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

The School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts (PVFA) at Texas A&M University (TAMU) is a multidisciplinary school that provides cross-disciplinary programs in music, film, theater, dance, visualization, and production. Across programs, students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and studios; courses taught by faculty who are accomplished directors, computer graphics engineers, composers, sound technologists, art historians, and dancers; and student organizations such as Women in Animation, Viz Industry Fair (VIF), and Texas Aggie Game Developers (TAGD).

Within the TAMU School of PVFA is a Visualization program that was established nearly 35 years ago. Three pathways are available for students who would like to pursue a career in animation. These include BS, MS, and MFA degrees in Visualization. The Visualization MFA is one of a few programs of its kind in the U.S. and possibly the only one in the state of Texas.

All options allow students to explore computer graphics, interaction, design, visualization, and art. Students at all levels may focus in an area of emphasis. Options for BS students include Animation and Virtual Production, Visual Computing, Media Art, Game Creation, and Interactive Design.

Students in this program will have the opportunity to work in project-based studios on courses that explore art theory, technical skills, programming, and the production pipeline. Course examples include Digital Media; Scientific and Technological Developments in Visual Arts; 2D Visualization Techniques; Visual Studies Studio 1-3; Art History; Computing for Visualization I-II; and Principles of Design 1-3. BS students may also participate in the Field Study course or sign up for the TAMU Internship Program. This supervised work experience spans 15 weeks and 600 hours. TAMU Visualization students have completed internships at animation, game, and graphic design companies. Students earn six credit hours.

TAMU Visualization MS students may focus in one of eight areas of emphasis. These include Computer Animation, Interactive Design, Virtual Reality (VR), Gaming, Augmented Reality (AR), User Experience Design, Computer Graphics, and Data Visualization. This program has both thesis (32 credit hours) and non-thesis (36 credit hours) options.

Free electives allow MS students in both options to acquire additional advanced skills in their focus area and others. Elective examples include Advanced Animation; 3D Modeling and Animation; Computer Aided Sculpting; Design Communication I-II; Form, Installation, and Environment; Physical Computing for Art & Design; and Image Synthesis.

The Visualization MFA program at TAMU focuses on technological applications and innovations, collaborative projects, and team-building. Students in this program select from eight areas of emphasis including Visual Storytelling, Visual Effects, Computer Animation, Virtual/Augmented Reality (VR/AR), Gaming, Interactive Art, User Experience Design, and Data Visualization.

Students in all emphasis areas will take courses such as Contemporary Art Studio/Seminar; Professional Study; and Professional Practice. Other courses will come from a long list of prescriber and free electives. Examples include 3D Modeling and Animation; Computer Animation; Digital image; Color Photography; Multi-Media Web Design; Physical Computing for Art & Design; and Generative Art. Students in both the MS and MFA programs also have the opportunity to complete a professional internship. Graduate internships are worth eight credits.

In addition, select Visualization graduate students will have the opportunity to participate in a Summer Industry Workshop. Students in this intensive course will work with professionals from major animation studios to produce professional-grade short films. The course takes place all day, every day, for 10 weeks.

Across all TAMU Visualization programs, students will have the opportunity to participate in the Annual Career Fair, and the Semester Away Program in Italy, Germany, and other countries.

Graduates of the Texas A&M University Visualization programs will enter the job market with a polished portfolio of their best work. Program alumni are prepared for careers across industries. However, Visualization graduates are routinely hired for positions at major studios such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks Animation, Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and Reel FX Animation.

With approximately 77,490 students, Texas A&M University the largest university in the state and one the largest in the nation. Established in 1876, TAMU is also the state’s first public institution of higher learning. With two Texas campuses, a Health Science Center, and a campus in Doha, Quatar, Texas A&M houses 16 colleges and schools that provide approximately 415 degree programs. Texas A&M University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The College of Arts and Sciences at The Ohio State University (OSU) houses more than 20 centers and institutes, 38 departments and schools, and over 2,000 faculty and staff members. The College provides more than 250 majors, minors, certificates, and graduate programs to approximately 19,310 students. Among the many programs in the College of Arts and Sciences are several paths to study animation. These include the Moving Image Production (MIP) BA; BFA and MFA degrees in Art and Technology; and an MFA with a Digital Animation and Interactive Media Track.

Established in 2017, the MIP BA is an interdisciplinary program and a collaboration between The Departments of Art; Theatre, Film, and Media Arts; Design; and the Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD). The program, which combines live-action and animated filmmaking, features studio practice in Animation, Experimental, Narrative, and Documentary.

Course examples include Motion I & II Group Studies in Digital Animation and Interactive Media; Concept Development for Time-Based Media; Motion Studies Through Hand-Drawn Animation; Animation Techniques and Practices; Computer Animation: Form, Light and Motion; Procedural Animation; Designing Immersive Virtual Environments; and Motion Capture Production and Experimentation.

OSU MIP students are also required to take a 15 credit hour Film Studies Minor as part of the program. Students will also have opportunities to take additional production and screenwriting courses through electives; complete an internship; and participate in the school’s study abroad program. Possible locations include London, Prague, Rome, Germany, Dublin, and Copenhagen.

Part of the Department of Art, the Art and Technology BFA is an interdisciplinary program that explores everything from 3D modeling and animation to electronics/robotics/animatronics. Course examples include Computer Animation; Graphic Novel – Web Comic Production; Moving Image Art; Art & Technology Studio Practice; Digital Imaging; New Media Robotics; Video Art; and Internet Art.

Art and Technology MFA students will engage in project-based learning, while creating 3D animations, virtual reality, sound, interactive installations, and more.

Students in both options have access to dedicated labs, state-of-the-art facilities, and collaborative spaces for producing animations, moving image art, interactive and robotic art, game art, internet art, and more.

The Digital Animation and Interactive Media Track within the MFA program is part of the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Design. Students in this program will complete 60 credit hours of study in design over three years. Course and elective examples include Graduate Studio; Exploration in Graduate Design Studies; Virtual Modeling; Aspects of Art and Technology; and Computer Game Art and Design.

In the final year of the Digital Animation and Interactive Media program at OSU, students will complete two Thesis Writing courses, and two Thesis Project Development courses to graduate. These courses culminate with the Project Exhibition and Oral Defense.

