| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Institute of the Arts | Valencia |
| 2 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles |
| 3 | University of California Los Angeles | Los Angeles |
| 4 | Gnomon | Hollywood |
| 5 | ArtCenter College of Design | Pasadena |
| 6 | Academy of Art University | San Francisco |
| 7 | Otis College of Art and Design | Los Angeles |
| 8 | California College of the Arts | San Francisco and Oakland |
| 9 | San Jose State University | San Jose |
| 10 | California State University, Fullerton | Fullerton |
| 11 | California State University, Long Beach | Long Beach |
| 12 | Laguna College of Art and Design | Laguna Beach |
| 13 | Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles |
| 14 | California State University, Los Angeles | Los Angeles |
| 15 | Chapman University | Orange |
| 16 | California State University, Northridge | Northridge |
| 17 | New York Film Academy, Los Angeles | Burbank |
| 18 | Woodbury University | Burbank |
| 19 | California State University, Chico | Chico |
| 20 | Universal Arts School | West Hollywood |
Our 2025 ranking -our fourteenth annual- of the top animation school programs in California. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) provides programs that combine a liberal arts curriculum and mentoring, with immersive coursework in film and video. Housed in CalArts’ largest department—the School of Film/Video (F/V), all programs allow students to explore multiple modes of moving image. Examples include animation, live-action, and documentary filmmaking.
Other program features include courses led exclusively by working artists, filmmakers, and technicians; famous alumni such as Tim Burton (Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood), John Lasseter (Cars, Toy Story), and Chris Buck (Frozen); interactions with accomplished animators and filmmakers through the visiting artist series; field trips to demonstrations and screenings; and small class sizes.
The School of F/V at CalArts also provides opportunities to study abroad in places such as Berlin, Paris, and Prague; paid internships through the Academy Internship Program (established by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences); participation in the Bijou Festival at CalArts (attended by professionals in the animation, film, and television industries); collaborations with The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the UCLA Film and Television Archive, and the Montreal International Festival of New Cinema, among others; and the opportunity to present works at Sundance, Centre Pompidou in Paris, and New York Film Festival.
Specific School of F/V programs for animators include the Experimental Animation BFA and MFA, and a Character Animation BFA.
The Experimental Animation BFA and MFA programs at CalArts focus on animation approaches, techniques, and processes such as 2D animation, motion capture, performance animation, programming, digital production, stop motion, and installation. Independent study, seminars, lectures, and workshops supplement courses.
Course examples for BFA students include Animation Production; Motion Controlled Animated Camera; Animal Anima; Absolute Animation Workshop; Sound for Experimental Animation I-II; Hybrid Imaging; Motion and Meaning; Experimental Characters; Animating Virtual Worlds in Real-Time; Loop Loop; Drawn Techniques for the Experimental Animator; Cartoon Logic; and Creating Augmented Reality Experiences.
To enhance the curriculum, Experimental Animation BFA students may add a minor, pursue one of several interdisciplinary programs, or both. A popular option is the Digital Arts minor. This 18-unit program allows students to develop skills in areas such as computer programming, digital media and web development, video editing, and digital sound production.
The CalArts Experimental Animation BFA program takes four years to complete. A final project and the creation of a professional portfolio are the culminating experiences for the program.
The Experimental Animation MFA at California Institute of the Arts is a three-year, residency track program that begins with a first-year project. Designed for students seeking leadership roles in studio production, those interested in launching their own studios, and individuals who would like to become educators, this interdisciplinary, terminal degree program provides opportunities to select courses from art, dance, theater, and music to reach the required 60 credits.
At least six graduate-level history/theory credits must be completed in residence at CalArts. To fulfill these requirements, students will take Seminar in Animation History; History of Experimental Animation; and one additional approved history/theory course. Other course examples include Digital Workflow for Animators; Drawn Techniques for the Experimental Animator; First Year Shorts; Introduction to Cinema 4D; Sound for Experimental Animation; Stop Motion Basics; and Interactive Media.
The Experimental Animation MFA at CalArts culminates with a thesis, completed across 12 credit hours of seminar courses. This includes Experimental Animation Thesis Concept Seminar (two courses/three credits each) and Experimental Animation Thesis Production Seminar (two courses/three credits each).
The Character Animation BFA at CalArts is a four-year program that prepares students to work in traditional, computer graphic (CG), and independent animation. Course examples include 2D Character Animation I-III; Digital Methods; Animation Layout; Life Drawing I-II; CG Foundation; Acting for Animators; CG Character Modeling; Drawn Techniques for the Experimental Animator; CG Special Effects for Animated Films; Cinematography; Color as Storytelling; and Character Animation I-IV.
Like Experimental BFA students, Character Animation students may enhance the program by pursuing one of several interdisciplinary programs, adding a minor, or both.
The Character Animation BFA at California Institute of the Arts culminates with an individual short and professional portfolio.
Graduates of the creative programs at California Institute of the Arts have found success in animation, film and video, advertising, music, acting, graphic design, theater, and more. Examples of companies that hire CalArts graduates include Pixar, NBCUniversal, Disney, Illumination, Sony Animation, Netflix, Warner Bros., Capitol Records, Google, and Apple.
Many CalArts alumni have also gone on to launch their own studios and other entertainment businesses. Examples include Handbuilt Studio, Clay and Kelsy Instruments, Minimal Audio, and Scale Navigator.
California Institute of the Arts was established in 1961 after the consolidation of the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music (est. 1883) and the Chouinard Art Institute (est. 1921). With the financial backing of Walt Disney, the newly formed CalArts incorporated all areas of the visual and performing arts. Today, the school serves 1,520 students enrolled in more than 70 degree programs across the School of Art; the School of Critical Studies; the School of Film/Video; Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts; Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance; and the School of Theater.
California Institute of the Arts also houses the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT), located in the Walt Disney Concert Hall complex in Los Angeles, and the award-winning Community Arts Partnership (CAP) with community organizations and public schools across LA County. Established in 1990, CAP has the support of The Getty Foundation, Sony Pictures, and the National Endowment of the Arts.
CalArts is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The school is also one of approximately 83 accredited institutional members of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).
University of Southern California (USC) is home to the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA). Founded in 1929, the school houses state-of-the-art facilities and equipment accessible to all animation students. One of the many standouts among SCA’s facilities is the brand new main complex. This creative space features all digital classrooms, animation production studios, post-production suites, soundstages, mixing theaters, fabrication spaces, research labs, and screening rooms that seat up to 400 people.
The Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts in the School of Cinematic Arts provides additional production spaces, motion capture suites, and Trojan Vision—the University's full-service television station with programming that reaches homes across LA and many national and international outlets. USC School of Cinematic Art students also have access to the Ganek Immersive Studio; Cintiq and computer labs; and an IMAX theater.
Across SCA programs, students can collaborate with peers in other USC schools such Roski School of Art and Design, Viterbi School of Engineering, the School of Architecture, and Thornton School of Music. Other SCA features include guest speakers; courses taught by seasoned filmmakers and other industry professionals; and the student-organized USC Animation Studio Day, where students can meet with studio representatives to present their portfolios, discuss internships, and consider job opportunities.
Also within USC’s School Cinematic Arts is The John C. Hench Division of Animation + Digital Arts (Hench DADA) and the Expanded Animation Division (EAD). Both divisions provide animation programs leading to a BFA or MFA. Options include an Animation + Digital Arts BFA (Hench DADA), the Animation + Digital Arts MFA (EDA), and the Expanded Animation Research + Practice (XA) MFA (EAD).
Hench DADA also houses a 3D Animation and Cinematic Arts minor. The Interactive Media Division, within the School of Cinematic Arts, houses a Game Animation minor. The 3D Animation and Cinematic Arts minor allows students to focus in a specific area through electives. Potential focus areas include character animation, visual effects (VFX), motion capture, virtual reality (VR), and modeling. The Game Animation minor combines systems thinking and animation coursework.
Through electives, Game Animation students may explore areas such as VFX, game development, or digital effects. USC SCA minors are 16 units and all require a final project to graduate.
The Animation + Digital Arts BFA program at University of Southern California is a four-year stem-coded program that provides formal concentration options. Examples include Character Animation, Interactive Animation, VFX, Immersive Media, Documentary Animation, 3D Computer Animation, Motion Graphics, Visualizing Science, and Experimental Animation.
In addition to a concentration, BFA students will complete courses such as Story Structure for Animation; Reality Starts Here; 3D Character Performance Animation; Two-Dimensional Art Workshop; Cinematography for Animators; History of Animation; and Professionalism of Animation. Electives allow students to develop skills in additional areas of animation.
