The GAME STUDIES GRADUATE MINOR is a set of courses that fosters graduate level critical, theoretical, and methodological approaches to game studies. This degree has been designed for students who have been admitted to the Graduate College in any campus program, whose research or professional interests with the study and design of games, gaming, game design and the digital, VR/XR and AI technologies involved with the crafting of interactive systems and interfaces relevant to the game, film, education, and media industries, as well as a range of other emerging professions.

Through this minor, students will join an interdisciplinary community of faculty and graduate students who are thinking critically about and conducting research on the history, cultural meaning, social impact, ethics, educational uses, theoretical basis, and increasingly significant role of games, gaming, and interactive media in a diverse society, or who are pursuing interests in advanced methodological, computational, aesthetic, and design aspects of games broadly defined

Why Game Studies?

This versatile minor is intended to offer interdisciplinary support for game-related research being done within students’ primary disciplines. Students whose work is unrelated to games will also benefit from this minor, since it offers them training in and experience with cutting edge technologies and design processes as well as a critical lens through which to understand these new technologies

What Can a Student Do with a Graduate Minor In Game Studies ?

The game industry market value was estimated at $134.9 billion in 2018, a 10.9% increase over 2017. The estimated size of the 2019 game market is $152 billion, demonstrating a clear and upward trend. New technologies are also creating new markets; cloud-based gaming, for example, is projected to grow in value to $4 billion by 2023

Our Game Studies graduate minor, however, not only serves students with ambitions towards research and development related to the thriving video game industries. Our program will also provide a community for students interested in research and development related to game-like environments of social media, pervasive and invasive uses of chatbots, or related to VR and AI applications in medical, educational, or business fields, for example.

Independent Studies

Graduate students pursuing the Graduate Minor in Game Studies and Design may complete an independent study with a Game Studies and Design affiliate faculty member by submitting the form below. The independent study course option is GSD 597, which may be taken for 1–4 credit hours.

Independent Study Form for Graduate Minor in GSD

Before submitting the form, students should first meet with the faculty member who will supervise the research project to determine the appropriate number of credits for their proposed work.

Please note: This form is intended for graduate students completing coursework for the Graduate Minor in Game Studies and Design. Students pursuing the Undergraduate Minor in Game Studies and Design should use the undergraduate independent study form instead.

Requirements For the Minor

Students are required to take the colloquium course GSD 500, one of two seminar courses, GSD 501 or GSD 502 and at least 8 credit hours of approved elective courses.

The minimum total hours required to earn the minor is 13 credit hours

Game Studies Courses

Required Colloquium– 0/1 credit hour (students are encouraged to attend every semester but must register at least once for 0 credits and at least once for 1 credit, which includes a presentation)

  • GSD 500: Colloquium in Game Studies & Design–This once weekly orientation to graduate study in games studies and game design at the University of Illinois will be offered in fall semesters and will feature presentations of research and professional activities by faculty, advanced graduate students, and staff who will share their game-related research and design projects and provide students with a broad introduction to critical, theoretical and methodological approaches to the field. Some sessions will meet in labs and makerspaces around campus, familiarizing students with facilities and support services available to them for their own research and design projects. Students are required to take this course once for credit. Graduate students enrolled in the Graduate Minor will be expected to return to the seminar as a guest speaker near the end of their program, to share their work.

Required Seminar– 1 unit (4 credit hours), students choose one

  • GSD 502: Seminar in Game Studies– This team-taught seminar provides students an in-depth exploration of significant areas of social, psychological, historical, and critical game studies, focusing on theoretical approaches, methodological issues and aspects of contemporary game studies research. This course is intended to create an intellectual community for game studies minors whose main interest is research on or through games, rather than on the design and development of games. Guest speakers from participating academic units will help to moderate interdisciplinary a series of discussions on a range of theoretical methodological issues pertinent to contemporary academic game studies research. Graduate students who take this course as part of their minor degree will be expected to return to the seminar as a guest speaker near the end of their program, to share their research.
  • GSD 501: Seminar in Game Design–  This team-taught seminar provides students an in-depth exploration of game design methodologies across a range of modalities (board games, interactive narrative games, role-playing games, video games, escape rooms). This course is meant to create an intellectual community for game studies minors whose main interest is in the design and development of games, either by themselves, or with applications in their own disciplinary areas. Guest speakers from participating units across campus will present their work as it pertains to game design and development. Graduate level readings will address contemporary game design challenges. Students who take this course as part of their minor degree will be expected to return to the seminar as a guest speaker near the end of their program, to share their game design accomplishments or ongoing work.

