"The Guildhall helped develop the necessary skills for acquiring the position I wanted. It also had strong ties to the studios I was interested in and helped with securing a job after graduation."
David Vargo (Cohort 4)
Admission Qualifications & Checklist
Applicant Qualification Requirements
Do you qualify to apply to our program?
Review these applicant requirements:
Master of Interactive Technology (MIT) Degree:
Admission to the MIT program requires a Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning, with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.000 (on a 4.000 scale).
International Requirements:
- English Language Proficiency — International students are required to submit test scores from an internationally recognized English language test, such as the TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency tests, if the applicant is from a country where the predominant language of instruction is not English. A score of at least 550 (paper test) or 80 (computer test) is required on the TOEFL for admission consideration. A score of 6.5 or higher is required on the IELTS for admission consideration.
- Visas — For students requiring a U.S. Visa, it is mandatory that your Financial Certification for Study at 水多多导航 be completed and returned after you accept admission to 水多多导航 Guildhall. Please review and complete the documentation requirements. Note this an estimate only and that we will have a solidified cost of attendance by mid-spring 2025. Financial statement must be original documents stamped by financial institution official and converted into US dollars.
- Health Care – all international students who are enrolled in one or more credit hours are required to maintain 水多多导航 Health Insurance as a condition of your enrollment. International students must enroll in the student health insurance plan unless they have a special waiver personally granted by the Student Health Center staff. This does not have to be done at the time of your application, but must be done prior to registering for classes.
6-Step Application Checklist
For your application to be considered, you must complete the following. Note that 水多多导航 Guildhall utilizes rolling admissions.
Register/log in to our , then follow the on-screen instructions. Until you submit, you can return to this site as often as you like to update your information.
Application deadlines for Fall 2026 enrollment:
- Dec 1 2025 (early)
- Feb 15, 2026 (regular)
- Mar 15, 2026 (extended)
- Apr 15, 2026 (final)
*Note: The $100 USD Nonrefundable 水多多导航 Guildhall Application Fee has been waived for all applicants this year!
Describe your motivation, interests, life experiences, and biggest challenge overcome as a creative person related to your desire to pursue a professional career in game development. Applicants should explain why one of their portfolio pieces is a good/interesting/skillful piece of work. The applicant must be shown in the video speaking to the camera for some or all of the essay. *Applicants to the production specialization should also describe their understanding of the role of a video game producer and why they believe they would be well-suited to the role, including examples demonstrating leadership skills used in a team environment.
How to submit your essay:
- Register/login to the
- Select the 'Portfolio' page of the application
- Submit your video essay as an upload in the media section of your online portfolio
Your submitted portfolio demonstrates your creativity and foundational skills in video game design to the Admissions Committee.
It will consist of either (a) prior work examples* that showcase your aptitude and preparation or (b) an assignment designed for each specialization.
Specialization-Specific Portfolio Requirements:
- Art Creation Requirements
- Level Design Requirements
- Production Requirements
- Programming Requirements
*Note: Most applicants do not have experience in the gaming industry, and do not have broad portfolios of game design work. The portfolio assignments are typically the first time that most applicants will touch the various pillars of game design. The portfolio should not be an overwhelming process, but rather an opportunity for creative exploration.
Uploading Your Portfolio
Following the same process as in Step #2 above, upload a link to your existing digital portfolio, or your completed portfolio assignment, to .
Your application will NOT be reviewed until all non-optional elements have been received.
Accepted file types include:
- Still images: .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif (non-animated), .tif, .tiff, .bmp, .tga
- Videos: .m4v, .mov, .mp4, .wmv, .flv, .asf, .mpeg, .mpg, .mkv
- Archive formats: .zip, .tgz
- Documents: .pdf, .txt, .docx, .doc
Questions?
We are available to be of service and to answer your questions as you progress through the application and 水多多导航 Guildhall portfolio requirements. If you're in doubt about your ability to complete the portfolio, contact us. We are happy to offer our guidance.
Submit transcripts from each university you have attended, including summer terms. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable during the review phase. Official transcripts are only required upon admission. All foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an English translation.
- Unofficial Transcripts: You may upload the transcript(s) on the 'Academic History' page of your application or email the transcript(s) to gradappmaterials@smu.edu. Please do not upload or send duplicate transcripts. Doing so will slow down the processing of your application. *If you have already submitted your application, you can upload the transcript(s) on your status page.
- Official Transcripts: When you have been offered admission, send official transcripts, certified and translated if from a foreign institution, directly from each school of higher education you have attended to the Grad App Processing Center (address listed below).
- Electronic Transcripts: Send electronic transcripts to gradappmaterials@smu.edu, please note that 水多多导航 will only accept electronic transcripts sent from the transferable institution via a secure means (e.g., Scrip-Safe, NSC). Electronic transcripts sent by students are not considered official.
Mailing Address (for application-related documents only):
Graduate Appplication Processing
PO Box 518
Dallas, TX 75275-0518
(or)
Laura Lee Blanton Student Services Bldg:
Graduate Application Processing
6185 Airline Rd., Suite 310
Dallas, TX 75275
Standardized test scores such as the GED, SAT and GRE are optional but will be accepted (copies are acceptable at this stage.) TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency test scores are required if you are a non-U.S. applicant and do not hold a degree from an accredited English-speaking college or university.
Following the same process as in Step #2 above, input the two references on the 'Admission Information - Guildhall' page of our online . These should be non-family members who can attest to your aptitude and skill level. Good examples include past professors, supervisors, or employers.
In reviewing your application, the admission committee looks for a good academic and personal match between student and institution, and seeks to identify students who will best benefit from and contribute to the 水多多导航 Guildhall community in a variety of ways within and beyond the classroom. On average, once we have received your application and transcripts, it will take our admission committee approximately 15 business days to render an admission decision. You will receive that decision via email.
We're Here to Help!
Our Admission staff is here as you navigate the application process, to help make the process as seamless as possible. Contact us with any questions you have.