Game and Interactive Media Design Certificate of Achievement

The Game and Interactive Media Design Certificate of Achievement is for students who are interested in creating video games, mobile games, and other multimedia applications. Students will learn programming skills, digital media skills, audio skills, and implementation of self-created content using industry-standard software. Upon completion, students will be prepared for entry-level positions in the game design industry, such as technical sound design, sound designer, program developer, software developer, special effects designer, animation artist, graphic designer, and digital illustrator, or move onward to an associate’s degree.

Completion rates of the Certificate of Achievement are expected to be five to ten per year with a potential for annual growth.

Cabrillo College is seeking approval from the Chancellor’s Office for the new Game and Interactive Media Design Certificate of Achievement in Career Education. The certificate is designed to train and educate students to work in the fields of UI/UX development, video game design/development, interactive media design, mobile application design, game audio production, VR/AR application design, and 2D/3D digital asset design. 

The need for Game and Interactive Media Designers has been advocated for by local UI/UX developers, design teachers, video producers, and digital content creators and is supported by current, regional labor market research (TOP 0614.20). The Game and Interactive Media Design Certificate of Achievement is aligned with Cabrillo’s mission, master plan, and statewide community college work in Guided Pathways. Approval of this certificate will benefit regional employers, fulfill the needs of the local community, augment college enrollment, and support non-traditional and underserved minority students in a viable career and academic path. 

This certificate would give our students the knowledge and skills they need to enter the workforce or continue their studies in the field. The goal is for certificate completers to be gainfully employed within a year of program completion or to advance to an associate’s degree. Working with employers to identify earning potential is promising, with potential for a starting salary of $19,000-$40,000/year in jobs such as Software Developers, Web and Digital Interface Designers, Special Effects Artists and Animators, Graphic Designers, and Audio and Video Technicians. It is critical to give community college students the educational and professional experience that is necessary to be successful when they continue to higher degrees or certificates.

There are 20.5 required units in digital media, computer science, computer & information systems, and music technology. Students have the option to take additional elective units if they wish to explore or specialize in a certain area of game and/or media design.

The Game and Interactive Media Design Certificate of Achievement is a new certificate that combines course offerings from Digital Media, Music Tech, and Computer Science, promoting a strong cross-departmental collaboration. This certificate fills the need for those students seeking employment in the Video Game and Interactive Media industries. The certificate is housed in digital media and ties together multiple game/music audio/computer programming courses into one educational pathway for students to pursue.

Cabrillo College Career Education Dean, Annabelle Rodriguez consulted with Guy Hanna, Dean of Agriculture, Business and Industry at Hartnell College, 1752 East Alisal Street, Salinas Ca 93905, (831) 755-6965, shanna@hartnell.edu and John Skellinger, Dean of Career Education & Workforce Development at Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont St, Monterey CA 93940, (831) 646-4081, jskellenger@mpc.edu. Both did not have an issue with the creation of this certificate.