September 24, 2018
La Roche College Introduces New Game Studies Certificate and Minor
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 24, 2018 – La Roche University has recently added a new game studies certificate and game studies minor to its programs of study.
The game studies certificate will give students a background and understanding of games, gaming, gamification and the games industry from a variety of perspectives. The certificate is designed for students from any major who want to get involved with the creation and use of games and gamification in a variety of organizations and industries.
The game studies minor provides a more in-depth exploration of gamification capabilities for training, business and education, and also introduces students to a wide variety of career paths within the field, including writing, producing, managing, promoting and creating new games.
“Gamification is one of the fastest growing fields in the market,” Jeff Ritter, Ph.D., department chair of communications, media and technology said. “Industries all over the world are using games to train new employees, or to ‘upskill’ current employees. Augmented reality, virtual reality and artificial intelligence also are going to bring gamification into a new realm of capabilities and imagination.
“There is a really big need in the workforce for people who have these skills, and this certificate, or minor, will really stand out on a resume,” he added.
These courses are not for those looking to program or design games, but instead for students who want to learn more about how games and e-learning are used within industries for training and education.
“For example, retailers may have employees play a stop-loss game that teaches them methods to identify shoplifters,” Dr. Ritter said. “Another game might be used by a light manufacturing company to teach employees how to use new software.”
Both the game studies certificate and game studies minor are now open to La Roche students as well as to individuals looking to add new skills to their work experience. For more information, please contact: jeff.ritter@laroche.edu.
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts college in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, six graduate degree programs and one doctoral program, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical sciences as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential college provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,500 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
###