Top 25 Animation Schools and Colleges in the South - 2025 College Rankings

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) operates the world’s largest university-run film festival. With attendance exceeding 63,000 annually, the eight-day Savannah Film Festival has welcomed Academy Award-winning guest speakers such as Mahershala Ali, Holly Hunter, and Jeremy Irons, along with directors such as Oliver Stone and Christopher Miller. All SCAD students may participate in the festival, which also features workshops, lectures, and networking opportunities. 

SCAD students also have access to nearly one million square feet of dedicated film and television production space including Savannah Film Studios—one of the largest university film studios in the U.S.; the 65,000 square feet SCAD Digital Media Center; Lucas Theatre for the Arts; and the 82,000 square feet SCAD Museum of Art. Built on a historical site, the museum hosts exhibitions, screenings in an onsite theater, and master classes with industry professionals and visiting artists. 

Savannah College of Art and Design is also home to the School of Animation and Motion. Serving approximately 1,985 students, the school’s Animation program has BFA, MA, and MFA pathways. In addition to access to all SCAD facilities, the Animation program provides 24/7 access to more than 800 networked computers; instruction by artists from major studios and productions such as Ice Age, Pocahontas, and The Lion King; and the opportunity to participate in SCAD Study Abroad in Lacoste, France.

The Animation BFA program at Savannah College of Art and Design provides the opportunity to enroll in Gradpath@SCAD. This unique program allows students to earn a BFA/MA or BFA/MFA at an accelerated pace. Students in the BFA/MA program may complete this combined degree in less than four years. The BFA/MFA can be completed in five years or less. 

The 180 credit-hour Animation BFA is available at SCAD’s Atlanta and Savannah campuses. The major curriculum for the program consists of 80 credit hours, including concentrations in 2D Animation; 3D Character Animation; Technical Animation; and Storytelling and Concept Development. Students will take 15 credit hours of free electives. To enhance the degree, the program allows for a minor. 

Ideal minors that complement the program include Character Technical Direction; Motion Media Design; Visual Effects (VFX); Illustration for Entertainment; and Technical Direction. 

Across concentrations, Animation BFA students can expect to take courses such as Inventing Environments; Reading Films; Digital Communication; Visual Culture in Context: Making Modernities; Storyboarding Essentials; Collaborative Experiences in the School of Animation and Motion; 3D Character Animation: Creatures and Quadrupeds; Collaborative Experiences: 2D Production Pipeline; Story and Concept: Animation Character and Creature Design; Technical Animation: Digital Modeling for Environments and Props; and Story and Concept: Visual Design and World Building. 

Each student in the SCAD Animation BFA program will complete three capstone courses including Animated Capstone Film Preproduction, Production, and Postproduction. An optional internship is also part of the program. 

The Animation MA and MFA programs at Savannah College of Art and Design require the successful completion of 45 and 90 credit hours, respectively. The MA is available at the Savannah campus and online through SCADnow. The MFA can be completed at the Atlanta and Savannah campuses, and via SCADnow. 

MA students have access to courses such as 3D Naturalistic Character Animation; Computer-Generated Modeling and Design; Drawing in Motion; Animation Aesthetics and Practice; 3D Cartoon Character Animation; and Environment Look Development. Students have the option to complete a graduate internship. 

The culminating experience for the SCAD MA program is the School of Animation and Motion MA Final Project. During the experience, students propose, develop, and execute a project that will become a permanent part of their professional reel. 

The Animation MFA at Savannah College of Art and Design consists of a mandatory teaching or field assignment. This supervised graduate internship consists of 15 credit hours. MFA students will also complete mandatory courses such as Media Theory and Application; Animation Aesthetics and Practice; Storyboarding and Previsualization; Drawing in Motion; and Computer-Generated Modeling and Design. Completion of at least seven 500- to 700-level electives is also part of the program.

The culminating experience for the SCAD MFA Animation program is the Animation MFA Thesis consisting of three courses including Exploration and Research; Visual Component Production; and Completion. 

Graduates of the Animation programs at Savannah College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue titles such as 2D Animator, 3D Animator, Digital Modeler, Storyboard Artist, Character FX Artist, Lighting Director, Animation Producer, Character FX Technical Director, and many other leadership roles. 

Major studios and networks routinely hire SCAD Animation alumni. Examples include Cartoon Network, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, Sony Pictures Imageworks, 20th Century Fox, Epic Games, Walt Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Lucasfilm Animation, and Xbox Game Studios. 

Savannah College of Art and Design opened its doors in the renovated Savannah Volunteer Guards Armory in September 1979. The school launched with one classroom and an administration building (Poetter Hall), 11 faculty, and just 71 students. Today, across campuses in Atlanta, Savannah, and Lacoste, France, SCAD serves more than 17,500 students from more than 120 countries and all 50 states.