Graduates of the MIP, Art and Technology, and Digital Animation Programs at The Ohio State University are prepared to pursue roles across industries such as entertainment, advertising, education, architecture, medical, and legal. Program alumni are Animators, CG Generalists, Motion Graphics Designers, Mixed Reality Designers, Art Directors, Design Educators, Interaction Designers, Virtual Reality Designers, Freelance Artists, Multimedia Designers, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Designers, User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) Designers, Game Designers, and Visual Communication Designers.

The Ohio State University was established in 1870 as Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College. The school serves 65,795 students across six regional campuses including Columbus (main), Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark, and OSU’s Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster. More than 200 majors, minors, and specializations are provided across 18 colleges and schools. The Ohio State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is home to the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (Bass School). Founded in 1975, the Bass School houses the first arts and technology degree in Texas. Launched in 2002, Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC) at UT Dallas today consists of BA, MA, and MFA degrees. ATEC students can also earn a PhD.

For undergraduates seeking an animation degree, the ATEC BA has an Animation and Games (A&G) concentration. ATEC coursework for this option explores computer animation, motion graphics, game studies, user experience/user interface UX/UI design, and digital fabrication. Required A&G courses include Computer Animation; Game Design; Modeling and Texturing; Rigging; Lighting and Composition; and Level Design.

A&G students will also complete 30 semester credit hours of required electives. Examples include Motion Capture Animation; Animation Studies; Game Production Lab; Virtual Environments; Animation Lab; Procedural Animation; and Project Management for ATEC.

MA and PhD students may focus their studies and research in animation, science and technology, games, or other areas. ATEC MFA students may specialize in Animation or Creative Practice. All graduate level programs provide advanced study in computer-based arts, interactive media, technology, digital media, and professional practices.

Other ATEC program highlights include guest speakers from major studios such as Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks; applied and experimental research in collaboration with instructors in varying areas of expertise; seminars and lectures presented by industry professionals; and portfolio and project-based exercises.

ATEC students have access to the following Bass School research labs and creative practice studios: 3D Studio; ArtSciLab; Creative Automata Lab; Cultural Science Lab; Emerging Gizmology Lab; Fashioning Circuits; LabSynthE; Narrative Systems Research Lab; Public Interactives Research Lab (PIRL); SP&CE Media; and The Studio for Mediating Play.

Students focusing in animation also have access to the ATEC Animation Lab, where they can participate in a simulated animated studio experience (SASE). Over two semesters, a crew of 40 SASE students will write, design, direct, and produce a two-minute CG animated short film. Examples of past productions include Bad Timing (2022), Octo Ninja (2021), Night Shift (2020), and Stargazer (2019).

Graduates of the ATEC programs at UT Dallas are prepared to pursue careers across industries and in areas such as 3D computer animation, film and television, games, modeling and simulation, virtual environments, and medical and scientific visualization. A variety of major companies and studios have hired ATEC alumni. Examples include Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, Cisco Systems, Texas Instruments, Gearbox Software, AT&T Foundry, id Software, JP Morgan Chase, and 900lbs of Creative.

University of Texas at Dallas opened in the 1960s as the Graduate Research Center of the Southwest. Established by the owners of Texas Instruments, UT Dallas is an official member of the University of Texas System, and a Carnegie R1 Doctoral Institution. The school serves more than 31,000 students enrolled in more than 140 degree programs across seven schools. University of Texas at Dallas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Purdue University (Purdue) is home to Purdue Polytechnic Institute (Purdue Polytechnic). Formally organized in 1964 as the School of Technology, Purdue Polytechnic houses the Department of Computer Graphics Technology (CGT). Within the CGT Department are several paths to study animation. Options include a CGT BS with a major in Animation and Visual Effects (ANFX); the CGT MS; and a 5-Year CGT BS/MS. The CGT MS participates in Purdue’s Computational Interdisciplinary Graduate Program.

The CGT BS in ANFX focuses on 3D Modeling, Character Rigging, Lighting, Motion, Rendering, and Texturing. Students will also explore Video, Digital Lighting, Audio, and Computer Rendering. Visual Effects at Purdue is a STEM-based discipline, so students will also take courses in Calculus, Trigonometry, and Physics. Throughout the program, students will create animated films, games, and other related productions using industry software such as Maya and Autodesk. Students also have the opportunity to experiment with other types of animation software.

The CGT BS in ANFX requires 120 credit hours, including 39 major course credits, 15 entertainment electives, 52 in other departmental requirements, and 14 elective credits. Course examples include Animation Foundations; Sketching for Visualization and Communication; Technical Writing; Visual Effects; Computer Animation; Business Writing; and Computer Graphics Professional Practices I and II.

Graduates of Purdue Polytechnic’s CGT BS in Animation and Visual Effects are routinely hired at major studios such as Walt Disney and DreamWorks. Some program alumni go on to teach at schools such as Animation Mentor, while others have launched their own studios and freelance businesses.

The CGT MS at Purdue University’s Polytechnic Institute serves around 90 students. The program has four primary focus areas: Computer Animation, Games, Information Visualization, and UX Design. This highly flexible, interdisciplinary program also provides opportunities to take coursework across other Purdue graduate programs or develop a customized plan of study that includes computational art, computer graphics programming, and other areas.

MS students who would like to focus in Computer Animation will explore the entire digital animation process. The program also explores game studies, virtual reality, and visual effects. Course examples include The Art and Technology of Computer Animation; Seminar in Computer Graphics Technology; Visual Intelligence and Perception; and The Development of Graphics in Technology. Elective requirements also allow students to explore other areas of interest.

Students may choose the Animation Research Thesis or Non-Thesis option. Those in the non-thesis option will complete the Animation Capstone (Production). Graduates of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute CGT MS program are prepared for leadership and other roles across industries. Examples include Lead Animator, Technical Director, Senior Simulation and Visualization Specialist, Animation Director, Game Developer, Art Director, and Lead Technical Artist.

Program alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as DreamWorks, Google, Deloitte, and Salesforce. CGT MS graduates are also eligible to apply to the Technology PhD program. Also housed in the Department of Computer Graphics Technology at Purdue Polytechnic, the PhD supports study and research in Computer Animation, Game Studies, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Digital Enterprise Systems, User Experience (UX) Design, and Data Visualization.

Graduates of the CGT PhD Program at Purdue University go on to pursue leadership positions in in industries such as entertainment, technology, education, science, medicine, and government.

