FAQ

General FAQ about SMU Guildhall

What sorts of undergraduate degrees prepare someone for the Guildhall?

SMU Guildhall is the only graduate program in the country to offer all four pillars of game development: Art, Design, Production, and Programming. Each specialization requires a different type of educational background. Refer to our Guildhall Specialization guides for more details

What is the difference between the Master’s Degree and Professional Certificate?

Our certificate program mirrors our master's degree program, with the exception of the Master's Thesis, which is completed by our master's candidates during term six.

How was your curriculum developed?

Our program was created at the request of the industry, through collaboration with a number of studios in Texas, including Gearbox, id Software, Barking Lizard, Terminal Reality, the former Ensemble Studios, NC Soft, and Junction Point Studios. Our students have enjoyed great success because the industry drove the development of our curriculum. We maintain this collaborative process today to serve the needs of the video game industry at large. With input from publishers and studios across the state and nation, global studios, industry leaders, Guildhall alumni , and our Guildmasters, we continue to refine, enhance and develop our curriculum to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving industry. Learn more about our curriculum >>

What kinds of games do you make at SMU Guildhall?

We teach our students video game development skills that transcend genre. Students work in cross-disciplinary teams of artists, designers, producers, and programmers to develop one 2D game and two 3D games during their time at SMU Guildhall. Our students are diverse in their interests and preferences in games, and we encourage them to be exploratory and creative when considering game concepts and developing their original games. Learn more about our team games >>

Do Guildhall students have games ready to market when they graduate?

Yes, 100% of our students graduate with commercially viable games in their portfolio. Our students create at least 3 collaborative team games in the style and pace of the industry during their time in our program, with many being released on Steam and Epic Game Store. Since 2017, we have published 28 games on Steam, and many have won awards, proving that SMU Guildhall produces games that are market-ready and commercially viable. Some student teams do choose to continue the development and commercial release of their titles after graduation. Others choose to pursue other endeavors. Learn more about our team games >>

Does SMU Guildhall prepare a student to enter the video game industry?

Yes! SMU Guildhall prepares students to excel in the competitive gaming industry by immersing them in a professional, hands-on environment. Every class is taught by industry veterans, ensuring that students gain real-world insights and expertise from those who have shaped the field. Students master their craft by learning and utilizing the same cutting-edge tools and techniques employed by top developers, including Unity and Unreal Engine. Throughout the program, students create three fully playable games, working on interdisciplinary teams that mimic the collaborative, fast-paced workflows of the industry. This rigorous approach equips graduates with the technical skills, creative problem-solving abilities, and teamwork experience needed to seamlessly transition into successful careers in video game development. Learn more about Guildhall Academics >>

Does SMU Guildhall help students find jobs?

SMU Guildhall serves as a springboard into the industry. Students have access to many career development services during their time at SMU Guildhall, and even after graduation. From the time students enter our program, they are given opportunities for industry exposure early and often. This includes networking events, mentorships, portfolio and game reviews, mock interviews, special topics lectures, game industry conferences, career workshops, and much more. Students have access to our in-house dedicated Career Service staff which is available to work directly with each student for career path planning and readiness coaching, resume and portfolio creation, professional and social networking, interview preparation and techniques, and more. Guildhall Career Services then works to connect students with available job opportunities to fit their career goals. Integral to this is our annual Career Fair, which connects companies seeking top-notch talent with our graduating students and alumni who are looking for career opportunities. This Fair is a closed invitation for Guildhall students and alumni only, and paves the way for stellar job placements every year. Learn more about Guildhall Career Services >>

What kind of success have your alumni enjoyed? What game companies hire SMU Guildhall graduates?

The magnitude of the impact of our 1000+ alumni and their acceleration in creative and technological leadership cannot be overstated. It is a thrill to see what they have accomplished and continue to achieve. Over the past 20+ years since Cohort 1 graduated, our alumni have contributed as developers on top titles at more than 350 game studios and tech companies around the world. Hundreds of our alumni have progressed to lead positions at their respective studios. (Many alumni attain leadership positions within just a few short years after graduating from our program!) Others are working to bring gaming theory and gamification models to other industries to shape the future of business, technology, creative, education, and more — designing apps for tech companies, creating interactive technology for many fields, and working in animation, marketing and creative design, and more. A number of alumni are now educators themselves. Our alumni are also wonderful at giving back to the next generation of Guildhall students. Having become leads and studio managers, they often return as hiring employers themselves to connect with soon-to-be-graduates seeking opportunities. It is our great honor to welcome alumni back each year in partnership participation with SMU Guildhall academics and career services in a variety of ways. Our alumni and industry network enables us to connect students and industry through our Career Services pathways, including setting students up with a one-on-one mentorship with a developer in their targeted career path, recruiting future developers at our annual Career Fair, giving inspiring special topics lectures and workshops about important present day industry matters, leading portfolio reviews, providing on-site studio visits and developer chats, and more. It's important to note that our Career Services are not only open to current students, but also to alumni. Our support for you doesn't stop when you get your diploma. When an alum is looking for a new opportunity, we offer lifetime support including participation in our annual Career Fair. Learn more about alumni success >>

Does SMU Guildhall have regular visits, guest speakers, or events with industry professionals?

