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36 Total Credits Required
The Master of Science Program in Games for Learning (G4L) prepares students to create, use and evaluate digital games for the specific purpose of learning in formal and informal settings.
Learning Foundation
6 Credits
Design Foundation
12 Credits
Thesis/Terminal Project
6 Credits
Taken twice in two consecutive semesters
Electives
12 Credits
All elective courses, including 1-3-credit internships, to be determined by advisement.
Working under the supervision of the program director and a faculty mentor, students apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their core courses and design electives to an independent learning game design project. This work culminates in a final integrative project (e.g., a publishable quality research thesis, learning game design document and game prototype, learning game usability, playtesting, or evaluation study).
Tenure of Matriculation
The Steinhardt School requires students to complete requirements for the Master of Science degree within six (6) years of matriculation, defined as the first semester of enrollment for courses leading to the degree. The clock stops only during official leaves of absence. This applies to both full-time and part-time students. Regardless of matriculation, the validity of courses towards a degree expire after 10 years.
From the Steinhardt Graduate Bulletin: "A candidate has a six-year period following the date of matriculation for the completion of all requirements. If continuous matriculation has not been maintained, a reevaluation of credentials is necessary, and only those courses completed within the last 10-year period will be credited."
Maintenance of Matriculation
Students must maintain "active status" throughout their studies, beginning with the first semester of matriculation and including the semester in which they intend to graduate. To do so, Master of Science students must complete at least three (3) graduate-level credits each fall and spring semester (not summer). If students cannot enroll in course work in a given fall or spring semester, they must register for Maintaining Matriculation (MAINT-GE 4747), for which they pay a non-credit bearing maintenance of matriculation fee.
Registration for Maintaining Matriculation entitles students to use the libraries and other facilities, consult members of the faculty, participate in University activities, and use student health services and the Coles Sports Center. This option may be used during the semester in which students intend to graduate, if they are completing incomplete course work but taking no additional course work. Students may register for MAINT-GE 4747 only after they have been enrolled during one academic year for a minimum of three (3) credits and with permission of a faculty adviser. Students may register for MAINT-GE 4747 for up to a total of two (2) years within the six-year period allowed to complete the degree.
Of the 36 credits required for the Master of Science degree, students are required to take 24 credits in residency, defined as courses taken at NYU. A maximum of 30% of the 36 credits required for the degree may be considered for transfer from other universities; such courses must be evaluated by faculty advisers to establish whether they meet criteria established by the Steinhardt School.
Master of Science students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in Games for Learning courses and in their overall academic record.
Students should select their classes in conjunction with their academic adviser. Please meet with your adviser to discuss courses, and once your adviser has approved your selections, you can sign up for courses online in Albert. After the department enters your adviser clearance (typically within 1-2 business days), you can sign up for courses online in Albert.
There is a guide to planning your courses available.
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