With more than 100 programs leading to a degree, and over 75 minors and certificate programs, Savannah College of Art and Design has more academic options than any other art and design college in the U.S. Savannah College of Art and Design is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), and the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB).

Full Sail University (Full Sail) provides immersive programs in the entertainment, media, art, and technology fields. To support its programs, the school houses a large Hollywood-style back lot; more than 110 state-of-the-art studios; collaborative production environments; professional-level recording and game studios; and live venues that host concerts, festivals, and other events. In addition, Full Sail operates on a 24-hour-a-day basis, with labs that take place at any time during the day or night. 

All Full Sail programs emphasize project-based training, allowing students across majors to gain real-world experience before graduation. Full Sail students also have access to the Project LaunchBox, which provides software and tools to create projects, and a secure place to store student coursework and files. Project LaunchBox can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

For students seeking an animation degree, Full Sail University has a Computer Animation BS program with two tracks: online and on campus. The online track takes 29 months to complete. The campus track takes just 20 months to complete. Curriculums are identical, so students in both programs will learn how to navigate the same production pipelines used in today’s major studios.  

Course examples for the program include 3D Animation; Animation Production; Technical Animation; Motion Capture; Technology in the Entertainment and Media Industries; Creative Presentation; Psychology of Play; Compositing and Scene Finishing; Industry Production; and Model Creation.   

Students will also take two professional development seminar courses and seven project and portfolio courses covering computer animation and 3D arts. Additional professional development courses provide the opportunity for students to build their personal brand; interact with industry guest speakers; and learn about the innerworkings of the computer animation industry.  

A Career Readiness course, completed in the final month of the BS program, allows students to create a strategy for approaching and engaging with potential employers. Throughout the course, students will create a targeted résumé, cover letter, and professional portfolio.  

Full Sail University graduates are prepared to pursue careers in animation, film and television, game design, and advertising. Graduates will also have the skills needed to pursue careers in growing industries for animators such as augmented reality, science, architecture, medicine, law, publishing, geographical information systems (GIS), education, aerospace, training, and data visualization. 

Graduates have been hired to work with major studios, networks, companies, and agencies such as NASA, Apple, Electronic Arts (EA), ESPN, Google, Sony, Disney, HBO, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, the NFL, Universal Studios, MTV, Warner Bros., Insomniac Games, PBS, Meta, NASCAR, the WWE, and Unity Technologies.  

More than 45 Full Sail University alumni were also credited on numerous 2024 Grammy-Nominated projects; 100 graduates were credited on many 2024 Academy Award films; and nearly 200 graduates were credited on shows presented at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards. In addition, Full Sale alumni have worked on previous award-winning productions such as Everything Everywhere All at Once; Jurassic World: Dominion, Minions: The Rise of Gru, and Lightyear, as well as Stranger Things 4, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ms. Marvel, among others. 

Full Sail University launched in 1979 as a recording studio in Dayton, Ohio that provided workshops. Today, the school sits on a 210-acre campus less than 20 miles from downtown Orlando and Universal Studios. Serving approximately 21,000 students, Full Sail provides graduate certificates and degree programs at all levels. Full Sail University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). 

Florida State University (FSU) is home to the College of Motion Picture Arts, which houses the Film School. Within the school is a limited access, Motion Picture Arts BFA program that allows just nine students per class. This collaborative four-year program has an Animation and Digital Arts concentration that includes three full years of immersive animation coursework. 

Courses and projects take place in an environment that functions like an industry-standard production studio with 24/7 access. Spaces include an animation and visual effects studio; development rooms; sound stages; post-production facilities; color and sound suites; screening theaters, an equipment room, and director’s prep rooms. 

The Film School also provides access to Torchlight Center for Motion Picture Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Home Torchlight Studios and Torchlight Cinematheque, the Center houses a state-of- the-art LED virtual production volume (LED stage), that provides the opportunity for students to learn about virtual production.

Course examples for the Motion Picture Arts/ Animation and Digital Arts BFA program include Character Animation; Reality and Illusion in World Cinema; History and Practice of Visual Effects and Animation; Visualization I-III; Motion Picture Editing; Story Development and Screenwriting; Film Aesthetics; Character Art; Advanced Filmmaking; Lighting, Texturing, and Rendering; Production Management; and Digital Studio Department Leadership. 

FSU Animation and Digital Arts students may also take electives such as Marketing and Exhibition; Portfolio Production; and the Professional Internship. 

Throughout the Animation and Digital Arts program at FSU, students will complete four major films. This includes the culminating Thesis film. All enrolled students in the College of Motion Picture Arts may also participate in the Torchlight Program, which provides instruction in the financing, marketing, and distribution of films. 

Graduates of the Animation and Digital Arts BFA program at Florida State University are prepared to pursue positions in the animation, film, television, games, and advertising industries, among others. Program alumni are Animators, VFX Artists, Riggers, Art Directors, Modelers, CG Lighters, Animation Supervisors, and Storyboard Artists at independent, local, and major studios. Some alumni have also gone on to launch their own studios and freelance businesses. 

