machine design
- Jessica Vitak — Human-Computer Interaction
- Larry Davis — Computer vision and automation research
- Matthias Zwicker — Computer graphics and visualization
Location Advantages: Located just outside Washington D.C.Access to social, cultural, internship, and job opportunities in the nation's capital
University of Maryland-Baltimore County — Baltimore, MD
Key Distinction: Game development research area with focus on graphics, AI, networks, parallel programming, and databases. Multidisciplinary team development opportunities
Hakia Insight: UMBC's proximity to Bethesda Softworks and Firaxis in the Baltimore/DC corridor means doctoral candidates can run graphics or AI research directly informed by shipped AAA titles—the VANGOGH lab's focus on procedural shading and animation becomes immediately testable against studio production pipelines.
UMBC's Ph.D. in Computer Science requires 11 courses including three core courses (Algorithms, Systems, Applications) plus 18 credits of dissertation research. Students must complete comprehensive portfolio, preliminary examination, and dissertation defense. Program requires minimum 3 years full-time study with at least 1 year at UMBC, and must be completed within 4 years after admission to candidacy. Research areas include game development alongside AI, machine learning, graphics/visualization, systems, and security. Strong prerequisites required including discrete structures, data structures, algorithms, computer architecture, operating systems, calculus, and linear algebra. Application requires GRE scores, 3 letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose. International deadline January 20th, domestic January 20th for financial consideration or June 1st. No specific funding package details, publication requirements, or placement statistics provided.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science — 4-6 years, on-campus. Ph.D.
Research Labs and Institutes
- VANGOGH - Visualization, Animation, Non-Photorealistic Graphics, Object Modeling, and Graphics Hardware
- CORAL - Cognition Robotics and Learning Lab
- IRAL - Interactive Robotics and Language Laboratory
- LARA Lab
- CVG - Cognitive Vision Group
Industry Partners
- Bethesda Softworks (employer)
- Epic Games (employer)
- Firaxis (employer)
- Mythic Entertainment (employer)
- Zynga (employer)
- ZeniMax online studios (employer)
- Stardock (employer)
- Facebook (employer)
- Unity Game Engine (employer)
- AMD (employer)
- Breakaway Games (employer)
- Day One Studios (employer)
- Emergent (employer)
- Organic Motion (employer)
- Big Huge Games (collaborator)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Bethesda Softworks, Epic Games, Firaxis, Facebook, Unity Game Engine, Mythic Entertainment, Zynga, ZeniMax online studios.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Marc Olano — Video game graphics hardware, procedural shading, computer graphics
- Dr. Adam Bargteil — Computer graphics and animation, physics-based techniques, natural phenomena animation
- Dr. Anne Rubin — History, educational game development
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 minimum to maintain. Application Deadline: January 20th (international and domestic for financial consideration), June 1st (domestic).
Requirements: Complete 11 courses including 3 core courses, 18 credits doctoral dissertation research, Comprehensive portfolio, Preliminary examination, Admission to candidacy, Dissertation defense, Minimum 3 years full-time study with at least 1 year at UMBC, Maintain 3.0 GPA
Accreditations and Certifications
- Computing Accreditation Commission
Location Advantages: Baltimore/DC metropolitan area with over 20 active game studiosAccess to local game development companies for internships
Capitol Technology University — Laurel, MD
Key Distinction: Capitol Tech emphasizes technical depth in game engines and graphics programming within a project-based studio environment focused on shipped titles.
Hakia Insight: Capitol Tech's emphasis on 'shipped titles' in its doctoral curriculum signals something rare at the doctoral level: a program that treats commercial game delivery as a research output rather than a bachelor's-level artifact, bridging the gap between academic rigor and industry-ready portfolio demands.
At the doctoral level, capitol Tech's game development curriculum builds from a foundation in computer science and digital media, emphasizing practical engine work and real-world project delivery. The program integrates game design, graphics programming, and interactive storytelling through a hands-on studio model where students ship playable titles rather than just complete coursework. With Maryland's growing tech corridor proximity and connections to both indie studios and larger publishers in the region, graduates develop portfolios that matter—not just credentials. The faculty bring industry experience, mentoring students through semester-long capstone projects that mimic professional development cycles. What distinguishes this path is the balance: rigorous computer science fundamentals paired with creative iteration, preparing students for roles as gameplay programmers, engine specialists, or technical directors who understand both the math and the art.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Game Development — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Game Development — 4-6 years, online
Location Advantages: Proximity to Maryland tech corridor and Washington D.C. metro game development studios