Elective examples include Live Action Integration with Visual Effects; 3D Animation for Motion Graphics (C4D); Production Design for Animation Projection Mapping Design and Production; Demystifying the TV Animation Pipeline; Real-Time Animation (Unreal Engine); Experiments in Immersive Design; Procedural Animation (Houdini); Pipeline and Character Modeling for Animation; and The World of Visual Effects.
During the second semester of year three, and in year four of the program, students will complete Ideation + Pre-Production, along with two Senior Project courses resulting in a fully rendered, animated piece, with soundtrack. Final projects are presented to a committee for critique and approval.
The Animation + Digital Arts MFA at USC is a stem-coded, three-year terminal degree program that provides mini studios for all students, ongoing workshops, and internship opportunities. Techniques and approaches explored range from hand-drawn character animation to interactive digital animation. Course examples for the program include Animation: The Art and the Industry; Expanded Animation; Fundamentals of Storytelling for Animation; Cinematic Ethics; Animation Design and Production; Animation Storyboarding Practicum; and Fundamentals of 3D Character Animation.
Elective units are an important component of the MFA program. Students must complete 15 units to graduate. Examples include World Cinema Before 1945; Survey of Interactive Media; and Seminar: Avant-Garde Film/Video.
The culminating experience for the Animation + Digital Arts MFA at University of Southern California is the master’s thesis completed across three courses including, Animation Pre-Thesis Seminar; Master’s Thesis (594a); and Master’s Thesis (594b).
The XA MFA at University of Southern California focuses on experimentation, animation research, and innovation. Designed for advanced artists, this terminal degree program consists of 50 units (minimum) completed across six semesters. Students in this unique program can select from an extensive list of research concentrations. Examples include Experimental Animation; Virtual Humans and AI; Science Visualization; Performance Gesture; Animation for Robotics; Gesture Movement; Documentary Animation; Dreams and Consciousness; Sound Design; Fine Art Animation Practice; Narrativity; and Cinematic Installations.
Courses for the USC XA MFA program are supported by exhibitions, research collaborations, and overnight field trips. Course examples include the Art of Motion in Virtual Space; Expanded Animation Production; Theory and Practice in Contemporary Animation; Art of Animation; Writing and Story Art for Vision and Motion; Expanded Animation Production; Animation Sound Design Practice; Advanced Animation Research Seminar; Applied Expanded Animation; and Survey of World Animation.
Electives allow students to focus in additional areas of animation. Elective course examples include Stop Motion Puppet and Set Design; Animation for Virtual Characters, Robotics, and AI; Contemporary Topics: Animation Drams and Consciousness; Gesture Movement for Animation; Documentary Animation Production; Stop Motion Performance; Advanced Methods and Approaches; and Directed Research.
The XA MFA program at USC culminates with the Master’s Thesis, completed over three courses: Animation Pre-Thesis Seminar, Master’s Thesis (594a), and Master’s Thesis (594b). Final XA MFA projects have focused on animation, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), interaction, installations, and more.
Graduates of the Animation programs at the University of Southern California are prepared to pursue leadership roles in the entertainment industry. Program alumni have been hired at major studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Digital Domain, Pixar, Illumination, and Sony Pictures. Many USC alumni have gone on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
Founded in 1880, University of Southern California is the oldest private research university in the state. When it opened, the school had just 53 students and 10 faculty. Today, USC enrolls approximately 47,000 students served by a faculty of more than 4,400. This makes University of Southern California the largest school by enrollment in the state and largest private sector employer in Los Angeles.
Students at USC have access to more than 600 graduate and professional programs across 23 schools and divisions. The University of Southern California is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) is home to the School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT), which serves approximately 680 students enrolled 15 programs leading to an undergraduate or graduate degree. At the undergraduate level, the School of TFT has a Film, Television, and Digital Media BA (FTVDM-BA) program with a concentration in Animation.
During the first and second years of the program, students focus on foundational courses. In the third year, students will hone their skills in television, film, and digital media production. In the final year of the program, students will immerse in the Animation concentration, consisting of 20 units of upper division coursework.
The UCLA Film, Television and Digital Media BA culminates with a professional internship and final project. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in the entertainment industry or apply to the UCLA Animation Workshop.
Established in 1948 by Disney Animator William Shull, the workshop launched an Animation MFA program when UCLA TFT graduate Dan McLaughlin took over Shull’s post in 1971. Today, the UCLA Animation Workshop MFA is one of the oldest and most competitive programs of its kind in the U.S. Housed in the School of TFT, the three-year Animation Workshop accepts just 12 students each year.
Program features include immersive studies in CG technologies within the state-of-the-art Walter Lantz Digital Animation Studio; personalized instruction by renowned industry professionals; and access to other facilities and equipment such as stop motion and general-purpose labs, a sound booth, the Animation Library, animation camera cranes, and twelve animation desks (donated by Disney).
All BA students will also have the opportunity to develop individual projects across various animation styles and techniques. Each student will complete one traditional film; one computer film; one interactive animation project or game; and a thesis film.
Course and elective examples for the program include Seminar in Animated Film; Stop Motion Workshop; Advanced Animation/Character Animation; Digital Animation Workshop; Art & Process of Entertainment Design (Imagineering); Interactive Animation; Issues in Electronic Culture; Advanced Computer Animation (Maya); Visual Thinking and Organization for Animation; and Film Structure.
All Animation Workshop students (and FTVDM-BA students) also have access to curriculum-enhancing courses in areas such as screenwriting and film editing.
Graduates of the Animation Workshop at University of California Los Angeles are prepared to pursue leadership roles and others at major companies and studios across the U.S. and abroad. School of TFT alumni have been hired at places such as Nickelodeon, Pixar, Walt Disney Imagineering, and DreamWorks.
Founded on May 23, 1919 as the Southern Branch of the University of California, UCLA serves approximately 46,675 students from nearly 110 countries. The school provides more than 250 programs across 12 professional schools and UCLA College. University of California Los Angeles is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Once called the “MIT of Visual Effects,” Gnomon is a competitive digital arts college the provides degree and certificate programs. The school also provides more than 100 individual courses and a preparatory program known as Foundation in Art and Design (FIAD). Open to high school graduates, the FIAD is a full-year, non-vocational program that provides an alternative to a traditional community college path. Students will immerse in foundational art and design studies, along with introductory courses in animation, game production pipelines, and the 3D software used in the visual effects industry.
FIAD students may choose to focus on portfolio development; obtaining an entry-level position in animation, games, or visual effects; or transferring into a Gnomon degree or certificate program.
Degree and certificate options include the 12-term Digital Production BFA and the two-year Digital Production for Entertainment (DPE) certificate. The BFA requires 180 total units, including 135 in career-focused study and 45 in general education. Students may choose from three concentration options including Visual Effects Animation; Game Art; and 3D Generalist. Although the Visual Effects Animation concentration is a top choice for animators, all options provide intensive training in industry software such as Houdini, ZBrush, Unreal Engine, Nuke, Maya, After Effects, V-Ray, and Photoshop. All options also feature extensive animation coursework.
Across programs, students have access to courses and electives such as History and Principles of Animation; Character Animation 1-3; Liquid Simulations; Animation and Visual Effects 1-2; Art of Compositing; Previsualization and Animatics; HD Digital Filmmaking for VFX; Maya Modules; Dynamic Effects 1-4; Storyboarding; Advanced Compositing; Motion Capture; Houdini 1-4; and Virtual Production.
The culminating experience for the Digital Production BFA program at Gnomon is the creation of a professional demo reel. Students will complete the project across four courses (Demo Reel 1-4).
The Digital Production for Entertainment certificate is a 147-unit, full-time program with five areas of study. This includes Character and Creature Animation; Visual Effects Animation; Game Art; Modeling and Texturing; and 3D Generalist. All areas provide intensive training in Maya, Nuke, Unreal, ZBrush, Substance, V-Ray Houdini, and Unreal Engine.
Regardless of focus area, students will study the 3D production pipelines in film, visual effects, and games. Course examples across areas include Character Animation 1-2; Motion Capture; Dynamic Effects 1-4; Animation and Visual Effects 1-2; Storyboarding; Art of Compositing; Houdini 1-4; Previsualization and Animatics; Character Rigging Fundamentals; and Photoshop for Digital Production.
In the final two terms of the Gnomon DPE certificate program, students will complete the Career Realities course, the Portfolio and Resume Workshop course, and six Reel Lab courses. The lab courses culminate with a demo reel or the student’s best work.
Gnomon graduates are prepared to pursue careers across the entertainment industry. With a near 100% employment rate, Gnomon alumni can be found at places such as Marvel Entertainment, Walt Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Nickelodeon Animation, Weta FX, Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Electronic Arts (EA), Naughty Dog, Digital Domain, Riot Games, and Reel FX.