Founded in 1851 and serving approximately 44,600 students, Florida State University is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida and one of the largest universities in the state. With more than 100 campuses, centers, and institutes across the state and around the world, FSU provides close to 300 degree programs across 16 colleges and schools.

Florida State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

University of Florida (UF) is home to the College of the Arts (COTA). Established in 1925, COTA houses the fully accredited schools of Music, Dance, and Theater and Dance. Accreditations include National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD); National Association of Schools of Music (NASM); National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST); and National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).

COTA also houses the Center for Arts in Medicine and the Digital Worlds Institute. Founded in 2001, the Digital Worlds Institute began as a partnership between COTA and the College of Engineering. Today, the Digital Worlds Institute has expanded to include six additional colleges, with a focus on advanced media systems. 

Within the Digital Worlds Institute at University of Florida is the Digital Arts and Sciences BA (BADAS) and the DAS minor. Both programs are ideal for aspiring animators. The 15 credit-hour minor can be added to most UF programs. Students in this option will have the opportunity to work in collaborative teams on animation, game design, experience design, and production projects. Course examples for the program include 2D Digital Animation Techniques; 3D Character Animation; and Digital Storytelling. 

The Digital Arts and Sciences BA program explores the 12 principles of animation; industry-standard techniques and tools for interactive games, media, and film; game content creation and system development; and the entire process of pre-production, production, and post-production. 

The program takes place in a project-based learning environment, allowing students to gain hands-on experience and team-building skills. Students also can select elective courses from the Institute's offerings in animation, game design, and experience design and production. Other program benefits include high-tech classrooms; access to state-of-the-art studios and facilities; internships at major production studios; and participation in the study abroad program.  

Students may also take electives outside of the UF BADAS program. The remaining courses include BADAS core requirements and general education. BADAS core courses explore areas such as 2D and 3D animation; digital technologies; mobile games; digital storytelling; game content creation; design; writing for interactive media; digital visualization; and production. 

Course examples include 2D Digital Animation Techniques; 3D Animation Techniques; Digital Storytelling; 3D Character Animation; Advanced Digital Animation Techniques; Advanced 2D Digital Animation Techniques; Motion Design; 3D Modeling and Texturizing; Design and Production Studio I-II; Production of Immersive Environments; Project Methodologies; and Writing for Interactive Media. 

The BADAS program at University of Florida culminates with the Senior Project in DAS and Digital Portfolio courses. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions in areas such as animation, game design, filmmaking, television, advertising, science, and technology. 

Digital Worlds Institute graduates have been hired at major companies and studios such as Sony Pictures Imageworks, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks Animation, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Epic Games, HSN, Sony Music Entertainment, Insomniac Games, the PGA Tour, Trip Advisor, and Hawke Media. Some Digital Worlds alumni have also gone on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses. 

University of Florida was founded in 1858 as Gainesville Academy. The school opened with just over 100 students. Today, this public land-grant institution serves approximately 69,465 students across campuses in Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Orlando, Florida. More than 300 programs are provided across 16 colleges and schools. University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is the largest producer of graduates in the Greater Nashville area and home to the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center—one the largest facilities of its kind on a college campus. MTSU is also home to the College of Media and Entertainment (CME). With a focus on news, storytelling, and entertainment, the CME is the only college of its kind. 

Within the college is the Department of Media Arts—home to the Animation BS and 18 credit-hour minor. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), both programs provide access to the 80,000 square feet John Bragg Media and Entertainment Building, which houses animation and graphics computer labs; radio, television, and recording production facilities; and the Center for Innovation in Media. 

The Department of Media Arts provides access to additional facilities such as a 40-foot Mobile Production Lab; five different studios; and numerous other labs. And with its own varsity team for live video production, the department provides plenty of opportunities for real-world, hands-on experiences and opportunities to work with virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR); 360-degree video production; and 3D projection mapping. 

All MTSU Animation students have the opportunity to complete an internship in the recently launched MT IMAGINE Animation Studio, which produces high-end animated visuals for clients on a budget. Housed in the College of Media and Entertainment, the studio’s project-based, paid internships allow faculty, students, and even recent graduates to create content for real-world clients. Projects span the 2D and 3D animation, XR virtual production, and VR/AR fields. 

Another component of the MTSU Animation program is the chance to volunteer at the annual SIGGRAPH conference. In 2023, 19 MTSU Animation students were accepted as volunteers and one was accepted as a team leader. These artists were among the nearly 300 students selected from over 100 universities worldwide for this coveted program.

The Animation BS is a 120 credit-hour program, including 76 credit hours in the major. Beginning in the first semester, students will explore traditional animation techniques through hands-on project opportunities. Students will gradually advance into coursework that covers advanced digital tools and techniques. 

