SMU launches new B.A. in Game Development

SMU is launching a new Bachelor of Arts in Game Development designed for exceptional undergraduate creators who want to shape the future of digital interactive environments.

SMU Guildhall, one of the world’s top graduate game design programs, is extending its renowned approach to the undergraduate space and offering unmatched access to mentorship, industry connections and real-world opportunities available only at Guildhall and in Dallas. The University will welcome the program’s first students in fall 2026.

The program will develop foundational skills in drawing, modeling and creative production, building technical and artistic capabilities in visual expression and digital worldbuilding. Students will explore how interactive spaces are constructed within real-time 3D game engines and gain experience designing and producing digital environments that integrate artistic practice and emerging technologies.

The 36-credit-hour major is intentionally structured to support students who may wish to pursue a second major in drawing or sculpture to support the foundational art skills that graduates will carry throughout their lifelong career.

SMU is ranked No. 1 in Texas for game design programs by Animation Career Review, and the Dallas–Austin region is the third-largest game development market in the U.S.

“The digital gaming industry is one of the fastest-growing creative and technical sectors in the world, and the Dallas-Austin corridor is a key hub for both this industry and more broadly, for innovation,” said President Jay Hartzell. “Our faculty and staff started working on this idea over the summer and launching this degree so quickly reflects our commitment to meeting student interests and market demand with bold action. We are incredibly excited about the types of students that we will be able to attract to this program, and we know that our graduates will gain the creative foundation, hands-on experience and industry connections they need to shape the future of interactive art and design.”

Program built on SMU Guildhall’s global reputation

The new undergraduate degree is powered by the expertise and industry network of SMU Guildhall, the University’s internationally recognized graduate program in digital game development. The B.A. in Game Development will prepare students to think critically, design creatively and cross-functionally communicate effectively in the evolving landscape of interactive entertainment, digital media and game development.

“Students today are eager to design, build and influence the digital worlds where people learn, work and play,” said Rachel Davis Mersey, executive vice president and provost. “This new degree reflects our commitment to expanding academic pathways that merge creativity, technology and hands-on experience and preparing students to excel in rapidly growing industries like digital gaming. SMU Guildhall is uniquely positioned to provide the technical readiness and industry access that today’s employers demand.”

Launched in 2003 with just 32 students, SMU Guildhall was the first education initiative of its kind and is still the only graduate program in the country to offer specializations in all four core disciplines of video game development: art, design, production and programming. The Master of Interactive Technology program has produced more than 1,100 alumni who have worked at more than 350 studios worldwide, including Epic Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Insomniac Games, Bethesda, Disney Interactive, Bungie, Microsoft Game Studios, Gearbox, and Unity.

Preparing creative thinkers and makers

SMU Guildhall was established at the specific request of gaming industry leaders to shape the dynamic, evolving video games industry by equipping the next generation of game creators with the technical skills and instincts required to successfully drive the evolution of gaming. Its curriculum emphasizes team-based learning, career-focused portfolio development, professional workshops, guest lectures, career fairs and industry mentorship. Faculty are experienced gaming veterans hired directly from the industry.

The demands of the video game industry inform every aspect of the SMU Guildhall experience. Ever-evolving industry partnerships have been a cornerstone of the program since its inception, integrating gaming professionals and alumni into the curriculum review and development process.

“This new program is intentionally designed to help students develop strong creative identities while learning to deliver creative work in a cross-disciplinary production environment,” said Elizabeth Stringer, clinical professor and director of academics at SMU Guildhall. “It is an important addition to preparation for the talent pipeline that has made SMU Guildhall a proven leader in game development education for over two decades. We’re excited to see our first undergraduate students finding their passions within the arts and sciences of game development.”