Certificate in Game Studies
Understand how play shapes culture
Whether you are majoring in Media Study, Computer Science, Art, English or another field, this certificate adds focused expertise in game design, game culture and interactive media. The Certificate in Game Studies at UB gives you the tools to both create games and analyze their social, cultural and technological impact.
Games are more than entertainment, they shape storytelling, identity, technology and community.
At UB, you will explore games from multiple perspectives:
- Creative production
- Design theory
- Cultural analysis
- Gender and diversity studies
- Emerging technologies
This certificate is a strong fit if you:
- Want to design digital or analog games
- Are interested in interactive storytelling
- Care about how games reflect culture and society
- Want interdisciplinary training across art, media and technology
- Plan to work in gaming, digital media or interactive industries
🎮 Bonus: Game design experience demonstrates problem-solving, collaboration and systems thinking—skills employers value in many industries.
Credential type: Undergraduate Certificate
Field: Game Studies
Total credits: 31–36
Courses required: 9 (including prerequisites)
Time to completion: Typically 2 to 3 years
Awarded: Concurrently with a bachelor’s degree
- Interdisciplinary coursework across Media Study, Art, Computer Science and other fields
- Training in both game production and cultural analysis
- Option to complete a capstone independent study project
- Flexible electives tailored to your interests
- Strong foundation in design, theory and technology
Reminder: The certificate is awarded at the same time as your bachelor’s degree. It cannot be completed as a standalone credential after graduation.
How the certificate works
The Certificate in Game Studies is structured to move you from foundations to advanced application.
You begin with introductory coursework that builds technical and analytical skills in digital media and media studies. These courses establish a shared foundation in programming, design concepts and media interpretation.
From there, you move into upper-level Game Studies core courses. These classes explore game design, culture, gender, theory and interactive systems. Many students choose to deepen their work through a capstone independent study project, where they develop an original game or complete a substantial research project.
You then complete advanced electives tailored to your interests. These may focus on game development, interactive storytelling, virtual worlds, digital culture or related fields across departments.
Because the certificate is interdisciplinary, you can shape it around your goals — whether that means emphasizing creative production, technical systems or cultural analysis.
Special note for Media Study majors
Media Study majors using the Game Studies Certificate as their required outside concentration must complete six courses from the Required and Elective categories that do not overlap with the major. The Advanced Production course for the Media Study major may not count toward certificate requirements.
Students who complete the certificate will be able to:
- Critically analyze the history, theory and culture of games
- Evaluate game genres and their relationship to social issues
- Apply iterative design processes, including prototyping and play-testing
- Analyze structural elements of games and assess their effectiveness
- Use game development technologies such as pixel art, 3D modeling and game engines
- Create both digital and analog games
You will develop creative, technical and analytical skills that transfer across many fields.
Game studies training prepares students for roles in:
- Game design and development
- Interactive media production
- UX and experience design
- Digital storytelling
- Arts and media nonprofits
- Technology and creative industries
The combination of design thinking, technical skill and cultural awareness positions graduates to work across gaming, media and emerging technology sectors.
Ready to explore how games are made—and what they mean?
Talk with your academic advisor about adding the Game Studies Certificate and building a course plan that fits your major.
For questions about the Certificate in Game Studies:
