School of ComputingSchool of Cinema and Interactive MediaInstitute for Professional Development

MS in Computer Game Development

Master of Science

Computer Game Development

The MS in Computer Game Development is designed for those interested in game development programming at the highest level, including computer science and computer graphics professionals retooling for the game industry. Learn more about admission to this program.
Online Learning Options
Some courses in this degree are available for review and playback via the CDM Course Online playback system (COL) . If a course is COL-enabled, any student registered in the course has access to the course playback. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize the COL resource wherever available. Some courses are offered online. To complete this degree students may take any combination of courses offered online and on campus. For more information on online learning at CDM visit the Online Learning page.
Course Legend
Course Requirements
Prerequisite Phase
The goal of the prerequisite phase is to give students the background necessary for starting the graduate program. These prerequisite phase requirements can be fulfilled in one of three ways:
  • The student takes the course and earns a grade of B- or higher
  • The student takes a Graduate Assessment Exam (GAE) to test out of the course
  • The faculty advisor waives the course because of equivalent academic background or work experience.

All students are blocked from enrolling in Graduate Phase courses prior to completing their prerequisites. Students must submit an online Change of Status request (through myCDM) when the Prerequisite Phase is completed to inform the Student Services offices that the block can be removed.

CSC 261 AND CSC 262
CSC 373
CSC 374
CSC 393
OR CSC 383
MAT 150
GPH 321
OR an equivalent Linear Algebra course
Foundation Phase
GAM 424
GAM 474
GAM 475
Advanced Phase
GAM 450
GAM 476
CSC 421
GPH 469
GAM 575
Major electives
Students must complete 2 graduate GAM courses in the 420-699 range or courses from the following list:
CSC 443
CSC 447
CSC 448
CSC 451
CSC 480
CSC 578
CSC 435
GAM 490
GAM 599
GPH 438
GPH 448
GPH 539
GPH 540
GPH 541
GPH 570
GPH 572
GPH 575
SE 430
SE 433
SE 450
SE 477
CSC 536
CSC 534
CSC 552
SE 558
CDM Open Electives
Students must complete 1 CDM open elective in the range of 420-699.
Capstone
Students must complete the following courses:
GAM 690
GAM 691
Note Students must register for GAM 690 and GAM 691 in consecutive quarters. A grade will not be assigned for GAM 690 until GAM 691 has been completed.
Degree Requirements
Students in this degree program must meet the following requirements:
  • complete a minimum of 52 credit hours (generally 13 courses) beyond the Prerequisite Phase
  • earn a grade of B- or better in each Prerequisite Phase course
  • earn a grade of C- or better in all graduate courses beyond the Prerequisite Phase
  • maintain a graduate level GPA of 2.50 or higher while pursuing their degree
  • achieve a graduate GPA of 2.50 or higher at the completion of all other requirements

Students with a GPA of 3.9 or higher will graduate with distinction.

For DePaul's policy on repeat graduate courses and a complete list of academic policies see the DePaul Graduate Handbook in the Course Catalog.