Top 40 Private Animation Schools and Colleges in the U.S. – 2024 College Rankings

The School of Film/Video is the largest department at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). It is also one of the nation’s most celebrated F/V schools, with famous alumni such as Tim Burton (Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood), Chris Buck (Frozen), and John Lasseter (Toy Story, Cars).

Within the School of Film/Video at CalArts are a number of intensive BFA and MFA programs in F/V, Film Directing, Character Animation, and Experimental Animation. All programs allow students to explore live-action, animation/animated cinema, and documentary filmmaking, among others. For students seeking a solid animation program, the BFA and MFA degrees in Experimental Animation and the BFA in Character Animation are ideal options.

The Character Animation BFA at CalArts is a four-year program that prepares students to work in both traditional and CG animation environments. Students also have opportunities to pursue one of several interdisciplinary programs (concurrently) and/or add a minor that complements the BFA program. A popular option is the Digital Arts minor.

Other program features include participation in lectures; interactions with visiting artists such as accomplished animators and filmmakers; attendance at a variety of demonstrations and screenings throughout the program; and a comprehensive curriculum that explores all areas of character and CG animation. Examples include several courses in Digital Methods; Character Animation; Film Workshop; Storyboarding; CG Foundation; and Professional Preparation. All students are also required to take Acting for Animators at least once during the program.

The Character Animation BFA at California Institute of the Arts concludes with the creation of a professional portfolio and several short films.

The Experimental Animation BFA and MFA programs at in CalArts collaborate closely with mentors to develop skills in animation approaches, techniques, and processes. Examples include 2D animation, programming, stop motion, digital production, installation, performance animation, motion capture, and multipane. Experimental Animation students will also participate in independent study, lecture courses, and the internship program, as well as seminars, workshops, and visiting artist lectures.

BFA students will take courses such as Sound for Experimental Animation; Animation Workshop; Motion and Meaning; Hybrid Imaging; Concept Development; Animation Production; Critical Studies; and Film History.

Like Character Animation students, all CalArts Experimental Animation BFA students have the opportunity to add the Digital Arts Minor and/or pursue one of several interdisciplinary programs (concurrently). The Digital Arts Minor allows students to develop skills in areas such as computer programming, web design, video editing, digital sound production, and digital fabrication.

The CalArts Experimental Animation BFA program takes four years to complete. To graduate, students will produce a professional portfolio and final project.

The Experimental Animation MFA at California Institute of the Arts is a three-year, residency track program designed for students seeking leadership positions in studio production, those interested in launching their own studios, and individuals who would like to teach and create. Students in this interdisciplinary program will have opportunities to take courses from Art, Music, Theater, and Dance to reach the 60 required credits to graduate.

At least six graduate-level credits of history/theory coursework must be completed in residence at CalArts. To fulfill these requirements, students will take History of Experimental Animation; Seminar in Animation History; and one other approved history/theory course. Other course examples include First Year Shorts; Drawn Techniques for the Experimental Animator; Stop Motion Basics; Interactive Media; Digital Workflow for Animators; and Sound for Experimental Animation.

The Experimental Animation MFA at CalArts culminates with a thesis, which students will complete across four seminar courses consisting of 12 credit hours. Courses include Experimental Animation Thesis Concept Seminar (two courses) and Experimental Animation Thesis Production Seminar (two courses).

California Institute of the Arts graduates go on to successful careers in animation, film and video, advertising, marketing, and acting. Many CalArts alumni have launched their own studios and other entertainment businesses.

In 1961, Walt and Roy Disney formed California Institute of the Arts through a merger of the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music and the Chouinard Art Institute. Today, CalArts serves 1,440 students enrolled in more than 70 degree programs across six schools including Art; Film/Video; Theater; Critical Studies; Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance; and Herb Alpert School of Music. California Institute of the Arts also houses the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT), located in downtown LA, and the Community Arts Partnership (CAP) with community organizations and public schools across LA County.

California Institute of the Arts is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The school is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).

Ringling College of Art and Design (RCAD) has a Computer Animation program that has produced 17 Student Academy Award-winning students since 1998. Established in 1990 and leading to a BFA, the program requires 120 credit hours of study. Courses are taught by accomplished professionals in the field, complemented by interactions with industry guest speakers from major studios such as DreamWorks.

Other program features include internship opportunities; real-world projects with area businesses; visiting artists; and participation in the RCAD initiative INDEX (Industry Experience). Developed in partnership with The Patterson Family Foundation, INDEX provides experiential learning opportunities including everything from additional internships to competitions sponsored by major clients and brands. INDEX also helps students build their resumes and portfolios.

The RCAD Computer Animation BFA requires 120 credit hours, including 48 credit hours in the major and 12 credit hours of open electives. Electives allow students to enhance the curriculum by gaining skills in multiple areas of art and design. Students will take required major courses such as Computer Animation I-VI; Visual Development for Computer Animation I-II; Traditional Animation I-II; Story Development I-II; and Animation Preproduction. The culminating experience for this BFA program is the Thesis Project in Computer Animation.

An additional degree option for individuals looking to launch a career in animation is RCAD’s Motion Design BFA. This program covers animation, design, stop motion, and sound. Motion Design students have access to state-of-the-art Studio 314; opportunities to collaborate on projects in teams; participate in the ART Network Group; and attend the week-long FutureProof conference. This major event consists of presentations, workshops, and other activities designed to enhance the BFA degree. Past speakers have included artists and others from Nickelodeon, Telemundo, Hue&Cry, Hornet, and FutureDeluxe.

The Motion Design BFA requires 120 credit hours, including 39 in the major, 12 (regular electives), and 12 (open electives). Examples of major courses include 2D Animation; 3D Animation; Concept Development I-II; Advanced 2D Animation; Advanced 3D Animation; Design Fundamentals for Motion; and Branding and Visual Systems. Elective examples include Styleframe Development in Motion; Advanced Animation Techniques; Digital Compositing for 3D; Project Mapping; and Advanced Motion Design Techniques I-II.

The Motion Design BFA program at Ringling College of Art and Design culminates with two courses: Senior Project: Production Studio and Senior Project: Experimental (with presentation).

Graduates of the art and design programs at RCAD have won Oscars and many have launched their own studios and freelance businesses. RCAD alumni have worked with major companies and studios around the globe. Examples include Disney, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Universal, Sony, Walt Disney Animation, Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Hulu, Titmouse, Discovery, LAIKA Studios, Meta, ESPN, MPC, Ubisoft, Ford, Pandora, TikTok, and Feld Entertainment.

Ringling College of Art and Design is a private, not-for-profit college accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Founded in 1931 by Dr. Ludd M. Spivey (then president of Southern College) and circus baron John Ringling, RCAD serves 1,705 students enrolled in 11 different majors leading to a BFA degree, two majors leading to a BA, and minor options in 10 areas.

University of Southern California (USC) is home to the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA). Within USC Cinematic Arts is The John C. Hench Division of Animation + Digital Arts (Hench DADA), which has programs for animators at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Options for undergraduates include the Animation + Digital Arts BFA, and Minors in 3D Animation and Game Animation. The Game Animation Minor is part of the Interactive Media Division within the School of Cinematic Arts.

