8 Game Design Programs for High School Students
Participating in extracurricular programs during high school can significantly boost a student’s college applications and future academic or professional pursuits, especially in specialized fields like game design. Extracurricular programs provide opportunities to develop crucial skills, gain practical experience, and build a portfolio of work, making students stand out in the competitive admissions landscape and, later, in the job market. Moreover, these programs foster teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills that are highly valued in any career.
By participating in a game design program, students can explore different aspects of the field, from coding and software development to visual design and storytelling, helping them discover their strengths and interests. In this blog, we cover 8 game design programs for all high school students!
1. Tisch Summer High School Game Design Program
Location: New York, NY
Cost: $13,643
Application Deadline: January 17, 2025
Program Dates: July 6 - August 2, 2025
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and seniors 15+
NYU’s Game Design Program for high school students is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the various skills required in digital game development. As part of the program, students are enrolled in three core courses: Game Literacy, Game Design Workshop, and Game Development Workshop.
In the Game Development Workshop, students learn the fundamentals of programming and the technical tools necessary for game development, working in teams to bring their concepts to life. By the end of the program, students will have earned six college credits, adding significant value to their academic portfolio.
2. Intro to Video Game Design at the University of Rochester
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,495
Application Deadline:
Session 1 Deadline: December 15, 2024
Session 2 Deadline: February 23, 2025
Session 3 Deadline: May 11, 2025
Program Dates:
Session 1: December 22, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Session 2: March 2 - March 30, 2025
Session 3: May 18 - June 1, 2025
Eligibility: Open to high school students older than 13 by the time the program starts
The University of Rochester’s Intro to Video Game Design course offers a two-week intensive program where students can start developing the technical and creative skills needed to design their own video games. Before jumping into game creation, participants are introduced to the history of digital gaming, along with game design theory and storytelling techniques.
This foundation prepares them to incorporate elements like puzzles and drama into their projects, ultimately leading to the customization of a templated game as their final project. Beyond the core curriculum, students also have the opportunity to engage with interviews featuring game designers and explore potential career paths in the gaming industry!
Location: Burlington, VT
Cost: $4,500
Application Deadline: Registration opens this fall.
Program Dates: There are two sessions, one taking place from early to mid July, and the second from late July to early August.
Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates
Champlain College offers two summer game design programs for high school students, each inspired by their renowned Game Studio curriculum. The Game Academy emphasizes collaboration and introduces students to the various roles within a professional game development team.
Participants gain hands-on experience in areas such as game art and animation, business, design, programming, and sound. They also work in teams to create functional prototypes that can be included in their college applications, providing a practical glimpse into the world of game development.
Throughout the program, students use industry-standard tools like Maya, Unity, and C#, and receive guidance from professors and professionals in the field, helping them explore what pursuing a major in game design could entail.
4. Summer Game Studio at Clark University
Location: Worcester, MA
Cost: $4,200
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Program Dates: July 6 - 20
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Clark University's Becker School of Design and Technology offers the Summer Game Studio program, specifically designed for high school students interested in pursuing game design at the college level. This program covers a wide range of topics in game development, such as game art and animation, motion capture, testing, and production, providing participants with a comprehensive introduction to the field.
Mornings are spent in structured lectures and discussions led by Clark’s full-time game design faculty, where students learn about the different roles within game development. Afternoons are dedicated to collaborative projects, as students work in teams to create their own original games.
Supervised open lab sessions in the evenings offer additional time to refine their projects. The program culminates in a final showcase where students present their games to faculty, industry professionals, and family members, and these projects can be included in their college applications if desired!
5. USC Cinematic Arts Summer Program
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $4,708. Housing is an additional $2,021-2,881.
Application Deadline: December 15 - April 30
Program Dates: June 24 - August 2
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 16+
USC’s Cinematic Arts Summer Program offers high school students the opportunity to take the Foundations of Game Design course, which emphasizes “play-centric design.” Over six weeks, participants receive both lecture and studio-based instruction covering game design theory, ideation, and prototyping. Students will create two games as part of the course: one tabletop and one digital.
The program equips students with foundational skills and knowledge in game design, making it an excellent option for those planning to pursue the field in college. By the end of the course, students will have developed a portfolio-ready digital game that can be included in their college applications. In addition to hands-on experience and skill development, students who complete the program successfully earn two college credits!
6. National High School Game Academy @ Carnegie Mellon University
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Not listed on the website
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
Program Dates: June 21 - August 2, 2025
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores or juniors aged 16+ with an academic average of at least a B
The National High School Game Academy (NHSGA) offers dedicated high school students a chance to delve into video game development using industry-standard practices. Students will receive regular assignments to gauge their progress, helping them enhance their work habits and academic discipline.
By the end of the six-week program, participants will create an original game prototype, from initial pitch to final playable demo. Do note that this program is residential only.
7. Tisch Future Game Designers
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: November 11, 2024
Program Dates: February 1, 2025 - May 10, 2025
Eligibility: Open to freshmen - juniors
The Future Game Designers workshop is a 14-week, hands-on program designed to immerse high school students in digital and tabletop game development. Held at the NYU Game Center in Downtown Brooklyn, this free workshop is open to first-year, sophomore, and junior students.
Participants will engage in creating digital prototypes, learning game design principles, and understanding the history and industry of gaming. The program emphasizes practical experience, allowing students to develop and refine game prototypes through direct, lab-based activities. In addition to digital game development, the workshop covers tabletop game design and critical analysis of games!
8. UCLA Game Lab Summer Institute
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $4,920. Scholarships are offered
Application Deadline: March 15
Program Dates: Session A (virtual): July 8-19
Session B: July 21 - August 3
Session C: August 4-17
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged at least 15 by the time the first program begins
The UCLA Game Lab Summer Institute offers high school students a chance to explore game design as an artistic endeavor through either an in-person, residential program or a virtual option. Both formats provide identical curricula and hands-on guidance from expert faculty. Participants will engage in creating analog and digital games that reflect their unique creative vision.
Over two weeks, students will complete four practical courses covering game design fundamentals, character creation, world-building, and programming. By the end of the program, each student will have developed fully realized game projects or assets to showcase in their college portfolios!
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You can find the application link here.
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