Course examples for the program includes: Introduction to Media and Entertainment; Scripts for Media; 2D Animation I-II; Texturing, Lighting, and Rendering; Motion Graphics I-II; Visual Effects; Animation and Performance; Character Modeling and Rigging; Animation Mechanics; History of Animation; Art Appreciation; Film History; Animation Preproduction; and Professional Practices in Animation. 

The MTSU Animation BS program culminates with the Animation Capstone, completed across two courses. The capstone consists of an original animated short that will be submitted to film and animation festivals around the world. This project will be centerpiece of the student’s final portfolio.

Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in entertainment (film, animation, television), game design and development, medical visualization, forensic recreation animation, AR/VR, advertising, publishing, architecture, education, and research. Program alumni have been hired at studios such as DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Blizzard Entertainment, Digital Domain, Cinesite, Pixel Magic, Titmouse, Pixomondo, WB Games, Tippett Studio, and Reel FX. 

Middle Tennessee State University was established in 1909 as Middle Tennessee State Normal School. The school launched with a two-year training program for teachers. On September 11, 1911, the Normal School opened with 125 students. Today, MTSU serves more than 20,000 students enrolled in over 300 majors and concentrations across nine colleges. Middle Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Louisiana State University (LSU) is in the elite 1% of academic institutions with land-, sea-, and space-grant designations. The school is also home to the College of Art and Design, which is one of less than 330 schools accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Within LSU’s College of Art and Design is the School of Art, which provides BA, BFA, MA, and MFA programs led by accomplished artists and designers. 

Among the school’s programs are the Studio Art BFA and MFA degrees with a Digital Art concentration, and the Art and Design BA with a Digital Art area. Both are ideal options for aspiring animators. Other options include the interdisciplinary Master in Digital Media Arts and Engineering (DMAE); and DMAE minors including Digital Media Arts and Engineering Technology (DMAET), and Digital Media Art (DMART).

The DMAE Masters is provided in collaboration with the College of Engineering and the College of Art and Design. The DMAE minor (including DMART and DMAET) is a collaboration with six campus units including the Schools of Art and Music; the Departments of Computer Science, English, and Electrical and Computer Engineering; and Manship School of Mass Communication. 

DMART is an arts-oriented minor and DMAET is a technology-oriented minor. Both options are interdisciplinary and require 21 credit hours, including 12 credit hours of electives. Course examples across programs include 3D Animation; Interactive Computer Graphics; Video Game Design; Moving Image; Computer Music; and Screenwriting Workshop. Both programs culminate with a three credit hour capstone. 

The Studio Art BFA with a Digital Art concentration begins with a full year of preliminary foundation courses in art and design. This first year culminates with the Foundations Portfolio, which determines if students will be fully admitted into the School of Art and their chosen discipline. Once students have been admitted, they will begin taking courses specific to their concentration area. 

For Digital Art, examples include Intermediate 3D Animation; Digital Art I-II; Virtual Space; Creative Coding; Digital Art Synthesis; Intermediate 3D Design; Moving Image; Digital Art Studio. This 120 credit-hour program culminates with a final project and portfolio. 

The LSU Studio Art MFA (Digital Art) is a 60 credit-hour experimental program that blends computational artmaking courses with coursework in areas such as animation, film, computer science, electronic music, and painting. Up to 12 general electives may to be taken in any area at the 4000/7000 level. This provides additional opportunities to focus in animation. 

The DMAE Master is housed in the DMAE Digital Media Center on LSU's campus. This new state-of-the-art $29.3 million facility is a shared space with Electronic Art’s (EA) North American Test Center. This provides opportunities to learn from and work with accomplished digital artists, programmers, designers, researchers, and musicians. 

The intensive, two-year program DMAE Master explores animation, interactive design, visual effects (VFX), and video games. Course examples include Advanced Programming and Digital Art; Interactive Design, Rapid Prototyping, and Innovation; Interactive Design; Principal Production Workshop; Digital Media Production and Project Management; Innovation; and Interactive Production Team I-II. Electives allow students to take additional animation or other courses in different areas of interest. A Digital Media Internship is also part of the program.

The DMAE Master at Louisiana State University culminates with the Capstone Production Team course. This team-based collaborative project results in professional market-ready production. Students will also earn six credits for this course. 

Across all Studio and Digital Art programs, students have opportunities to join the Digital Art and Design Association (DADA), which hosts an Annual Animation Jam. Students may also participate in LSU’s Arts, Visualization, Advanced Technologies, and Research (AVATAR) Initiative, and study abroad experiences developed specifically for the College of Art and Design. Examples include LSU in South Africa; College of Art and Design in Rome; ArtNYC; Footsteps in Berlin; LSU in China; Art in Florence; Design in Paris; and Art in Ireland. Other study abroad destinations may include the Netherlands, Vietnam, Haiti, and the UK.