Established in 1869, Purdue University is Indiana’s only land-grant university. Serving approximately 60,240 students, Purdue is also the second largest university in the state. Students hail from all 50 states and more than 135 countries. Purdue University provides more than 400 programs across 11 academic colleges and schools. Approximately 11% of all students at Purdue are enrolled at Purdue Polytechnic Institute. Purdue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Arizona State University (ASU) provides several paths to study animation across several institutes, departments, and schools. The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts houses the School of Art; the School of Arts, Media and Engineering; the Design School; The Sidney Poitier New American Film School; ASU FIDM; the School of Music, Dance and Theater; and the ASU Art Museum.

The Herberger School of Art provides 13 undergraduate programs and five graduate programs. Minors are provided in Art History and Studio Art. Pathways for animators include the Art BFA with a concentration in Animation, and an Art MFA.

The ASU Herberger School of Arts, Media and Engineering houses the Digital Culture BA program. An interdisciplinary, 21 credit hour undergraduate minor is available, as well as an 18 credit hour Digital Culture certificate. 

The Art BFA with a concentration in Animation consists of 120 credit hours of study. Course examples include The Art Experience; 3D Computer Imaging and Animation; Illustration; Animation Motion Studies; Storyboarding and Narrative Sequencing; and Junior Animation Projects I-II. Elective options for this program allow students to gain experience in other areas such as visual effects (VFX), game art and graphics, stop motion animation, screenwriting, prototyping, and experimental video art.

Other BFA program benefits include internship opportunities and the Animation Capstone completed across two courses. This culminating experience for the program consists of an independent short film or a full-length film produced as a team.

Art MFA students at ASU Herberger have the opportunity to complete projects in a discipline of their choice. Examples include animation, drawing and painting, intermedia, printmaking, and photography. All MFA students have access to private, state-of-the-art studio space at Grant Street Studios. Located in downtown Phoenix, the facility is also home to several galleries and resources such as a computer lab and 3D print lab, printmaking presses, and a photography darkroom. Other program highlights include workshops, visiting artist lectures; and teaching opportunities.

The Art MFA program at Arizona State University culminates in a solo thesis exhibition in Step Gallery, Northlight Gallery, or Harry Wood Gallery. All galleries are part of the School of Art.

Graduates of the Art BFA/Animation and MFA programs at Arizona State University are professionals in a range of creative, technical, and scientific industries. Examples include animation and film, robotics, medical illustration, scientific and data visualization, games and game development, cinema and television, AR/VR, illustration, and fine arts. ASU alumni hold titles such as Animators, Creative Director, VFX Artist, Multimedia Designer, Art Director, and Graphic Artist.

The Digital Culture BA in the Herberger School of Arts, Media and Engineering features many courses that allow students to focus in animation. Examples include Introduction to Computer Animation, Motion Graphics & Animation, Animating Virtual Worlds, 2D Digital Animation, Stop Motion Animation, 3D Computer Imaging and Animation, Experimental Video Art, Introduction to Animation for Film, and 3D Tools.

Graduates of the Digital Culture BA at Arizona State University have opportunities to work in areas such as animation and film, media arts, gaming and entertainment, computing, and communications.

Arizona State University opened on Feb. 8, 1886 as Territorial Normal School (TNS)—the state’s first higher education institution. On the first day of class, TNS welcomed 33 students to a four-classroom building in Tempe, Arizona. Today, ASU serves 145,655 students from across the U.S. and nearly 160 other countries. More than 800 degree programs are provided across four campuses, 16 colleges and schools, and ASU Online. Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Engineering at ASU is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

The College of Arts & Media (CAM) at University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) houses the Department of Visual Arts (VA) and the Digital Animation Center (DAV), home to the 3D Graphics and Animation emphasis. Offered within the Visual Arts BFA, the emphasis consists of 75 credit hours.  Course examples include Dynamic Simulation; Creating Visual Story – Narrative Techniques and Visual Design; Digital Cinematography; International Perspectives through Animation; and Production I-III.

Students in this program will learn and create in the DAC, with access to other CAM centers such as the Comcast Media and Technology Center (CMTC). The DAC is a state-of-the-art facility that focuses on collaboration. Students here have access to over 100 workstations; a large volume Vicon motion capture system; and a dedicated tender farm with more than 4,300 cores. Industry standard 3D software includes Houdini, Maya, and Zbrush.

The CMTC is a transdisciplinary center for innovation that focuses on research and development. The CMTC is a partnership between CAM and the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS). Other 3D Graphics and Animation program benefits include internship opportunities at major studios and study abroad experiences in places such as France, Italy, Greece, Sout Korea, and the UK.

CU Denver CAM students have interned with studios, productions, and organizations such as Pixar Animation Studios, NBC Universal, Walt Disney Animation Studios; AMC's The Walking Dead, The Denver Art Museum, and High Noon Entertainment.

In the third year of the 3D Graphics and Animation program at CU Denver, 3D Graphics and Animation students will begin their 18-month Capstone experience—the Senior Film. In collaboration with departments across CAM, animation students will work in all areas to create this final project.

To date, graduates have produced films that have been screened at more than 300 film festivals across 22 countries. Program graduates have also won more than 75 Best Animated Short awards in non-student categories. CU Denver Animation alumni work in a variety of roles at major studios such as Pixar, Sony, and LucasArts.

University of Colorado Denver opened in 1912 as an extension of the University of Colorado Boulder. The school became the University of Colorado Denver Center in 1965, and CU Denver in 1973, making it an independent campus. Organized into seven colleges and schools, University of Colorado Denver serves more than 15,000 students enrolled in approximately 115 degree programs. University of Colorado Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences (CECAS) at Clemson University (Clemson) is home to the School of Computing, which houses the Division of Visual Computing. Within the Division is the Digital Production Arts (DPA) Program, which provides several paths to study animation. Graduate degree options include the DPA MFA and DPA MS. At the undergraduate level, students can enroll in the DPA minor.  

Launched in 2011, the minor is jointly offered by the School of Computing and the Department of Art in the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. The program explores computer animation, visual effects, animation production, computer games, and graphics production using Maya.

Course examples include Studio Methods for Digital Production; Advanced 3D Modeling; Visual Foundations of Digital Production I-II; and Special Topics in Digital Production Arts. The DPA minor requires a minimum of 15 credits.

Digital Production Arts at Clemson University encompasses dozens of disciplines. However, each DPA degree program has its own learning objectives. The curriculum for the DPA MFA blends art, computer science and engineering, graphic communications, performing arts, philosophy, and psychology. Course examples include 3D Modeling and Animation; Visual Foundations of Digital Production; Physically Based Animation; Special Effects Compositing; Advanced Animation; and Technical Character Animation.

