The University of Southern California is widely regarded as having the world’s foremost game development program, however videogame design is one of the fastest growing graduate fields you can pursue online. The Interactive Entertainment Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree teaches students to use animation software such as Flash to create interactive animations used in games. The program also teaches concept creation, usability testing, and the management of a game programming team. After completing the undergraduate program, students may continue by enrolling in USC’s MFA in Interactive Media, which builds on the skills learned at the undergraduate level.

The University of Utah is another institution of higher learning with a widely renowned game development program at its Entertainment Arts and Engineering college. Like the University of Southern California, the University of Utah has become a hub for the gaming industry, providing skilled professionals to companies looking for programmers who can handle Flash and other programming environments.

When it comes to online universities, Full Sail University has become the big name for producing professionals with skills in media and visual arts. The university has undergraduate and graduate programs that apply to various aspects of game design.

While many graduates from such schools can program in Flash, many feel this industry leader is now being replaced by new programming environments for games. For instance, Ansca Mobile’s Corona SDK is pitched as a simpler, stabler, more versatile alternative to Flash for creating games on handheld devices that run on iOS and Android. Some degree programs are now beginning to prepare their students to use Corona and other environments, and even for those that do not, various online resources provide the information necessary for skilled Flash developers to learn these tools as well.

Despite the fact that Flash games are being replaced in many cases, the main Web browsers continue to support it, and this makes Flash a continuing staple for both independent and established game developers everywhere. By enrolling in dedicated game development programs such as those offered by USC, University of Utah, and Full Sail University, prospective game developers can learn to use Flash, Corona, and other programming environments that can make them indispensable to game publishers.