delivery
Online
The UNC Charlotte Online Game Programming Boot Camp Certificate program, powered by Flatiron School, offers a comprehensive curriculum to prepare you for a career in the video game industry. Turn your passion for gaming into a profession by learning the technical skills studios demand. Develop your expertise in Unreal Engine and C++ to create dynamic, interactive gameplay systems and bring game concepts to life.
Taught by industry professionals who’ve contributed to best-selling titles, our specialized courses offer a personalized education experience tailored to your goals. As an Unreal Engine Authorized Training Center and Unreal Academic Partner, we work closely with Epic Games to deliver high-quality education, proven curricula, and real-world insights.
This comprehensive learning pathway will equip you with the skills and confidence to succeed in the exciting field of game programming.
Learn to program video games using Epic’s Unreal Engine.
Unreal Engine has been used to create some of the world’s most popular game titles for desktop, console, mobile, and VR/AR experiences. Using this powerful engine, you will explore C++, blueprints, UI development, input, collision, particle systems, animations, user experience, and more.
Over 48 weeks, you will gain speed and confidence in industry-leading software, learn the latest game production techniques, and graduate with a playable game to show employers.
Essentials of C++ – 12 Weeks
Your introduction to game programming begins with learning the fundamentals focusing on the C++ programming language. We will introduce basic C++ syntax as well as advanced techniques, and by the end of the term, you will have enough knowledge to create your first C++ game.
What you’ll learn:
Weekly Breakdown:
Principles and Prototyping – 12 Weeks
In this program, you’ll be introduced to the Unreal Engine editor and see how the editor interacts with C++ code while building levels and gameplay elements. Blueprints will be introduced as another way to visually add logic to your games. You’ll build a simple game with input, collision, basic AI, User Interface, and audio.
What you’ll do:
Weekly Breakdown:
Professional Game Design and Implementation – 12 Weeks
In this program, you will tackle some more advanced uses of the Unreal Engine for a more complete picture of developing Unreal games, including character animations, particle effects, serialization, loading, and streaming levels. Finish the program by developing your own fully playable game from scratch.
What you’ll learn:
Weekly Breakdown:
Game Programming Capstone – 12 Weeks
This capstone is dedicated to getting you job-ready! With your instructor’s guidance, you’ll polish your best work for your portfolio and learn how to develop your competitive edge, market yourself, and make the best possible impression in front of employers. You’ll also receive additional career support, portfolio reviews, and industry insights from your career coach.
What you’ll learn:
In addition to your capstone project, here’s the weekly breakdown:
Upfront: $14,900
Pay as You Go: $15,900 – 12 monthly payments of $1,325
Financed Tuition: $16,500 – Monthly payments as low as $358
Have questions? Talk with a Flatiron School representative.
You want to transition into the game programming industry and are looking for a fast-paced environment to gain relevant skills quickly.
You’re passionate about video games and want to uncover what makes a video game compelling and build foundations in programming game systems.
You want a hands-on education with mentorship from top game game development experts and access to the most talented programmers in the industry.
Enjoy small class sizes with a maximum of five students, weekly calls with your mentor, and detailed video critiques to guide your progress. You’ll be part of a supportive and active community of peers, alumni, and mentors. With flexible schedules and 100% online learning, you can study from anywhere, at your own pace.
Game programming is the technical backbone of video game development. It involves writing the code that brings a game’s mechanics, systems, and visuals to life. Programming expertise is critical for turning creative ideas into playable, engaging, and successful games.
You’ll learn to deconstruct games, become fluent in Unreal Engine, and create fully playable games–all to help prepare you for the video game industry.
This boot camp will give you an excellent understanding of game programming fundamentals. Depending on your level of commitment, skills, and portfolio pieces, you may be ready to start applying for entry-level programming positions. As you grow in the field, you can prepare for jobs such as game programmer, AI programmer, and gameplay engineer.
The key difference between game designers and programmers is their focus: designers handle the creative aspects, while programmers tackle the technical side by writing code. Both are vital to game development, with distinct roles that occasionally overlap but remain fundamentally different disciplines.
Upon completion of the program, students will receive a certificate and digital badge. Digital badges can be used in email signatures or digital resumes, and certificates can be displayed on portfolio websites and social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.