Louisiana State University was founded in 1860 as the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy. The flagship institution of the Louisiana State University System, LSU serves approximately 32,490 students enrolled in more than 330 programs across 18 colleges, schools, and centers, and LSU Online. Louisiana State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is the only college in the world that awards a Master of Arts in Communication and Storytelling Studies. The school also awards a BA, BS, and minor in Storytelling.  Housed in the Department of Communication Studies and Storytelling, the 36 credit-hour MA provides opportunities to specialize in additional areas through electives, making it an ideal option for students seeking an advanced degree after completing the school’s Digital Media or other similar program. 

The Digital Media (DIGM) Department at ETSU is part of the College of Business and Technology’s School of Marketing and Media, which provides opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships and real-world projects. Program options for animators include the Digital Media BS (DIGM BS); the Digital Media MFA (DIGM MFA); and the DIGM minor. As part of ETSU, all programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). 

The 24 credit hour DIGM minor consists of four required courses at four credits each, and eight credits of approved electives. Required courses include Digital Animation; Visualization; Digital Game Design; and Visual Effects and Motion Graphics. Electives allow students to create an emphasis in a specific area of Digital Media. 

Upon completion of the DIGM minor, students are prepared to pursue entry-level roles in digital animation, game design, motion graphics, VFX, and visualization. 

The DIGM BS at ETSU has a Digital Animation concentration with 2D and 3D Pathways, and 20 credit hours of guided electives. Course examples for this 120 credit-hour program include Animation Fundamentals; Principles of Visual Effects and Motion Graphics; Character Animation; Topics in Digital Media History; Principles of Digital Animation; Principles of Visualization; Animation Fundamentals; Technical Communication; Principles of Digital Game Design; and Art History Survey. 

2D students will also take Storyboarding; 2D Character Construction; and 2D Animation. 3D students will also take 3D Lighting and Rendering; 3D Animation; and Procedural Modeling and Effects Simulation. Although a minor is not required, some students elect to enroll in the Storytelling minor. 

Throughout the ETSU DIGM BS program, students will complete several projects. The culminating experience for the program is the Portfolio Development for Digital Media course, which leads to a professional portfolio of the student’s best work. 

The Digital Media MFA at East Tennessee State University is the terminal degree in the field. Designed for artists who have already earned a bachelor’s degree, the program is ideal for professional Animators, Creature Artists, Cinematographers, Visual Effects Artists, 3D Designers, UI/UX Designers, Character Animators, Coders, and Game Artists. 

Students in this non-thesis degree program may complete 12 credit hours of study in any area. An additional 12 credit hours are dedicated to team projects for internal and external clients. Another six credits are dedicated to experimental media. 

The culminating experience for the ETSU DIGM MFA allows students to develop and finalize a body of work. MFA projects will be reviewed by faculty and peers. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in areas such as entertainment, games, education, and research. 

Graduates of the DIGM BS program are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as 2D animation, 3D animation, motion graphics, visual effects (VFX), character animation, game art and design, advertising animation, level design, modeling, compositing, and technical direction. 

DIGM alumni have worked on productions and games such as Lord of the Rings; Avatar; The Last Jedi; The Peanuts Movie; World of Warcraft; Guitar Hero; Thor: Ragnarok; Halo 5; The Avengers; Kung Fu Panda III; Ice Age: Continental Drift; and The Walking Dead. DIGM graduates can also be found at places such as Luma Pictures, Red Storm Entertainment, and Deck Nine. 

East Tennessee State University was established in 1911 as East Tennessee State Normal School. The school serves approximately 14,000 students enrolled in more than 140 academic programs across eleven colleges and schools. East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The DAVE School consists of an 18,000 square feet facility that sits on the backlot of Universal Studios Florida. The learning environment features 24/7 access to interactive labs; a Vicon motion capture system; 3D printing and VR/AR labs; and a dedicated virtual and real-time production stage. With a focus on games and digital animation and visual effects (DAVE), the school provides formal programs in FX Production; Game Production; Game Production in Simulation and Immersive Technology; Visual Effects Production; Virtual Production; and Digital Arts. 

Ideal options for animators include the Digital Arts and Technology BS with concentrations in Visual Effects (VFX) Production, Game Production, and Virtual Production; and the VFX Production, Game Production, and Virtual Production diploma programs. The VFX Production and Game Production diplomas take 12 months to complete. The Virtual Production diploma takes 18 months to complete. The BS takes 36 months to complete. All options are fully on-campus, with winter, spring, summer, and fall start times. 

The Digital Arts and Technology BS requires 125-129 credit hours of study. The program begins with general education courses such as Cultural Studies; Public Speaking; Ethics and AI; Psychology of Emotion and Motivation; Visual Culture: Media, Art, and Technology; 3D Geometry; Communication in Cultural Settings; and Cyberpsychology. While courses may vary between concentrations or overlap, all students will complete 3D Animation: The Art of Motion. 