Through electives, the USC 3D Animation Minor allows students to focus in a specific area such as Character Animation; Motion Capture; Modeling; Virtual Reality; and Visual Effects. The Game Animation Minor combines the teaching of systems thinking and developing animation skills. Through electives, Game Animation students may explore areas such as visual effects game development or digital effects. USC SCA minors are 16 units and all require a final project to graduate.

At the graduate level, USC SCA students can earn an Animation + Digital Arts MFA or an Expanded Animation Research + Practice (XA) MFA. This program is housed in SCA’s Expanded Animation Division.

All program options feature the opportunity to collaborate with students across other creative USC schools such Roski School of Art and Design, Thornton School of Music, the School of Architecture, and Viterbi School of Engineering. School of Cinematic Art students also have access to state-of-the art facilities and equipment such as the Ganek Immersive Studio; Cintiq and computer labs; Motion Capture, sound mixing; green screen, and film stages; and an IMAX theater and new Virtual Production Stage.

Other SCA features include guest speakers; courses taught by seasoned filmmakers and industry professionals; and the student-organized USC Animation Studio Day, where students have the opportunity to meet with studio representatives to discuss internships and job opportunities, and present their portfolios.

The Animation + Digital Arts BFA program at University of Southern California provides the opportunity to choose a concentration area. Potential options include Character Animation, Immersive Media, 3D Computer Animation, Experimental Animation, Motion Graphics, Interactive Animation, Visualizing Science, Documentary Animation, and Visual Effects.

In addition to the concentration, BFA students will complete courses such as Design Fundamentals I-II; Storyboarding for Animation; Intermediate Character Performance; Cinematography for Animators; and Professionalism in Animation; and Ideation + Pre-Production. Access to an array of animation electives allow students to enhance the degree further. Just a few elective examples include Demystifying the TV Animation Pipeline; Procedural Animation (Houdini); and Live Action Integration with Visual Effects. 

During the final year of the Animation + Digital Arts BFA program, students will complete the Senior Capstone Film/Project course, which consists of the production and post-production of a fully rendered, animated piece—with soundtrack. Projects are presented to a committee upon completion.

The Animation + Digital Arts MFA at USC provides mini studios for all students as well as ongoing workshops in new technologies and internship opportunities. Techniques and approaches covered range from hand-drawn character animation to interactive digital animation. Course examples for the program include Expanded Animation, Animation Production, and Storytelling for Animation.

Elective units are an important part of the MFA program and include course titles such as Seminar: Avant-Garde Film/Video; World Cinema Before 1945; and Survey of Interactive Media. The Animation + Digital Arts MFA program at USC takes three years to complete.

The XA MFA at University of Southern California requires a minimum of 50 units to graduate. Thirty of these units are dedicated to Expanded Animation. Students in this program have the opportunity to select a research concentration from an extensive list of options. Examples include Experimental Animation; Animation for Robotics; Documentary Animation; Fine Art Animation Practice; Cinematic Installations; Virtual Humans and AI; Performance Gesture; Narrativity; Dreams and Consciousness; Sound Design; Gesture Movement; and Science Visualization.

Courses for the XA MFA program are supported by exhibitions, research collaborations, and overnight field trips. Course examples include Expanded Animation; Cinematic Animation - the Art of Motion in Virtual Space; Expanded Animation Production; Writing and Story Art for Vision and Motion; Applied Expanded Animation; and Theory and Practice in Contemporary Animation.

The XA MFA program at USC culminates with the Master’s Thesis, completed over two courses. Final projects have include animation, AI, AR/VR, interactive, installations, and more.

Graduates of the Animation programs at the University of Southern California are prepared to pursue leadership roles at major studios across the U.S. and around the globe. Program alumni have been hired at places such DreamWorks Animation, Pixar, Sony Pictures, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Illumination, and Digital Domain. Many USC alumni have also launched their own independent studios. 

University of Southern California opened in 1880 with 53 students and 10 teachers. Today, USC employs over 4,400 full-time faculty that serve 49,500 students. This makes University of Southern California the largest private sector employer in Los Angeles and the largest school by enrollment in the state. Students at USC have access to more than 23 schools and divisions that provide over 600 graduate and professional programs. The University of Southern California is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Gnomon School of Visual Effects houses several immersive programs designed to develop studio-ready professionals. Options include the Digital Production BFA or Certificate, and a preparatory program known as Foundation in Art & Design. The certificate program can be completed in two years and the BFA can be completed in as few as three years. The preparatory program requires a full year of continuous study, which includes four courses per quarter. The goal of the program is to help students enhance existing skills, pursue a degree in a related field, or polish their portfolios.

The Digital Production BFA at Gnomon requires 180 total units, including 135 in career-focused study and 45 in general education. Students may choose from three options including 3D Generalist, Visual Effects, or Game Art. The 3D Generalist option explores all aspects of 3D production, making it an ideal choice for animators.

Across all options, students will receive intensive training in industry software such as After Effects, Houdini, Nuke, V-Ray, Unreal Engine, Photoshop, ZBrush, and Maya. Course examples for the program include Character Animation; Animation and Visual Effects; Animal Drawing; Creature Animation; Storyboarding; Figure Drawing; Digital Painting; Photoshop for Digital Production; Matchmoving and Integration; Narrative Structure; Previsualization and Animatics; Digital Production; Art of Compositing; and HD Digital Filmmaking for VFX.

The Digital Production BFA program at Gnomon School of Visual Effects concludes with the production of a professional demo reel. This culminating experience takes place across four courses.

The Gnomon Digital Production Certificate is a 147-unit program that provides five areas of focused study. Options include Character & Creature Animation; Visual Effects Animation; 3D Generalist; Game Art; and Modeling & Texturing.

With a near 100% employment rate, Gnomon School of Visual Effects has alumni working at studios and gaming companies such as DreamWorks, Electronic Arts (EA), Riot Games, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony Pictures Imageworks, Marvel Entertainment, Nickelodeon Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, Reel FX, Digital Domain, Naughty Dog, and Weta FX.

Located in Hollywood, California, Gnomon School of Visual Effects sits on a 35,000 square foot lot within the historic Television Center Studio lot. Established in 1997, Gnomon provides degree and vocational certificate programs, as well as over 100 individual 10-week courses. Gnomon School of Visual Effects is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

Academy of Art University (Academy of Art) is home to the Houdini Certified School of Animation & Visual Effects (VFX). The school provides programs that take place in a studio production environment known as StudioX. The Academy of Art School of Animation & VFX is the only school of its kind to teach in this type of environment.

Because StudioX functions like most real-world studios, students gain hands-on experience using the latest industry standard equipment. Studio X students have been credited for their work on productions such as Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, and many others.

Other School of Animation & VFX highlights include collaborations with other artists individually and in teams; the opportunity to manage a production from start to finish; and FAT (Feature Animation Training) Tuesdays classes. Taught by industry professionals from companies like Pixar and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), these classes take place every Tuesday evening, and allow students to immerse in the mental processes of creating a character, and explore the emotional aspects of acting to enhance the characters they have created. All degree-seeking students will also complete an internship and create a professional portfolio of their best work. 