Established in 1997 by Alex Alvarez, Gnomon sits on a 45,000 square feet campus within the historic Television Center Studio lot in North Hollywood, California. The school serves more than 550 students enrolled in digital arts degree and certificate programs. The school also provides 110 individual courses for skills improvement or to enhance marketability. The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) accredits gnomon.
ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter) is a top employer of talent from major studios such as Warner Bros., Disney, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony, Universal, Netflix, Marvel, Fox Pictures, and LAIKA. ArtCenter is also known for being one of the nation’s most innovative design schools. In the 1980s, the school became the first design institution in the U.S. to install computer labs. This helped pave the way for the digital design revolution.
Today, this 162-acre, private nonprofit design school prioritizes project-based learning in real-world settings; social impact initiatives; transdisciplinary studio (TDS) workshops; and industry partnerships.
For aspiring animators, ArtCenter College of Design has an Animation track within its Entertainment Design BS program. In this track will create animated films, as well as animations for interactive experiences and games. Through TDS workshops, students will have opportunities to collaborate with Illustration, Concept Design, and Game Design students utilizing the latest industry tools and techniques.
The curriculum for the program features courses such as Introduction to Entertainment Design; Design History of Comic Animation; CG Mechanics; Art of Research; Shorts 1-1; Performance as Art; Previsualization; 2D Fundamentals; Science and Technology; 2D Mechanics; Concept Art; Writing Studio; Modeling; Entertainment Design Industry; and Professional Practices.
In the final year of the program, all ArtCenter Entertainment BS students will complete the Capstone Production 1-3 and Portfolio 1-2 courses. Final projects will be displayed at the Grad Show exhibition, held in the heart of Old Town Pasadena at the Pasadena Convention Center and the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The exhibition attracts industry professionals, recruiters, family, friends, and the public. ArtCenter College of Design alumni enjoy a 95% employment rate within one year after the Grad Show.
ArtCenter College of Design was founded in 1930. With campuses in Pasadena and Los Angeles, California, the school serves 2,385 students from more than 50 countries. ArtCenter students also have access to satellite studios in Petersen Automotive Museum (Miracle Mile, Los Angeles) and Berlin, Germany, as well as 11 undergraduate programs; 10 graduate degree programs leading to an MFA or MS; a joint MS/MBA program; and undergraduate minors for Business, Creative Writing, and Social Innovation students.
ArtCenter College of Design is fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). ArtCenter is also the first design school to receive the United Nations’ Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status.
Academy of Art University (AAU) is one of the nation’s largest private, accredited art and design schools. With more than 70 alumni art shows and gallery exhibitions each year, AAU also has one of the most active alumni associations of all art and design schools.
For animators, Academy of Art University houses the Houdini Certified School of Animation and Visual Effects (VFX). All programs take place in a studio production environment known as StudioX. Founded more than 15 years ago, the AAU School of Animation and 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 same tools and techniques used in the industry. Students also benefit from individual and collaborative projects and Feature Animation Training (FAT) classes.
Taught by industry professionals from companies such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and Pixar, FAT classes allow students to immerse in the mental processes of creating a character. Every Tuesday evening, students will also explore the emotional aspects of acting to enhance the characters they have created.
All degree-seeking FAT Tuesday students will complete an internship and create a professional portfolio of their best work. To date, StudioX students have been credited for their work on productions such as Beasts of the Southern Wild, I’m No Longer Here, Fruitvale Station, I Am A Man, Strawberry Mansion, and THEEB.
The School of Animation and VFX at Academy of Art provides six pathways to study animation including the AA, BFA, MA, MFA, and certificate.
The four-year certificate is an ideal option for students who would like to begin animating on day one. In addition to skipping liberal arts coursework, the 120-unit certificate allows students to complete an internship, study abroad experience, and senior portfolio in Animation and VFX. The certificate program is available on campus only.
The Animation and VFX AA at Academy of Art consists of core, major, and liberal arts courses totaling 60 units. Available on campus and online, the program explores 2D animation, stop motion, 3D animation, VFX, and 3D modeling. Course examples include Traditional Animation; Node-Based Compositing; Cinematics for Animation and VFX; Digital Drawing for Entertainment; Fundamentals of Texturing, Look Development, and Lighting; Basics of Storyboarding; Analysis of Form; Perspectives, Color Fundamentals; and Game Engines.
Graduates of this program will have the technical and production pipeline skills to compete for entry-level positions in the entertainment industry.
The Animation and VFX BFA at Academy of Art University is a 120-unit program with five emphasis areas. Options include 2D Animation and Stop Motion; 3D Animation; VFX; 2D Animation and Stop Motion; and Storyboarding. Students in this on campus or online program will take most of the same courses for the AA program. Other course examples include Introduction to Computer Graphics for Animation; Introduction to 3D Production A-B; Clothed Figure Drawing; and Careers in Animation and VFX.
The culminating experience for the BFA program is the creation of a professional portfolio of the student’s best work. Graduates are prepared to pursue intermediate to advanced roles in the entertainment industry.
The Animation and VFX MA at Academy of Art University is a 36-unit consisting of 33 units in the major and just three graduate liberal arts credits. Students in this online or on campus program will work in one of four emphasis areas including 2D Animation and Stop Motion; VFX; 3D Animation; or 3D Modeling. Students in all areas will also focus in storytelling.
Course examples include Traditional Animation 1-2; Cinematography for VFX; Advanced Character Animation; 3D Modeling and Animation (Maya); Organic Modeling 1-2; Real-Time Animation and Visual Effects; 3D Animation Studio; and Advanced Look Development and Lighting.
The Animation and VFX MA culminates with the production of a portfolio completed across two courses: Final Portfolio Preparation and Final Portfolio Preparation for Animators. In addition to developing a portfolio, students will gain communication, collaboration, networking, marketing, and workplace pipeline skills. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in the entertainment industry.
The Animation and VFX MFA program at Academy of Art University explores all areas of animation and visual effects from concept to post-production. Students will also develop collaboration, communication, and time management skills throughout the program. Students in the MFA program will take many of the same courses for the MA program. Other course examples include Chiaroscuro; Storyboarding for Cinematic Effect; Feature Animation; and Storyboarding or Film Genres.
The culminating experiences for the MFA include the Directed Study (18 units), Final Portfolio Preparation for Animators, and Final Thesis courses. The students demo reel/portfolio will be presented for review.
Graduates of the Animation and VFX MFA program at Academy of Art University are prepared to pursue leadership roles in the entertainment industry and many others. Some program alumni have also gone on to teach.
Across all Academy of Art programs, graduates have gone on to establish careers at major companies and studios such as Marvel, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Paramount, Wieden + Kennedy, Sony Pictures Animation, LAIKA, Riot Games, Walt Disney Animation, Google, DNEG, and Weta Digital.
Established in 1929, Academy of Art University is a family-owned art and design school that serves more than 6,500 students from 112 countries. Divided into 22 schools, AAU provides 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).
Otis College of Art and Design (Otis) is LA’s first professional school of the arts. The school also employs more than 430 professors who are all active professionals in the fields of art and design.
For students seeking careers in animation, Otis College of Art and Design has a competitive Animation BFA program and a two-year Animation certificate. The BFA is an interdisciplinary, STEM-designated program that provides technical and creative training. In addition to developing advanced skills in 2D and 3D computer animation, 3D production, and visual development, students will master industry software such as Unreal Engine, Toon Boom, Houdini, Maya, Nuke, Cinema 4D, Adobe Suite, and ZBrush.
Core courses for the program explore character design, rendering, mathematics, complex graphics, and modeling. Course examples for the program include Form and Figure; Contemporary Studio and Creative Action; Exploration Into Making: Thought Lab 2; Producing and Production Management; Animation Basics; Art History of Animation; Storytelling Fundamentals; Design and Drawing for Animation; Stop Motion Animation; Advanced Storyboarding; Motion Capture; and Storytelling: Cinematic/Miyazaki.
Each semester, students will apply what they’ve learned to their own studio projects. Key projects include Animation Explorations; Animation Studio Project I and II; and Animation Senior Project I and II. BFA students may also complete a professional internship.
The Animation certificate program is provided through the Otis College of Art and Design Extension Center. Consisting of 16 required courses and two elective courses, the certificate program focuses on animated graphics, character creation, story development, visual effects, and creating environments. Course examples include 2D and 3D Animation I-II; Digital Storytelling; Character Design; Storyboarding for Film and Animation; Color Theory and Design; Digital Tools: Media; and Life Drawing.
Elective examples for the program include Motion Graphics I-II; Video Editing: Adobe Premiere; Cinema 4D; Digital Imagine II: Photoshop; and 3D Digital Modeling I-II.
