Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation

Types of Degrees Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation Majors Are Getting

The following table lists how many modeling, virtual environments & simulation graduations there were for each degree level during the last year for which data was available.

Education Level	Number of Grads
Master’s Degree	194
Graduate Certificate	38
Doctor’s Degree	2

What Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation Majors Need to Know

O*NET surveyed people in occupations related to modeling, virtual environments and simulation and asked them what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. The responses were rated on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being most important.

Knowledge Areas for Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation Majors

Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation majors often go into careers in which the following knowledge areas are important:

• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills for Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation Majors

When studying modeling, virtual environments and simulation, you’ll learn many skills that will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs - even those that do not require a degree in the field. The following is a list of some of the most common skills needed for careers associated with this major:

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Abilities for Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation Majors

As you progress with your modeling, virtual environments and simulation degree, there are several abilities you should pick up that will help you in whatever related career you choose. These abilities include:

• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

What Can You Do With a Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation Major?

Below is a list of occupations associated with modeling, virtual environments and simulation:

Job Title	Job Growth Rate	Median Salary
Computer and Information Research Scientists	19.0%	$118,370
Multimedia Artists and Animators	8.4%	$72,520
Software Developers, Applications	30.7%	$103,620

Who Is Getting a Master’s Degree in Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation?

This major attracts more men than women. About 75% of the graduates in this field are male.

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of modeling, virtual environments and simulation majors is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity	Number of Grads
Asian	25
Black or African American	3
Hispanic or Latino	8
White	65
International Students	81
Other Races/Ethnicities	12

Geographic Diversity

Americans aren’t the only ones with an interest in Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation. About 41.8% of those with this major are international students.

Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation

Some careers associated with modeling, virtual environments and simulation require an advanced degree while some may not even require a bachelor’s. Whatever the case may be, pursuing more education usually means that more career options will be available to you.

Find out what the typical degree level is for modeling, virtual environments and simulation careers below.

Education Level	Percentage of Workers
Less than a High School Diploma	0.0%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)	1.1%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)	0.5%
Some College Courses	10.6%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree)	3.8%
Bachelor’s Degree	68.1%
Master’s Degree	9.3%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.	0.5%
Doctoral Degree	5.4%
Post-Doctoral Training	0.8%

Online Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation Programs

The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.

Degree Level	Colleges Offering Programs	Colleges Offering Online Classes
Certificate (Less Than 1 Year)	0	0
Certificate (1-2 years)	8	1
Certificate (2-4 Years)	2	1
Associate’s Degree	6	3
Bachelor’s Degree	8	2
Post-Baccalaureate	0	0
Master’s Degree	11	1
Post-Master’s	1	0
Doctor’s Degree (Research)	2	0
Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice)	0	0
Doctor’s Degree (Other)	0	0

Majors Related to Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation

You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to modeling, virtual environments and simulation.

Major	Number of Grads
Web & Multimedia Design	5,266
Data Modeling/Warehousing & Database Administration	3,498
Computer Graphics	3,235
Other Computer Software & Media Applications	1,770

References

*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• College Scorecard
• National Center for Education Statistics
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
• Image Credit: By Negative Space under License

More about our data sources and methodologies.