Consisting of 60 credit hours, the DPA MFA at Clemson is the terminal degree in the field. Graduates are prepared for a range of roles in the film and animation, video, electronic gaming, and visual effects industries. Graduates have been hired at major studios such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, ReelFX, Electronic Arts (EA), and DreamWorks.

Established in 2017, the DPA MS focuses on the technical and visual effects aspects of film production, games, and commercial video. The program includes many of the same animation courses offered in the DPA MFA, which provides many opportunities for students to develop their animation skills. Other course examples include Virtual Reality; Software Construction; Physically Based Visual Effects; Human and Computer Interaction (HCI), 2D Game Engine Design; and Advanced Computer Graphics. Six required electives allow students to explore areas such as audio engineering, visual narrative, scene painting, drawing, and improvisation.

In addition to technical roles in the animation industry, graduates of the DPA MS program at Clemson University can pursue positions such as Technical Director, 3D Graphics Programmer, Software Engineer, Tool Builder or VR Developer in the broad entertainment industry.

Founded in 1889, Clemson University opened in 1893 as Clemson Agricultural College. On the first day of classes, the school welcomed 446 students. Today, Clemson serves approximately 28,465 students enrolled in more than 80 majors, 90+ minors, and over 130 graduate degree programs. Clemson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The Department of Art at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) has an Animation Option that combines the study of traditional, contemporary, and experimental animation techniques with hands-on learning in digital classrooms, labs, and other facilities. Part of the College of Arts & Letters, the Department of Art provides access to a Design Library, the Tool Crib, and a stop-motion animation lab. Art Department students also have opportunities to exhibit in the Ronald H. Silverman Fine Arts Gallery and the student-run COMA Gallery.

The Animation Option is a 98-unit path within the Art BA program. Students will complete 48 units in the Option and select electives from art and film course offerings. Examples include World Animation History; Video for Artists; Color Theory and Perception; Three-Dimensional Animation; Story and Visualization; Digital Design Tools; Advanced Animation; Art and Motion; Experimental Animation, Digital Modeling; and Advanced Illustration. The Animation Project Capstone, worth up to six credits, is required to graduate.

Also within the Cal State LA Art Department is the Art MA and MFA Programs. Both graduate pathways provide the opportunity to enroll in the Design Option (Graphic Design/Visual Communication, Animation). The Art MA requires 30 units to graduate, while the MFA requires 60 units. Elective options allow students to take additional coursework in animation. Examples include Experimental Animation; Problems in Advanced Design; Two-Dimensional Animation; Advanced Illustration; Graduate Interactive Design; and Advanced Animation.

Each semester, students in the Cal State LA Art Department join professional artists and faculty for several events that provide the opportunity to present their work to peers and the public. Graduates of the Art programs at Cal State LA are prepared to pursue careers in animation, game design, screenwriting, storyboard art, visual effects (VFX), art direction, production, advertising, film editing, and special effects.

Examples of Cal State LA recruiting companies Disney, Lionsgate Entertainment, DreamWorks, Yahoo!, NASA, KTLA, and Boeing.  

Established in 1947, California State University, Los Angeles serves approximately 24,675 students (Fall 2023) enrolled in more than 150 degree, certificate, and minor programs. Part of the 23 campus, California State University System, Cal State LA is comprised of nine colleges and the University Library. California State University, Los Angeles is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Department of Art Programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

The College of Fine Arts at Ball State University (Ball State) houses the School of Art. Within the School is Visual Arts/Animation BFA program that provides hands-on training in industry tools such as Maya, Toon Boom, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop. Students in this 85 credit hour major will explore traditional 2D animation, 3D animation, and stop motion. Courses for the program are collaborative and led by professors who have worked at Disney and other major studios.

The Visual Arts/Animation BFA at Ball State University requires 42 credit sin Animation, 18 form art studio electives, and 25 credit from art foundations. Course examples include 2D, 3D and 4D Foundations Studio; Animation: Experimental Techniques; Storyboarding; 3D Animation, Rigging, and Simulation; Character Design; Animation: Compositing and Motion Graphics; Drawing Studio; 3D Modeling, Texturing, Lighting, and Rendering; and Painting: Introduction.

Other Ball State BFA program highlights include collaborative projects; professional skills development including professional terminology and marketing; and internship opportunities.

The culminating experience for the Visual Arts/Animation BFA at Ball State includes three production courses leading to the Senior Project (Capstone), which will be presented as a student exhibition. Students will also enter the job market with a professional portfolio and demo reel of their best.

Graduates of the Visual Arts/Animation BFA at Ball State University are prepared to pursue roles such as 3D Animator (film), Animation Web Designer, 3D Animator or Modeler (video game industry), Storyboard Artist (film or advertising), 3D Modeler (entertainment, advertising, engineering, and medicine), and Multimedia Artist.

Ball State University was established in 1918. The school serves approximately 19,775 students enrolled in more than 200 programs across seven academic colleges. Ball State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Programs in the School of Art are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

California State University Northridge (CSUN) is home to the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication (AMC). Within the College is the Department of Art and Design, which has a Visual Arts BA with an Animation concentration. Students in this program can select one of three tracks. These include 2D Design, 3D Animation, and Game Development.

All tracks provide access to the Entertainment Industry Institute (EII) and the student-operated creative agency known as IntersectLA. Students in all tracks also may join the Animation Students League of Northridge and/or the CSUN Game Development Club. Both student-run organizations provide networking opportunities and opportunities to interact with industry guests through supplemental workshops and lectures.

Other program features include partnerships with Seoul Institute of the Arts and DreamWorks studios; interactions with industry professionals through workshops, demonstrations, lectures, and studio visits; participation in studio tours; and internship opportunities.

In the Visual Arts 2D Design track will take courses in 2D Animation (Toon Boom/Flash); Visual Development; and Pre-Production. Optional courses such as Compositing and 3D Animation are also part of the program. Potential careers for graduates of this track include Animator, Storyboard Artist, and Background Designer.

In the Visual Arts 3D Animation track, students will explore Game Animation, Compositing, and Visual Development. Possible job titles for graduates include Character Animator, Lighting Artist, CG Modeler, Compositor, and Pre-Vis Artist.

During the final year of both Tracks, students will work on collaborative group projects and their final portfolio.