The School of Animation & VFX at Academy of Art has five pathways for artists seeking a career in animation. Options include AA, BFA, MA, and MFA degrees in Animation & Visual Effects. A four-year certificate is also available. This is a top choice for students who would like to begin animation coursework on day one. In addition to skipping liberal arts coursework, this 120-unit program allows students to complete an internship, study abroad experience, and a senior portfolio in Animation and VFX.

The Animation & VFX AA at Academy of Art consists of 66 units of study. Areas explored include 3D animation, 3D modeling, 2D animation and stop motion, and storyboarding. Students in this program will also explore VFX through both required coursework and electives. Students in the 132-unit Animation & VFX BFA have the opportunity to focus in one primary area of emphasis. Options include VFX, 2D animation and stop motion, 3D modeling, 3D animation, and storyboarding.

Across undergraduate programs, course examples include Cinematics for Animation; History and Technology of VFX and Computer Animation; Traditional Animation 1-3; Motion Quick Sketching; Cinematics for Animation and VFX; Storyboarding Principles; Digital Drawing for Entertainment; Game Engines; 3D Character Animation 1 for Animators, Riggers; Programming and Culture; 3D Realistic Animation; and Physics for Artists: Light, Sound, and Motion.

The Animation & VFX MA at Academy of Art University focuses on storytelling and technical skills. Students in this 36-unit graduate program will work in 2D Animation & Stop Motion, 3D Animation, 3D Modeling, or VFX. Consisting of 63 units of study, the Animation & VFX MFA explores all areas of animation and visual effects from concept to post-production. Across programs, students will take courses such as Traditional Animation; 3D Modeling and Animation 1 (Maya); Feature Animation; Perspective for Characters and Environment; Advanced Character Animation; and 3D Animation Studio.

The MA program culminates with the Final Portfolio for Animators. During this three-unit course, students will gain communication, collaboration, networking, marketing, and workplace pipeline skills while polishing their final portfolios. The culminating experiences for the MFA include the Directed Study, Final Portfolio Preparation for Animators, and Animation: Thesis Completion courses.

Graduates of the School of Animation & VFX at Academy of Art University are prepared to pursue positions in all areas of animation, and at all levels. Graduates have gone on to establish careers at major companies and studios such as Pixar, Paramount, Marvel, Sony Pictures Animation, Google, LAIKA Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Wieden + Kennedy, DNEG, Riot Games, Weta Digital, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). 

Academy of Art University is a family-owned private university located in San Francisco—one of the world’s top cities for animation careers. Established in 1929 and serving more than 7,000 students, Academy of Art is of the nation’s largest private art and design schools. Divided into 22 schools, Academy of Art University provides more than 129-degree programs across 40+ areas of study. Programs lead to the AA, BA, BFA, BS, B. Arch, MAT, MA, MFA, and M. Arch degrees. Academy of Art University is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Brigham Young University (BYU) is home to the BYU Center for Animation. Established in 2010, this hands-on, closed-enrollment program accepts just 20-25 students per year. Managed by the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology, the College of Fine Arts and Communications, and the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, the Center is open to artists from the BYU Animation BFA program and the Computer Science BS with an Animation and Games Emphasis. BYU Center for Animation students may choose to focus in anything from 2D animation to special effects.

The BYU Center for Animation provides extensive hands-on training in animation, games, live-action, and special effects. All BFA, BS, and BYU Center for Animation students have opportunities to work on personal projects, group projects, and major films. Students also have the opportunity to complete an internship, study abroad experience, and develop a portfolio of their best work.

Housed in the College of Fine Arts and Communications-Department of Design, the Animation BFA is a 62.5-64.5 credit hour limited enrollment program that accepts just 75 students per enrollment period. The program explores animation, film production, storyboarding, special effects, video game production, illustration, screenwriting, and more. Course examples include Visual Narrative; Scripting for Animation; Experimental Animation and Production; Technical Animation; Visual Development and Character Design; Directed Studies in Animation; 3D Visual Effects; and Animated Film Production 1-3. The Animation BFA program at BYU culminates with the BFA Final Project.

Housed in the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences-Department of Computer Science, the Computer Science: Animation and Games BS is a limited enrollment program that accepts just 42 students per enrollment period. Consisting of 77-80.5 credit hours, the program explores animation, computer graphics, video game production, programming, software engineering, visual effects, user interfaces, and more.

Course examples for the program include Computer Graphics; History of Animation; Previsualization; Scripting for Animation; 3D Effects; Digital Sculpting; Photography for Animation; Lighting for 3D; Introduction to Game Design; Real Time Techniques; 3D Graphics (introduction); and Advanced Shading. The culminating experience for the BYU Animation and Games BS is the Senior Film or Senior Game completed across two or more production courses.

Graduates of the Animation and Animation and Games programs at Brigham Young University are prepared for careers in all areas of animation or game design and development. Sample job titles include Animator, Animation Tool Developer, Concept Artist, Lead Animator, Multimedia Programmer, Animation Director, Game Developer, Animation Producer, Game Designer, Animation Technical Director (TD), Art Director, Animation Production Coordinator, and Effects Technical Director (FX TD).

BYU Animation alumni have been hired at major studios such as Pixar, Blizzard, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Nickelodeon, Riot Games, Disney, Sony, and Digital Domain.

Brigham Young University was founded as Brigham Young Academy (BYA) in 1875 by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Brigham Young. With more than 35,000 students from 105 countries, BYU is the one of the largest private universities in the U.S. The school provides approximately 435 programs across more than a dozen colleges and departments. Campuses include BYU-Utah, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, BYU Pathway Worldwide, and Ensign College.

Brigham Young University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Full Sail University (Full Sail) sits on a 212-acre campus that houses more than 110 state-of-the-art studios, collaborative production environments, a large Hollywood-style back lot, professional-level recording and game studios, and live venues that host concerts, festivals, and other events. 

Full Sail focuses on project-based training, which allows students across majors to gain valuable real-world experience—all before graduation. Full Sail students also have access to the Project LaunchBox, which provides software and tools to create projects. LaunchBox also houses student coursework and files, which can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

For students seeking an animation degree, Full Sail University has a Computer Animation program with both online and on-campus tracks. Leading to a BS, the online track takes 29 months to complete. The campus track takes just 20 months to complete. 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; Technology in the Entertainment and Media Industries; Technical Animation; Compositing and Scene Finishing; Motion Capture; Animation Production; Model Creation; Psychology of Play; Creative Presentation; and Industry Production.

All Full Sail animation students are required to take two professional development seminar courses and seven project and portfolio courses covering 3D arts and computer animation. Additional professional development courses provide the opportunity for students to explore the computer animation industry, while learning to build their personal brand. Industry guest speakers enhance professional development courses.

In addition to hands-on project learning, the project and portfolio courses for the BS program emphasize independent study and portfolio development. A Career Readiness course, completed in the final month of the program, allows students to create a strategy for engaging with potential employers. Throughout the course, students will create their targeted résumés, cover letters, and professional portfolios. This course provides students with the tools needed to apply their research and newly acquired skills toward their employment goals.