The Animation certificate program culminates with the Final Portfolio: Digital Media Arts course. Upon completion of this course, students will have a professional-quality portfolio of their best work.
Graduates of the Animation Programs at Otis College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue roles across industries such as entertainment, game design, and advertising. Otis alumni can be found at major companies and studios such as Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon, Reel FX, Nike, Apple, Netflix, and Mattel.
Established in 1918, Otis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit college that serves more than 1,200 students enrolled in eight BFA and two MFA degree programs. Areas of study include Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Public Practice, and Writing. The school also provides more than 150 extension courses, minors, and certificate programs.
Otis College of Art and Design is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). OTIS is also a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) and the Partnership for Academic Leadership on Sustainability (PALS).
The Animation Department at California College of the Arts (CCA) houses the school’s largest program—the Animation BFA. This STEM-designated program is immersive, interdisciplinary, and project-based, with a strong focus on storytelling. The program also takes place in a hands-on, collaborative learning environment consisting of six state-of-the art studios, shops, and labs; a sound booth; and stop motion suites.
The programs Digital Animation Lab houses 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 the Multi-Purpose Suite and Open VR Space.
All CCA studios, shops, and labs are furnished with the latest industry equipment and software. Examples include Dragonframe, Adobe Creative Cloud, TVPaint Animation, and Toon Boom's Harmony and Storyboard Pro; down-shooter cameras for stop-motion animation; drawing light tables; Autodesk software, including Maya and Mudbox; Wacom Cintiq displays for digital drawing; and 27-inch iMac workstations.
In addition to storytelling, the Animation BFA program at California College of the Arts focuses on 2D and 3D animation, stop-motion animation, animation for games, and sound effects. Because the program is interdisciplinary, animation students will develop skills in other creative areas such as acting, fine art, photography, and illustration.
The CCA Animation BFA also requires 48 units of Humanities and Sciences coursework. Course examples for this requirement include Foundation in Critical Studies; History of Animation; Literary and Performing Arts Studies; Introduction to the Modern Arts; and Writing 1 and 2.
Students benefit from courses and workshops led by working professionals in the entertainment industry. CCA faculty are active at major studios such as Pixar, DreamWorks, and Tippett. Course and workshop examples include Animation 1 and 2; Experimental World Building; Stop-Motion Animation; Advanced Visual Storytelling; Sound for Animation; Color and Design Visual Development; Sculpture for Animation; Digital Painting; Acting for Animation; Fabrication for Stop-Motion; Drawing for Animation; Character Design; and 3D Computer Animation 1 and 2.
During the third year of study, Animation BFA 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. This culminating experience results in a portfolio of the student’s best work.
CCA Animation alumni are prepared to pursue roles in the film industry, game design and development, advertising, and more. Graduates are routinely hired at major studios such as Cartoon Network, Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), Walt Disney Animation Studios, Sony Pictures Animation, Nickelodeon, Phosphor Games, and Bento Box Entertainment. Some program alumni have also gone on to launch their own independent studios and freelance businesses.
California College of the Arts was established in 1907 as the School of the California Guild of Arts and Crafts. On the first day of classes, the school welcomed three teachers and 43 students. Today, CCA enrolls 1,390 students served by 71 full-time and 367 part-time faculty. The school also provides more than 40 undergraduate, graduate, minor, and dual degree options across several departments and divisions.
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).
San Jose State University (SJSU) has an Animation and Illustration program with three degree options: the BFA in Animation and Illustration (ANI BFA); the Design Studies BA, specializing in Animation and Illustration; and the Master of Design (MDes) with a specialization in Animation. All programs are housed in the College of Humanities and the Arts’ Department of Design.
Across all programs, students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities and studios; immersive courses taught by industry professionals; internships; and study abroad experiences in more than 170 locations. Students also benefit from interactions with guest speakers from major studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Disney, Sony Pictures Animation, DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Animation.
The SJSU ANI BFA is a professional degree that explores traditional and 3D animation, storyboarding, visual development, character design, modeling, and physics of motion. Students in this program may specialize in Animation or Visual Development. Specializations are 21 units, including 12 units of approved electives. Course examples across specializations include Digital Animation I-II; Visual Development I-II; Animation Production – Storyboarding; and Digital Modeling I-II.
Students in both specializations will take courses such as Drawing for Animation/Illustration; Visual Storytelling; 2D Animation I-II; Illustration Fundamentals I-III; Color Principles for Screen Arts; and All ANI BFA students must also pass a milestone portfolio review and complete the six-unit capstone Senior Seminar Animation/Illustration.
The SJSU Design Studies BA is a liberal arts degree that requires a specialization. If a student was admitted to the ANI BFA program, but did not pass the portfolio review, they may enroll in the Design BA with a specialization in Animation and Illustration. Even without the specialization, the Design BA provides plenty of opportunities to study animation. Course examples for the program include 2D Animation; Digital Apps: Motion & Interaction Design; Fundamentals of Graphic Visualization; Design Process; Illustration Fundamentals; Visualization I-II; and Sketching, Drawing + Modeling.
The MDes program at San Jose State University is considered the terminal degree in Design and Animation. With a specialization in Animation, the program focuses on current, emerging, and experimental professional practices. The MDes also emphasizes technical courses such as CG Animation; Building Interactivity in Animation and Games; and Lighting and Rendering. Students in this program also benefit from SJSU’s partnership with industry professionals who provide mentoring while students work on perfecting their portfolios and final projects.
In addition to the Department of Design, the College of Humanities and the Arts is home to the Department of Art and Art History. Founded in 1911, the department is one of the oldest contemporary art schools on the west coast. Within the department is a Digital Media Art (DMA) MFA provided in partnership with CADRE (Computer in Art, Design, Research, and Education).
Established in 1985, CADRE is the second oldest education art media lab in the U.S. MIT’s Media Lab is the oldest. CADRE houses the Physical Computing Lab (Art 237) and the Game Development Lab (Art 241) on the San Jose State University campus.
The multidisciplinary DMA MFA allows students to customize their own focus area through 24 units of required electives. This means students can specialize in everything from animation to web development. Other DMA MFA program benefits include exclusive 24/7 access to lab facilities; collaborative art and technology projects; and internship opportunities at major studios in Silicon Valley. Consisting of 60 units of study, the DMA program culminates with the MFA Project, worth three units.
Graduates of the Animation and Illustration, Design Studies, and DMA programs at San Jose State University are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as film an animation, television production, game design and development, advertising, and education.
SJSU alumni have been hired at hundreds of studios, networks, companies, and universities. Just a few examples include Cartoon Network, Lucasfilm Animation, Cisco, Disney Interactive, Nickelodeon, Electronic Arts (EA), Google, the Cogswell Institute, Sony Pictures, UC San Diego, Pixar, Microsoft, Blizzard Entertainment, NBCUniversal Studios, Intel, 20th Century Fox, Zynga, National University of Singapore, and Animation Mentor.
San Jose State University was established in 1857. Known as Silicon Valley’s Public University, the school employs 4,300 faculty and staff that serve more than 36,000 students across nine colleges and dozens of departments and schools. Programs include bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in 250 areas of study. San Jose State University is accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
The College of the Arts at California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton or CSUF) hosts exhibitions, workshops, masterclasses, visiting artists; lectures, and hundreds of concerts and performances each year. The college also houses the Department of Visual Arts, which is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
In addition to everything the College of the Arts has to offer, the department features experiential learning opportunities such as internships and external projects; access to the Visual Arts Complex, which houses state-of-the-art animation, painting, drawing, and illustration studios; and partnerships with major studios such as Nickelodeon and Walt Disney. Visual Arts students also have access to eight studio concentrations. This includes Entertainment Art/Animation.
Leading to BFA in Art, this program requires 132 units of study, including 36 in the concentration. Through immersive courses, projects, and other skill-building activities, BFA students will master areas such as storytelling, drawing, and production.
Course examples for the program include Writing in the Visual Arts; Principles of Animation; Special Studies: Storyboarding for Animation; Animal and Wildlife Drawing; Intermediate Character Animation; 3D Animation; Design for Interactive Art; 3D Team Production; Video Art and Moving Image; Special Studies in Entertainment Art/Animation; Elements of Sequential Art; Digital Narrative Illustration; Cartooning and Caricature; Animation Production; and Animation Preproduction.
Studio Art electives allow students to explore other areas such as kinetic sculpture, creative digital photography, printmaking etching, artists’ books, and watercolor.
In addition to a wide selection of course options, the Cal State Fullerton Art BFA program includes independent research, collaborative projects, and internship opportunities at major studios. The culminating experience for the program is the BFA Capstone: Game Art, Animation, and Immersive Media.
