Certificates
The Simulation & Game Development program prepares students for careers in two dynamic and growing industries: interactive entertainment and professional simulation. The program offers two Associate in Applied Science degree tracks – Art & Modeling and Programming – each sharing a core foundation of coursework. The skills developed in either track apply directly to both industries, giving students the flexibility to pursue game development or real-world simulation work in fields such as healthcare, defense, education and corporate training.
The curriculum covers visual arts, 3D modeling, animation, programming, design and project management. Courses are project-oriented and hands-on, so students graduate with a portfolio that demonstrates practical, job-ready skills to employers in either industry.
The program reflects the reality of today's market: The core technologies powering entertainment games, including real-time engines, 3D pipelines and interactive design, are in high demand across simulation, defense contracting, medical training and corporate learning environments. Graduates are prepared to compete and succeed wherever those skills are needed.
The two-year AAS degrees and a variety of shorter-term certificates are available. Classes are primarily seated and meet on the Southern Wake Campus, providing students with hands-on guidance from faculty with direct industry experience. Both daytime and evening schedules are offered.
Unreal Academic Partner
The Simulation & Game Development program holds official Unreal Academic Partner status, a distinction that places Wake Tech among an elite group of institutions recognized by Epic Games for excellence in education. Partners are selected for their experienced faculty, rigorous curricula and proven track record of preparing students for real careers in the industry.
Wake Tech students learn using Unreal Engine, the same platform powering blockbuster games, military simulations, medical training systems and Hollywood productions. Epic Games works directly with partner programs to ensure students graduate with transferable, in-demand skills that carry real weight in a competitive global market.
Wake Tech's program is one of only two Unreal Academic Partners in North Carolina and the only community college program in the world to hold this recognition. That is a testament to the quality of our faculty, our curriculum and our commitment to student success.
Graduates are ready to launch careers as game designers, level designers, 3D artists, animators, programmers, quality assurance testers, simulation engineers and database administrators. With skills that cross industries, they are positioned to find opportunities in entertainment, healthcare, defense, education, corporate training and government organizations, anywhere immersive technology is shaping the future.