Full Sail University graduates are prepared to pursue positions across industries such as animation, film, and television (entertainment); game design and development; advertising and marketing; architecture; science and medicine; data visualization; and forensic animation. 

In the entertainment industry, program alumni have been credited on more than 45 Grammy-nominated projects; on 2022 blockbusters such as Pixar’s Lightyear, Jurassic World: Dominion, and Minions: The Rise of Gru; and other productions and series such Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ms. Marvel, and Stranger Things 4.

Full Sail University opened in 1979 in Dayton, Ohio. Today, the school is located just 35 minutes from downtown Orlando and Universal Studios. Serving approximately 21,000 students, Full Sail provides graduate certificates and degree programs at all levels in the Arts, Entertainment, Media, and Technology. Full Sail University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is home to the College of Art and Design, which houses the School of Film and Animation. A designated Center of Excellence (COE) by Toon Boon Animation, the School provides many opportunities for students to gain hands on experience and network—all before graduation.

For starters, RIT School of Film and Animation students have the opportunity to participate in RIT’s Study Away: LA Program. Students that choose to participate in the program will spend a semester in Los Angeles where they can intern at top studios and entertainment companies, and take two courses to complement the study-away experience.

RIT also houses the fourth-oldest and one of the largest cooperative (co-op) education programs in the world. All RIT programs provide co-op education opportunities as well as internships and other experiential learning experiences. RIT animation students also have access to 52,000 square foot MAGIC Spell Studios, and labs and classrooms outfitted with industry standard technology and software.

At all levels, animation students will participate in the RIT’s Creative Industry Day, where they will have the opportunity to mingle with representatives of studios, design firms, and other creative companies.

The School of Film and Animation at RIT also houses the Animation Program. Several degree options are available. At the undergraduate level, the school has a stand-alone Film and Animation BFA that focuses on production, screenwriting, 2D and 3D animation, and stop motion animation; a BFA in Film and Animation with an Animation or Production Option; and a Motion Picture BS that combines engineering and the arts with animation production, feature film, and television.

At the graduate level, RIT’s School of Film and Animation has a Film and Animation MFA with four options including 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Production, and Screenwriting. Students in this program have 24/7 access to a dedicated graduate lab with industry-level software; and opportunities to gain career experience as a faculty research assistant, graduate assistant, or other position.

Across all School of Film and Animation programs students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment such as MAGIC Spell Studios; Stop Motion Studios; Animation 2D and 3D Labs; Soundstages; Animation and Drawing Studios; Virtual Reality Labs; Editing Suites; a Mixdown Room; Post-Production Labs; SOFA Cage; and the Pro Tools Editing Suite.

All programs (graduate and undergraduate) culminate with a finished film completed across several Capstone or Thesis courses. Students will then take part in a public screening of their finished work.

Graduates of Rochester Institute of Technology enjoy an impressive 92% employment rate. School of Film and Animation alumni are prepared to pursue careers across the creative, technical, medical, architecture, and legal industries. Examples of companies and studios that have hired RIT Animation graduates include Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney Animation Studios, Lucasfilm, Electronic Arts (EA), Dolby, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, and Sony.

Rochester Institute of Technology was founded in 1829 as the Rochester Athenaeum. With global campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo, this research university serves more than 20,000 students, making it one of the largest private universities in the U.S. RIT provides 200+ academic programs across 10 colleges and institutes, and the School of Individualized Study. Rochester Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is home to the Film, Video, New Media, and Animation Department (FVNMA), which has two paths to study animation. The BFA in Studio explores animation (experimental 2D and 3D), new media art, cinema, and video. The MFA in Studio supports creative work across 12 different departments. Students in this graduate program have the opportunity to specialize in one specific area or acquire skills across multiple areas of study.

Open to both graduate and undergraduate students, concentration areas may include Hand-Drawn and Digital 2D and 3D Animation; Moving-Image Installation; Nonfiction/Documentary and Narrative Film and Video; Media Art Histories; Interactive Art; VR/AR; and Web-Based Projects. FVNMA students also have access to courses such as Puppet Animation; Motion Graphics and Visual Effects; 3D Character Animation; Intermediate Animation: Experimental Methods; Writing and Art Direction for Animation; Realtime; New Media: Crash Course; Visualization and Storyboarding; Media Practices: The Moving Image; Sonics and Optics; The Digital Dark Age; Video Everywhere; Internet Artware; Advanced Experimental 3D; Handmade Cinema I-II; Graduate Production Studio; and Large Scale Cinematic Production.  

Across programs, students benefit from interactions with visiting artists; access to state-of-the-art film, editing, and production equipment; graduate seminars, screenings, and performances; and unlimited admittance to the Art Institute of Chicago Art Museum (est. 1879) and on-campus galleries. Students also have access SIAC’s Gene Siskel Film Center, which regularly highlights films from around the world, along with student work.

In addition, FVNMA MFA students have the opportunity to participate in Critique Week. This week-long event takes place each semester. The entire faculty, along with invited visiting artists and designers, form panels designed to critique students work. All classes are suspended during this time.

The FVNMA Studio Art BFA culminates with the Senior Film/Video Projects Capstone. During this final course, students will complete a professional quality moving image project for public presentation. The MFA program culminates with a final project. Work will be presented in the SAIC Graduate Thesis Exhibition, the Gene Siskel Film Center, or other end-of-year events at SAIC. Each year more than 200 graduate students present time-based works, performances, and writings to 30,000 people.

Graduates of SAIC’s FVNMA Department are prepared to seek careers in animation, film, games, digital media, and more. As part of SAIC, FVNMA alumni enjoy a 92% employment or graduate school rate.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago dates back to 1866, when a group of 35 artists founded the Chicago Academy of Design. In the years following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the school was formed as a new association—and both a museum and a school for fine arts known as Chicago Academy of Fine Arts (1879). The Academy became the Art Institute of Chicago in 1882. Today SAIC is one of the nation’s oldest accredited independent schools of art and design.

Serving approximately 3,530 students, SAIC provides more than 50 areas of study across 24 academic departments. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Since 1948, the school has also been accredited as a charter member by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

The Animation BFA at California College of the Arts (CCA) is the school’s largest major. Housed in the Animation Department, the program provides hands-on, collaborative learning in state-of-the art studios and labs. CCA’s Animation Studios house six labs, a sound booth, and stop motion suites.

The school also houses the Digital Animation Lab, which has a Hybrid Lab for experimental making, a foley room for sound effects and voice-overs, and a sound studio for editing and mixing soundtracks.

Students also have access to a Multi-Purpose Suite and the Open VR Space.

The studios, shops, and labs at California College of the Arts are outfitted with the latest industry equipment and software such as Autodesk software, including Maya and Mudbox; down-shooter cameras for stop-motion animation; Wacom Cintiq displays for digital drawing; Dragonframe, TVPaint Animation, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Toon Boom's Harmony and Storyboard Pro; 27-inch iMac workstations; and drawing light tables.