Totaling three credits, the experience focuses on career path development and portfolio-building works in animation, game art, virtual production, and immersive media (VR/AR/XR).
Graduates of the Art BFA with an Entertainment Art/Animation concentration are prepared to pursue careers across the animation, film, games, and immersive media industries, among others. Program alumni have been hired at studios such as Disney Feature Animation, Lucasfilm, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Games, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Sony Pictures Imageworks. Just a few alumni credits include Spiderman 3, Ice Age 2, SpongeBob Squarepants, Avatar, The Simpsons, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and Superman Returns.
Founded in 1957, California State University, Fullerton is part of the 23 campus California State University (CSU) system. Serving approximately 43,000 students, CSUF provides 110 degree programs across eight academic colleges. California State University, Fullerton is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB or Cal State Long Beach) has a long list of notable alumni. One of the most accomplished is Steven Spielberg. This renowned filmmaker attended CSULB for three years, paused his studies to pursue filmmaking, then returned under a pseudonym 30+ years later to complete his film degree in the College of the Arts (COTA).
More than 3,000 students and over 250 faculty members call COTA home, making it one of largest and most popular colleges at CSULB. With six separate departments including Art; Film and Electronic Arts; Design; Theater Arts; Dance; and the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music; COTA houses state-of-the-art production facilities, studios, and work spaces; five separate, customizable student art galleries; the 1100-seat Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center; and University Art Museum.
The College of the Arts also houses dozens of programs leading to a BA, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, Bachelor of Music (BM), Master of Music (MM), and an MFA/MBA. Animators seeking an undergraduate degree typically enroll in the Art BFA program, which has Animation and Pre-production tracks. For students seeking an advanced degree, the COTA Art Department provides an Art MFA with a Studio Art concentration/Animation track.
COTA also has a multidisciplinary Art BA program for students looking for a flexible program that explores a wide range of creative disciplines. With an option in Studio Art, the program requires courses in 2D and 3D Media, and art history. Students have access to courses such as Intro Studio: Animation; Foundation Computer Art; Foundation Life Drawing; Intro Studio: Illustration – Rendering; Foundation Transdisciplinary Practice; and Safety and Sustainable Practices for Studio Artists.
BA students will also take upper division courses from COTA’s Animation, Illustration, Drawing and Painting, and Photography areas, among others. The program culminates with the Art or Art History Capstone course.
The Art BFA/Animation program at CSULB emphasizes storytelling, foundation principles, and experimentation. Students in this 120 credit-hour program will take 82 credit hours of core, major, major support, and track courses. Core course examples include Animation - Practices; Animation - Design 1; Animation - Story Art; Advanced Studio: Animation Filmmaking; Advanced Studio Design 2; and Advanced Studio: Animation 3D CG 1.
Examples of animation track courses include Experimental Animation 1-2; Storyboarding for Film and Television; Special Studies in Animation; Advanced Animation Practices; Advanced Studio: Animation 3D CG 2; and Professional Practices in Illustration/Animation. This course helps students develop their brands, self-promotion, and entrepreneurial skills. Topics include: portfolio and resume development; project management; interviewing and networking; pricing and negotiating; pitching ideas to networks; ethical guidelines; and submitting to film festivals, competitions, and conventions.
The Art BFA/Animation program at Cal State Long Beach culminates with the Animation Senior Film, completed across two courses.
The COTA Art MFA with a Studio Art concentration/Animation track is a 60 credit-hour terminal degree program that requires 21 credit hours in the MFA core, and 39 in the track. Course examples include Graduate Studies: Animation; Graduate Studies: Directed Studio; Graduate Studies: Image as Text; and Graduate Studies: Professional Practices for Visual Communication.
The culminating experience for the COTA Art MFA is the Graduate Studies: MFA Project. This includes the execution and completion of a studio project with members of the student’s Project Committee.
Graduates of the COTA Art BFA and MFA programs at California State University, Long Beach are prepared to pursue careers in the entertainment industry, as well as game design, television, advertising, and publishing among other fields.
CSULB has partnerships with recruiters in animation, games, and media arts. Examples include Walt Disney Animation Studios, Cartoon Network, Pixar, Sony Pictures Animation, Activision Blizzard, Shadow Machine Studio, and KCET Studios. Graduates are routinely hired at these and other places such as MGA Entertainment, Fox, and OPR Communications.
California State University, Long Beach was established in 1949 as Los Angeles-Orange County State College. One of the 23 campuses of the California State University System, CSULB serves approximately 39,965 students enrolled in more than 300 programs across eight colleges. California State University, Long Beach is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The University is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) provides the unique opportunity to work directly with some of the top animation studios in the world. The school has industry partnerships with studios such as Pixar, Disney, South Park Studios, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Cartoon Network, Sony, Warner Bros., Mattel, The Jim Henson Company, Fox, LAIKA, Obsidian Entertainment, and Titmouse.
Other LCAD highlights include access to state-of-the-art production studios; opportunities to participate in the annual LCAD Animation Film Festival (LAFF)—a theatrical exhibition that highlights the best student animated films; interactions with visiting artists; courses taught by industry professionals; and study abroad experiences in places such as Paris.
Laguna College of Art and Design also provides an Animation BFA—the school’s largest academic program. Options within the BFA include the broad Animation program or the focused Experimental Animation program. Programs have a common first-year core in traditional full-animation practices. An Animation minor is also available.
While the five-course minor can be added to any LCAD program, it’s an ideal option for students in the Game Art, Entertainment Design, and Illustration majors. The Animation minor explores principles of both traditional and computer-generated (CG) animation. Courses for the program include Animation 1 and 2; Character Design for Animators 1; Storyboarding 1; and CG Animation 1. History of Animation is strongly recommended for this program, but it is not a requirement.
The LCAD Animation BFA provides instruction and hands-on training in filmmaking (editing, directing, screenwriting, sound design); creating animated characters; working in teams; and pitching stories.The curriculum combines liberal arts and studio courses.
Animation course examples include Storyboarding; Animation 1-2; Background Painting; CG Animation; Visual Development; Character Design for Animators; Layout; Digital Animation Skills; Fundamentals of Maya; Directing for Animators; Dynamic Sketching; Fundamentals of Story; and Animal Drawing. The program culminates with the Senior Capstone and Thesis Defense.
The Experimental Animation BFA program at Laguna College of Art and Design limits class sizes to just 18 students. Hands-on projects and collaboration are emphasized, as well as specializations in Show Design, Storyboarding, and Internet Series Projects.
Course examples for the program include Storyboarding for Limited Animation; Art Direction for TV and New Media; 2D Paperless Animation; Original Series Development; History of Animation; 3D Modeling and Sculpting; Acting for Animators; Story Structure Visuals; Compositing for Animators; Fabrication; and Directing for Limited and Experimental Animation. This 122 credit-hour program culminates with the Senior Capstone and Thesis Defense.
Graduates of the Animation BFA programs at LCAD are prepared to pursue careers in the animation, film, television, and games industries, among others. Program alumni are routinely hired by all LCAD industry partners.
Laguna College of Art and Design opened in 1961 as Laguna Beach School of Art (LBSA). This private art school serves approximately 770 students enrolled in 15 degree programs and nine minors. LCAD has a main campus in Laguna Beach, with educational affiliates around the world including Florence Academy of Arts (Italy), Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, and Breda University of Applied Sciences (NHTV) in the Netherlands.
Laguna College of Art and Design is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) focuses on providing real-world experience in a faith-based academic environment. With views of the Pacific Ocean and the Hollywood sign, LMU is also a leader in creative fields such as film and television.
The School of Film and Television (SFTV) at Loyola Marymount University is home to the first program to build a motion-capture lab with courses in virtual cinematography and pre-visualization. Known as the Walter and Grace Lantz Undergraduate Animation Program, this pioneering course of study leads to a BA or a minor.
With small class sizes that provide high student-faculty interaction, both options provide access to state-of-the-art facilities such as a 4,000 square feet premiere studio designed by Gensler; nearly a dozen smart classrooms; a 28-seat FTV screening room; a render farm with 30 nodes of rendering animation frames; and the Student Production Office (SPO), which assists students with completing individual projects.
SFTV Animation BA students also have opportunities to complete an internship with one of more than 400 partner companies including Disney, Nickelodeon, HBO, DreamWorks, and Netflix, to name a few. Internships are also available to BA students through LMU’s study abroad program. With more than 100 locations, experiences are also immersive, and either faculty-led, service-learning based, or research-based. Location examples include Paris, Beijing, London, Amsterdam, Kyoto, Budapest, and Seoul.
