Online Degrees and CLEP and DSST Exam Prep Discussion
New UoPeople Certificate in Game Design - Printable Version

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New UoPeople Certificate in Game Design - Jonathan Whatley - 03-27-2026

University of the People’s undergraduate catalog now includes a Certificate in Game Design.

Quote:The Game Design Certificate program prepares students to create engaging, inclusive, and original games by applying principles of storytelling, mechanics, and aesthetics. Students gain hands-on experience in prototyping, collaborative development, and professional presentation while building a strong portfolio for careers in the game industry.

The certificate consists of the six UoP courses
  • GS 1001 Game Design
  • GS 1101 Games and Society
  • GS 2001 Narrative and Storytelling in Games
  • GS 3000 Game Prototyping
  • GS 3100 Game Engines
  • GS 4000 Game Design Capstone (Portfolio)
The fees page of the catalog indicates a $60 certificate program application fee and a $320 per-course assessment fee, double the assessment fee of other UoP undergraduate courses. The total cost of application plus assessments is $1980.

The program is not yet listed on the university’s main website.


RE: New UoPeople Certificate in Game Design - wow - 03-27-2026

(03-27-2026, 07:13 AM)Jonathan Whatley Wrote: University of the People’s undergraduate catalog now includes a Certificate in Game Design.

Quote:The Game Design Certificate program prepares students to create engaging, inclusive, and original games by applying principles of storytelling, mechanics, and aesthetics. Students gain hands-on experience in prototyping, collaborative development, and professional presentation while building a strong portfolio for careers in the game industry.

The certificate consists of the six UoP courses
  • GS 1001 Game Design
  • GS 1101 Games and Society
  • GS 2001 Narrative and Storytelling in Games
  • GS 3000 Game Prototyping
  • GS 3100 Game Engines
  • GS 4000 Game Design Capstone (Portfolio)
The fees page of the catalog indicates a $60 certificate program application fee and a $320 per-course assessment fee, double the assessment fee of other UoP undergraduate courses. The total cost of application plus assessments is $1980.

The program is not yet listed on the university’s main website.
I wonder if this is the CADGI program also offered by XAMK.


RE: New UoPeople Certificate in Game Design - SteveFoerster - 03-27-2026

Will it stack with any of their degree programs?


RE: New UoPeople Certificate in Game Design - wow - 03-27-2026

(03-27-2026, 09:06 AM)SteveFoerster Wrote: Will it stack with any of their degree programs?

There is no overlap with any of the current major courses for any of the degree programs, if that's what you meant.


New UoPeople Certificate in Game Design - NotJoeBiden - 03-27-2026

What an interesting choice


RE: New UoPeople Certificate in Game Design - SteveFoerster - 03-28-2026

(03-27-2026, 09:55 PM)NotJoeBiden Wrote: What an interesting choice

Programs in video game design was a fad about twenty years ago in higher ed, especially in career schools. I guess everything old is new again?


New UoPeople Certificate in Game Design - NotJoeBiden - 03-28-2026

(03-28-2026, 11:25 AM)SteveFoerster Wrote:
(03-27-2026, 09:55 PM)NotJoeBiden Wrote: What an interesting choice

Programs in video game design was a fad about twenty years ago in higher ed, especially in career schools. I guess everything old is new again?

Ya. It feels dated, especially since many new game design platforms have become even easier to use. Not very versatile unlike other adjacent fields like design or CS.


RE: New UoPeople Certificate in Game Design - SteveFoerster - 04-01-2026

(03-27-2026, 03:28 PM)wow Wrote:
(03-27-2026, 09:06 AM)SteveFoerster Wrote: Will it stack with any of their degree programs?

There is no overlap with any of the current major courses for any of the degree programs, if that's what you meant.

This may not be the case:

https://shaireshef.substack.com/p/uopeople-is-launching-a-certificate


RE: New UoPeople Certificate in Game Design - Mint Berry Crunch - 04-01-2026

(04-01-2026, 01:26 PM)SteveFoerster Wrote:
(03-27-2026, 03:28 PM)wow Wrote:
(03-27-2026, 09:06 AM)SteveFoerster Wrote: Will it stack with any of their degree programs?

There is no overlap with any of the current major courses for any of the degree programs, if that's what you meant.

This may not be the case:

https://shaireshef.substack.com/p/uopeople-is-launching-a-certificate

I would also imagine that the same certificate may be cheaper at UoP compared to UMPI when it becomes available based on their assessment fees.


RE: New UoPeople Certificate in Game Design - wow - 04-01-2026

(04-01-2026, 01:26 PM)SteveFoerster Wrote:
(03-27-2026, 03:28 PM)wow Wrote:
(03-27-2026, 09:06 AM)SteveFoerster Wrote: Will it stack with any of their degree programs?

There is no overlap with any of the current major courses for any of the degree programs, if that's what you meant.

This may not be the case:

https://shaireshef.substack.com/p/uopeople-is-launching-a-certificate

I don't hear anything that contradicts what I said. The courses can be used toward a degree. They cannot be used toward one of the current majors (programs); you can see this by comparing the courses in the game design certificate to the courses in any of the UoPeople major programs. This could change if they add new major or change major requirements.