Program Overview

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Media Arts and Sciences (Games and Interactive Media), BS

The School of Arts, Media and Engineering educates the next generation of learners and empowers them with technofluency --- its development, application and implications. Students are prepared to be socially aware, critically thinking global citizens who strive to bring about positive change in a society that will be increasingly shaped by new technologies.

Program Description

In the Bachelor of Science program in media arts and sciences with a concentration in games and interactive media, students learn to create computational media, which is computation combined with objects, sound, video, time, space, culture and bodies; breathe behavior into media, objects or systems by programming; and think critically about how computation impacts lives and how culture makes a difference in how people experience computational media, a critical skill in this age.

This concentration program in games and interactive media pairs a maker approach with a rich historical and conceptual understanding of games, augmented and virtual reality, esports, and location-based and themed environments and experiences. Working within this interdisciplinary program, students create, envision and critique digital and hybrid spaces that impact work, education, communication, interpersonal relationships, entertainment, physical and mental health care, and lifelong learning.

At a Glance

• College/school: Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
• Location: Tempe
• Second language requirement: No
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
• First required math course: MAT 210 - Brief Calculus
• Math intensity: Moderate

Curriculum

View 2025 - 2026 curriculum. View curriculum archives.

Concurrent Program Options

Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Change of Major Requirements

An ASU student who would like to change their major to this program and would be new to this major must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 and understand that their GPA must be brought up to a 2.50 or higher within one semester to remain in good standing. An ASU student who is returning to this major must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.

Transfer Options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

Global Opportunities

• Global experience: With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, media arts and sciences students are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets.

Career Opportunities

Working within this field of games and interactive media are artists, programmers, designers, storytellers, engineers, policy advocates and countless other professionals. Games and interactive media arts industries are growing at a rapid pace; for example, job opportunities for special effects artists and animators are expected to grow by 16% by 2030, double that of the national outlook.

• Career | Growth | Median salary
  • Animator | 1.6% | $99,800
  • Audio-Visual Technician | 3.3% | $54,830
  • Computer Programmer | -6.0% | $98,670
  • Computer Scientist | 19.7% | $140,910
  • IT Project Manager | 8.2% | $108,970
  • Performance Artist | 0.8% | $72,760
  • Production Assistant | 2.7% | $71,770
  • Software Developer | 15.8% | $133,080
  • Video Game Designer | 7.0% | $98,090

STEM-OPT for International Students

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension. The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.