Get the Most Out of an Online Degree in Game Design

Learn how to succeed with an online degree in game design.

Game Design Home | Find Game Design Schools

Is an Online Degree in Game Design for You?

There's no point in beating around the bush: there are still game industry professionals who remain skeptical that an online degree in game design is comparable to a traditional degree. What gaming insiders do agree on, however, is the fact that your portfolio is of prime importance. If your experience at school helps you produce an impressive set of samples, then you'll be a more marketable job candidate regardless of whether your degree was earned in person or online.

An online degree in game design presents benefits and challenges that are unique to the distance learning format, so in that sense, the experts are right: it's not quite the same as a traditional program. But never fear—our list of tips will help you make the most out of your degree and acquire the design skills you'll need to be competitive for those coveted game industry positions.

1. Pursue an accredited online degree in game design. Accreditation ensures that your school or program meets appropriate standards of academic quality and rigor. It also means you'll be getting a valuable education instead of falling prey to a costly diploma scam. An accredited game design program will make you a lot more marketable to potential employers, especially those who are leery of online degrees. Look for accrediting agencies such as the Distance Education and Training Council, which are subject to the approval of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

2. Familiarize yourself with the online education format. Are you prepared to meet the demands of the program you've chosen? Each online degree in game design will have a unique curriculum and delivery method. Some offer synchronous classes that take place online in real time, while others focus on asynchronous learning that you can pursue on your own schedule. Some schools operate on a traditional semester or quarter system, while others offer courses in shorter, accelerated blocks. Also, make sure you have access to the appropriate hardware and software to complete your coursework—Adobe software is often a must.

3. Know yourself—and your study habits. If you've chosen a program that leaves a lot of the scheduling up to you, make sure you cultivate the self-discipline to complete your assignments on time. Time management is critical, especially if you're juggling work or family commitments along with school. Sometimes all it takes is setting aside some time to devote solely to your classwork, but you might also need to find a location where you can work undisturbed.

4. Be proactive about your education. If you really want to make the most of your online degree in game design, you can't be a passive consumer of education—you need to be active in seeking out opportunities to broaden your portfolio and expertise. Choose a specialty, and focus on classes that will help you hone your specialty, whether it's character animation, level design or even programming. At the same time, make sure you take a range of courses with various instructors. Having a broad perspective on the industry is valuable.

5. Take advantage of the available career services. Most colleges, traditional or online, offer some sort of career counseling or assistance. Check the college career center for job information, placement services, internships, career fairs and other help for recent graduates and alumni. Your online degree in game design is about more than just classes, so don't forget to take advantage of the other services your school has to offer.