Computer Gaming, Certificate
Build hands-on game development skills in a certificate program designed to complement your primary major. Prepare for careers in the gaming industry and broader applications while advancing the field you already study.
Quick facts
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Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Computer Gaming undergraduate certificate description
The computer gaming certificate program provides you with a game development skill set that you can apply to domain-specific applications in your major. The skill set includes architecture of game engines, art design and computer graphics for gaming, and game software development.
You learn to apply gaming technology to the rapidly growing video game industry and to fields including business, medicine, geography, biotechnology and education. Examples of projects are:
- building a game that teaches linear algebra by incorporating trigonometric rules into the game design
- creating a game that teaches correct sentence construction to beginning learners of English
- creating a game to help patients with physical therapy
- creating an interactive virtual world for corporate training
- designing a game platform that incorporates geographic information systems
- inventing a surgical simulation to educate medical students
Why earn a computer gaming undergraduate certificate at ASU?
This program integrates of both technical programming and creative design components, ensuring you gain a balanced skill set rather than specializing narrowly in one area.
Courses
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The certificate requires 18 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the certificate, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
|
The certificate in computer gaming requires 18 credit hours, including 12 upper-division credit hours. Students will complete nine credit hours of core courses (including a final capstone project) and nine credit hours of elective courses. All courses must be passed with a "C" or better. Students need to allow at least three years to complete the certificate program due to the prerequisite structure. |
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| Computer Gaming Certificate Requirements | ||
|
CPI 111 Game Development I
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
CPI 211 Game Development II
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
CPI 441 Gaming Capstone
CPI 441 is only offered in Spring semesters
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
CPI 411 is only offered in the spring semester. CPI 421 is only offered in the fall semester. CPI 462 and SER 431 are offered infrequently.
9 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 9 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
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What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply game development techniques in solving real-world problems in different application domains.
- Demonstrate the ability to create a portfolio of hands-on games and prototypes using state-of-the-art technology.
Demonstrate the ability to apply game development techniques in solving real-world problems in different application domains.Enrollment requirements
The computer gaming certificate is open to any student admitted to an undergraduate degree program at ASU who is in good academic standing. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies can use this certificate as part of their degree program.
All students are eligible to take CPI courses alongside their major, but they must follow the course prerequisite structure. Students should note that some courses are offered only in fall or in spring, so it may take two years to complete the certificate coursework.
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before an undergraduate degree is completed. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this computer gaming undergraduate certificate prepares you for
Students can advance their career options with an undergraduate certificate. Those who add this computer gaming specialization as a complement to their major program of study may be more marketable to employers in the gaming industry.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Computing and Informatics Program
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CTRPT 105
SCAI.Undergrad.Admission@asu.edu
480-965-3199
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