Game Development students will explore Character Animation, Compositing, Animation Production, 3D Computer Animation, and Game Production. Graduates of this track are prepared for careers in character animation, modeling, texture painting & lighting, quality assurance, and level design, among others.

CSUN alumni work in a variety of roles across industries. Examples of companies and studios that hire CSUN graduates include Apple, Walt Disney Company, Microsoft, Universal Pictures, Google, NBC, Amazon, Netflix, Earner Bros., Paramount, Microsoft MGM Studios, and Fox Sports.

Serving more than 38,500 students, California State University Northridge is one of the largest universities within the 23 campus California State University System. Founded in 1958, this liberal arts institution comprises nine colleges, The Tseng College, and the University Library. More than 2,000 CSUN faculty members teach courses leading to bachelor’s degrees in 71 disciplines, master’s degrees in 78 fields, three doctorates, and 17 teaching credentials. California State University Northridge is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) houses an Animation BS and an 18 credit hour Animation minor. Both options are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Part of the College of Media and Entertainment-Department of Media Arts, the program is designed for artists seeking careers in 2D or 3D animation, special visual effects, and motion graphics.

Beginning in the first semester, students will explore traditional animation techniques through hands-on project opportunities. Throughout this 120 credit program students will gradually advance into coursework that covers advanced digital tools and techniques. The major, which consists of 76 credit hours in animation, requires courses such as Image and Video Foundations; 2D Animation I-II; Texturing, Lighting and Rendering; Motion Graphics I-II; Animation Mechanics; Character Modeling and Rigging; Bodies in Motion; Visual Effects; Animation and Performance; and Professional Practices in Animation.

In addition to immersive animation coursework, MTSU provides the opportunity to complete an internship in the recently launched MT IMAGINE Animation Studio. Housed in the College of Media and Entertainment, the Studio produces high-end animated visuals for clients who do not have the financial means to hire a commercial studio. The Studio’s project-based, paid internships allow students, faculty, and recent graduates to create content for real clients. Projects include 2D and 3D Animation, Virtual Reality, and XR Virtual Production.

MTSU Animation BS students also have opportunities 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 lucky individuals were among the nearly 300 students selected from over 100 universities worldwide for this coveted program.

To graduate from the MTSU Animation BS program, students will take a six-semester sequence of courses covering 3D animation. The final two semesters of the sequence culminate in a two-semester capstone experience consisting of an original animated short film that will be submitted to film and animation festivals locally, nationally, and around the world. This project will be centerpiece of the student’s final portfolio.

Middle Tennessee State University was established in 1909 as Middle Tennessee State Normal School. The school opened with 125 students on September 11, 1911. Today, MTSU serves more than 20,000 students enrolled in 300+ programs across eight undergraduate colleges and the College of Graduate Studies. Middle Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The E.W. Scripps College of Communications at Ohio University (OU) houses the School of Media Arts and Studies (MDIA). Options for animators here include the Animation Bachelor of Science in Communication (BSC) and the Communication Media Arts MFA. The Animation BSC takes the place of the Games and Animation emphasis area, and it provides access to the new Advanced Animation Lab and more than a dozen other state-of-the-art facilities, studios, and labs.

The new curriculum for the Animation BSC includes digital techniques for 2D and 3D animation; animation for film/TV, video games, and VR/AR; hybrid animation techniques; narrative storytelling in animation; motion graphics for video; preproduction and postproduction for animation; animation for visual effects; and sound design for animation. Coursework for the program is complemented by participation in student organizations; industry internships and other experiences; study abroad opportunities; and capstone projects.

Examples of industry internships and experiences include OHIO-in-LA, where students will live and work in Hollywood; Animation and Culture in Tokyo, where students will explore Tokyo’s animation scene and culture; the 48-Hour Shoot-Out where students have just two days to write, direct, and shoot polished 5-minute film; Storytelling in Theme Parks, which includes all access tickets, workshops, speakers, and behind-the-scene tours at Walt Disney World; and attendance at South by Southwest.

Graduates of Ohio University’s School of Media Arts and Studies are Animators, Motion Graphics Designers, 3D Artists, Visual Effects (VFX) Artists, Animation Production Assistants, Cinematic Artists, Video Editors, Multimedia Artists, Technical Artists, Art Directors, and Environmental Artists.

The Communication Media Arts MFA at Ohio University is a multidisciplinary, three-year program provided in partnership with the School of MDIA; the J. Warren McClure School of Emerging Communication Technologies; and the School of Visual Communication. This 90 credit hour program provides the opportunity to study in two or more areas. Examples include Animation, Virtual and Augmented Reality, Video Game Design, Interactive Web Design, Music Production, and Data Visualization and Infographics.

Ohio University MFA students will receive hands-on training through collaborative and experiential projects. A required component of OU MFA program, projects may include practicum projects through Scripps College or the College of Fine Arts; projects in the Game Research and Immersive Design (GRID) Lab; grant-funded faculty initiatives; or projects through WOUB Public Media—a broadcasting service licensed to Ohio University.

Other program highlights include opportunities to teach; professional internships and externships; and study abroad experiences. Students in the Communication Media Arts MFA at Ohio University will spend the final year of the program in two immersive Thesis Production courses.

Established in 1804, Ohio University is the oldest college in the state. The school opened with one building, three students and one professor. Today Ohio University’s more than 1,700 faculty members serve approximately 28,325 students across 10+ campuses and centers in Ohio, and OHIO Online. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Ohio University provides more than 250 academic programs across 11 colleges, 16 schools, and dozens of departments.

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) houses the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication, home to the DepExampl

artment of Art. Within the Department is an Animation program that explores storyboarding, 2D and 3D animation, character design, 3D modeling/rigging/texturing, lighting, and rendering. Students in this program also benefit from interactions with guest speakers, workshops, and portfolio reviews by active professionals in the industry.

Leading to BFA, the Animation program also provides access to SHSU SIGGRAPH—a self-governed student-run organization that highlights on-campus exhibitions, student-led workshops, and creating animations and other digital art.

Course examples for this 120 credit hour program include The History of Animation; Film Appreciation; Animation Concepts and Techniques; 2D Computer Animation; Experimental Animation; Drawing I and II; Character Animation; Photographic Concepts; Shading, Lighting, and Rendering; Advanced 3D Animation; Web Site Development; Visual Computing; and Animation Preproduction. Electives allow students to focus in additional areas in the arts.