Students in both programs will explore television, film, game design, and other media forms while gaining hands-on experience in storytelling, 3D filmmaking, stop-motion, visual effects (VFX), and motion-capture. Animation minor students will complete 18 credit hours including Discovering Animation; Visual Story Development; and Introduction to 3D Computer Animation, Introduction to Interactive Animation, or History of Animation. The remaining courses will come from 300 and 400 level animation electives selected under the direction of the Chairperson.
Students in the LMU SFTV Animation BA program will complete 120-130 credit hours of study across eight semesters (four years). The required 24+ credit hours of electives allow students to select a focus area. Students can also add the minor in Interactive, Gaming, and Immersive Media (IGI).
Course examples for the Animation BA program include Discovering Animation; Digital Toolbox; Introduction to 3D Computer Animation; History of Animation; Intermediate Animation Workshop; Visual Story Development; Figure Drawing Workshop; Art of Screen Media; Rhetorical Arts; and Animation Practicum.
The IGI minor is a collaboration between the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, and SFTV. Courses for the program focus on interactive and immersive gaming; programming, design, and analysis; world building; and writing. Led by the Animation Chair, the program requires 21-22 credit hours selected from the Seaver College and the SFTV. Course examples include Introduction to Interactive Animation; Computer Programming and Lab; Game Design; Advanced Interactive Animation; Video Game Writing; Game Development; VR Studio; and Analysis of Video Games.
Also housed in the Seaver College is the Computer Science BS (CS BS) with a Games and Interactive Computer Science (GICS) track. The curriculum for this program can be supplemented with several animation courses and one physics course.
The LMU Animation BA culminates with the Senior Thesis Project/Production course worth three credit hours. Students in the IGI minor and the Computer Science BS with a Games and Interactive Computer Science track will also have the option to complete a final project.
Graduates of Animation and CS/GICS programs at Loyola Marymount University are prepared to pursue positions in fields such as animation, film, and television; forensic animation; game design and development; animation for science and medicine; advertising and marketing; 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% go on to enroll in a graduate studies program.
Animation program alumni have created successful animated series such as Johnny Bravo (1997- 2004, Cartoon Network) and they have worked on other major productions and series such as Superman: Doomsday; The Simpsons; Green Lantern: First Flight; Wonder Woman; and The Simpsons Movie.
LMU SFTV alumni have also been hired at major companies, networks, and studios such as Sony Pictures Animation, Nickelodeon, Viacom, Paramount, Sony Playstation, Walt Disney Animation, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros., Amazon Studios, Disney/ABC, Random House Studios, DreamWorks, NBCUniversal, BET Networks, HBO, 21st Century Fox (founded by Rupert Murdoch), E! Entertainment, and Netflix.
Established in 1911, Loyola Marymount University is a private Catholic University and National University/High Research Activity (R2) institution. Serving approximately 9,150 students across two campuses in Los Angeles and one in Playa Vista, California, LMU is also the largest Catholic university on the West Coast. The school provides nearly 180 programs across seven colleges and schools. Loyola Marymount University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) sits on a 70-acre hilltop campus near the city’s downtown area, providing easy access to LA’s cultural center. The school also houses the College of Arts and Letters, which houses ten well-defined departments focusing on everything from art, film, and music to languages and philosophy.
Among the college’s departments is the Department of Art. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the department provides BA, MA, and MFA programs, as well as a certificate in Fashion, Fiber and Materials, and a minor in Art. For animators, the Art Department has a BA in Art with an Animation Option; an Art MA; and Art MFA.
The Art BA with an Animation Option explores traditional, experimental, and contemporary animation. Consisting of 120 units of study (with 57 in the option), the program emphasizes collaboration and hands-on learning in digital classrooms, labs, and other facilities. Students in the program have access to a state-of-the-art stop-motion animation lab; a Tool Crib; and the Design Library.
Students in the Animation Option will take core requirements such as Visual and Critical Studies in Contemporary Art and Design; Survey and Studio: Introduction to Drawing; Art and Design in the Community; and Digital Art Fundamentals. Animation Option requirements include Story and Visualization; Advanced Animation; Art and Motion; Experimental Animation; Digital Modeling; Two-Dimensional Animation; Introduction to Life Composition; Three-Dimensional Animation; and World Animation History.
Students will also complete a capstone project across two courses including Capstone I: Preparation and Capstone II: Production. Students will have the opportunity to exhibit their capstone projects (and others) in the student-run COMA Gallery and/or Cal State LA’s Ronald H. Silverman Fine Arts Gallery.
The Art MA at Cal State LA is a 30-unit program that emphasizes direct mentorship, interdisciplinary coursework, and experiential learning. Students in this program may pursue individualized and advanced studies in Animation. Course examples for the program include Perspectives on Visual Art, Aesthetics, and Culture; Professional Practices in the Arts; Art History Seminar: Art of Changing Ears; Research Methodologies in Art; and Art History Seminar: Studies in Modern and Contemporary Art.
The culminating experience for the MA program is the research project or creative project. Research projects are documented with a written thesis. Creative projects are documented with a project report. All projects will be presented at a series of graduate screenings led by the students Project Committee.
The Art MFA at California State University, Los Angeles is a 60-unit program with two options: Design (Animation, Graphic Design/Visual Communication) or Studio Arts (Drawing, Painting, Photography, Ceramics, Sculpture, New Genres). Design is an ideal option for professional animators seeking an advanced degree. Electives allow all students to take additional courses in animation.
Examples include Experimental Animation; Problems in Advanced Design; Two-Dimensional Animation; Advanced Illustration; Graduate Interactive Design; and Advanced Animation. MFA students will also take core courses such as Seminar: Visual Arts; Perspectives on Visual Art, Aesthetics, and Culture; and Art History Seminar: Studies in Classical and European Art; and MFA Professional Field Work in Art.
All MFA students will complete and exhibit an advanced visual arts MFA project in Design or Studio Arts.
Graduates of the Art programs at Cal State LA are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as animated filmmaking, game art, visual effects (VFX), television production, game design, graphic arts, advertising, film editing, visualization, and special effects. Program alumni have been hired at places such as DreamWorks, Boeing, Disney, NASA, Lionsgate Entertainment, Yahoo!, and KTLA.
Established in 1947, California State University, Los Angeles serves approximately more than 22,740 students enrolled in more than 150 degree, certificate, and minor programs. Part of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system, Cal State LA houses nine colleges and the University Library. California State University, Los Angeles is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Chapman University (Chapman) is home to one of the world’s top 10 film schools. Serving around 16% of all students enrolled, Chapman’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts (Dodge College) attracts award-winning actors, directors, and producers such as Jon Batiste, Natasha Lyonne, Brit Marling, Alexander Payne, Billy Ray, Lauren Faust, John Musker, and Brenda Chapman. Together, these industry professionals provide master classes, one-on-one mentoring, workshops, and more.
Dodge also regularly welcomes guest speakers such as Michelle Yeoh, Oliver Stone, Barry Jenkins, Judd Apatow, Brendan Fraser, and Alejandro G. Inarritu.
One of the first major film schools to implement a hyper-realistic LED screen, Dodge plans to open a state-of-the-art virtual studio (Innovation Hub), which will link students with future advancements in the entertainment world. Other Dodge facilities include the collaborative space known as the Digital Media Arts Center (DMAC); Chapman Studios West; and Marion Knott Studios.
Inspired by the creative spaces at major studios such as Disney, Pixar, Microsoft, and Google, the DMAC is an 18,000 square-feet space that features a 2D Animation Lab; a traditional skylit art studio with 25 workstations; a 100-seat screening room; a 1,500 square-feet directing stage; two digital arts labs with the latest Maya software for 3D design and animation; a full 65-blade render farm powered by Quanta and Intel Xeon computers; and 10 private digital arts editing suites.
Chapman Studios West is a 38,000 square-feet building that supports Dodge College’s documentary filmmaking program. Additional spaces include a 50-seat 900 square-feet screening room; a 6,000 square-feet scene shop; and a 7,000 square-feet prop and set warehouse with over 18,000 pieces.
Designed to function as a real-world working production studio, Marion Knott Studios is a 76,000 square-feet space that houses state-of-the-art facilities such as 36 individual editing suites; a production design studio; cinematography and directing stages; computer labs; hair and makeup rooms; a media library; audition rooms; a set design shop; mixing studios; a production management office; and a 500-seat theater. Across facilities, students have unlimited access to industry software and tools such Houdini, Toon Boom, ZBrush, Nuke, Adobe, Unreal Engine, Maya, Blender, and Rokoko.
In addition to extensive production facilities and resources, Chapman’s Dodge College provides immersive programs that combine filmmaking, filmmaking history, animation, writing, screenwriting, advertising, PR, and producing. A popular option for animators is the Animation and Visual Effects (AVE).
