Adelphi, Md. (April 25, 2023)--ĢƵ (ĢƵ) and the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced an education alliance that expands access and affordability of higher education to the association’s members. The alliance brings together ĢƵ’s pioneering online and hybrid degree programs with GAMA’s commitment to its members to provide educational opportunities that will help them gain knowledge in critical business areas in the gaming industry.
”We are pleased to join with the Game Manufacturers Association and help them invest in their members,” said Blakely Pomietto, senior vice president and chief academic officer at ĢƵ. “We offer a wide variety of programs that can help GAMA members achieve their educational and career goals."
The agreement, which is ĢƵ’s first alliance within the gaming industry, enables members and their employees to waive the university’s application fee and take classes at discounted tuition rates.
"GAMA is proud to partner with ĢƵ to bring education benefits to our members and their employees. ĢƵ is known for its service to working adults around the world and we know this adds even more value to a GAMA membership,” said GAMA Member Services representative, Bryan Borgman. “This partnership will undoubtedly benefit the gaming industry and help those who seek higher education."
Under the agreement, GAMA members and their employees can take individual courses or enroll in any of ĢƵ’s more than 90 undergraduate and graduate degree or certificate programs, all available fully online. In addition to the discounted tuition rates and waived application fee, ĢƵ also offers cost savings through its use of digital resources, which have replaced costly publisher text books in most courses.
Students enrolling in ĢƵ’s degree programs may be eligible to transfer credits from other institutions and/or earn credit for prior learning, thus shortening the path to a degree.
In addition to expanding the affordability of college education, the alliance also is a step forward for the professionalization of the multi-billion dollar hobby gaming industry as it continues to grow in the United States and around the world.
About ĢƵ
ĢƵ was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military servicemembers. Today, ĢƵ is the largest provider of postsecondary education in Maryland and continues its global tradition with online and hybrid courses, more than 175 classroom and service locations worldwide, and more than 135 degrees and certificates backed by the reputation of a state university and the University System of Maryland. For more information, visit umgc.edu.
About the Game Manufacturers Association
The (GAMA) is the non-profit trade organization dedicated to serving the hobby games industry. GAMA strengthens and supports all industry professionals by advancing their interests, providing educational programs and opportunities, and promoting a unique form of quality social entertainment.