VFX Production students will take other courses such as Advanced VFX Pipelines and Studio Production; Drawing for Animators; AI Principles in CGI Production; and Motion Picture Editing and Workflow. Game Production students will take other courses such as Game Asset Creation and Immersive Technologies; Character Animation; Real-Time Technologies and Studio Production; and Creature Creation and Animation. 

Virtual Production students will take courses such as Compositing and VFX: Principles of Integration; AI Principles in CGI Production; Unreal Cinematography; and On-Set Virtual Production. Across concentrations, students will complete several projects, a professional portfolio, and demo reel to graduate. 

The VFX Production diploma program at The DAVE School skips the general education courses and dives right into studio learning with project-based workflows. Students in this 60 credit-hour program will explore 3D animation; organic modeling and digital sculpting in ZBrush; the art and science of lighting, texturing, and look development; and the principles of hard surface modeling. The top software programs for this program include After Effects, Unreal Engine, and Maya. 

In the last three months of the DAVE School VFX Production program, students will complete pre-production, production, and post-production for two projects. Students graduate with a demo reel and professional portfolio. 

The 60 credit-hour Game Production program also begins with major courses and in the same areas of exploration as the VFX program. Students will also learn about character, prop, and environment modeling; rigging; level design; and visual effects. Utilized software includes After Effects, Maya, and Unreal Engine, among others. 

At the end of this collaborative program, students will work in teams on the development and pre-production of a game through the Alpha, Beta, and Gold Production levels. Projects result in a final in-house game release that will become part of the students’ permanent demo reel. 

The Virtual Production diploma is the DAVE School’s flagship program. Consisting of 90 focused credit hours completed over 18 months, the curriculum for the VP diploma is a combination of all coursework from the VFX Production and Game Production diploma programs. In the final six months of the program, students will develop two VFX projects. Students will also complete a game project from conception to in-house release. Final projects culminate with a professional demo reel. 

DAVE School graduates are prepared to pursue any role in the entertainment or games industries. Program alumni have been hired at major studios such as MPC and Brown Bag Films. Some DAVE School alumni have also gone on to launch their own independent studios or freelance businesses.

The DAVE School was founded as the Digital Animation & Visual Effects School on June 8, 2000 by two industry executives. Today, the school serves around 1,000 students enrolled in six programs leading to a bachelor’s degree or diploma. As an academic unit of NUC University, The DAVE School is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MCSHE). 

Tulane University (Tulane) is home to the School of Liberal Arts, which houses the Newcomb Art Department. Within the department is a Digital Arts area that explores time-based media (animation and video), 3-D graphics, virtual reality, interactivity, and digital imaging. The area is open to all Newcomb Studio Art BA, BFA and MFA students. 

All students will have opportunities to work and create animated projects in the Digital Arts Studio, which is equipped with Mac workstations; the latest industry-standard software such as After Effects, Illustrator, and Premier; and digital video equipment.  

The Studio Art BA and BFA programs begin with the Foundations of Art Series where students will have opportunities to complete several projects. Course examples across programs include Digital Arts, which explores 2D animation, video editing, color and composition, and digital imaging; Time-Based Media, which covers animation, video, and sound design; Drawing II: Materials and Strategies; Digital Arts II: Creative Computing; Studio Art Principles; Drawing II: Figure Drawing; and Special Topics.  

Both BA and BFA students will also have the opportunity to complete the Independent Study course; Service Learning (ARST 2890); Studio Research; and the Junior Year Abroad (ARST 5380 or 5390). In addition, students in both programs will complete the Senior Capstone Studio (5020) to graduate.  

The course culminates with the exhibition of the students' work in the BFA and BA Exhibitions in the Carroll Gallery at Woldenberg Art Center, where students will design, install, promote, and document their projects. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles across the digital arts. This includes areas such as animation, special effects, games, 3D modeling, illustration, graphic design, UI/UX design, and virtual reality. 

The Studio Art MFA at Tulane University is an intensive, interdisciplinary program that focuses on individual studio practice and cross-disciplinary seminars. Consisting of 63 credit hours completed in-residence over two years, the program allows students to work closely with faculty and peers to create works, complete courses, and participate in seminars. Studio, course, and seminar examples include Canon in Crisis: Challenging the Tenets of Art Theory; Studio Art MFA Critique; Special Problems I-II; Graduate Art Studio; and MFA Seminar.  

The program culminates with the Thesis Project and Exhibition, where each artist will exhibit a culminating body of work in the Carroll Gallery. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles across the digital arts. Tulane alumni have been hired at places such as Amazon and Disney.  

