Digital Gaming and Interactive Media
LWTech is the only public college in the Northwest to offer an associate degree and applied bachelor’s degree in Digital Gaming and Interactive Media. These hands-on, production-oriented programs are taught by experienced industry professionals who prepare students for careers in video game development, interactive media, marketing, advertising, education, industrial simulation, and virtual reality.
Digital Gaming and Interactive Media program courses cover a broad range of skills including traditional art, 3D modeling, programming, level design, technical art, animation, user interface, game mechanics, and project management. The program prepares students to work in professional studios and supports students who build their own independent (indie) games.
The Digital Gaming and Interactive Media program is closely linked with the Design and Computing and Software Development programs, giving students a well-rounded education in art, design, and coding, as well as game and interactive media production.
Program Highlights
- Projects stress problem-solving, creativity, technical skills, teamwork, interdisciplinary collaboration and industry-standard best practices
- Past graduates found employment at companies such as Bungie, Nintendo, Microsoft, Amazon, EA Pop Cap, Oculus, Funko, Schawk!, and Cartoon Network
- Outstanding students showcase their games at PAX West
- Students retain the rights to the projects they create, and are encouraged to self-publish
- Courses prepare students for real-world positions as 3D modelers, level builders, experience designers, project managers, and technical artists
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Digital Gaming and Interactive Media programs are prepared for entry-level positions in the video game and interactive media industries, as well as careers in:
- Industrial and medical simulation
- Virtual reality
- Marketing
- Advertising
- Educational media
- Film and television
Additional Digital Gaming and Interactive Media Program Information
- Digital Gaming AAS-T Program Admission Dates
- Fall Quarter
- Winter Quarter
- Spring Quarter
- Digital Gaming BAS Program Admission Dates
- Fall Quarter
- Digital Gaming AAS-T & BAS Program Class Format
- Hybrid (part of class time on-campus, part online)
At LWTech we welcome all students as an open enrollment college and we are committed to your inclusion at the college.
The Digital Gaming and Interactive Media program of study leads to an industry or specific employers that may not hire individuals with certain types of convictions, immigration status or involvement in suspicious activity. Examples of common background checks required in this industry are criminal record, immigration status, work history, credit history, driving record, education, professional licenses and certifications, drug screening and use of social media and character witnesses.
Entry into the Digital Gaming and Interactive Media program requires completion of LWTech's general online application.
Admission to the associate degree is open to all students. Admission to the applied bachelor's degree is competitive.
Digital Gaming and Interactive Media BAS Prerequisites and Admission Requirements
Admission to the applied bachelor's degree is on a competitive basis. Students will be able to transfer to the applied bachelor's degree with an associate degree in LWTech's Digital Gaming and Interactive Media, or an earned Applied Associate Degree or equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum of 60 quarter credits in an appropriate technical area of concentration.Classes includes 3D Game Design, Designing for Interactive Technology, Principles of Game Mechanics, and more. This is the first degree of its kind in the state of Washington offered by a public institution.
- If you have not already taken classes at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, you must fill out the online admissions application to receive a Student ID number and an LWTech issued email address. You will not be able to fill out the BAS application without completing this step.
- Completion of requirements for an earned Applied Associate Degree or equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum of 60 quarter credits in an appropriate technical area of concentration – Design, Art, or Information Technology related discipline (for example digital game design, multimedia, graphic design , art, or computer programming).
- Completion of 30 credits of General Education with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA.*
- ENGL& 101 English Composition I (or equivalent) 5 credits
- MATH& 107 Math in Society (or any college-level math course with intermediate algebra as a prerequisite) 5 credits
- Any Social Science course 5 credits
- ART 102 Design I (or equivalent) 5 credits
- ART 121 Introduction to Drawing (or equivalent) 5 credits
- ART 203 Intermediate Drawing or ART 205 Human Life Drawing (or equivalent) 5 credits
- Completion of 12 credits of Digital Gaming and Interactive Media courses. Courses
may be in-progress or completed with a 2.0 or higher prior to the Fall BAS classes.
- GAME 111 Intro to Programming for Games (or CSD 110 Computer Programming Fundamentals with Python or CSD 111 Computer Programming Fundamentals) 4-5 credits
- GAME 124 Introduction to 3D with Maya 4 credits
- GAME 127 Game Mechanics 1 4 credits
- Submission of a Design Portfolio with a minimum of 5 projects/maximum of 7.
- All projects should show evidence of design process demonstrating the research, conceptual process, sketches and iterations that led to the final result.
*Students who have not completed the required Applied Associate Degree (or equivalent) or the General Education Requirements may be conditionally admitted on a space available basis.
Digital Gaming and Interactive Media program admissions prerequisites are also available in the College Catalog.
Digital Gaming and Interactive Media BAS Application
Admission Deadline
- Fall 2024 Priority: May 20, 2024
- Rolling Admission: September 1, 2024
Financial Aid Priority Deadline
TBA
Entry Date
Next Entry: Fall 2024
Additional Application Information
- 2024 Digital Gaming & Interactive Media Admissions Online Information Session
- To apply for the BAS degree, you must create a Self Service Center account. You may preview the BAS application by downloading a PDF of the first page.
Digital Gaming and Interactive Media AAS-T Prerequisites and Admission Requirements
Entry into the Digital Gaming and Interactive Media, AAS-T requires completion of the general online application.
The associate degree prepares students for entry-level work in the digital gaming/ interactive media industry and for LWTech's applied bachelor's degree. Admission to the associate degree is open to all students.
Additional Admission Considerations
- International Students Apply via Office of International Programs & Global Education
- Adult Education: Basic Education for Adults (BEdA)
- New to Washington State: Learn more about determining residency status
- Justice Involved: Re-Entry Support for Students Who Have Been Justice Involved
- Undocumented citizens: See the residency affidavit and visit the undocumented students page for more information.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Additional Admission Considerations
- International Students Apply via Office of International Programs & Global Education
- Adult Education: Basic Education for Adults (BEdA)
- New to Washington State: Learn more about determining residency status
- Justice Involved: Re-Entry Support for Students Who Have Been Justice Involved
- Undocumented citizens: See the residency affidavit and visit the undocumented students page for more information.
Not Sure Where to Start?
All are invited to come learn about LWTech’s Digital Gaming and Interactive Media program. College faculty and staff will share information about the degrees and attendees will have a chance to ask questions.
All information sessions are virtual at this time.
Information Session Dates
January 18, 2024
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
February 8, 2024
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
March 14, 2024
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
April 18, 2024
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
May 9, 2024
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
If you are interested in attending a virtual session, please email Brianna Ramos at brianna.ramos@lwtech.edu.
LWTech General Information Sessions
Not sure what program you want to apply to? Check out LWTech's general information sessions and weekly tours by going to LWTech.edu/Visit.
Lake Washington Institute of Technology does not offer every course each quarter. It is the student's responsibility to consult the Class Schedule and work out an individual schedule with an advisor or counselor. Any developmental coursework a student might be required to complete may increase the program length.
Explore Careers and paths in Digital Gaming and Interactive Media
To learn more about transferring to another college or university, please visit our Transferring from LWTech page.