Leading to a BFA, the AVE program allows students to focus in CG Animation, 2D Animation, or Visual Effects. Note that course requirements and electives may overlap. Course examples for the CG Area include 3D Computer Graphics I-II; Storytelling in Animation and Visual Effects; Advanced Pre-Visualization for Motion Pictures; Pinocchio and Co: The Puppet Across Media; Advanced Character Animation for CG; History and Aesthetics of Animation and Visual Effects; Storyboarding and Story Reels; Character Design; Animation and Visual Effects: Evenings with the Experts; Short-Form Film and TV Analysis; Production Design for Animation and Visual Effects; Cinematography; and Audio Techniques.
2D students will take courses such as Advanced Storyboards and Character Layout; Figure Drawing for Animators; Production Design for Animation and Visual Effects; Writing for Animation; 2D Computer Graphics I-II; Mechanics of Motion; Writing for Film and TV; Animation and Visual Effects: Evenings with the Experts; Audio Design; Color and Design: Principles and Practice; and Character Design.
In the Visual Effects area, students will take courses such as Advanced Visual Effects Production and Workflow; Compositing for Visual Effects; Advanced Pre-visualization for Motion Pictures; Virtual Production Workshop for Animation and Visual Effects; Unreal Engine for Filmmakers; Advanced 3D Computer Graphics for Visual Effects; and On-Set and Post-Production Visual Effects Supervision.
All Dodge College AVE students will complete Senior Thesis I: Concept Development; Senior Thesis II: Pre-Production and Production I; and Senior Thesis III: Production II and Post-Production.
During the final years of the AVE program at Chapman University, all students may complete an internship with Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, or Blizzard Entertainment, among others. All Dodge College students also have the opportunity to study abroad at Gobelins Paris, and in places such as Mozambique, Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, Peru, or Italy.
Across programs, AVE students may participate in student clubs such as the Chapman Animation and Visual Effects Club; the Virtual Reality/AR Club; or The Collective.
Graduates of the AVE BFA program at Chapman University are prepared to pursue careers across the animation/film, television, and game industries, among others. Program alumni can be found at places such as Nickelodeon, Sony Pictures, Marvel, DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, DNEG, PlayStation, Netflix, Bento Box, Lightstorm Entertainment, The Third Floor, and Frame48.
Chapman University was founded in 1861 as Hesperian College. Originally located in Woodland, California, the school is an R2 research institution with a focus on entertainment, business, and technology. Approximately 10,000 Chapman students have access to more than 200 programs of study across 11 colleges and schools. Chapman University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
California State University Northridge (CSUN) is home to the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication (MCCAMC or Mike Curb College). Within the college are the Departments of Art and Design; Journalism; Cinema and Television Arts; Music; Communication Studies; and Theatre. Each department provides creative programs leading to the BA, MA, and MFA.
Across programs, students benefit from the California State University Entertainment Alliance (CSUEA), which has career development partnerships, collaborations, and educational connections with major studios such as DreamWorks Animation, Disney, Digital Hollywood, Univision, the Television Academy Foundation, Universal Music Group, GRAMMY U, and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
Other MCCAMC benefits include small class sizes; access to state-of-the-art production facilities, labs, and studios; a partnership with Seoul Institute of the Arts; interactions with industry professionals through workshops, lectures, and demonstrations; participation in studio tours; and internship opportunities.
The Department of Art and Design has additional benefits for students. Examples include the DreamCrits program, where students receive valuable feedback from the professionals at DreamWorks Animation; animation classrooms outfitted with the latest industry technology and tools; participation student clubs and organizations such as the Animation Student League of California and CSUN Anime Club; and the opportunity to work at the on-campus, student-run creative agency VISCOM (Center for Visual Communication).
The Department of Art and Design also has an Art BA program that allows students to select from three tracks including 2D Design, 3D Animation, and Game Design. All tracks provide access to the Entertainment Industry Institute (EII), which supports campus programs related to the entertainment industry, and the student-run center for creative collaboration known as IntersectLA (IXLA).
Course examples across tracks include Core Art Studio; Beginning Two-Dimensional Design; Drawing I; Animation I-III; History of Animation; 3D Computer Animation I-II; Beginning Three-Dimensional Design; Animation and Immersive Technology; Game Animation and Design; Animation Drawing; History of Contemporary Art; and Advanced Study in Studio Art. Game Design students can also take optional character animation, compositing, and animation production courses.
The culminating experience for the Art BA tracks include the animation project or the game animation project. Animation projects focus on the development of an advanced level original animated film or other animated piece. The game project focuses on using animation techniques to create a video game prototype. Both projects require six hours of lab work.
Graduates of the Art BA program at California State University Northridge are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as animated films, game design and development, visual effects, traditional filmmaking, and advertising. CSUN alumni have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Company, Universal, Paramount, Warner Bros., Netflix, Google, Apple, NBC, Amazon, and Fox Sports.
Serving approximately 38,310 students, California State University Northridge is one of the largest universities within the 23 campus California State University system. Founded on July 8, 1958, the school houses nine colleges that provide bachelor’s degrees in more than 130 disciplines, 80+ master’s degree options, and doctorates in Physical Therapy and Educational Leadership. With more than 2,000 faculty members, California State University Northridge is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
New York Film Academy Los Angeles (NYFA Los Angeles) is located in the historic media district of Burbank surrounded by studios such as Nickelodeon, Walt Disney, and Warner Bros. Consisting of two main buildings, the school provides access to state-of-the-art equipment, studios, and labs; ready-to-use film and television sets; and numerous theaters.
The Riverside Building at NYFA is located adjacent to Gate Five at Universal Studios. The heart of NYFA Los Angeles, the building houses most of the school's facilities as well as the Departments of 3D Animation and Visual Effects; Filmmaking; Producing; Game Design; Screenwriting, Cinematography; Documentary; and Photography. The Riverside Building also hosts exclusive on-campus events such as guest lectures with industry experts.
For animators, NYFA Los Angeles houses two degree options: the BFA and MFA in 3D Animation and VFX. For students seeking a shorter program, the school has a One-Year 3D Animation and VFX certificate. This three-semester, conservatory-based program can be applied to the BFA or MFA with advanced standing.
Under the guidance of faculty from Disney, DreamWorks, Universal, and Netflix, all NYFA Los Angeles students will work and learn in hands-on production workshops on the Universal Studios backlot in the Burbank. Across programs students will master software such as ZBrush, Nuke, Maya, Adobe Photoshop, Houdini, Motion Builder, Adobe After Effects, and V-Ray.
The 3D Animation and VFX BFA emphasizes visual storytelling the twelve basic principles of animation, and production pipelines. Students will explore traditional drawing and sculpting; character and environment modeling; character design; lighting and rendering; compositing; texture painting; MEL and Python scripting; look development; matte painting; and computer graphics.
The 3D Animation and VFX MFA program focuses on visual storytelling and creative leadership. Hands-on projects are exclusive to the MFA and may include Motion Capture and Motion Data; Previs demo reels; and Technical Direction. Courses and learning activities help students hone their skills in advanced stereoscopic 3D, animation, digital element creation, motion capture, interactive games, post-production/image manipulation, and organization of data acquisition and capture.
The One-Year intensive 3D Animation and VFX program explores fundamental skills in 3D animation and visual effects. Students in this program will learn the basics of template preparation for animated films or sequences; visual effects and modeling techniques; character animation; rendering; editing; drawing and anatomy; 3D modeling and sculpture; storyboarding; screenwriting; and texturing.
Specific course examples across programs include Animation Practices and Pipelines; Advanced Rigging; Character Animation; Particle Dynamics and Visual Effects in Maya; Stop Motion; Acquisition and Shooting; Previs, Interactive Games and Virtual Reality; Character Design; Animation; Maya Polygonal Modeling; Visual Effects; Python; Screenwriting; Acting for Animation; UP Mapping; and Professional Development in Animation.
Animation and VFX BFA students at NYFA Los Angeles will complete the 3D Animation Thesis Project as the culminating experience for the program. Graduates are prepared to pursue just about any role in the entertainment industry.
MFA students will complete a demo reel as the culminating experience for the program. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced or leadership roles in 3D animation, game design and development, VFX, feature films, new and emerging media, television production, research and development, computer imaging, interactive design, and education.
The culminating experience for the One-Year 3D Animation and VFX certificate is a final project in the student's area of interest such as animation, VFX, modeling or a combination of all areas. Graduates of this program are prepared to pursue further study or an entry-level position in the games or entertainment industries.
Graduates of the 3D Animation and VFX programs at NYFA Los Angeles have landed positions at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), Playstation, Ubisoft, Hi-Rez Studios, Digital Domain, Tyler Perry Studios, NBCUniversal, Riot Games, Gearbox Software, and Bad Robot Productions.
