Entertainment Technology Center

Applications are open!

Looking to join us next year? You have until Jan. 1 to apply!

Learn. Work. Play. 

The Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is the premiere professional graduate program for interactive entertainment and emerging media.

Rooted in CMU’s legacy of excellence in the arts and sciences, the ETC blends creative exploration with technical rigor in a uniquely collaborative environment. Our students learn by doing: through project-based work, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship from faculty and industry leaders.

It’s an experience designed to prepare graduates not just for their first job, but for a lifetime of innovation.

ETC student, soldering wires onto a PCB.

We're building the future.

Each semester, students at the ETC collaborate across disciplines to design and deliver projects that push the boundaries of interactive media. They take risks, solve problems, and build working prototypes through a process that mirrors real-world development.

Discover our creative legacy.

Browse every ETC project since 2000 to explore how we have shaped the development of entertainment, storytelling, and interactive technology. Or take a deeper dive through in-depth case studies of notable projects from our history.

30

Company Visits in 2025

Industry connections built in.
From studio visits to recruiting events, the ETC keeps students in direct conversation with leading companies across gaming, XR, robotics, and entertainment.

Learn more about Career Services

6 : 1

Student to Faculty Ratio

Mentorship that makes a difference.
ETC faculty are active creators, researchers, and industry pros—deeply involved in student learning, advising, and collaboration.

Meet Our Faculty

91 %

Employed Within a Year

Our alumni go far, and stay connected.
ETC grads work across top companies and emerging media fields around the world. Hear what they have to say about their paths after graduation.

Explore Alumni Stories

Recent ETC News

ETC faculty member Jessica Hammer works with students

We're not your typical graduate program.

With deep ties to leading game studios and tech companies, the ETC prepares you to step into the industry by providing experience building working products, an unparalleled alumni network, and an uniquely interdisciplinary curriculum. If you’re ready to stretch your imagination and your skills, your future begins here.

ETC Playtesting

The Power of Play

Celebrating 25 Years Of The ETC

Since 2000, the ETC has woven together art, technology, and play to shape the future of entertainment. Let us walk you through our history and show you what's next. 

ETC staff playtest student games

Ready to level up?

From VR to AI, from game design to storytelling — if you’re ready to blur boundaries, the ETC is where your creative tech journey begins.