In CCA classrooms and studios, Animation BFA students learn to create 2D and 3D animation, sound effects, animation for games, and stop-motion animation. Because the program is interdisciplinary, animation students will develop skills in other creative areas from drawing and sculpture to acting and storytelling. The CCA BFA also requires 48 units of Humanities and Sciences coursework. Course examples include Introduction to the Modern Arts; Media History: History of Animation; Foundation in Critical Studies; Writing 1 and 2; Literary and Performing Arts Studies.

Courses for the CCA BFA are led by working professionals in the entertainment industry. CCA faculty work at major studios such as DreamWorks, Pixar, and Tippett Studio. Course examples include Animation 1 and 2; Visual Storytelling; Animation Tutorials; Sound for Animation; Acting for Animation; Drawing for Animation; and 3D Computer Animation 1 and 2.

During the third year of study, CCA animation students will complete Junior Project 1 and 2. In the final year of the program, students will complete Senior Project 1: Pre-production and Senior Project 2: Production.

Upon completion of the Animation BFA program at California College of the Arts, graduates will have a portfolio of their best work. CCA Animation alumni have gone on to launch their own studios, start a freelance career, or establish themselves at major studios and gaming companies. Examples include Cartoon Network, Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), Walt Disney Animation Studios, Sony Pictures Animation, Nickelodeon Animation, Phosphor Games, Bento Box Entertainment, and many others.

Established in 1907 as the School of the California Guild of Arts and Crafts, California College of the Arts had just three teachers and 43 students when it opened. Today, CCA employs 420 faculty members that serve approximately 1,500 students enrolled in more than 40 undergraduate, graduate, minor, and dual degree options. California College of the Arts is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

The School of Media Arts at Columbia College Chicago (Columbia) houses the Interactive Arts and Media (IAM) Department. Within the Department is an Animation program that provides access to the latest industry-standard technology, equipment, and tools. Examples include Cintiq Labs, Stop-Motion Labs, the Animation Equipment Center, and Traditional Animation Camera Labs. Animation Instructional Spaces for stop-motion and traditional animation projects include state-of-the-art classrooms and workshops.

The Animation program at Columbia College Chicago has several undergraduate degree options. These include the Animation BA, a BFA in Traditional Animation, and a Computer Animation BFA. The BA is ideal for students who would like to explore computer, experimental, hand-drawn, and stop-motion animation techniques. The BFA is ideal for students who would like to specialize in a specific area of animation and complete two films before graduating.

An Animation minor is also available for students seeking a shorter program that can be taken alone or with another major. The minor, which explores object, stop-motion, and hand-drawn animation, provides the opportunity to master industry-standard editing and storyboarding software. This software will be used to create a story reel for the final project.

All IAM Animation programs provide the opportunity to begin animating in the very first year.

Course examples across programs include Cartooning; Character Design and Modeling, Environmental Design & Modeling; Alternative Strategies in Animation; Animation for Comics; CVFX: Compositing; Stop-Motion Animation; Computer Animation: Keyframing; Screenwriting: Writing the Short Film; Animation Maquettes; Advanced 3D Digital Sculpting; Character Design and Modeling; and Acting for Animators.

Select BFA students will have the opportunity to participate in the Animation Studios in LA Program. This one credit course provides allows students to explore career opportunities at major Hollywood animation studios. Events include tours, portfolio reviews, and employment screenings. Participating studios have included Disney, DreamWorks, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network.

As a senior, BFA students will produce an animated film as a solo project, serving as producer, editor, and director. Films will be presented at Manifest—Columbia Colleges annual art festival showcasing graduating students work. Animation BA students will have the option to work with a team or individually to create a film during the final year of the program. BA students will also spend the final year fine tuning their professional demo reels.

Graduates of the Animation Programs at Columbia College Chicago have gone on to win Oscars and Emmy Awards. Some alumni have worked on films and series such as The Lion King, Robot Chicken, Brave, Frozen, Pocahontas, UP, The Lego Batman Movie, Coco, and Finding Dory. Others have launched their own studios and freelance businesses.

Columbia College graduates have also been hired at major networks and studios such as Pixar, DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, Weta Digital, Disney, Nickelodeon, and Warner Bros. Animation.

Columbia College Chicago was established in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory. The school serves nearly 6,700 students enrolled in more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. In addition to programs in creative areas such as communication and writing, media and digital, and music and sound, Columbia provides a number of business management programs. Columbia College Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) requires all undergraduate students to complete the school’s innovative First Year Experience (FYE). During this exploratory year, students will study contemporary art and design practice; collaborate; and participate in constructive critiques. The rigorous FYE curriculum also highlights skill-building, technology, and 2D, 3D, and 4D media. Upon completion of the MICA FYE, students will move on to their chosen major.

Students who choose the Animation major will be admitted to the Animation Department at MICA. Leading to a BFA, the Animation program requires 24 credit hours of study in the major. Course examples include Otherworldly; Stop-Motion Puppet Rubbish; Astro-Animation; Animation Digital Fabrication; Animation in Unique Spaces; Advanced 3D Open Studio; Experimental Animation; 3D Computer Animation; Storyboarding for Animation; Digital tools for Animation; and Character Conflict Performance; Special Topics in Animation; and Professional Practice for Animators.

BFA students will also complete several projects, plus the Animation Senior Thesis I and II courses. The Senior Thesis is a year-long capstone that culminates in a final film, installation, or interactive media project. Final projects are presented at the MICA Grad Show.

For students in a different major who would also like to study animation, Maryland Institute College of Art has an Animation (studio) minor. This 18 credit hour program requires Introduction to 2D Animation, and Electronic Media and Culture. For the remaining courses, students must select options from animation and studio electives.

Maryland Institute College of Art graduates are prepared for creative careers in a wide range of industries. MICA alumni are Google Animators, Mobile App Developers, Comic Artists, Filmmakers, and more. They have been hired at major studios such as MTV, DreamWorks, Disney, and LAIKA Studios. Many MICA graduates go on to pursue graduate study, launch their own studios, or establish a freelance business.

Founded in 1826, Maryland Institute College of Art is the nation’s oldest independent, continuously degree-granting college of art and design. The school serves nearly 3,500 students from 49 states and 52 countries. Programs at MICA lead to a BFA, MA, MFA, MBA, MPS degree, or post-baccalaureate certificate. Maryland Institute College of Art is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

In the 20th century, The New School became famous for housing courses in the creative arts taught by artists such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Martha Graham, W. H. Auden. In 1926, The New School was also the first American university to teach the history of film, and one of the first to offer college-level courses in photography and jazz. Today, The New School is the only university to house a design school, liberal arts college, performing arts college, and graduate programs and colleges under one roof.

Serving 5,755 students, design is the largest college at The New School. Known as Parsons School of Design, the school also houses a Design and Technology program that has both BFA and MFA pathways.

The STEM-designated BFA program focuses on interaction, storytelling, and emerging art and design practices. Specializations include Creative Technology and Game Design. Course examples for this the 120 credit hour program include Drawing/Imaging; Space/Materiality; Integrative Studio; Time’ Design Studies; Core Studio Environments; Objects as History; and Integrative Studio.

All New School undergraduates must also complete the first-year experience. Consisting of 30 credits, the experience includes seminars and studios; liberal arts studies; and the exploration of 2D and 3D processes, drawing, digital design, and more. The Design and Technology BFA culminates with a thesis project, completed across two courses worth a total of 12 credits.

