There is currently no specific degree catering to video game testing alone, but there are jobs for it in the industry (See Reference 2). Video game testers, often called "quality assurance testers", are entry-level positions in the gaming industry and jobs are generally offered on a one-time rather than regular daily work at the same company (See Reference 1and 2). The average salary for a quality assurance testers is $39,309, according to a GameDeveloper.com report (See Reference 1). Game design schools provide degrees in the video game field that would make someone eligible for a career in video game testing (See References 1 and 2). These schools offer courses in programming, animation, drawing and creative digital arts (See Reference 1). Below are three of the most popular game design schools.
Westwood College
Westwood College's School of Design offers degree programs that could help graduates find a career in the video game industry, such as animation, computer-aided design, game art, and graphic design and multimedia (See Reference 3). Classes at Westwood can be offered online or at campuses located in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Texas and Virgina (See Reference 3). The school's website is located at www.westwood.edu.
DeVry University
DeVry University offers a bachelor's degree in Game and Simulation Programming in its College of Engineering and Information Sciences that would help a graduate find work in the video game field, which could include testing (See Reference 4). Two of the courses in the program include Introduction to Game and Simulation Development and Practical Game Design (See Reference 4). DeVry also offers degrees in related fields such as Computer Information Systems and Multimedia Design and Development (See Reference 4). DeVry University offers physical campus locations in the U.S. as well as online degree options (See Reference 4). More information can be found at www.devry.edu.
ECPI College of Technology
ECPI College of Technology has degree programs in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and online and offers both an associate and a bachelor's degree in Game Programming that would be applicable to the video game industry (See Reference 5). Some of the degree program's focuses include 2D and 3D Programming and Modeling and Simulation and Game Engine Design (See Reference 5). The Game Programing degree at ECPI is only available at the Virginia Beach and Newport News campuses in Virginia (See Reference 5). More information can be found on the school's website at www.ecpi.edu.
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Writer Bio
Kevin Lessmiller has been writing since 2004. He is a former editor in chief of "The UWM Post," the student-run independent newsweekly at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, and he now writes travel-related articles. Lessmiller is pursuing a Master of Science in mass communication from Middle Tennessee State University.