BES in Educational Studies with Emphasis in Educational Games and Simulations Design

Degree Program Description

The BES in Educational Studies with Emphasis in Educational Games and Simulations Design is primarily for students who wish to be involved in education, but do not want to be certified to teach. The emphasis area will fill a need for undergraduate learners to become adept at designing games and/or other technology supported, student-centered learning environments. The degree can be completed 100% online.

Major Program Requirements

The BES in Educational Studies with Emphasis in Educational Games and Simulations Design requires students to complete 120 credit hours. Students are required to complete all University general education, and University graduation requirements, in addition to at least 24 credit hours of educational core courses and 25 credit hours of emphasis area course requirements.  

Students must earn no less than a 2.00 GPA, as defined by the GPA of Record. Students must meet the residence requirements of MU. The student must be recommended for the degree by the faculty of the College of Education and Human Development. At 60 credit hours of completed coursework, students will be required to complete a Graduation Plan that will serve as a preliminary graduation check. All courses are offered with online options.  

Educational Core Courses24
IS_LT 2222Information Management and the Successful Scholar3
IS_LT 3450Introduction to Research in Educational Settings3
or ED_LPA 3450 Introduction to Research in Educational Settings
IS_LT 4355Web Design and Development3
IS_LT 4361Introduction to Digital Media3
IS_LT 4473Introduction to Project Management3
IS_LT 4500Educational Studies Game Design Senior Capstone3
or ED_LPA 4975 Educational Studies Senior Capstone
ED_LPA 4115Introduction to Learning Spaces3
ESC_PS 4115Human Learning3
Emphasis Area Content Courses25
ED_LPA 3204Social Justice for Educational Leaders3
or AG_ED_LD 2250 Introduction to Leadership
INFOTC 2620Computer Modeling and Animation I3
English Creative Writing Course (2000-level or higher recommended) or Digital Storytelling (DST_VS) 38503
Creative Writing: Introduction to Creative Writing
Creative Writing: Intermediate Fiction
Creative Writing: Intermediate Nonfiction Prose
Creative Writing: Intermediate Poetry
Creative Writing: Advanced Fiction
Creative Writing: Advanced Nonfiction Prose
Creative Writing: Advanced Poetry
Video Games and Storytelling
IS_LT 4310Seminar in Information Science and Learning Technologies (Digital Modeling for Game Design (course number changing to IS_LT 4351)3
IS_LT 4308Game Engine Skills2
IS_LT 4384Designing Games for Learning3
IS_LT 4385Designing Games for Learning II3
IS_LT 4375Mobile Web App Development3
IS_LT 4386Microlearning1

Back to Top

Semester Plan

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
ENGLSH 10003General Education Math Requirement3 
Humanities3American History or Government3 
IS_LT 2222 (Social Science)3Humanities3 
ED_LPA 3204 or AG_ED_LD 22503Biological, Physical, Mathematical Science3 
Elective3ED_LPA 4115 (Spring Semester Even Years)3 
 15 15  
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
Biological, Physical, Mathematical Science3Biological, Physical, Mathematical Science w/Lab3 
IS_LT 3450 or ED_LPA 34503Writing Intensive Course3 
IS_LT 43103IS_LT 43082 
IS_LT 43613ESC_PS 41153 
INFOTC 26203IS_LT 44733 
IS_LT 4310 (Educational Objectives)1-3  
 16-18 14  
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Humanities3Writing Intensive Course (3000/4000 level)3IS_LT 43861
IS_LT 4355 (Social Science)3IS_LT 43853 
IS_LT 43843English Creative Writing (2000-level or higher recommended) or DST_VS 38503 
IS_LT 4375 (Fall Semester Odd Years)3Elective3 
Elective3Elective3 
 Elective2 
 15 17 1
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
Elective3IS_LT 4500 or ED_LPA 49753 
Elective3Elective3 
Elective3Elective3 
Elective3Elective3 
Elective3Elective3 
 15 15  
Total Credits: 123-125

Back to Top

Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

Back to Top