The Design and Technology MFA at Parsons School of Design is a STEM-designated, studio-based degree that requires on-campus study. Consisting of 60 credit hours, the MFA features courses and studios such as xFab Lecture and Lab; Major Studio; Creative Practice Seminar; and Collaboration Studio. Other program features include opportunities to work on projects with external partners such as One Plus and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met); and creative collaborations with students in other programs such as Transdisciplinary Design, Data Visualization, and Communication Design.

Both MFA and BFA students also have the opportunity to participate in the Parsons internship program and projects with external partners. Recent partners include Google, MIT, Panasonic, IBM, The New York Times, SXSW, Nokia, Intel, Samsung, and NYC Media Lab.

The Design and Technology MFA program at Parsons School of Design culminates with the Thesis Studio, completed across two courses and 12 credit hours. 

The School of Continuing & Professional Education at The New School Parsons has an additional option for animators seeking a shorter program. Leading to a certificate, the Motion Design and Animation program consists of three courses that explore the production process from start to finish. Courses can be completed in one year, and include Storytelling with Motion Graphics and Animation; Motion Design 1 with After Effects; and Moton Design 2 with After Effects.

The Motion Design and Animation certificate is delivered entirely delivered online, and it can be taken alone or in combination with the Design and Technology BFA and MFA programs.

Students in all New School programs have the opportunity to interact with and work on projects with professionals at places such as Apple, Siemens, Nickelodeon, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, gameLab, MTV, Rockwell Interaction Lab, Atari, UNESCO, OnePlus Technology, and Eyebeam Art & Technology Center.

Graduates of the BFA, MFA, and certificate programs at Parsons School of Design are prepared to pursue positions in areas such as animation, 2D and 3D animation, game design, advertising, VR/AR, motion graphics, immersion experience design, digital filmmaking, graphic arts, interaction design, television production, mobile and application design, web design, software design, and media art.

The New School was founded in 1919 as the New School for Social Research. Serving approximately 10,815 students, the school provides more than 120 degree and diploma programs across six colleges and schools, including Parsons Paris. The New School is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Entertainment Arts at the College for Creative Studies (CCS) consists of Animation, Game Design, Digital Film, and Concept Design pathways. All options are STEM-Designated and taught by Hollywood insiders, using the latest equipment and software. A Toon Boom Center for Excellence, Entertainment Arts at CCS houses state-of-the-art PC and MAC equipment, editing suites, gaming labs, and full VR capabilities with Vive goggles and sensors.

In addition to declaring a major, all College for Creative Studies undergraduate students will choose from seven liberal arts minors or 20 studio minors. Required credits include 42 to 43 in liberal arts and 84 in studio. Students are also encouraged to take classes outside of their major, to enhance their skill set. Like all CCS departments, Entertainment Arts emphasizes technical skill, aesthetic and conceptual ability, and practical experience.

The Entertainment Arts program with a concentration in Animation requires a total of 126-127 credit hours. Leading to a BFA, the program begins with the First Year Experience (FYE), which focuses on academic preparedness. During the first year, students will also complete courses such as Drawing I: Rapid Concept; Drawing II: Style & Skill; Animation I; Digital Techniques; Process & Making; and 2D Design Principles.

Animation II-III; Experimental Animation; Animation Nuts & Bolts; and Storyboarding for Film/Animation are just a few 2nd year courses. Upper division courses include Advanced Story Concepts; Animation Projects I-II; and Business Practices. In the final year of the program, students will complete a number of required general education electives; Entertainment Arts electives; and Senior Production Studio I-II. CCS Animation students also have the opportunity to complete an internship.

Graduates of the Animation program at College for Creative Studies are prepared to pursue careers across the entertainment, advertising, games, and other industries. Program alumni are Animators, Directors, Storyboard Artists, Riggers, and VFX Artists. College for Creative Studies alumni have been hired at major studios and networks such as Disney, Sony Pictures Imageworks, DreamWorks Animation, and ABC Television Group.

Founded in 1906 as the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts, College for Creative Studies is a private, nonprofit institution that serves more than 1,400 students enrolled in 23 Art and Design programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. CCS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

The School of Film at University of the Arts (UArts) has three paths to study animation. Options include the Animation BFA, a BFA in Film & Animation, and an Animation minor. The School of Film encourages collaboration between schools, so all students have opportunities to study design, photography, acting, and other disciplines.

The Animation BFA allows students to focus in 2D, 3D, or Stop Motion Animation. Students may also create a hybrid focus path. The Film & Animation BFA explores styles and genres across animation and filmmaking. Examples include experimental, computer-generated animation, documentary, traditional animation, stop motion, and narrative. Across programs, students have opportunities to work with professionals and faculty associated with major studios and networks such as Nickelodeon, HBO, Comedy Central, Netflix, IFC, Disney Animation Studios, and Cartoon Network.

The BFA curriculum combines hands-on teaching with internships at studios such as Augenblick, Stretch Films Inc., and Sesame Workshop; study away experiences in places such as France and South Korea; and formal critiquing sessions designed to evaluate the students’ progress and work. BFA students also have opportunities to interact with guest speakers and alumni; collaborate on projects with peers; and participate in lectures and screenings.

A major component of the Animation programs at University of the Arts is the Professional Practices requirement. During this multifaceted course, which takes place in the third year of the programs, provides the opportunity for students to post their reels to their branded portfolio websites; participate in mock interviews; design business cards, resumes, and other materials; and develop social media strategies.

The Animation programs at UArts also provide access to a 5,600-square-foot space known as the Center for Immersive Media (CIM). Within the CIM, students have the opportunity to explore other areas such as human-computer interaction (HCI), VR/AR, and performance motion-capture. In addition to CIM, animation students have unlimited access to computer labs and state-of-the-art animation, film, and stop-motion studios.

The Animation and Film BFA at UArts culminates with the Animation Thesis or Film Thesis completed across two courses. The culminating experience for the Animation BFA is the Animation Thesis, completed across two courses. For Animation BFA students who would like to complete an additional project, the program provides the option to complete the Client Animation Project course instead of an internship.

University of the Arts Animation graduates are prepared to pursue roles such as Character Animator, Storyboard Artist, Effects Animator, Computer Animator, Art Director, Cinematographer, Clay/Puppet Animator, Director, Motion Graphics Designer, Producer, Animatic Editor, Scientific Animator, Forensic Animator, and Background Artist.

UArts graduates have been hired local companies and studios such as Center City Film & Video, Alkemy X, and unPOP. UArts alumni also work at major companies, studios, and networks such as Sony Interactive Entertainment, HBO, Warner Bros., DreamWorks, Netflix, Cartoon Network, Google, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Nickelodeon, Google, Augenblick, Titmouse, and Bento Box Entertainment.