* If both courses are taken the second serves as an elective in the minor

Required Electives– 2 unit (8 credit hours)

  • An approved elective game studies course at the 500 level
  • An approved elective game studies course at the 400/500 level

GSD Graduate Minor Pathways

There are 10 suggested pathways to help focus the minor in an area of interest: Design, Programming, Education & Research, Film & Media, Music, Sound & Dance, Narrative, Play Studies, Theater, and Visual Arts. These pathways are suggestions; students may choose any combination of classes on the approved list.

Design Pathway

These are the courses available for this Game Studies Graduate Minor pathway. To view more information about which semesters courses are offered (and a link to the course catalog), click on a course number. These links open in a new browser window.

  • ARTD 418: Advanced Interaction Design – Art-Design
          Note: Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule.
  • CI 437: Educational Game Design – Curriculum & Instruction
  • DANC 465: Screendance – Dance
          Note: Specific population encouraged to take the course are Cinema and Media studies, Theater Design and Technology and Art and Design.
  • GSD 403: An Introduction to Top Down Video Game Design – Game Studies and Design
          Note: formerly taught as INFO 403
  • GSD 409: Design & Programming of Narrative Games & Simulations – Game Studies and Design
          Note: Same as CW 463 1U Design & Programming of Narrative Games & Simulations. Credit is not given for GSD 409and INFO 490 JP, JPU or JPG “Design & Prog Text Based Games” sections.
  • GSD 490: Video Game Development Process – Game Studies and Design
  • INFO 416: Makerspace: Game Studies – Informatics
          Note: Class will meet in the CU Community Fab Lab in Art Annex II. Students who have taken a different makerspace class before are encouraged to enroll. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. Credit is not given for INFO 416 and INFO 490 A/AG “Makerspace: Game Studies” sections.
  • INFO 418: Makerspace: Escape Rooms – Informatics
          Note: Credit is not given for INFO 418 and INFO 490 B, BG, ERU or ERG “Makerspace: Escape rooms” sections.
  • IS 426: Museum Informatics – Information Sciences
  • IS 490: Topics in Info Foundations: Playful Design Methods – Information Sciences
  • THEA 461: Introduction to Media Design – Theater

Education & Research Pathway

These are the courses available for this Game Studies Graduate Minor pathway. To view more information about which semesters courses are offered (and a link to the course catalog), click on a course number. These links open in a new browser window.

  • CI 437: Educational Game Design – Curriculum & Instruction
  • CI 439: Critiques of Educational Technology – Curriculum & Instruction
  • CI 482: Social Learning & Multimedia – Curriculum & Instruction
  • CI 499: Issues and Development in Education: Attention Learning and Tech – Curriculum & Instruction
  • INFO 416: Makerspace: Game Studies – Informatics
          Note: Class will meet in the CU Community Fab Lab in Art Annex II. Students who have taken a different makerspace class before are encouraged to enroll. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. Credit is not given for INFO 416 and INFO 490 A/AG “Makerspace: Game Studies” sections.
  • JOUR 430: Augmented and Virtual Reality – Journalism
          Note: Credit is not given for JOUR 430 if credit for JOUR 460 (section – Ext Reality and Immersive Tech) or JOUR 460 (section – Immersive Technologies) has been given.
  • MACS 496: Advanced Media/Cinema Topics: Collaboration in Interactive and Immersive Media – Media & Cinema Studies

Film & Media Pathway

These are the courses available for this Game Studies Graduate Minor pathway. To view more information about which semesters courses are offered (and a link to the course catalog), click on a course number. These links open in a new browser window.

  • JOUR 430: Augmented and Virtual Reality – Journalism
          Note: Credit is not given for JOUR 430 if credit for JOUR 460 (section – Ext Reality and Immersive Tech) or JOUR 460 (section – Immersive Technologies) has been given.
  • JOUR 460: Special Topics: Basic Video Production – Journalism
  • MACS 480: Advanced Filmmaking – Media & Cinema Studies
          Note: Concurrent enrollment in MACS 481: Advanced Filmmaking Studio is required. Junior or Senior standing recommended for this course.
  • MACS 481: Advanced Filmmaking Studio – Media & Cinema Studies
          Note: Concurrent enrollment in MACS 480: Advanced Filmmaking Studio is required. Junior or Senior standing recommended for this course.
  • MACS 485: Making Video Essays – Media & Cinema Studies
          Note: Credit is not given for MACS 485 if credit for MACS 496: Making Video Essays has been given.
  • MACS 496: Advanced Media/Cinema Topics: Collaboration in Interactive and Immersive Media – Media & Cinema Studies

Games & Society Pathway

These are the courses available for this Game Studies Graduate Minor pathway. To view more information about which semesters courses are offered (and a link to the course catalog), click on a course number. These links open in a new browser window.

