Major code BS5401*

Scripps College of Communication
J. Warren McClure School of Emerging Communication Technologies
360 Schoonover Center
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.4890
www.ohio.edu/scripps-college/mcclure

Charles P. (“Chip”) Linscott,  contact person
linscoc2@ohio.edu

Program Overview

The VR and Game Development (VRGD) program is a flexible major allowing students to choose exciting courses to match their career goals. In addition to a core set of virtual reality and game development classes, VRGD electives within the McClure School introduce our students to the information networking systems and coding required to solve problems and implement VR and game systems within a larger context. Within the 120 total credit hours needed to complete their undergraduate degree, the students’ business or communication courses (two minors from which they must choose) prepare our students to become effective leaders, entrepreneurs, and/or creative problem solvers in a wide variety of industries.

Our VRGD major is designed to teach students to use emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and digital games specifically for communication purposes – to inform, to persuade, to entertain, and to educate an audience. Students in this major pride themselves on the use of emerging technologies for social improvement in educational, governmental, corporate, entrepreneurial, and/or entertainment venues. Our program’s emphasis on ethical applications and social improvement goes hand-in-hand with our cutting-edge production approach. Students in the McClure School learn to create innovative immersive content that also makes a difference in the world. Many of our majors also choose to pursue additional credentials such as a certificate in esports, entrepreneurship, or social media.

*This program was previously BC5384 which awarded the Bachelor of Science in Communication. Pending Board of Trustees approval (anticipated June 2024), the new program code will be BS5401 and will award the Bachelor of Science effective the 2024-25 catalog year.

Admissions Information

F reshman/First-Year Admission

No Requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Change of Program Policy

GPA of 2.5 is required. Transfers may be limited due to capacity constraints.

External Transfer Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

• Demand for future workers with experience in virtual reality & game development is growing according to  grandviewresearch.com.
• The United States games market is the  world’s second largest and is valued between  $25.1 billion & $43.4 billion depending on sources.
• According to  Hired.com ,  75% of software engineers predict that their own companies will feel the effects of virtual reality and augmented reality, with nearly half saying it would be a skill they would like to learn. 
• GRID Lab Director John Bowditch has noted that alumni of the program have found employment at top companies such as   Walt Disney Company & Imagineering, EA, Ubisoft, Unity, Bungie, Apple, Sony Santa Monica, Google and Activision/Blizzard. 

Requirements