COURSE CURRICULUM

Sheridan’s Game Development – Advanced Programming graduate certificate program offers an intensive, hands-on curriculum that equips students with the technical and creative skills needed for a career in the video game industry. In the first semester, students build foundational expertise in game architecture, engine fundamentals, computer graphics and animation, game tools and data-driven design, and the theory of game design, totaling 21 credits. This semester emphasizes both conceptual understanding and practical application, providing students with the tools to design and develop complex game systems. In the second semester, learners advance to gameplay programming, multiplayer games and online services, artificial intelligence for games, mobile and console game development, and game production, also totaling 21 credits, with a focus on applying programming skills in collaborative and realistic project environments. The final semester centers on the Game Programming Capstone Project, a 9-credit intensive experience where students integrate all learned skills to design, develop, and produce a fully functional video game, simulating professional production pipelines and fostering teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation. Across all three semesters, the program emphasizes both the technical mastery of game programming and the creative, strategic thinking required to succeed in a competitive industry. Graduates leave with a robust portfolio demonstrating advanced programming proficiency, applied project experience, and readiness for employment in gameplay, graphics, AI, and interactive media development.