Learn game design, programming, animation or sound design this summer!
DigiPen Academy offers four-week, online summer courses in Art & Animation, Game Design, Video Game Programming, and Music & Sound Design that introduce students to college-level coursework in their chosen field – along with the skills they need to be successful in the game industry.
The coursework is aligned with the curriculum at DigiPen Institute of Technology – one of the world’s Top Five Video Game Design Schools – and at the end of the program, students receive a transcript of their course grades for inclusion in their college application.
During the four-week online course, students learn the fundamentals of their chosen field. Mornings are dedicated to learning core concepts from faculty-level instructors, and afternoons are spent in the project lab, where students immerse themselves in the roles of programmers, game designers, artists, music composers and sound designers.
There are four Pre-College Summer Program tracks:
Pre-College Summer Programs Overview
Coursework consists of three core academic subjects plus a daily project lab. Each morning, students study their academic subjects. In the afternoon, students from all four tracks join in an online project lab where they work together to create a game from start to finish.
Technical Requirements:
Students must have access to a computer as well as additional hardware and software. Some programs or courses may indicate additional technology requirements, and not all programs are Mac compatible.
Refer to the individual courses to view additional technical requirements and information.
Prerequisites:
- Participants must be at least 16, entering their Junior or Senior year of high school, or have graduated high school within the last 18 months.
- Game Programming students are expected to have successfully completed Algebra 2.
- It is recommended music students have some experience playing an instrument.
Credits:
Students receive grades for their Pre-College classes, plus a final transcript to include in their college application.
Tuition Credits:
Any student who successfully completes the Pre-College Program and matriculates to DigiPen Institute of Technology within three years will receive a tuition credit equal to the Pre-College Program tuition to apply toward their first-semester tuition as a freshman.
Instructors:
Our Pre-College instructors are outstanding, highly trained and passionate about their respective fields. Instructors impart their years of knowledge and experience to teach and inspire the next generation of innovators.
International Students:
Students from outside the United States are welcome! There are no additional program prerequisites for international students, but please understand that all instruction will happen in English and between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PST.
Category:
PRE-COLLEGE
Timeframe:
Summer
Format:
Online
Program Dates:
June 30th to July 25th, 2025
No classes July 4th
Registration:
Open October 1, 2024
Location:
Online
Schedule:
Four consecutive weeks in June & July
Monday through Friday
9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. PST
Tuition:
$2995 to $3195 / program
How to Register:
Visit our registration portal and follow the prompts to provide all details and payment.
Pre-College Summer Programs
Students are introduced to the visual development process, art skills and animation techniques every production artist needs.
Classes:
ART: Art Foundations
ANI: Animation Techniques
CG: Computer Graphics Tools
GAM: Game Project Lab
Students are introduced to the technical and creative skills that create engaging, interactive player experiences.
Classes:
GD: Principles of Game Design
CS: Applied Computer Science for Games
GD: Interactive Narrative and Character Creation
GAM: Game Project Lab
Students learn the art and science behind video game development – from math to physics and more.
Classes:
CS: Applied Computer Science for Games
MAT: Applied Math for Games
PHY: Applied Physics for Games
GAM: Game Project Lab
Students gain an understanding of the elements that make a video game’s soundtrack a compelling experience.
Classes:
MTM: Music Theory and Musicianship
MHL: Music History and Literature
FMSD: Fundamentals of Music and Sound Design
GAM: Game Project Lab
Ready to take the next step?