All Department of Art students will also take several Workshop in Art Studio and History (W.A.S.H.) courses including W.A.S.H. 2D, W.A.S.H. 3D, and W.A.S.H. Lecture. The Animation program culminates with the Animation Portfolio course.

Graduates of the Animation BFA program at Sam Houston State University go on to pursue careers in areas such as animation, film, game design, advertising, marketing, and multimedia. Program alumni work at places such as Zynga, EA Mobile, Kiloo Games, Perkins+Will, Stoic Studio, and Jacobs Visual Media Group. Some Animation alumni have launched their own studios or freelance businesses, while others are educators in the Texas public school system.

Graduates of the SHSU Department of Art have also been accepted into graduate programs at top universities and art and design colleges such as Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), University of Texas Dallas (UT Dallas), Florida State University (FSU), Texas A&M, and Southern Methodist University (SMU).

Sam Houston State University was founded in 1879 as the Sam Houston Normal Institute. The school serves approximately 21,500 students enrolled in 90 bachelor's degree programs, 55 master’s degree programs, and 10 doctoral programs, including America’s first PhD in Forensic Science. Programs at SHSU are housed across eight colleges. Sam Houston State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) School of the Arts (VCUArts) houses the Department of Kinetic Imaging (KI), which has programs for students who are interested in video, sound, and animation as they relate to filmmaking, experimental video, and art-making. Other KI Department highlights include lectures, workshops, and performances by visiting artists; access to state-of-the-are facilities, studios, and labs; and internship opportunities

For students seeking a career in animation, the KI Department at VCU has a Kinetic Imaging BFA program that requires a minimum of 120 credit hours. At the graduate level, students can earn a Fine Arts MFA with a concentration in Kinetic Imaging. Both programs are multidisciplinary and explore areas such as animation, video, virtual reality, emerging art, and sound.

BFA students will complete courses such as Space Research; Animation I-IV; Survey of Art; Video I-III; Time Studio; Animation Practices; 3D Computer Animation I-II; Creative Code and Electronics; 3D Computer Art; Virtual Interactive Worlds; Sound Communication I-II; Concept and Development Studio; Media Arts Survey; Video Practices; and Critical Issue in Media. The program culminates with the Research and Production I and II courses. Completed across the fall and spring semesters, the courses consist of the critical analysis and development of a culminating project with emphasis on implementation, execution, and presentation.

The Kinetic Imaging BFA program at Virginia Commonwealth University takes four years to complete, full-time. Graduates are prepared to pursue titles such as 2D Animator, 3D Animator, Director, Sound Designer, Motion Graphics Artist, and UI/UX Designer.  

The Fine Arts-Kinetic Imaging MFA at VCU is a 60 credit hour, studio-based program designed to support six-eight students. This flexible program explores animated arts, emerging media, coding, sound art, interactivity, installation, and mediated performance. Each semester, students will complete a graduate seminar and a graduate studio class consisting of vigorous studio production. Students will also can select an additional elective to help meet their individual studio and research goals.

Other KI MFA features include 24/7 access to personal studios and animation, video, and sound production spaces; opportunities to teach in the undergraduate KI program; and visiting artists that host talks and one-on-one studio visits with graduate students. The culminating experience for the KI MFA is the exhibition of the student’s best work at VCU’s Anderson Gallery.

The Virginia Commonwealth University Fine Arts/Kinetic Imaging MFA program can be completed in two years, full-time. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles across creative industries and in the technology sector, science and medicine, architecture, and education, among others.

Founded in 1838, Virginia Commonwealth University is a top 100 research university that serves approximately 28,410 students. The largest employer in Richmond, Virginia, VCU provides more than 200 academic programs across 15+ colleges, schools, and centers. Virginia Commonwealth University accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) provides several paths to study animation across several colleges and schools. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts houses the minor in Moving Image Arts for undergraduate students. The College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts houses the School of Art & Art History, which an Art BFA program with options in New Media Arts and Moving Image. At the graduate level, the School of Art & Art History has a flexible Art MFA program.

The UIC New Media Arts BFA is interdisciplinary, allowing students to focus in areas such as animation. However, the curriculum for the program covers areas such as 3D Animation, Physical Computing, and Mobile Application Design. Course examples include 3D Space Animation; Topics in New Media Arts: Intermediate Game Play; Animation Cinematography; Creative Coding; and Information Aesthetics.

The Moving Image BFA program at University of Illinois at Chicago explores experimental and documentary filmmaking. Emphasis is placed on production coursework, independent study, and seminars in Digital Animation and Film & Video. Students will complete at least 129 credit hours of study, with 61 credits in the major, and up to a dozen credit hours of electives.

Course examples include 3D Space: Animation; Introduction to Filmmaking; Topics in Drawing; Introduction to Creative Coding in New Media Arts; Trends in International Contemporary Art Since 1960; Interactive 3D: Expanded Cinema and Virtual Performance; and Advanced Critique. The Moving Image BFA culminates with the BFA Thesis Project and Exhibition/Final Thesis Show.

The 18-20 credit hour Moving Image Arts minor at UIC is designed for students who wish to complement their current major with studies in film, television, video, and new media. Course examples for the program include Moving Image Arts; Film and Culture; and Communication Technologies.

The Art MFA at University of Illinois at Chicago is a highly interdisciplinary program that requires 64 credit hours. The curriculum combines collaborative projects, seminars, individual projects, research, advanced critique courses, and coursework from other Departments at UIC. Courses range from Drawing and Painting to New Media Arts and Moving Image.

All Art MFA students will work and learn in expansive private studio spaces. The program culminates with a thesis or final project leading to a formal presentation at a public exhibition.

Graduates of the BA, BFA, and MFA programs at University of Illinois at Chicago are prepared to pursue leadership roles and others across industries such as entertainment, game design and development, advertising, architecture, science and medicine, law, government, and education.

Serving approximately 35,520 students, University of Illinois at Chicago is the largest university in the Chicago area. The school formed in 1982 when two U of I campuses—the Medical Center campus, which dates back to the 19th century—and the Chicago Circle campus, which replaced the two-year undergraduate Navy Pier campus in 1965, merged. The Navy Pier campus dated back to 1946, when it opened as a school to educate returning veterans. Today, UIC provides more than 250 degree programs and 85 minors across 16 colleges and schools. The University of Illinois at Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The College of Arts & Humanities (CAHS) at University of Wisconsin – Stout (UW-Stout) is home to the School of Art & Design. Consisting of more than 1,000 students and 65 faculty, the School of Art & Design is the largest art and design school in the upper Midwest. Programs within the school emphasize hands-on, polytechnic-infused curriculums supplemented by local, national, and international internships; study abroad experiences; and Cooperative Education and Field Experiences.

