Change the Game at SMU Guildhall
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Financing Your SMU Guildhall Education
Financial Aid ResourcesSMU Guildhall is dedicated to making a high-quality education affordable. Most of our students receive some form of financial aid, including government loans, private loans, or scholarships, and our Financial Aid and Student Services team is here to answer any questions you may have or help guide you through the financial aid process.
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A Pioneer in Game Dev Education
Explore SMU GuildhallFor over 20 years, Southern Methodist University - Guildhall has proudly created leaders for the next generation of game creators. You’ll learn through hands-on work creating your own games and prepare for the future by working in an environment that replicates the typical professional setting. Our Video Game Development programs will equip you with the technical skills and instincts required to drive the evolution of gaming.
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Check Out a Day in the Life of a Student
Learn More About Our ScheduleOur courses include lectures, labs, and studio time to help you develop a wide range of professional skills. Our students work on game projects and homework outside of class 15 hours per week. It’s hard work, but our alumni believe it’s worth it as our model mimics the style and pace of the industry – the work and time you put in here is excellent training for the “real world.”
Achievements Unlocked
- 4 Specializations to Choose From
- 1,000+ Alumni at 350+ Studios
- 20+ Years at the Forefront of a Dynamic, Evolving Industry
- 40+ Game Studios, App Developers, and Technology Companies Near Our Dallas, TX Location
See How We’re Powering Game Dev Education
SMU Guildhall was built to meet the demands of the game development industry, and our graduates are in high demand. Hear from our faculty, industry partners, and a few of our alumni to discover what sets us apart.
Customize Your Education
Each Guildhall student selects a specialization to focus on. SMU Guildhall is the only program that offers specializations in all four cornerstones of video game development, which represent the primary roles in the video game industry: Art Creation, Level Design, Production, and Programming.
- Create Art for Games If you want to combine your artistic talent with your love for video games, our Art Creation specialization may be the right fit for you! You’ll learn to use the latest tools, engines, and software to create interactive game art. You’ll be able to customize your learning to build your skills and develop your portfolio. Our Art Creation Specialization
- Design Immersive Levels While specializing in Level Design, you’ll learn the necessary practical skills to build a professional portfolio of completely assembled game levels. Our level designers come from a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds and use their own experience and knowledge to create in a way that appeals to a variety of gamers. Our Level Design Specialization
- Become a Game Producer Our producers are team leaders and problems solvers and often come to us with a background in business or communications. Producers will also study a secondary specialization (art, design, or programming) in the first sequence of the program in order to develop foundational skills for making games. Our Production Specialization
- Learn to be a Game Programmer If you’re excited about writing code to breathe life into games and have a foundation of understanding in the C++ programming language, our Programming specialization can help you meet your goals. You’ll learn the many facets of game development and build from the ground up. Our Programming Specialization
"Guildhall had a hands on approach to making games, which I really liked as opposed to studying theoretical concepts. The Guildhall taught me perseverance. It had a huge impact on my life."
Charles Egenbacher
Producer/Technical Project Manager at Epic Games
Industry Partnerships
Throughout our history, SMU Guildhall has built and maintained relationships with hundreds of game studios and companies across the globe. We use these connections to keep our curriculum relevant to industry demands and to help you network. We host a variety of events each semester, including in-class lectures, workshops, and our Career Fair.
Our faculty are also experienced professionals in the gaming industry – some are even current developers who work on games at local studios by day and teach here by night.
Explore our PartnershipsApply to SMU Guildhall Today!
SMU Guildhall has been helping students unlock success since 2003 – let us pass our excellence and innovation on to you. When you apply, you’ll have:
- A waived application fee ($100 savings!)
- An expedited admission decision
- A laptop for all enrolled students (provided during orientation)
Here to Help!
We look forward to helping you become a game changer in your career and your life. Reach out to receive guidance during this important step forward.