Founded in 1992, New York Film Academy serves thousands of students from more than 120 countries. With degree-granting campuses in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami, NYFA provides dozens of visual and performing arts programs that prepare students for immediate employment in the entertainment industry. Additional campuses and programs are located at Harvard University, and in China, France, Australia, and Russia. New York Film Academy is accredited WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
The School of Media: Culture: Design at Woodbury University (Woodbury) houses a STEM-designated Animation and VFX program. Leading to a BFA, the program explores 2D animation, stop-motion, 3D animation, and VFX. Other program highlights include courses taught by industry professionals; opportunities to develop skills in additional areas through electives such as Digital Painting, Puppet Building, and Digital Sculpting; one-on-one projects with instructors; access to state-of-the art computer labs, studios, and equipment; and a required internship.
Woodbury is located near more than 15 animation and visual effects studios, so students have numerous opportunities to fulfill the internship requirement. Examples include DreamWorks, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros., Walt Disney Imagineering, Titmouse, Hasbro Studios, Netflix Animation, Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, and Skydance Animation.
The Animation and VFX program at Woodbury University requires 120 credit hours of coursework. Course examples include Animation Principles 1-2; Stop Motion Animation; Gesture Drawing; 3D Animation 1-2; Storyboarding; Production Design; Acting in Animation; Digital Media; Figure Drawing Workshop; Design and Composition; History of Animation and VFX; Media Ethics; and Industry Insiders.
In the third year of the Animation and VFX program at Woodbury University students will complete a 20- to 30-second long junior thesis film. The course includes a review of the 2D/3D/stop-motion production pipelines and soundtrack synchronization. The program culminates with Animation Thesis 1-3 courses, completed over three semesters. Final film projects will be viewed at the end of year Animation and VFX Showcase in Woodbury’s campus theater.
Graduates of the Animation and VFX BFA program at Woodbury University are prepared to pursue positions in the entertainment industry, game design and development, advertising, and more. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Animation, DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, Netflix Animation, 20th Century Studios (formerly 20th Century Fox), and ABC.
Woodbury University was founded in 1884 as Woodbury College, making it one of the oldest universities on the west coast. Today, the school is a subsidiary of the University of Redlands that serves approximately 945 students. Woodbury provides 25 undergraduate and five graduate programs across four schools. Woodbury University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Arts and Design (NASAD) and the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
California State University, Chico (Chico State) is home to one of the nation’s largest Computer Animation and Game Development (CAGD) program. The program is also the ninth largest major at Chico State, which provides more than 120 undergraduate options. Established in 1999 as the Applied Computer Graphics Program, the CAGD program is housed in the College of Communication and Education’s (CME) Department of Computer Animation and Game Development.
Launched in 1992, the CME houses a total of nine departments that focus on career preparation, collaborative opportunities, innovative teaching methods, and research. Students in the 120-unit CAGD program have the option to major in Animation or Game Development. The program also has an interdisciplinary requirement with three selections including Media Arts, Design, and Technology; Computer Science; and Art Studio. Students must choose one area. To enhance the degree, students can add a minor such as Video Game Design or Applied Computer Graphics.
Leading to a BS, the 120 credit-hour CAGD program provides the opportunity to participate in the student-run Computer Graphics Club (CGC). Students also have access to state-of-the-art labs, studios and workshops, including an in-house motion capture studio. Other program benefits include study abroad experiences in places such as the UK, Thailand, and Antigua, and internship opportunities with local or national studios.
The 33 credit-hour CAGD Animation major combines coursework that covers formal processes; industry-standard techniques and tools; and 3D animation, game production, and computer-generated imagery (CGI) pipelines. Course examples include Digital Animation; Virtual and Physical Cameras Applications; Computer Animation; 2D and 3D Design; Interactive Storytelling in Video Games; Scripting and Programming for Computer Graphics; 3D Character Animation; Writing for Screen Media; Advanced Animation Pre-Production and Story Development; Technical CGI; and Motion Capture.
The culminating experience for the CAGD BS program at Chico State is the final project and senior portfolio. Students will work in teams to create animations, video games, and 3D experiences in a real-world studio environment. Students are required to formally present their final portfolios.
Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced technical and creative roles in the entertainment industry, game design and development, television and media, advertising and marketing, web design, defense (simulation), medical, architecture, business, and education.
Chico State alumni have been hired at major studios such as Sony Imageworks, Disney, Pixar, Zynga, Electronic Arts (EA), Ubisoft, Blizzard Entertainment, Epic Games, WetaFX, 2K Games, Crystal Dynamics, and Super Alloy Interactive. Students also work in other industries such as defense (simulation), advertising and marketing, television and media, web design, medical, architecture, construction, ad business.
California State University, Chico has an additional option for students seeking a flexible art and design program. Housed in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts (HFA)-Department of Art and Art History is an Art Studio BFA with a Digital Media concentration. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), this 120 credit-hour program allows students to customize their path through electives and courses from across the departments. Required courses for the Digital Media concentration include 2D Animation; Digital Illustration; New Media; and Advanced Digital Media.
Graduates of the Art Studio BFA program at California State University, Chico State will leave the program with an industry-ready portfolio of their best work. Program alumni are Animators, Illustrators, Film Directors, Digital Artists, Graphic Designers, Editors, and Creative Directors. Some program alumni have gone on to launch their own studios and freelance businesses, while others go on to pursue advanced studies at Chico State and major universities across the U.S.
Founded in 1887, California State University, Chico serves approximately 13,500 students enrolled in more than 300 undergraduate majors, minors, and graduate degrees across seven colleges, five schools, and 22 centers and institutes. California State University, Chico is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Universal Arts School (UArts) is an Unreal, Adobe, Nuke, Unity, ZBrush, Autodesk, and Epic Games Authorized Training Center. UArts is also a Houdini Certified School, Pixar RenderMan Authorized Training Center, and Blackmagic Design Training Partner. Students in all UArts programs benefit from these certifications and partnerships, as well as access to state-of-the-art classrooms, production facilities, and high-tech studios; more than 200 mentors; and the chance to interact with nearly 100 speakers and collaborators from global game and film studios.
Universal Arts School also provides opportunities to intern with major studios in Hollywood and beyond, and to participate in the Start-Up program, which helps students develop skills to launch their own studios or other businesses.
Universal Arts School provides Master and Double Master programs; 4-year and 5-year Career Training programs; certificates; and single courses. Specific programs for aspiring animators include the Animation Master, Double Master, 4-year and 5-year Career Training, Certificate, and Training Essentials.
UArts students can also earn a 3D Modeling – Sculpting Extreme Master, Double Master, 4-year and 5-year Career Training, and Training Essentials; the Master, Double Master, and 4-year and 5-year Career Training in Rigging; or the VFX – Visual Effects Master, Double Master, and 4-year and 5-year Career Training.
Across programs students will take courses such as Fundamentals of Animation; Character Animation; Videogame Programming with Unity; Rigging with Maya 3D; Acting; Digital Film; Game Design; Matte Painting; VFX with Houdini; Illustration Concept Art; Videogame Art; Matte Painting; Sculpting Extreme; and Body Mechanics.
In the final year of all UArts programs, students will enter Studio Production—a workspace for creating high-level reels and portfolios for entry into the creative industries. All reels will be customized to the studios UArts students are interested in applying to. Students will then apply to companies or studios or begin setting up their own.
Graduates of the Animation programs at Universal Arts School are prepared to pursue roles such as Animator/3D Animator for animated series; Animator/3D Character Animator for short feature films; VFX 3D Character Animator; Animator/3D Character Animator for video games; Animator/3D Character Animator for previsualization; Animator/3D Character Animator for virtual reality (VR); and Animator/3D Character Animator for advertising, medical reports, multimedia, scientific reports, and documentaries.
Program alumni have been hired at major studios such as Sony Pictures Imageworks, DNEG, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Riot Games, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Lucasfilm, Digital Domain, HBO, Blizzard Entertainment, Apple Studios, Red Storm Entertainment (a Ubisoft studio), Jellyfish Pictures, Skydance Animation, Weta FX, and GameLoft. Some UArts alumni have also launched their own studios or freelance businesses.
Universal Arts School was established in 1994 by Alejandro Lopez. This specialized training center opened in Spain as a space for “extreme artistic experimentation,” says the school. Today, UArts has two campuses in Valencia, Spain (main and cinema), and one in West Hollywood, California on Sunset Boulevard. The school provides more than a dozen formal program options and over 700 training courses to hundreds of students.
To date, Universal Arts School has produced more than 10,000 professionals in game art and design, animation, visual effects, digital film, comic art, concept art, and more. Universal Arts School has international accreditation and certification for its programs in Animation, Video Games, and Digital Cinema.