The School of Art & Design houses the Design Department, which has a collaborative cross-disciplinary Animation & Digital Media BFA, and a Design MFA. Across programs, students benefit from learning that takes place in studio classrooms; access to state-of-the-art labs and studios, such as the Animation and Game Design & Development Studio Lab; and active faculty with extensive professional experience in the field.

The UW-Stout Animation & Digital Media BFA consists of 120 credit hours of study. The program explores traditional two-dimensional animation, three-dimensional modeling and animation, real-time production, character and environment design, motion capture, and principles of visual storytelling. Students in this program will develop creative and critical thinking skills, while taking courses that cover specific animation and design software.

Course examples for the program (including electives) include 3D Modeling and Animation; Design Drawing and Concept Visualization; Commercial Motion Graphics; Digital Illustration; Virtual and Augmented Reality Video Applications; Visual Effects and Compositing; 3D Character Animation; Digital Sound; Video Production; Typography in Motion; Comics; Animation Production; and Professional Practices in Design.

The Animation & Digital Media BFA program at University of Wisconsin - Stout ends with a two-semester sequence Animation Capstone. This culminating experience for the BFA includes the development of a professional level project from concept to published digital media, modeling the approach used in the animation industry.

The Design MFA at University of Wisconsin – Stout takes place in a cross-disciplinary environment where graduate students may focus in areas such as Animation & Digital Media; Cinema, Video, & Photography; Game Design & Development; User Experience Design; Graphic Design & Interactive Media; and Experience Design. Design MFA students will complete several design studios and seminar courses, independent study, and at least nine credits of focused electives.

This flexible program utilizes the hybrid model of delivery, consisting of evening core classes combined with on-campus and online meetings. Students have the option to select full-time, on-campus studio courses or customize a part-time plan with hybrid classes and independent projects.

The culminating experience for the Design MFA program at University of Wisconsin – Stout is the Creative Thesis in Design, which consists of an independent design research project produced and implemented under direction of a primary research adviser and committee. MFA students will present their final projects to a thesis committee, to include a public exhibition or lecture. 

Graduates of the Animation and Design programs at University of Wisconsin – Stout are prepared to pursue leadership roles and others across industries. As part of UW-Stout, program alumni enjoy a near perfect 99.4% employment rate.

School of Art & Design are Animators (2D or 3D), Stop-Motion Animators, Concept Artists, Game Designers, Art Directors, and 3D Modelers at places such as Disney, Apple, DreamWorks Animation, Shutterfly, Raven Software, Larsen Design, PUNY Entertainment, The Nerdery, and Fantasy Flight Games. Some Design MFA alumni have gone on to become educators at UW-Stout, and other schools such as UW-River Falls and Vancouver College of Art and Design.

University of Wisconsin – Stout (UW-Stout) was established in 1891 as The Stout Manual Training School. Today, the school one of just 125 polytechnic universities in the U.S. and the only one in the State Wisconsin. Serving approximately 6,940 students, University of Wisconsin-Stout provides more than 145 programs, many of which are unique to UW-Stout or are not offered anywhere else in the Midwest. Programs are organized into two colleges, with five schools and a graduate school.

University of Wisconsin – Stout is accredited the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The Graphic Design and Interactive Media program is accredited by the National Association for Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) houses the Department of Visual Arts. Within the Department are two paths to study animation: the BA and BFA in Visual Arts. Both options allow students to select a concentration in Animation.

The BA program requires completion of a 24 credit hour Visual Arts core and a 24-27 credit hour Animation concentration. The BFA Visual Arts core is 27 credits, with a 45 credit hour Animation concentration. Visual Arts course examples across programs include Introduction to Art and Media Studies; Drawing I/Beginning Drawing; Studies in Visual Culture (Prehistory through the 1750s); and Visual Concepts I-IV. The Visual Concepts courses cover Two-Dimensional Design Principles; Camera Vision; Three-Dimensional Form, Space and Interaction; and Time-Based Media.

Course examples for the Animation concentration include Real Time Animation; Motion Graphics and Compositing; Animation in the Physical World; Advanced 3D Animation; Writing for Media Arts; History of Animation; and Sound Design. Visual Arts will alco complete nine credits of electives, including courses such as Topics in Animation and Interactive Art; Advanced 3D Animation; Installation Art; and Team-Based Game Development.

In addition to a variety of course options, the Visual Arts program at UMBC provides the opportunity to complete an internal or external internship related to the students focus. Visual Arts student have interned at places such as Smithsonian, Baltimore Orioles, Stanley Black & Decker, Baltimore Office of Promotion of the Arts, Maryland Public Television, Image Factory DC, Mindgrub Technologies, Renegade Productions, Maryland Art Place, and Creative Alliance. 

Students may also gain experience by enrolling in the elective course ART 496 – Imaging Research Center Internship (IRC). Students in this option will work on animation, graphics, and multimedia production in a professional work environment for real clients or research teams. Students will work in collaborative teams under the guidance of IRC directors.

In the final year of the Visual Arts BA and BFA programs, students will exhibit their best work at the Senior Exit Exhibition held at the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture. Awards for Excellence are presented at the opening reception.

Graduates of the Visual Arts BA and BFA programs at University of Maryland Baltimore County are prepared to pursue roles in the entertainment industry, game design and development, advertising, web design, architecture, science and medicine, government, and education.

University of Maryland Baltimore County is part of the University System of Maryland. The school was established as a member in 1966. UMBC serves approximately 13,990 students enrolled in more than 200 degree, minor, and certificate programs across seven colleges and schools. The University of Maryland Baltimore County is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Pennsylvania Western University, Edinboro (PennWest Edinboro) houses a Department of Art that provides Visual Arts programs at all degree levels. Other Department features include visiting artist and speakers; dedicated studio spaces; multiple galleries with frequent exhibitions; courses taught by accomplished specialists across creative industries; and National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) accreditation.

