[CUNY Students] Highest Awards Program - Studio Track 26/27

Join EGD's playfully professional games industry career prep program, with no prior experience required! EGD is a one-of-a-kind leadership development experience that prepares and propels students into STEM and arts careers within the games industry—or wherever else they want to go.
This is an in-person, college credit-bearing program based out of Harlem, open to all current CUNY college students. Recent graduates should refer to our Non-CUNY listing.

This program requires an average of 6 hours per week during both the fall and spring semesters, which includes 1 night a week in-person at the City College of New York.

Freshmen (and anyone undecided on their discipline) should consider pursuing the EXP award, which feeds into our highest awards.

One Year Tyro Award:
Eligibility: At least 2 semesters and 12 credits of free electives left in the degree program.

Tyro marks a student’s successful entry into a large-scale studio environment and focuses on exploration of self, skills, and career direction. Tyros learn the games production pipeline, communication norms, and how collaborative development operates within a 40+ person team.
Two Year Practitioner Award:
Eligibility: At least 4 semesters and 24 credits of free electives left in the degree program.

Students move beyond participation into active ownership of their work and their team’s success. Practitioners take on leadership, coordination, or specialist roles, manage constraints, and learn to manage conflict.

Three Year Fellowship:
Eligibility: At least 6 semesters and 30 credits of free electives left in the degree program. Those who meet Tyro or Practitioner eligibility may pursue the Fellowship after graduation through a non-credit participation pathway.

Fellowship is EGD’s highest honor and emphasizes innovation, mentorship, and long-term impact. Fellows graduate with experience that goes beyond a typical entry-level profile and are prepared to compete for early-career roles that often ask for prior professional experience.

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Students pursuing EGD’s highest awards receive one-on-one academic and career advising, support with internship and graduate school applications, portfolio reviews, up to $500 in fully funded trips, access to select CUNY courses with reserved seats, and eligibility to earn up to 18 college credits, depending on enrollment status and program requirements.

Participants also enjoy all of the benefits of our regular members, including access to our 100+ textbook library, 600+ game library, study groups and tutoring for relevant classes, discounts on software and industry event tickets, mental health and crisis support resources, and more.

Required Availability:

• Available for 3.5 hours, Fridays between 3:00PM-9:00PM ET for both Fall and Spring semesters.

  • There are 4 sections, 3:00-6:30, 4:00-7:30, 4:30-8:00, and 5:30-9:00. Section placement is determined by your skill level and discipline. Accommodations for section placement are only granted in the following circumstances: religious observance, documented disability, a 9–5 work schedule, parenting responsibilities, or a scheduling conflict with a required major course that is offered only at a conflicting time.

• 2 specific weekends will be required in the spring semester (Global Game Jam & Waffle Games).

• There is a required trip component that will be discussed during the interview.

• We will observe winter break.

Additionally, you can major in games through this program! We're proud to offer access to CUNY's individualized education programs, combined with our support services. Our students graduate from CUNY with an accredited bachelor’s degree in one of our 16 concentrations. Each student is assigned a career advisor and academic advisor from EGD, as well as a faculty mentor and academic advisor from CUNY. Students also have access to our 24hr support line for navigating academic, financial, and emotional crises- ensuring that you will complete your degree in the shortest time possible, even if you transfer later in your academic career.

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Real talk:

Our program is relatively new, and we're just starting to see the results. Our first students who were with us for all four years of their bachelor's degrees graduated in 2022. Despite this, we've had students receive internship and job offers from companies like Riot, Activision Blizzard, Roblox, IBM, and many more. Additionally, some of our students are engaged in exciting activities such as designing games for the government, broadcasting for the LCS, UX design at LinkedIn, and working in game-focused museum exhibits. We've also had students win awards and monetary prizes for the games they've developed. As a free program that accepts everyone regardless of skill level, outcomes can vary. However, we can say that every motivated student who showed up and put in the work found opportunities that fit them! Sounds good? Join up!
Questions? Email [email protected]