Not only is our faculty composed of industry veterans with more than 300 title credits to their names at 40 leading studios across three decades in the industry, but we also work with industry professionals in many other ways. Industry presence is vast and frequent at SMU Guildhall, and you can find developers often serving as guest speakers in class and at events; directly mentoring students and providing feedback and reviews for student portfolios and projects; helping to develop curriculum; participating in Career Fairs and networking at annual events; and more. We were created by the industry, for the industry, and our decades-long network of relationships is evolving, enduring, impactful, engaged, and available to all students. Learn about the many ways we partner with the industry >>

Is the cost of a graduate education at SMU Guildhall worth it? Is financial aid available?

A Guildhall education should be considered an investment. As a student here, you’re part of one of the leading graduate programs for video game development in the country. You'll receive top-notch preparation by a program unequaled in its ability to combine education with practical experience. That unique combination, along with a star-studded faculty, results in professional game builders who are ready to contribute powerfully to game development on their first day of work. You’re also part of a growing community of alumni, who are leaders in the video game industry. The level of success enjoyed by our alumni is due largely to the structure of our program, which transforms talent and passion into in-demand skills and experience via industry-driven curriculum, as well as courses taught by industry professionals, a studio production environment, and the robust portfolio of games each student accomplishes. When students successfully complete our master’s program, they graduate with a strong working knowledge of the gaming industry and unparalleled team project experience, which many studios consider equal to two years of industry work experience due to the commercial quality of the games we produce and the depth of our student work and research.
Financial aid is available through a variety of avenues. The federal government through the FAFSA website assists graduate students through the Stafford loan program and the Federal Direct GradPlus loan program. Private institutions such as banks, credit unions and graduate loan programs also offer additional assistance for tuition, living expenses and program supplies. Access more Financial Information >>

What can I expect the surrounding community to be like when I move here?

SMU Guildhall is on the main SMU campus in Dallas, Texas. Dallas is recognized as one of the birthplaces of the video game industry and is home to a vibrant gaming community including 40+ AAA and indie development studios. The Dallas area offers affordable housing, top restaurants, great shopping and entertainment just around the corner from our campus. Texas has an abundance of warm, sunny days and warm, friendly people. It is an affordable place to call home and offers many options for housing and entertainment. Learn more about our community and campus >>

What is a typical day at SMU Guildhall like?

Morning classes run from 9:30am-12:30pm. Lunch is 12:30-2pm. Afternoon classes run 2:00pm-5:00pm. Students typically work on "homework" for about 15 hours per week. It’s hard work, but it pays off! Our alumni say it’s absolutely worth it. Because our model mimics the style and pace of the industry, the work and time you put in here is excellent training for the “real world.” It’s not all work here though! We have a lot of fun too. Our Student Activities Committee plans regular social events, like Game Nights and Happy Hours, for you to unwind and enjoy. Learn more about what life at SMU Guildhall is like >>

Does SMU Guildhall offer or arrange internships for students?

SMU Guildhall graduates often forgo traditional internships because they possess advanced skills that enable them to secure higher-level positions straight out of the program. By the time they graduate, they have acquired the equivalent of two years of industry experience through rigorous coursework, hands-on projects, and collaboration with industry professionals. This depth of expertise allows them to be hired at a level that aligns with their advanced knowledge and practical skills, often bypassing entry-level roles that typically require internships. As a result, our students are able to step directly into positions that recognize their experience, making internships less necessary for their career progression.

Can I hold a job while enrolled? Does SMU provide opportunities for student employment?

Recommended employment while enrolled at SMU Guildhall is SMU’s on-campus, student employment. This is because it is guaranteed to work with your course schedule and will never require more than 20 hours of work per week. Student employment can vary from research, department assistance, and student-led instruction. All SMU student employment is shared in SMU's Career Services platform, 12twenty, which incoming students have access to as early as admission. SMU student positions are advertised throughout the year, and you can apply at any time. Student employment at Guildhall includes Graduate Assistant roles. Beginning in your second year, students can apply to assist with first-year courses and research opportunities with Guildhall faculty.

International Students FAQ

Do you have many international students, or will I be one of very few?

An important part of the student experience is providing ample opportunities to work not just with diverse team structures, but with diverse people. Our student body has represented 25 countries and 49 U.S. states plus D.C, and over half of our current student enrollment is international. Our incoming cohort is comprised of both domestic and international students from China, India, Europe, and beyond. This diversity allows our program to foster an inclusive learning environment that promotes a wide range of perspectives, enriches the collaborative experience in team-based projects, and prepares students for working in globalized industry environments. We are passionate about recruiting students with varying perspectives and experiences, and international students are a huge part of our success in that area. We realize that moving to a new country to study presents unique challenges, and we are here to help all students with that transition.

Do you offer full-funding for international students?

SMU Guildhall is not structured to offer funding (full or partial) to any student, domestic or international. You must acquire an F-1 Visa for studying in the United States, which requires proof of financial responsibility for the first full year of study (approximately $84,419 for tuition and living expenses as calculated in Fall 2024). The total cost of attendance for international students which includes the total tuition for two years, estimated living expenses, mandatory health insurance, and one time technology fee is approximately $121,214USD for the master’s degree or $113,014USD for the certification. Please note that all aforementioned costs may vary from year to year, so we recommend that you review our current tuition and fees on the SMU Bursar's website. You have many options for funding; the best course of action would be to contact your government and see if they fund study in another country. If they do not, loans from financial institutions in your country often will. Unfortunately, aid from the U.S. government is only available to U.S. citizens and resident aliens. If you hold dual citizenship in your country and the U.S., or if either of your parents are U.S. citizens, you may also qualify. If you are accepted to the program, SMU has a department that is dedicated to helping international students obtain a visa, explain travel to and from the U.S. and make a successful transition. More information about our tuition and fees can be found here >>