Serious games degree programs at universities: master's, certificates and bachelor's
A serious games degree is on offer at 14 institutions in six countries. Of the 16 programs on file, 10 are running, 2 are replaced, 2 are discontinued and 2 are unclear as of November 2026.
Updated
Serious games degree options: master's programs, certificates and bachelor's degrees
Most programs sit at graduate level. The file holds 7 master's programs, 7 graduate certificates and 2 bachelor's programs. Many carry serious games in their name, and others reach the field through learning games, educational simulation or game-based learning.
A serious games degree is a small corner of higher education at universities and colleges, and it moves quickly: programs open, close and change their name within a few years.
Serious games degree programs at universities and colleges, by status
| Institution | Country | Program | Level | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California, Santa Cruz | United States | Serious Games M.S. | Master's | Discontinued | Nov 11, 2026 |
| University of Skövde | Sweden | Serious Games - Master's Programme (one-year) | Master's | Replaced | Nov 11, 2026 |
| University of Skövde | Sweden | Game Development: Serious Games - Master's programme (SUSGA, 120 credits) | Master's | Running | Nov 11, 2026 |
| Tallinn University | Estonia | Digital Learning Games (MA) | Master's | Running | Nov 11, 2026 |
| Michigan State University | United States | Serious Game Design and Research Graduate Certificate (Serious Games Graduate Certificate) | Certificate | Running | Nov 11, 2026 |
| University of Missouri | United States | Graduate Certificate in Serious Game and Simulation Design | Certificate | Running | Nov 11, 2026 |
| University of Missouri | United States | BES in Educational Studies, emphasis in Educational Games and Simulations Design | Bachelor's | Discontinued | Nov 11, 2026 |
| Drexel University | United States | Graduate Certificate in Learning in Game-Based Environments | Certificate | Unclear | Nov 11, 2026 |
| University of South Florida | United States | Graduate Certificate in Game Design for Learning | Certificate | Running | Nov 11, 2026 |
| Boise State University | United States | Graduate Certificate in Educational Games and Simulations | Certificate | Running | Nov 11, 2026 |
| St. Mary's University (Texas) | United States | Graduate Certificate in Educational Computer Gaming | Certificate | Running | Nov 11, 2026 |
| New York University (Steinhardt) | United States | MS in Games for Learning (G4L) | Master's | Running | Nov 11, 2026 |
| Teachers College, Columbia University | United States | Design of Games for Learning (formerly Design and Development of Digital Games), concentration of the M.A. in Technology, Media and Learning | Master's | Replaced | Nov 11, 2026 |
| Cambrian College (Sudbury, Ontario) | Canada | Serious Games - Design and Development (Ontario College Graduate Certificate, SGGC) | Certificate | Running | Nov 11, 2026 |
| Glasgow School of Art (validated by the University of Glasgow) | United Kingdom | MSc Serious Games and Virtual Reality | Master's | Running | Nov 11, 2026 |
| Fachhochschule Dortmund | Germany | BA Serious Games & Digital Knowledge | Bachelor's | Unclear | Nov 11, 2026 |
Running means the program page is live and carries no closure notice. Replaced means the program was renamed or succeeded by another. Discontinued means the institution says it is closed. Unclear means the page does not settle it.
What changed: discontinued and replaced programs
Two programs are discontinued. The University of California, Santa Cruz titles its catalogue page Serious Games M.S. (Discontinued) and states that the program was discontinued as of the 2023-2024 academic year. The University of Missouri's 2026-27 catalogue says its bachelor's emphasis in Educational Games and Simulations Design is no longer admitting students beginning Fall 2026; current students may continue.
Two are replaced. The University of Skövde replaces its one-year Serious Games master's from the autumn semester of 2026 with a 120-credit Game Development: Serious Games master's, and enrolled students are unaffected. Teachers College, Columbia University folded its standalone game design master's into a concentration of the M.A. in Technology, Media and Learning; it is renamed, not closed.
Two are unclear. Drexel University's certificate page says it is not currently accepting new students and gives no end date. The Fachhochschule Dortmund page calls its bachelor's a new program starting next winter semester without naming the year, so current admission is unconfirmed.
New entries are rare. The Cambrian College graduate certificate lists a first intake in September 2027, and the University of South Florida certificate started in the fall of 2022.
Master's programs that are still running
Serious games master's programs at universities are few. Four are running as master's degrees: Skövde (campus, applications for autumn 2027 open October 16, 2026 to January 15, 2027), Tallinn University (two years, in English, international applications November 1, 2026 to March 1, 2027), New York University Steinhardt (36 credits) and Glasgow School of Art, whose MSc is validated by the University of Glasgow and whose page says 2027 entry guidelines are available from November 1, 2026.
Of these serious games master's programs, none states an online mode on the pages that were read. Skövde is the only one that names campus delivery.
Game-based learning degree and certificate options
A game-based learning degree is mostly a graduate certificate. Missouri's certificate in Serious Game and Simulation Design is 16 credit hours and fully online, Boise State's certificate in Educational Games and Simulations is fully online with applications accepted at any time, and the University of South Florida and St. Mary's University certificates are 12 credit hours each. Michigan State offers three courses, each as an on-campus hybrid or fully online section.
For anyone weighing a game-based learning degree against a certificate, the certificates are shorter and easier to find online.
Questions about serious games degree programs
Which universities offer a serious games degree?
Running programs in the file are at the University of Skövde, Tallinn University, Glasgow School of Art, New York University, Michigan State University, the University of Missouri, the University of South Florida, Boise State University, St. Mary's University and Cambrian College. A serious games degree at Santa Cruz is discontinued.
Are there serious games master's programs in the United States?
One is running: New York University's MS in Games for Learning, 36 credits. Teachers College, Columbia University teaches its game design master's as a concentration under a new name, and the Santa Cruz master's is discontinued.
Can a game-based learning degree be earned online?
Certificates can. The Missouri and Boise State certificates are fully online. No master's program in the file states an online mode.
Which serious games programs were discontinued?
Two serious games degree programs: the Serious Games M.S. at the University of California, Santa Cruz, discontinued as of the 2023-2024 academic year, and the University of Missouri bachelor's emphasis, closed to new students from Fall 2026.
What does Unclear mean in the status column?
The institution's page does not say whether the program admits students. Drexel's certificate page states it is not currently accepting new students without an end date, and the Dortmund page gives no year for its start.