Tulane University was founded in 1834 as Medical College of Louisiana. The school merged with the University of Louisiana in 1847. Today, Tulane serves approximately 14,645 students enrolled in more than 75 majors and minors across 10 academic divisions. Tulane University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 

East Carolina University’s College of Fine Arts and Communication is home to the School of Art and Design (SoAD). Housed in the Leo W. Jenkins Fine Arts Center and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the SoAD provides a flexible Art BFA program with 11 concentrations. Examples include Animation and Interactive Design; Illustration; Film and Video Production; Drawing; Graphic Design; and Painting. Concentration areas require 30 credit hours. 

The SoAD ECU Animation and Interactive Design concentration explores areas such as 2D animation, game design, creating digital environments, interaction design, video art, and character design. Students in this concentration will work and learn in 150,000 square feet of space that houses digital classrooms; the film and media studio; computer labs; drawing and painting studios; the Image Creation and Output Resource (ICOR) Lab; and dedicated BFA studios with 24/7 access.

Students in all SoAD concentrations will complete general education courses such as Introduction to Philosophy of Art, and Art History Survey. All students will also complete common core courses such as Form, Space, and Color; Process in Studio Arts; American and International Film History; Topics in Multidisciplinary Art; Visual Organization; Narrative in Art and Design; Drawing; and Translation as Making.

The Animation and Interactive Design concentration at East Carolina University includes courses such as Introduction to Digital 3D Modeling and Animation; Narrative Through Kinetic Imaging; Introduction to Interactive Design; Animation Production Studio; Digital 3D Lighting and Rendering; Animation and Interactive Design Survey; Professional Practice; Motion Design Studio; Advanced Interactive Design; and Digital 3D Animation. 

Coursework for the concentration is supplemented with activities led by the Animation and Interactive Design Guild. Guild activities include travel to conferences; support on creative projects; research opportunities; visiting artists talks; and workshops. Students in all Art BFA concentrations also benefit from hands-on learning; partnerships with local arts organizations; internships; access to career development services; and study abroad experiences. 

All ECU Animation and Interactive Design students will complete a final project and portfolio and participate in the Senior Exhibition. This culminating experience prepares students to pursue professional roles in areas such as animation, games, film production, interactive design, television, architecture, advertising, marketing, web design, science, medicine, healthcare, and research. 

East Carolina University was chartered as East Carolina Teachers Training School in 1907. Part of the University of North Carolina System of 17 institutions, the school serves 27,785 students, making it one of the top five largest universities in North Carolina. Programs include more than 270 degrees and certificates housed across numerous colleges and schools. East Carolina University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 

Florida International University (FIU) is home to the College of Communication, Architecture and The Arts (CARTA), and the Lee Caplin School of Journalism and Media. Both provide paths to study animation. CARTA houses the Department of Art and Art History, which provides a Digital Arts BFA with an Animation major. Lee Caplin School of Journalism and Media houses a Digital Communication and Media BS with an Animation Media major. 

The FIU Department of Art and Art History is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The department’s Digital Arts-Animation BFA is an interdisciplinary program that provides intensive study in animation, storytelling, character design, new media, and video production. Students in this 120 credit hour program will complete 60 credit hours of upper division requirements such as Advanced Experimental Video Art; Research and Development; Advanced Digital Art Lab; and Creative Practice. 

Consisting of 24 credit hours, lower-division preparation courses consist of requirements such as 2D Design; Java Programming; Beginning Figure Drawing; 3D Design; and Art History Survey I-II. Students can enhance the degree through the required nine credit hours of electives. 

The Digital Arts BFA program at Florida International University culminates with the Thesis I-II courses, worth six credits. FIU Digital Arts-Animation alumni are prepared to pursue careers in animation, motion graphics, digital audiovisual artworks, prototype design, digital photography, and digital fabrication. 

The Lee Caplin School of Journalism and Media employs faculty members with professional experience in digital media, journalism, and broadcasting. They have worked with national and international media organizations such as FOX, Univision, CNN, The New York Times, NBC, and The Miami Herald. Lee Caplin faculty bring this extensive experience into the classroom, which greatly benefits students in the Digital Communication and Media BS.

Other program benefits include hands-on, experiential learning; off-campus internship opportunities; and access to professional facilities including advanced computer labs, a virtual reality lab, a broadcast TV studio, and a newsroom. 

The career-focused BS degree is designed for students transferring from the Miami-Dade College MAGIC program with an AS in Animation and Game Art. With permission from the Department Chair, students from other programs at FIU may be admitted. In addition to Animation Media, BS students may major in Digital and Interactive Media; Game Media; and Digital TV and Multimedia Production. 

All students in the 120 credit hour Digital Communication and Media BS program will complete core courses such as Visual Design for Globalized Media; Writing for Film; Global Media and Society; and How We Know What We Know. The Animation major consists of 27 credit hours. Course examples include Introduction to 3D Content Creation; Animation Media Lab 1-3D Lighting and Shading; Introduction to Digital Media; Animation Media Lab 2-Digital Compositing and Visual Effects; Animation Development Project; Digital Theories; and Animation Media Workshop 1-Character Rigging. 