Among the Art Department’s academic programs is a Media Arts BFA that explores Animation, Digital Filmmaking, and Photography. BFA students may specialize in Animation. The concentration explores hand-drawn and computer-generated animation, character design, storyboarding, visual development, and stop-motion. Course examples include Digital Drawing and Painting; 2D Design; Graphic Novel Art and Design; 3D Modeling and Rigging; Stop Motion and Experimental Animation; 2D Digital Animation; Digital Visual Effects; Storyboard and Character Design; 3D Dynamics and Simulations; Digital Audio-Moving Image, and Animation Pipeline.

Students will also complete Animation Portfolio Prep. During this immersive course (worth three to six credits) students will work with 3D computer modeling, animation, sound, advanced nodal surfacing, and special effects through lectures and practical demonstrations. Students will also work on a group computer animation project, a detailed modeling project, complete their digital portfolio, and give a software demonstration.

Other Animation program highlights include access to state-of-the-art facilities such as the 2D Cintiq Lab; opportunities to engage with professional animators, storyboard artists, and directors during special on-campus events; participation in regular exhibitions of peer and faculty work; travel to animation conferences and festivals in Los Angeles, New York, and Toronto; participation in the Animation Club; an internships with local, regional, and national production studios; and opportunities to tour major studios such as DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Sony, Disney, Universal, Warner Bros, and Stoopid Buddy Stoodios.

The Media Arts BFA with an Animation concentration culminates with the Animation Production Capstone. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers across the entertainment, game design, and advertising industries, among others. Program alumni go on to become Animators, Character Designers, Visual Effects (VFX) Artists, Modelers, Storyboard Artists, and Directors.

Graduates of the PennWest Edinboro Animation program have been hired at major studios such as Disney, DreamWorks, Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, and Nickelodeon.

Founded in 1857 as a private raining school for teachers, Pennsylvania Western University is western Pennsylvania’s second largest university. Composed of three sister institutions (Penn West Edinboro, PennWest Clarion, and PennWest California), the school serves a total of 11,305 students enrolled in hundreds of majors, minors, and graduate programs. PennWest Edinboro serves approximately 4,320 students enrolled in 100 majors and minors across 22 academic departments. Pennsylvania Western University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at Indiana University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) has several paths to study animation. For students seeking a degree program, the Luddy School has a Media Arts and Science (MAS) BS with specializations in 3D Graphics and Animation, Digital Storytelling, and Game Design and Development.

For students seeking a shorter program, the school has minors in 3D Graphics and Animation, Game Design and Development, and Studio Art and Technology. A Virtual Production certificate is also available. Minors are 15 credit hours and the certificate is 18 credit hours.

All degree, minor, and certificate programs provide access to state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and other facilities, and courses that explore topics such as animation, special effects, augmented and virtual reality (VR/AR), 3D modeling, and production. Students also benefit from hands-on classroom projects.

Across BS specializations, students have access to many animation courses. For example, Digital Storytelling students can take 2D Animation; Stop Motion Animation; Advanced 2D Animation; Interactive Design; and Directing Visual Narratives. Examples of courses within 3D Graphics and Animation include 3D Animation; 3D Character Development; Advanced 3D Character Animation; Motion Graphics; and Compositing and Visual Effects.

Game Design and Development students may take courses such as 2D Animation; Storyboarding for Multimedia; Character Design and Animation; Digital Painting; and Virtual world Design and Development. Note that these specializations have overlapping courses and all allow students to participate in the study abroad experience in Greece.

The core for the MAS program with specializations in 3D Graphics and Animation, Digital Storytelling, and Game Design and Development, requires the Career Planning, Portfolio Development, and Multimedia Project Development courses. For the Capstone—the culminating experience for the program—students may choose one of three options: Capstone Project Internship; Mentorship; or Bridge to Industry.

Final projects result in a collective exhibition of all graduating students from the MAS program. Graduates of the MAS programs at Indiana University Indianapolis are prepared to pursue positions across industries from film/TV/animation and games to multimedia, advertising, and medicine.

Graduates of the Luddy School MAS program work in a variety of roles such as 2D and 3D Animator, Game Artist, Technical Animator, Motion Graphics Artist, Medical Animator, Game Artist, Creative Director, AR/VR Designer, and Film Production Artist. I

Program alumni have been hired at studios such as Pixar, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Pictures ImageWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, Rockstar Games, Digital Domain, Owlchemy Labs, HTC (Taipei, Taiwan), Gearbox Software, Vision3 Interactive, 4A Games, Piperworks Studios, and Half Full Nelsen.

Established in 1820, Indiana University was one of the first public universities west of the Allegheny Mountains. Classes began in 1825 with just 10 men. In 1967, IU became one of the first state universities to admit women. Today, Indiana University is a top public research university with more than 69,000 undergraduate students and 20,000+ graduate and professional students from all backgrounds and 164 countries. More than 930 academic programs are provided across seven campuses, including Indiana University Indianapolis. Indiana University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

University of South Carolina (USC) is home to the School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD), which provides four major areas of study—studio art, media arts, art education, and art history. Leading to both undergraduate and graduate degrees, SVAD programs are housed in McMaster College—an 85,000-square-foot facility designed specifically for visual arts learning and creation. Other SVAD highlights include visiting artists; access to exhibition galleries; assistantships for graduate students; internship opportunities with local and national studios; and study abroad experiences in places such as Kenya and Japan.

For students looking to pursue a career in animation, SVAD has BA and MA degrees in Media Arts, and a Media Arts minor. With an emphasis on modern media production and hands-on experience, the 18 credit hour minor requires Foundations of Media Arts Production (three credits) and Digital Media Arts Fundamentals (three credits). For the remaining 12 credit hours, students have the opportunity to create a focus in any area from electives.

Across all SVAD Media Arts Programs, students have access to courses such as Animation; Digital Compositing; Sound Art; Digital Media; The Moving Image; New Media Art; Manga and Anime; Video Game Design; and Media Culture. Led by industry professionals, Media Arts courses are hands-on and immersive, with many opportunities to work on animation projects individually or in a group.

Graduates of the Media Arts programs at University of South Carolina are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as entertainment, game design, advertising, fine art, science and medicine, architecture, and art education. Program alumni have been hired by major studios and companies such as Blizzard Entertainment, Nickelodeon, ABC, Showtime, HBO Films, CBS Television, Netflix, Amazon Studios, IBM, Marvel, and NBC.

Established in 1801 as South Carolina College, University of South Carolina is one of the nation’s oldest public universities. The flagship campus of the eight-campus University of South Carolina System, USC serves approximately 34,700 students enrolled in more than 350 degree programs across 16 colleges and schools. University of South Carolina is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).