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

The School of Cinematic Arts at DePaul University (DePaul) graduated its first class in 2005. Since then, the school has produced directors of hit television shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and The Blacklist; Emmy Award nominees such as Vera Drew; and animators for Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, Epic Games, and Gus Van Sant's Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot. 

Housed in Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM), the School of Cinematic Arts also provides many programs for students seeking careers in animation. Options include the Animation BA, BFA, MA, MFA, BA/MA, and BFA/MA, and a Computer Science (CS) + Animation (CS+ANI) BS with an Animation Technical Director (TD) concentration. An Animation TD minor is also available. 

The Animation BFA has concentrations in 3D Animation; Game Art; Visual Effects; Storyboarding and Character Design; Motion Graphics; and Cinema. While the Animation BA does not have concentrations, students in this program may create their own focus area through both major and open electives. Examples include Sound Design for Animation; Visual Effects; Stop Motion Animation; 3D Design for Animation; Screenwriting for Majors; Digital Puppet Animation; Illustration Foundations; and Hybrid Animation. 

Open electives may be selected from more than 20 Jarvis College minors. Minor examples include Film Production; Designing for Physical Technology; Experimental Filmmaking; Visual Effects; Television Graphic Design; Production; Information Technology; Comedy Filmmaking; and User Experience Design.

The Animation MA program at DePaul University has five concentrations including Traditional Animation; Storyboarding and Character Design; 3D Animation; Technical Artist; and Motion Graphics.  Course examples for the program include 3D Animation Production; Animation Figure Study; Advanced Topics in Visual Effects; Topics in 3D Animation; and Game Art Pipeline. 

The Animation MFA program at DePaul is designed for animators who have earned an undergraduate degree in visual arts areas such as animation, film, graphic design, or illustration. Because the program follows the project model, students will spend most of their time creating short films and thesis projects under the direction of MFA co-chairs and faculty mentors. 

Course examples for the program include Animation Mechanics; Storyboarding I; Sound Design for Animation; Cinema, Animation and Art; Animation History and Practice; Directing Sound Design and Music; Animation Graduate Seminar; and Graduate Teaching Seminar. 

The multidisciplinary BS in Computer Science and Animation is designed for students seeking technical artistic roles in animation and game development. In addition to a concentration in Animation TD, the program has a concentration in Game Art TD. Course examples for the program include Introduction to Animation Production; Optimized C++; 3D Character Animation; Environment Modeling; Programming Languages; 3D Modeling and Shading; Advanced Motion Capture Studio; Rendering and Graphics Programming; 3D Animation; Motion Graphics Foundations; 3D Design and Modeling; Advanced 3D Rigging; and Game Art Pipeline. 

In addition to access to a variety of in-demand courses, DePaul CS+ANI students benefit from interdisciplinary group projects with students majoring in areas such as 3D animation, storyboarding and character design, game art, game programming, and game design.

Across all School of Cinematic Arts programs, students benefit from courses taught by award-winning filmmakers who are part of one of the nation’s largest full-time animation faculties; access to a state-of-the-art, 32,000 square feet production facility known as DePaul Cinespace Studios; and the new Jarvis Student Center for Innovation and Collaboration. This open, 8,000 square feet space focuses on industry partnerships and multidisciplinary professional learning across emerging technologies. Collaborations and projects between students and faculty emphasize innovation and community needs. 

Cinespace and other CDM/SCA studios and facilities provide access to the latest industry-standard animation software, tools, and technologies. This includes Cintiq labs, stop motion stages, fabrication studios, 3D motion capture, motion control, sound studios, professional animation and effects software, and 3D printing. 

All DePaul Animation students also have the unique opportunity to participate in the Los Angeles Quarter Program. Over 10 weeks, this immersive experience allows students to intern at major Hollywood studios such as The Jim Henson Company, Disney, Warner Bros. Animation, DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon, Sony Studios, and Titmouse. 

Additional program benefits include participation in the Premiere Film Festival; the Japan Study Abroad program; Project Bluelight; visiting artists from places such as Disney and Pixar; and access to the Animation Lodge. 