In the Animation Development Project course, students will have the opportunity to research, develop, and produce a prototype for an original animation project in any format. The program culminates with the Advanced Multimedia Production Capstone course, which covers advanced techniques in design, digital storytelling, interactive media production, usability theory, and current best practices. 

Graduates of the Digital Communication and Media BS are prepared to pursue careers in area such as animation, television production, filmmaking, virtual reality, multimedia production, advertising, software development, and education. Potential job titles include Character Animator, Game Artist, Technical Animator, Motion Graphics Designer, VFX Artist, Character Modeler, and Texture Artist. 

When Florida International University opened in 1972 with 5,667 students, it was the largest opening enrollment in U.S. collegiate history. Today, FIU serves more than 56,000 students making it one of the nation’s top ten largest universities. Known as Miami’s public research university, Florida International University provides more than 190 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Many programs can be completed 100% online. Florida International University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) houses the College of the Arts. Established in 1958 as the School of Art and Architecture, the college serves more than 900 undergraduate and graduate students across the Department of Visual Arts, the School of Architecture and Design, and the School of Music and Performing Arts. Within the Department of Visual Arts is a BFA program with a Computer art and Animation concentration. 

Launched in 1992, Computer Art and Animation is considered the oldest established program of its kind in the state of Louisiana. Courses and projects for the program take place in a hands-on studio environment equipped with state-of-the art high-tech classrooms and workstations outfitted with Mac computers; flatbed scanners, digital cameras, and projectors; and the latest versions of industry software such as Adobe Creative Suite and Maya. 

Visual Arts BFA students also have access to the Animation Studio and the New Media and Digital Art Studio. Equipment includes compositing and editing software, a video/audio lecture system, and a Green Screen production studio with HD digital cameras, lighting equipment, tripods, and storage space.

The Computer Art and Animation concentration at UL Lafayette explores animating, compositing, storyboarding, creating animatic studies, concept development, scriptwriting, video and audio editing, animation history, contemporary works, and theory in animation. Course examples include Introduction to Computer Animation; New Media and Digital Art; Intermediate Computer Animation; Drawing I-III; Sound Design; Design I-II; Conceptual and Formal Development Through Drawing; and Art Since 1945.

During the final year of the program, students will complete two Advanced Computer Animation courses and the Senior Capstone Art Project I-II courses. This culminating experience results in a completed professional portfolio and exhibition. 

Graduates of the Computer Art and Animation (Visual Arts BFA) program are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as animated films, game art and design, television production, multimedia, and advertising. Program alumni have worked on projects for Pixel Magic in Lafayette, Louisiana. Examples include Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One and Part Two, Men in Black, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part One, Looper, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette was established in 1898 as the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute. The school serves approximately 19,215 students, making it the second largest university in Louisiana and the largest in the University of Louisiana System. Students at UL Lafayette have access to more than 300 programs across 14 colleges and schools. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC Greensboro or UNCG) is home to the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). Dating back to the 1890s, the CVPA houses the largest number of art programs in the UNC System. Within the CVPA are the Schools of Art, Dance, Music, and Theatre. 

Across schools, students have access to programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD); the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD); the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM); and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). The CVPA is also a member of the University Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA).

The CVPA School of Art provides a Studio BFA with an Animation concentration. For entry into the BFA program, students will apply as a first year BA student and enter the Foundations Program (FP). The year-long FP consists of courses that explore drawing, design, and sculpture. Examples include Three-Dimensional Foundations I-II; Intermediate Drawing; Foundation Design I-II; Foundations Seminar; Survey of Western Art I-II; and Drawing I. 

Upon successful completion of the Foundations Program, students will submit a portfolio of 16 works for review and consideration for the BFA program. This studio-intensive pre-professional degree consists of 120 credit hours and courses such as 2D Animation; Life Drawing; Introduction to 3D Animation; Concept Art; Storyboarding for Animation; Introduction to Digital Modeling; Analysis of Global Animation; Sequencing; and Advanced Animation.

The Animation concentration requires 42 credit hours of study, including the culminating experience for the program—the Animation Capstone. Completed across two courses, this final project consists of an industry-ready film, promotional materials, and an individual portfolio highlighting work completed on the production. Final and other projects for the program take place in the School of Art Animation Lab in UNCG’s Gatewood Studio Arts Building. 

Graduates of the UNC Greensboro Art BFA/Animation program are prepared to pursue an advanced degree or careers in fine arts, animation, concept art, motion graphics, communications, or media art. Some program alumni have also launched their own independent studios or freelance businesses. 

Founded in 1891, University of North Carolina at Greensboro is one of the original three UNC System institutions. Serving approximately 18,015 students, the school provides more than 350 areas of undergraduate and graduate study across nine colleges and schools. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).