EMU Today

YPSILANTI – The Eastern Michigan University Simulation, Animation and Gaming (SAG) Program has been ranked among the best in the Midwest and among the top five of its kind in Michigan in annual listings from Animation Career Review.

The ninth annual rankings listed Eastern 18th in the Midwest and fourth in Michigan. More than 125 schools with game design programs from across the United States were considered in preparing this year’s rankings, the review said.

Animation Career Review has been publishing rankings for nearly a decade, and, with about 1.5 million annual visitors, has become a primary source for prospective SAG students and their parents in their college search process.

The gamification of careers

“The Simulation, Animation, and Gaming faculty is very pleased with our ranking, but we know that there is always room for improvement, which we strive towards,” said Ryan English, an assistant professor in the EMU SAG program. “Our students gain exposure to simulation, animation, and gaming concepts that are quickly and quietly becoming ingrained into the world around us, everything from gamification of careers to mixed reality applications in many fields. This knowledge and indirectly the reputation of their institution will help them further their careers.”

Brad Prescott, founder of the Animation Career Review, said, “The rankings are quite competitive. With 125 schools under consideration, many go unranked. EMU has consistently ranked as one of the top schools in the Midwest.”

According to its website, the review bases its rankings on information provided by each school under consideration. Criteria include academic reputation, quality of faculty, value related to tuition rate and employment data.

A competitive advantage

The SAG program at EMU, within the GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology, offers a bachelor of science degree. The degree is a multidisciplinary area of study, combining traditional art mediums, creative writing, and story development, along with coursework focusing on modeling, rigging, animation, lighting, and 3D camera work.

Such a wide variety of experiences in students’ course of study provides a competitive advantage over many other programs, the program website says. Students thus leave equipped with the skill sets necessary to compete for numerous related positions.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 200 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. For more information, visit the University's website.