Founded in 1876 as part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, University of the Arts serves approximately 1,315 students enrolled in more than 40 degree programs in fine arts, design, media arts, dance, music, theater, and crafts. More than 20 minors are available and open to all students. UArts programs are offered in the Schools of Art, Dance, Design, Film, Music, Theater Arts, and Graduate and Professional Studies. University of the Arts is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) houses a state-of-the-art digital studio outfitted with the latest tools and equipment such as 3-D printers, CNC routers, and a digital loom. The KCAI campus also houses two art galleries—an encyclopedic museum and contemporary art museum—where students can explore contemporary art, collections of Impressionist paintings, and ancient Chinese sculptures. Students in all KCAI programs have access to these resources and more.

For students seeking an animation degree, Kansas City Art Institute has an Animation BFA that allows students to create their own path through the school’s mentor-based studio-instruction model. All students begin the program by exploring analog, classical, and experimental techniques. In the second year, students will take courses such as Sophomore Studio: Principles of Animation; History of Animation: Origins; and Sophomore Studio: Animators Toolbox.

The third year consists of Junior Studio: Explorations in Animation; History of Animation Since 1960; and Sophomore Studio: Ideas in Motion.

Throughout the 126 credit hour Animation BFA program, students will have the opportunity to select 15 credit hours from electives. Examples include Live Action for Animation; The Art of Stop Motion Puppetry; Real-Time Animation; Intro to Toon Boom Harmony; and Motion Graphics: History & Practice.

In the final year of the KCAI Animation BFA program, students will complete the Professional Practice course and Senior Studio: Graduation Animation 1 and 2. The Professional Practice course allows students to interact and network with visiting artists, scholars, and industry professionals. The two six-credit Senior Studios provide the opportunity to conceptualize and produce an animated work. Students may also complete an internship at a local or national studio. 

Graduates of the Kansas City Art Institute Animation BFA program are prepared to pursue roles in the entertainment industry, advertising, and many others. Program alumni have been hired at major networks and studios such as Nickelodeon, Digital Domain, Warner Bros., Disney, Netflix, Hallmark, and Titmouse. Some KCAI BFA graduates go on to pursue advanced degrees at top institutions such as University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts), School of Visual Art New York (SVA NY), and University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC). 

Kansas City Art Institute was established in 1885 as a Sketch Club. Situated just steps from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art within Kansas City’s arts corridor, this four-year art and design college serves more than 700 students enrolled in 13 majors across 15 program areas. Kansas City Art Institute is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

The School of Film and Television (SFTV) at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is home to the first program to build a motion-capture lab offering classes in virtual cinematography and pre-visualization. Known as the Walter and Grace Lantz Animation Program, pathways lead to either a BA or a minor. Both options feature small class sizes; coursework with high student-faculty interaction; and access to state-of-the-art facilities, labs, and networked computer workstations.

LMU students have two additional options for studying animation: the Computer Science BS and the Interactive, Gaming, and Immersive Media (IGI) minor. The BS has a Games and Interaction Computer Science track, which provides access to animation courses and additional free electives in film, creative arts, music, and more. Students in this program can select up to 21 elective credits to focus in animation games, and other areas. 

The IGI minor is a collaboration between the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering and the School of Film and Television. To complete the program, students must take six courses including two gateway courses, two from the School of Film and Television courses, and two from Science and Engineering. Course examples include Introduction to Interactive Animation; Advanced Interactive Animation; Interaction Design; and Immersive Media Studio.

The Animation BA in the School of Film and Television focuses on teaching students how to use the latest technology to master drawing, visual effects (VFX), production techniques, interactive design, and storytelling. Collaborative, hands-on courses include Art of Cinema; Storytelling for the Screen; Visual Story Development; Digital Toolbox; Interactive Animation; History of Animation; 3D Computer Animation; and Intermediate Animation Workshop.

The LMU Animation BA is a four year program that requires 45 semester hours of study in upper division coursework. In addition to core and major requirements, the program requires a significant number of electives, allowing students to focus their studies in an area of interest. During the final year of the Animation BA Program, students will complete the Animation Practicum and Senior Thesis Project.

The Animation minor consists of 18 semester hours of study and it is open to all LMU students, regardless of major. Course examples include Introduction to 3D Computer Animation; History of Animation; Visual Story Development; Introduction to Interactive Animation; and Discovering Animation.

Graduates of Animation programs at Loyola Marymount University are prepared to pursue roles at all levels in film, television, and animation production; game design and development; advertising and marketing; science and medicine; forensic animation; and art education. To date, more than 400 employers have hired LMU SFTV alumni. More than 80% of alumni are working in the field and more than 10% are in graduate school.

Animation program alumni have worked on a number of major productions and series such as The Simpsons and The Simpsons Movie, Wonder Woman, Superman: Doomsday, and Green Lantern: First Flight. They have been hired by major companies, networks, and studios such as Walt Disney Animation, HBO, DreamWorks, NBCUniversal, Cartoon Network, Amazon Studios, Nickelodeon, Paramount, Sony Pictures Animation, Viacom, Warner Bros., Disney/ABC, BET Networks, E! Entertainment, Netflix, Sony Playstation, Randon House Studios, and 21st Century Fox.  

Established in 1911, Loyola Marymount University is a National University/High Research Activity (R2) institution. The school serves approximately 10,000 students enrolled in more than 175 degree programs, minors, and credential programs. The academic programs at Loyola Marymount University are housed across three campuses—LMU Westchester (Los Angeles), LMU Downtown (Law School), and LMU Playa Vista (Silicon Beach)—and seven colleges and schools. Loyola Marymount University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Northeastern University has a number of paths to study animation. Options are housed across several colleges and departments. The College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD) at Northeastern University houses the Department of Art + Design, home to the Art + Design BFA with an Animation concentration, the Game Art and Animation BFA, and the Animation minor.

In the Khoury College of Computer Sciences at Northeastern University, the Computer Science program houses a Computer Science and Media Arts BS. 

All Art + Design BFA students have the opportunity to learn and work in a collaborative, immersive environment. In addition to animation, students have the option to explore other areas such as game design, interactive video, and AR/VR. During the course of the BFA programs, students will work their way through the production pipelines for animated films, visual effects, games, simulations, spatial media, and visualizations.

Other program benefits include courses taught by professionals in the industry; global experiences; and plenty of co-op and other experiential learning experiences. Northeastern University has established relationships with co-op employers such as Microsoft Studios, Apple, CBS, Amazon, NBC Universal Television, Sony, Viacom, Walt Disney Company, Adobe, National Geographic Learning, School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), and Facebook.

The CAMD Animation concentration requires 134-135 credit hours of study. Course examples include Color and Composition; Animation Basics; Movement and Time; Animation 1 and 2; Visual Intelligence; Animation Tools; and Typographic Systems. The Media Arts Degree Project is the culminating experience for this degree program. This advanced studio course provides preparation for graduating students in their careers as professional artists and creative practitioners.

The Game Art and Animation BFA at Northeastern University consists of 135 credit hours and requires many of the same courses as the Art + Design BFA with an Animation concentration. Other courses for the Game Art and animation program include Foundations of Game Design; Games and Society; Experience and Interaction Tools; Animation for Games; Narrative for Games; Survey of the Still Moving Image; and the Media Arts Degree Project.

The Computer Science and Media Arts BS is a 137 credit hour program that explores animation; traditional disciplines such as video, computer graphics, photography, and database design; and emerging areas such as VR/AR, artificial intelligence (AI), human-computer interaction (HCI), and machine learning.