  • ARTD 451: Ethics of a Designer in a Global Economy – Art-Design
          Note: May be repeated up to 8 hours in the same term and 12 hours in separate terms, if topics vary.
  • CI 437: Educational Game Design – Curriculum & Instruction
  • DANC 451: Individual Study/Creative Investigations: Social Impact thru Arts Technology – Dance
  • INFO 416: Makerspace: Game Studies – Informatics
          Note: Class will meet in the CU Community Fab Lab in Art Annex II. Students who have taken a different makerspace class before are encouraged to enroll. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. Credit is not given for INFO 416 and INFO 490 A/AG “Makerspace: Game Studies” sections.
  • IS 426: Museum Informatics – Information Sciences
  • THEA 418: Devising Social Issues Theatre – Theater
          Note: Same as GWS 418.

Music & Sound Pathway

These are the courses available for this Game Studies Graduate Minor pathway. To view more information about which semesters courses are offered (and a link to the course catalog), click on a course number. These links open in a new browser window.

  • ARTD 451: Ethics of a Designer in a Global Economy – Art-Design
          Note: May be repeated up to 8 hours in the same term and 12 hours in separate terms, if topics vary.
  • INFO 490: Special Topics: Computer Music – Informatics
  • INFO 490: Special Topics: Musical Informatics – Informatics
  • MUS 407: Electronic Music Techniques I – Music
          Note: Weekly lab times assigned.
  • MUS 409: Electronic Music Techniques II – Music
          Note: Weekly lab times are assigned.
  • MUS 499: Proseminar in Music: Algorithmic Techniques for Multichanel Audio – Music
  • MUS 499: Proseminar in Music: Audio Coding with SuperCollider  – Music
  • MUS 499: Proseminar in Music: Introduction to Interactive Music – Music
  • MUS 499: Proseminar in Music: Project-Oriented Computer Music – Music
  • THEA 453: Introduction to Theater Sound – Theater
          Note: Each graduate student is required to create 2 sound stories in addition to normal requirements of the course.
  • THEA 455: Sound Design for Video Games – Theater
          Note: May be repeated in separate terms to a maximum of 18 hours, as topics vary

Performance & Dance Technologies Pathway

These are the courses available for this Game Studies Graduate Minor pathway. To view more information about which semesters courses are offered (and a link to the course catalog), click on a course number. These links open in a new browser window.

  • DANC 451: Individual Study/Creative Investigations: Social Impact thru Arts Technology – Dance
  • DANC 465: Screendance – Dance
          Note: Specific population encouraged to take the course are Cinema and Media studies, Theater Design and Technology and Art and Design.
  • JOUR 430: Augmented and Virtual Reality – Journalism
          Note: Credit is not given for JOUR 430 if credit for JOUR 460 (section – Ext Reality and Immersive Tech) or JOUR 460 (section – Immersive Technologies) has been given.
  • MACS 496: Advanced Media/Cinema Topics: Collaboration in Interactive and Immersive Media – Media & Cinema Studies
  • THEA 409: Production Management – Theater
          Note: May be repeated if topics vary to a maximum of 6 undergraduate or 8 graduate hours.
  • THEA 418: Devising Social Issues Theatre – Theater
          Note: Same as GWS 418.
  • THEA 453: Introduction to Theater Sound – Theater
          Note: Each graduate student is required to create 2 sound stories in addition to normal requirements of the course.
  • THEA 455: Sound Design for Video Games – Theater
          Note: May be repeated in separate terms to a maximum of 18 hours, as topics vary

Programming Pathway

These are the courses available for this Game Studies Graduate Minor pathway. To view more information about which semesters courses are offered (and a link to the course catalog), click on a course number. These links open in a new browser window.

  • ARTD 418: Advanced Interaction Design – Art-Design
          Note: Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule.
  • CI 437: Educational Game Design – Curriculum & Instruction
  • CS 415: Game Development – Computer Science
  • CS 418: Interactive Computer Graphics – Computer Science
          Note: Same as CSE 427.
  • CS 498: Special Topics: Video Game Development – Computer Science
  • GSD 409: Design & Programming of Narrative Games & Simulations – Game Studies and Design
          Note: Same as CW 463 1U Design & Programming of Narrative Games & Simulations. Credit is not given for GSD 409and INFO 490 JP, JPU or JPG “Design & Prog Text Based Games” sections.

Theater & Production Pathway

These are the courses available for this Game Studies Graduate Minor pathway. To view more information about which semesters courses are offered (and a link to the course catalog), click on a course number. These links open in a new browser window.

