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A student in a game programming class.

Game Programming and Design

Associate of Science (A.S.)

There is no industry that combines programming, creativity, and graphic design quite like the game industry. Level up your programming skills and pursue a career that builds on your love of video games and technical expertise with computers.

Associate Degree
63 Credit Hours
In-Person
Hybrid

Program Overview

Game designers thrive on creativity and imagination. If you have a passion for video games and want to be a part of their creation, this program is for you. Coursework focuses on programming, 3D animation, game design, and math. Throughout your studies, you'll participate in project-based learning and be part of a collaborative classroom environment using industry software and technology.

  • Career Outlook

    The gaming industry offers diverse job opportunities in programming, creative writing, computer science, and graphic design. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 25% growth in software development and design careers by 2031, which is much higher than the average job growth rate. The average salary for software developers was $120,730 in 2021.

    This program will put you on a path toward careers in game design and development. This industry offers technical and creative jobs with generous starting salaries. Some career paths include:

    • Character Artist
    • Front End Engineer
    • Game Developer
    • Game Mechanic Designer
    • Programmer
    • Sound Designer
    • UX / UI Engineer
    • Visual Effects Artist

    Curious about career pathways in this field? Check out Career Coach to learn more about industry job growth, education requirements, earning potential, and more. 

    Smooth Transfer to a Four-Year College

    If you're considering a bachelor’s degree after FLCC, our academic advisors will help you connect with four-year schools and explore transfer options. We'll assist you in selecting courses that efficiently meet the requirements for both FLCC and your future college.

    • Joint Admissions Agreements: These allow first-year students to gain admission to both FLCC and participating four-year schools at the same time. Gain peace of mind knowing your next step is set while you complete your associate degree with us.
    • Transfer Articulation Agreements: These partnerships ensure your credits from FLCC will transfer directly and seamlessly to a partner four-year school. You can enter a bachelor’s program with full junior standing, saving you time and money.

    VIEW TRANSFER AGREEMENTS

    Where Our Students Transfer

    Many students in our Game Programming & Design program go on to complete a four-year degree at colleges such as:

    • Alfred State College
    • Fashion Institute of Technology
    • Rochester Institute of Technology
    • SUNY Canton
    • SUNY Polytechnic Institute
  • Professional Gaming Lab

    Practice coding and design skills in our modern gaming lab, equipped with high-speed computers and professional programming software. You'll complete hands-on projects and build a portfolio of creative projects that you can use in your job search or transfer college application. The capstone course involves designing a game that showcases your creative and technical skills in game development.

    State-of-the-Art Technology

    FLCC has everything you need to gain experience with virtual reality, 2D and 3D modeling, motion capture, 3D printing, and rapid prototyping. You can also participate in game jam hackathon events.

  • Sample Courses

    Visit our academic catalog for a complete listing of program requirements, including prerequisites, general education requirements, electives, and a sample schedule.

    View Full Curriculum

    Sample core courses you'll take in this program include:

What Our Students Say

Owen Palzer

Professors in this program are passionate about games, and they offer great assistance every step of the way. Tests are replaced in part by projects, which removes a layer of stress and allows for creativity and learning along the way.

Owen Palzer

Low-Cost Tuition and Scholarship Opportunities

Earn a quality education at an affordable rate. With our low cost per credit and general scholarship opportunities, you can maximize your potential with minimal debt. Our financial aid counselors will guide you through the process and help you understand college costs.

Program Page Cost Statistics

$5,376

per year for in-state tuition ($224 per credit hour).
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76%

of students are eligible for financial aid or scholarships.
Browse All Scholarships

$18M

in financial aid was disbursed to our students last year.
Learn About Financial Aid