Academic Programs

Explore the path to an in-demand, creative career

DigiPen Academy offers a wide range of programs that prepare high school students for study and careers in fields requiring creative digital skills or data analysis: Art & Animation, Game Design, Video Game Programming, and Music & Sound Design.

Over the past two decades, the students who have learned to draw, code, program, and design with us, have gone on to excel at some of the world’s leading tech companies, video game studios, and start-ups.

Our programs have been the first step in preparing them for careers that include:

Game developers and designers
Software and application developers
Audio engineers
Film composers

Digital interface designers
Software engineers
Animators
Creative directors

All Programs

Build the foundation for a successful college application

One of the reasons our students are so successful is that our programs offer a combination of academic rigor and hands-on experience. Our students receive a solid grounding in the theory, technical skills, and interdisciplinary approach that real-life development projects and post-secondary study demand.

Many of the students in our high school academic programs have gone on to attend the colleges of their choice, including:

DigiPen Institute of Technology
Berklee College of Music
Belmont University
Western Washington University
University of Washington
Carnegie Mellon University School of Music
New York University
Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery
Montana State University
Savannah College of Art & Design
Brigham Young University

Grow in confidence and skill

With the help of our expert instructors and cutting-edge technology, DigiPen students are able to explore their passions and build the confidence they need to succeed. Whether they are interested in pursuing a career in the tech industry, or simply want to develop their skills or explore a passion, our Skill Center Programs, which run the entire academic school year, and four-week Pre-College Summer Programs offer:

An accredited curriculum with the opportunity to earn Advanced Placement (AP) credits or college credit
Project-based labs that offer practical, “real world” learning in a team environment
A student-centered approach that focuses on each student’s growth, goals and talents
World-class technical and creative instruction
Core programs that align with DigiPen Institute of Technology’s degree programs

Our Programs

Choose the program that fits your goals

Students learn through college-level coursework and project-based experiences that develop creative, technical, and problem-solving skills across a range of disciplines.

PRE COLLEGE - School Year . Online . Tuition based

WANIC - School Year . In-Person . Funded

WANIC SUMMER - Summer . In-Person . Funded

All

All
Pre-College
WANIC
WANIC Summer

WANIC Intro to Game Development

This 3-week Summer Program is for students who want to explore the key disciplines that come together in a real game production environment.

WANIC Intro to Music & Sound Design

This 3-week Summer Course focuses on the creative and technical aspects of music and sound design, production, and implementation.

WANIC Music & Sound Design

This program focuses on the creative and technical aspects of music and sound design, production, and implementation.

WANIC Video Game Programming

For students who want to pursue a career as a game developer, this signature program provides a solid foundation.

Ready to Begin?

Choose your next step

Whether you’re looking for a summer experience, an early college credit course, or a state-funded WANIC pathway, DigiPen Academy offers multiple ways for students to build skills, earn credit, and prepare for what’s next.

Not sure which program is right for you?

If you’ve explored our programs online, and still aren’t sure which one is right for you, please contact an Academy Coordinator who will be happy to speak with you.

Call: (425) 629-5007
Email: academy@digipen.edu

The work speaks for itself

See what students create when they bring their own ideas, skills, and judgment to the work.

View Student Showcase

Looking for a fun, after-school club or workshop for a K-12 student?

While DigiPen Academy is focused on academic programming for high-school students, our partners at DigiPen Institute of Technology still offer after-school clubs, weekend workshops, and summer day camps for K-12 students at Open World.

Explore Open World Courses