Specific animation and related courses include Animation 1-3; Character Design for Animation; Virtual Environment Design; Animation for Games; Experimental Video; Color and Composition; Experience and Interaction; Movement and Time; and Computer Graphics. The Computer Science and Media Arts BS program culminates with the Media Arts Degree Project.

Graduates of the CAMD BFA and Khoury CS and Media Arts programs at Northeastern University go on to establish careers in areas such as animation, TV and film, game art and design, VR/AR, HCI, and digital media. Program alumni are Animators, Game Artists, Art Directors, Experience Designers, Producers, and Sound Designers.

Northeastern University began as the Evening Institute of the Boston Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in 1898. The school serves approximately 36,630 full-time students enrolled in more than 500 programs across nine colleges and schools. Northeastern has campuses in Boston, Massachusetts; Charlotte, North Carolina; Seattle, Washington; Silicon Valley; San Francisco, California; Toronto, Ontario Canada; Vancouver, BC Canada; London, UK; Portland, Maine, and the Massachusetts communities of Nahant and Burlington. Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

The School of Media: Culture: Design at Woodbury University (Woodbury) houses eight programs. Six are STEM-designated. This includes the Animation + VFX BFA that explores 2D animation, stop=motion, 3D animation, and VFX. Led by accomplished professionals and academics, course examples include History of Animation and VFX; Animation Principles 1 and 2; Figure and Animal Drawing; Industry Insiders; Stop Motion Animation; 3D Animation 1 and 2; Storyboarding; Production Design; and Digital Media.

Animation + VFX at Woodbury University also provides opportunities for students to develop skills in additional areas through electives. Puppet Building, Digital Painting, and Digital Sculpting are just a few examples. Other program highlights opportunities to work one-on-one with instructors in small studio classes; the Progress Portfolio, where students will develop a portfolio/reel in specified work from each completed lower-division studio; access to state-of-the art computer labs and equipment; and the required internship.

Thanks to Woodbury’s location near more than 15 animation and visual effects studios, students have many opportunities to fulfill the internship requirement. Examples include Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Warner Bros., Bix Pix Entertainment, Acme Filmworks, Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Animation, Titmouse Studios, Hasbro Studios, Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, Netflix Animation, and Skydance Animation.

In the third year of the Animation + VFX program, students will complete a 20- to 30-second long junior thesis film. This Junior Thesis course includes a review of the 2D/3D/stop-motion production pipelines and soundtrack synchronization. The BFA program culminates with Animation Thesis I, 2 and 3, completed over three semesters. This final film project will be viewed at the end of year Animation + VFX Showcase in Woodbury’s campus theater, equipped with surround-sound and 4K projection. Student films are also ready for submission to national and international animation festivals.

Graduates of the Animation + VFX BFA program at Woodbury University are prepared to pursue roles such as 3D Animator, Director, Stop-Motion Animator, Storyboard Artist, 2D Animator, Character Designer, Puppet-Builder, Medical Animator, Visual Effects Artist, Architectural Visualizer, Visual Development Artist, Character Technical Director, Visual Effects Supervisor, Rendering Artist, Writer, Game Artist or Game Animator, and Visual Effects Producer. 

Program alumni have been hired by major networks and studios such as DreamWorks, The Walt Disney Company, 20th Century Studios, Netflix Animation, and American Broadcasting Company (ABC).

Woodbury University was founded in 1884 as Woodbury College, making it one of the oldest universities on the west coast. Serving approximately 950 students, Woodbury provides 26 professional and liberal arts undergraduate and graduate majors across four schools and three campuses in Burbank (main), Hollywood, and San Diego, California. Woodbury University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Arts & Design (NASAD) and the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Lipscomb University was the first university in the nation to purchase the Positron Voyager—the first chair designed specifically for fully immersive cinematic virtual reality. Lipscomb also houses one of the few Animation programs to provide BA, BFA, and MFA degrees. Housed in the George Shinn College of Entertainment and the Arts, all options are led by Disney Animators, experts in Maya, and other accomplished professionals in the field. An 18 credit hour Animation minor is also available.

Across programs, students have opportunities to travel to places such as Los Angeles and Italy to attend animation events. Students also have opportunities to complete an internship at a major studio, and each semester, George Shinn College welcomes industry experts to speaking events designed to help students get an idea of what it’s like to work at some of the world’s top animation studios.

While the Animation BA and BFA have overlapping coursework, the BA requires 54 credit hours in the major, and the BFA requires 64. Course examples across programs include Dynamic Gestures; Animation Tools; CG Modeling and Lighting; Computer Animation I; Perspective, Color & Composition; Storyboarding for Animation; Writing for Animation; History of Animation; and Animation Production.

Students may enhance the degree through the required 15 credit hours of electives. Unreal Technology; Character Modeling in Zbrush; Digital Imaging (After Effects, Color, etc.); Computer Animation II-IV; and Film Production Workshop are just a few elective examples.  Students in both programs will take the Portfolio Development course, and BFA students will complete an Animation Capstone across two courses.

The graduate Animation program leads to an MFA in Film and Creative Media with a focus in Animation. Students in this program will take courses, complete projects, and receive one-on-one mentorship from a faculty of five former Disney animators and other prominent animators from across the U.S. Animation MFA students will also attend classes with Film students, which provides the opportunity to collaborate and gain experience in different areas of film production.

Consisting of 62 credit hours, the Animation focus consists of courses such as the Character Design Master Class with former Disney Supervising Animator, Tom Bancroft, or John Pomeroy; Character Rigging with Maya, Toon Boom Harmony, or other software based on the students desire to pursue CG animation or 2D “Tradigital” animation pipelines; and Writing for Animation with award-winning co-creator of “Veggietales” Mike Nawrocki.

Other courses include Advanced Film Business; Media Entrepreneurship; 2D/CG Animation Pipeline; Concepts in Creative Media; Advanced Storytelling; and Zbrush Techniques. During the course of the program, students will also complete Film Production I-II. The resulting projects are submitted for the 5 Minute Film Festival—Lipscomb’s signature event for cinematic arts in the spring. Winners will have the opportunity to enter their projects in the Nashville Film Festival—an Academy Award-qualifying film festival.

All MFA students will work on a number of paid projects through CEA Studios. Launched in 2019, CEA Studios is a creative production house situated on the Lipscomb University campus. CEA Studios is also the setting for Spring Year 2 MFA Studio Internships, which provide each student with a stipend of $3,100.

The culminating experience for the Lipscomb University Film and Creative Media program is the MFA Thesis. This final project consists of a short film or animated series to be screened at the end of the final semester.

Graduates of the Animation programs at Lipscomb University are prepared to pursue a variety roles across entertainment industries. Potential career paths include (but are not limited to) 2D Animator, 3D Animator, Storyboard Artist, Director, Computer Animator, Lead Animator, Producer, and Game Animator.

Lipscomb University was founded in 1891 by ministers David Lipscomb and James A. Harding as Nashville Bible School. The school serves approximately 4,675 students enrolled in more than 240 programs across 10 colleges. Lipscomb University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).