The game design and development program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout has been ranked in the top 20 among public universities and colleges in the United States.
Animation Career Review recently named UW-Stout’s bachelor of science program the 17th best in the nation. Last year, UW-Stout was No. 45 among public and private schools.
The No. 1-ranked public school this year is the University of Utah, followed by UCLA.
“We are proud that the game design and development program at UW-Stout has achieved a top ranking again in a field that continues to become more competitive each year,” said Diane Christie, program director.
In a separate ranking among Midwest schools, UW-Stout is in the top 10 for the second straight year, ranking eighth, and is the highest-ranked school in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.
Beginning in fall 2015, UW-Stout will offer two programs, a bachelor of science in game design and development-computer science and a bachelor of fine arts in game design and development-art.
Previously, the program offered concentrations in each area. The change was approved in December by the UW System Board of Regents.
Christie will be program director for the science-based program and Dave Beck for the art-based major.
“Much of this success is thanks to the strong network of collaboration happening between the new game design bachelor of fine arts and game design bachelor of science. Artists and computer scientists are coming together in classes to innovate with new games and interactive experiences,” Beck said. “Not only does this closely mirror the game development industry, but also helps us to stand out as a unique, high-value, regionally based educational institution that competes on a national scale.”
Animation Career Review is a leading source of information for “aspiring animation, design and gaming professionals,” according to its website. The rankings can be found at www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/top-25-public-game-design-schools-and-colleges-us-%E2%80%93-2015?page=0,1.
To learn more about the B.S. in game design, go to www.uwstout.edu/programs/bsgdd.
To learn more about the B.F.A. in game design go to www.uwstout.edu/programs/bfagdd.
(Information furnished by UW-Stout)