  • DANC 451: Individual Study/Creative Investigations: Social Impact thru Arts Technology – Dance
  • FAA 499: Special Topics: Escape Rooms as Interactive Theatre – Fine & Applied Arts
  • INFO 490: Special Topics: Computer Music – Informatics
  • IS 410: Storytelling – Information Sciences
          Note: For undergraduates, junior or senior standing and consent of instructor.
  • JOUR 460: Special Topics: Basic Video Production – Journalism
  • MACS 496: Advanced Media/Cinema Topics: Collaboration in Interactive and Immersive Media – Media & Cinema Studies
  • THEA 409: Production Management – Theater
          Note: May be repeated if topics vary to a maximum of 6 undergraduate or 8 graduate hours.
  • THEA 410: Dramaturgs’ Workshop – Theater
          Note: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 undergraduate hours and 12 graduate hours, if topics vary.
  • THEA 411: Playwrights’ Workshop – Theater
          Note: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 undergraduate hours or 9 graduate hours.
  • THEA 418: Devising Social Issues Theatre – Theater
          Note: Same as GWS 418.
  • THEA 426: History of Décor – Theater
          Note: Enrollment limited to Theatre majors. May be repeated in separate terms to a max of 6 hours if topics vary.
  • THEA 428: THEA 428 Scene Painting II – Theater
          Note: May be repeated in separate terms to a maximum of 3 hours if topics vary.
  • THEA 448: Costume Crafts – Theater
          Note: Student is responsible for providing all materials used to complete the various projects
  • THEA 455: Sound Design for Video Games – Theater
          Note: May be repeated in separate terms to a maximum of 18 hours, as topics vary
  • THEA 461: Introduction to Media Design – Theater

Visual Arts Pathway

These are the courses available for this Game Studies Graduate Minor pathway. To view more information about which semesters courses are offered (and a link to the course catalog), click on a course number. These links open in a new browser window.

  • ART 499: Special Topics in Art – Art
  • ARTD 418: Advanced Interaction Design – Art-Design
          Note: Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule.
  • ARTD 451: Ethics of a Designer in a Global Economy – Art-Design
          Note: May be repeated up to 8 hours in the same term and 12 hours in separate terms, if topics vary.
  • ARTD 499: : Sustainable Lifecycle Design & Research I – Art-Design
  • ARTS 444: Interactivity II – Art-Studio
          Note: Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 undergraduate or 8 graduate hours.
  • ARTS 499: Special topics in Studio Art – Art-Studio
  • CS 418: Interactive Computer Graphics – Computer Science
          Note: Same as CSE 427.
  • JOUR 430: Augmented and Virtual Reality – Journalism
          Note: Credit is not given for JOUR 430 if credit for JOUR 460 (section – Ext Reality and Immersive Tech) or JOUR 460 (section – Immersive Technologies) has been given.
  • MACS 496: Advanced Media/Cinema Topics: Collaboration in Interactive and Immersive Media – Media & Cinema Studies

Writing & Narrative Design Pathway

These are the courses available for this Game Studies Graduate Minor pathway. To view more information about which semesters courses are offered (and a link to the course catalog), click on a course number. These links open in a new browser window.

  • DANC 451: Individual Study/Creative Investigations: Social Impact thru Arts Technology – Dance
  • FAA 499: Special Topics: Escape Rooms as Interactive Theatre – Fine & Applied Arts
  • GSD 409: Design & Programming of Narrative Games & Simulations – Game Studies and Design
          Note: Same as CW 463 1U Design & Programming of Narrative Games & Simulations. Credit is not given for GSD 409and INFO 490 JP, JPU or JPG “Design & Prog Text Based Games” sections.
  • IS 410: Storytelling – Information Sciences
          Note: For undergraduates, junior or senior standing and consent of instructor.
  • THEA 411: Playwrights’ Workshop – Theater
          Note: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 undergraduate hours or 9 graduate hours.
  • THEA 418: Devising Social Issues Theatre – Theater
          Note: Same as GWS 418.

Play, Sports, & Health Pathway

These are the courses available for this Game Studies Graduate Minor pathway. To view more information about which semesters courses are offered (and a link to the course catalog), click on a course number. These links open in a new browser window.

Coming soon!

How To Declare The Minor

The Game Studies minor program is open to graduate students from all colleges and disciplines. It complements the backgrounds of those majoring in any field, whether your college is liberal arts and sciences, engineering, fine arts, applied health sciences, information science, or any other!

  • Choose the courses you would like to take to create your graduate minor program
    • GSD 500
    • Either GSD 501 or GSD 502
    • If both courses are taken the second serves as an elective in the minor
    • Required Electives– 2 unit (8 credit hours)
    • An approved elective game studies course at the 500 level
    • An approved elective game studies course at the 400/500 level
    • A minimum of 13 total credit hours required to earn the minor
  • Petition instructions can be found at: https://grad.illinois.edu/academics/graduate-student-portal
    • IMPORTANT: Include your chosen graduate minor courses in the “Student Statement” section of the form.
  • The Graduate College will convey the petition results.
  • If you would like an advising appointment to explore your options for course electives, please email game-studies@illinois.edu with any questions

If you have questions you may direct them to Dr. Judith Pintar, game-studies@illinois.edu