The Premiere Film Festival displays and awards the best student work in animation and film. The event attracts jury members from around the country including filmmakers, industry insiders, and festival programmers.

The Japan Study Abroad program is a biennial trip that takes students to Nagoya, Kyoto, and Tokyo for tours of Japanese animation and game studios, cultural sites, and galleries. 

Project Bluelight provides hands-on experience in motion picture production to all interested students. Students at The Lodge have opportunities to collaborate on group projects, build their portfolios, and network. 

Graduates of the Animation programs at DePaul University are prepared to pursue advanced roles in industries such as film and television, games, and advertising. Program alumni have been hired at major studios and gaming companies such as Lucasfilm, DreamWorks Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), Warner Bros. Animation, Google, Cartoon Network, Disney Animation Studios, Epic Games, Nickelodeon, LAIKA, Blizzard Entertainment, Iron Galaxy Studios, and BioWare. 

DePaul University is the largest Catholic university in the United States. Serving 21,210 students, the school is also the nation’s 12th-largest private, not-for-profit university, and the largest private, not-for-profit college in the Midwest. Founded in 1898, DePaul provides more than 300 undergraduate majors and graduate programs across two campuses, and 10 academic colleges and schools. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredits DePaul University.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) provides two paths to study animation—the BFA and MFA in Studio. Housed in the Film, Video, New Media, and Animation Department (FVNMA), the programs feature visiting artists; graduate seminars, screenings, and performances; access to state-of-the-art film, editing, and production equipment; and unlimited admittance to the Art Institute of Chicago Art Museum and on-campus galleries. 

All students have access to SIAC’s Gene Siskel Film Center, which regularly showcases student and other films from around the world. In addition, FVNMA MFA students can participate in Critique Week. During the event, the entire faculty, invited artists, and visiting designers form panels to critique student work. Critique Week takes place every semester. All classes are suspended during the event. 

The Studio BFA at SAIC has an FVNMA pathway. Students in this program will take courses that cover animation (experimental 2D and 3D), cinema, new media art, and video. Course examples include 3D Character Animation; Sonics and Optics; Media Practices: The Moving Image; Advanced 2D Computer Animation; Real-Time 3D; Motion Graphics and Visual Effects; Puppet Animation; Experimental Technology Lab for 3D Animation; Advanced Drawing for Animation; and Writing and Art Direction for Animation. 

The FVNMA Studio Art BFA culminates with the Senior Film/Video Projects Capstone. During this final course, students will complete a professional quality moving image project for public presentation.

The Studio MFA program has an FVNMA pathway. The program, which also supports creative work across 12 different departments, allows students to specialize in one specific area or acquire skills across many different areas of study. MFA students will take many of the same courses as BFA students, along with 3000-level electives, 4000-level art history courses, and a graduate level seminar. 

Specialization areas may include Hand-Drawn and Digital 2D and 3D Animation; Moving-Image Installation; Nonfiction/Documentary and Narrative Film and Video; Media Art Histories; and Interactive Art, VR, AR, and Web-Based Projects.

The MFA program culminates with a final project and the SAIC Graduate Thesis Exhibition at the Gene Siskel Film Center. Projects may also be presented at other end-of-year events at SAIC. Each year, more than 200 graduate students present their works to more than 30,000 people at SAIC events. 

Graduates of SAIC’s FVNMA Department are prepared to pursue positions in animation, film, games, digital media, and more. SAIC alumni have been hired at places such as Disney, the Whitney Museum, NASA, and YouTube. 

Founded in 1866 as the Chicago Academy of Design, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the nation’s oldest accredited independent schools of art and design. Serving approximately 3,395 students, SAIC provides more than 50 areas of study across 24 academic departments. 

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1936. SAIC is also a member of the National Conference of Artists, the College Art Association of America, and the National Art Education Association. 

Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) began as the Minneapolis School of Fine Arts. When it opened, classes commenced in a rented apartment in downtown Minneapolis. Within a few years the school moved on the top floor of the newly built Minneapolis Public Library. Today, MCAD sits on an 11-acre urban campus that houses galleries, media centers, studios, exhibition spaces, a library, fitness center, an art cellar, computer labs, and administrative offices.  

Instead of dorms, MCAD provides shared furnished apartments for students. This includes The Web, The Shallows, and The Lodge. Full-time first-year and sophomore undergraduates are required to live on campus. 

In addition to a vibrant campus life, Minneapolis College of Art and Design provides several pathways to study animation. At the undergraduate level, the school has an Animation BFA and a minor. At the graduate level, students can earn a Visual Studies MFA. 

Students in both degree programs can complete an internship and/or study abroad in places such as the UK, Italy, Germany, and Japan. Across programs, students have completed internships at places such as MTV, Nickelodeon, Walter Art Center, and MASS MoCA.   

The MCAD Animation minor explores traditional animation techniques, storytelling, compositing, and pre-production. Students in this 15 credit-hour program will also learn how to use the latest industry software to create animations. All students will take Introduction to Animation. For the remainder of the credits, student may choose from courses such as Drawing for Animators; Storyboard; 3D Animation; Stop-Motion Animation; Character Animation 1; Visual Effects; 2D Digital Animation; Experimental Animation; 3D Modeling; Introduction to Sound; Character Animation 2; and 3D Rendering.  

The MCAD Animation BFA is a collaborative program with 2D and 3D tracks. Both tracks require 12 credit hours of study. Consisting of 120 total credits, the BFA allows students to customize an additional focus area (or areas) through 26 credits of required studio electives. Course examples for the program include Introduction to Filmmaking; Experimental Animation; Background Layout for Animators; Virtual Environments; Stop-Motion Animation; 3D Modeling; 2D Digital Animation; Professional Practice; and Character Animation.  

The culminating experience for the Animation BFA program at Minneapolis College of Art and Design is the senior project and presentation.  

The interdisciplinary Visual Studies MFA allows students to focus in one or more areas of interest. Examples include animation, interactive/digital media, experimental film and video, sound art, web and multimedia, illustration, comic arts, drawing/painting, graphic design, and photography. Students in this 60 credit-hour program also have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a mentor each semester to help reach their goals.  

Other program benefits include access to state-of-the art facilities, classrooms, and private studios; participation in events at art centers, galleries, and nonprofits in the Twin Cities; the Master’s Trip to NYC, which features visits to art and design venues, creative agencies, and artist studios; and the option to complete the three-credit Teaching Art and Design online certificate.  

Courses for the certificate count towards elective requirements. This allows MFA students to graduate with a terminal degree and a focused certificate. The MCAD MFA program culminates with a thesis and exhibition.  

Graduates of the Animation programs at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of film and animation, game design, advertising, visualization, and many others. MCAD graduates (and students) have been hired at (or interned with) companies and studios such as Nickelodeon, MTV, Medtronic Inc., Walker Art Center, and Target. 

Minneapolis College of Art and Design was established in 1886 by the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts. The school serves approximately 800 students from 45 states and 15 countries. MCAD programs include 14 undergraduate majors leading to a BFA or BS; three MA degrees; one MFA degree; 11 minors; and seven professional development certificates.  

Minneapolis College of Art and Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is also affiliated with the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD).

The School of Design at Columbia College Chicago houses an Animation and Computer Graphics BA with opportunities to customize a concentration area. Past students have specialized in everything from traditional animation to game art to computer vision for visual effects (CVFX). 

Columbia College also lists an Animation BA, Computer Animation BFA, Traditional Animation BFA, and an Animation minor for the 2024-2025 academic year. The minor, which explores the basics of hand-drawn, object, and stop-motion animation, can be taken alone or with any major.

The Animation BA has several options and areas of study including hand drawn animation, cinema visual effects, stop motion animation, computer animation, alternative forms of animation, or a combination of all areas. The Computer Animation BFA is a professional degree with advanced courses in story, critical studies, and CG Animation. The Traditional Animation BFA is also a professional degree that focuses on advanced animation, story, classic art, and critical studies.

Students in all programs may participate in the Animation Studios in LA Program. Activities for this one-credit program include specialized classes, tours, employment screenings, and portfolio reviews. Past participating studios include Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, Disney, and Warner Bros.

Columbia animation students also have access to state-of-the-art classrooms and workshops; Cintiq labs, stop-motion labs, and traditional animation camera labs; instructional spaces for stop-motion and traditional animation projects; and the Animation Equipment Center. Other program benefits include the internship program, which provides opportunities to work at local studios, and the study abroad program, which provides access to faculty-led experiences (and others) in more than 20 countries. 

Across programs students can expect to take courses such as History of Animation; Storyboarding for Animation; Scriptwriting; Animation Layout; Alternative Strategies in Animation; Animation Maquettes; Environmental Design and Modeling; Digital Animation Techniques Current 2D Trends; Acting for Animators; Drawing for Animation I-II; Digital Animation Techniques: Ink, Paint & Composite; and The Business of Animated Content. 

The culminating experience for the programs is the production of an animation portfolio and an animated film to be presented at Manifest—Columbia Colleges annual art festival highlighting graduating students work. 

According to the most recent available figures, 98% of Columbia College Animation graduates are employed or pursuing an advanced degree within a year of graduation. 

Animation alumni have been hired at major networks and studios such as Pixar, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network, Disney, Microsoft, and Weta Digital. They have worked on films and series such as Frozen, Pocahontas, The Lion King, Coco, Robot Chicken, Brave, The Lego Batman Movie, and UP. 

Program alumni have also gone on to win Oscars and Emmy Awards, while others have launched their own independent studios and freelance businesses.

Columbia College Chicago was established in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory. This private, nonprofit college serves nearly 6,700 students from 50 states and more than 60 countries. Programs include more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degrees in all creative disciplines. The school also provides business management and cultural studies programs. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredits Columbia College Chicago. 

During World War II, Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) was one of the first schools in the U.S. to provide courses in medical drawing and mapmaking. The schools Joseph McCullough Center for the Visual Arts is a former Ford assembly plant that was built in 1914–1915, and CIA participated in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Art Project during the Great Depression. 

Today, Cleveland Institute of Art houses one of the top repertory movie theaters in the nation, along with a carefully curated collection of art and design programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Among CIA’s programs is an Animation BFA that combines a First-Year Experience (FYE) and liberal arts studies with immersive studio courses in animation. 

Other program benefits include work experiences with real clients and community partners such as Ford Motor Company, Hearst Foundations (HearstFDN); Ohio Arts Council, and Cuyahoga Arts and Culture; independent and collaborative projects; field trips to museums and the zoo for inspiration; opportunities to collaborate with students in other CIA departments; and internships with local companies, studios, and cultural institutions such as Cleveland Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (moCa Cleveland).

CIA Animation students also benefit from mentorships with veteran industry professionals with a combined 600+ feature film, digital production, and television credits. CIA faculty have worked with Walt Disney Animation Studios, Illumination, DreamWorks, Warner Bros., Hasbro, and Sony Pictures Animation. 

The Animation BFA program at CIA begins with the FYE. Required courses include 2D Design; Digital I-II; Observational Drawing; Studio Discovery; 3D Design; Life Drawing; and Safety Lab I-II. Liberal arts course examples include Critical Issues in Visual Culture; Themes and Movement in Art Design History; Writing I-III; Contemporary Art, Design and Media; Quantitative Reasoning; and Writing Intensive. 

Animation coursework consists of 42 credit hours in cores and an elective. Core course examples include Introduction to 3D Animation; Screenwriting; Narrative Production I-III; Body Mechanics for Animation; Storyboarding and Sequential Art; Drawing for Animation; and Concept Development. Elective options include 3D Texture Mapping and Digital Lighting; and Motion Graphics. 

The culminating experience for the CIA Animation BFA program is the Animation Portfolio Reel and Shorts course, and the BFA Thesis and Exhibition. 

Graduates of the Animation BFA program at Cleveland Institute of Art are prepared to pursue roles in film and television; game design and development; mobile app animation; medical animation; legal, scientific, or architectural visualization; social media; scientific visualization; and educational animation, among others. 

Program alumni can be found at places such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, DC Comics, Electronic Arts (EA), Bethesda Softworks, PBS, and The Wall Street Journal. 

Cleveland Institute of Art was chartered as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women in 1882. This independent, not-for-profit college serves approximately 600 students enrolled in 13 entertainment arts, design, fine arts, and craft majors. In addition to NASAD accreditation, Cleveland Institute of Art is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The School of Art at Ball State University (Ball State) is housed in the Art and Journalism Building (AJ), which provides more than 57,000 square feet of state-of-the-art studios and classrooms. Part of the College of Fine Arts, the school is also just one of around 328 institutions accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Within the School of Art is a Visual Arts/Animation program with concentrations in Animation Production; Game Art/Design; and Illustration. Although Animation Production is the most popular option for aspiring animators, all options provide the opportunity to study animation. 

Students in this 120 credit-hour BFA program will receive hands-on training in industry tools such as Toon Boom, Photoshop, Maya, and Adobe Illustrator. Major areas explored include traditional 2D animation, 3D animation, and stop motion. Led by professors from Disney and other major studios, courses for the program are collaborative, immersive, and advanced. 

Student in all concentrations will take Studio Art Foundation courses including: Introduction to the College of Fine Arts; Drawing Studio; 2D, 3D and 4D Foundations Studio; Introduction to Art History: Global Traditions; and Introduction to Art History: The Modern and Contemporary World. 

Animation Production students will also take courses such as 3D Animation, Rigging, and Simulation; Character Design; Experimental Techniques; 3D Modeling, Texturing, Lighting, and Rendering; Storyboarding; Animation: Compositing and Motion Graphics; Drawing Studio; Animation: Specialty; and Drawing: The Figure.  

Game Art students will take courses such as Animation: Introduction to 3D; Character Design; Game Engine 01 and 02; 3D Animation, Rigging, and Simulation; Traditional Animation; Game Design Studio; 3D Modeling, Texturing, Lighting, and Rendering; and Introduction to Digital Signal Processing. 

Illustration students will take courses such as Animation: Character Design; Animation: Surface Illustration; Animation: Storyboarding; Comic Art; Editorial Illustration; Narrative; and Drawing: The Figure. Illustration students may also take additional animation courses through the 18 credits of required studio art electives. 

All Visual Arts/Animation students at Ball State University will have opportunities to engage in professional skills development activities; complete an internship; and study abroad. 

The culminating experience for the Visual Arts/Animation BFA at Ball State includes the Senior Project (Animation), which will be presented at a student exhibition. Students will also complete a professional portfolio and demo reel of their best work. 

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

Some program alumni have also gone on to launch their own independent studios or freelance businesses. Others have gone on to pursue a graduate degree at Ball State or other major universities.

Founded in 1918, Ball State University is a public research institution with a main campus in Muncie, Indiana and campus centers in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Fishers. Serving approximately 20,440 students, the school provides 120 majors and 100 graduate degree programs across seven colleges and dozens of departments. Ball State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) is Wisconsin’s only four-year private nonprofit college of visual art and design. Through internships and the creative development program at the school’s Lubar Innovation Center (LIC), students have opportunities to gain real-world experience with leading organizations, companies, and studios. Examples include Harley-Davidson, Kohler, the Milwaukee Ballet, Carmex, Johnsonville, Milwaukee Business Journal, Gallery at The Ave, 3rd St. Market Hall, Ninewise Publishing, Herzfeld Foundation, Imagine MKE, and The Marcus Corporation.

For students interested in animation, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design recently launched an Animation track within the Illustration BFA program. Both Illustration and Animation students will take courses that explore 2D, animation, video games, 3D animation, virtual reality, and interactive animation. Animation track students can create an additional focus area through studio elective requirements. 

Course examples for the program include 3D Modeling and Animation; Systems of Drawing; