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Adjunct Faculty, MPS in Game Design (Asynchronous)

Department: School of Creative and Professional Studies (SCPS)

Program: Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Game Design

Status: Part-time, Adjunct

Format: 100% Online, Asynchronous (8-week terms)

Program Overview

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Game Design at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is a 30-credit, fully online graduate degree that prepares emerging creative professionals to design, prototype, and launch innovative games across platforms and genres. The program integrates artistic vision, interactive systems design, gamification, leadership, and production management.

MICA's learning environment mirrors real-world collaborative ecosystems-where data scientists, designers, educators, and technologists work together. We position game creation as a critical, interdisciplinary art form, balancing technical competency with the critical literacy to understand play as a cultural and social phenomenon.

General Purpose

To provide high-quality asynchronous instruction for graduate students in the MPS in Game Design, conveying professional expertise in game theory, mechanics, narrative, and production. Faculty serve as mentors, guiding students as they translate artistic intent into production reality within a rigorous, studio-based online environment.

Summary of Essential Functions

• Asynchronous Delivery: Design and maintain an engaging online learning environment via Canvas.

• Instructional Excellence: Deliver core instruction that satisfies the primary learning outcomes of the assigned course(s).

• Timely Feedback: Provide substantive written or video-recorded feedback on student assignments within 48 hours of submission.

• Student Engagement: Foster inclusive learning communities and hold weekly synchronous virtual office hours.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintain a consistent presence in the online classroom (at least 4 days in a 7-day cycle).

• Reply to student communications within 24 hours.

• Keep a real-time gradebook with grades posted within 72 hours of module completion.

• Update and maintain Canvas course shells, including syllabi, assignment dates, and supplementary tutorials.

• Participate in faculty development and meet expectations defined in MICA's Asynchronous Instruction Policy.

• Guide students through the "Serious Games" framework, integrating Digital Humanities and social impact into design practice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Candidates must demonstrate deep professional experience in at least one of the following specialization tracks:

• Track 1: Visual Design & Art Direction: Generative 3D assets, visual storytelling, environment design, and style direction.

• Track 2: Game Design & Interactive Systems: Systems design, level design, interaction architecture, and procedural/generative tools.

• Track 3: Production, Leadership & Strategy: Agile pipelines, managing creative teams, and the business/market strategy of games.

• Track 4: Gamification & Applied Game Design: Behavioral design, game-based learning, health/social impact games, and experience design.

• Foundational Core: Applied game theory, mechanics prototyping, and interactive narrative/worldbuilding.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Interactive Media, Computer Science, Fine Arts, Design, or a related field.

• 5 years of professional experience in the game industry or related interactive media sectors.

• Strong communication and storytelling abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related field.

• 10 years of professional experience, including leadership roles (Lead Designer, Producer, Art Director).

• Experience teaching in an online or asynchronous format.

• Active participation in the industry (e.g., GDC, IndieCade, or published titles).

Conditions of Employment:

• Satisfactory background check

Salary

• $4,515.00 - $7,656.00 (commensurate with experience )

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This is a remote, online position. The employee is required to use a computer for extended periods and must be able to communicate effectively via video conferencing and written digital correspondence.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• Work Environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal to moderate.

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.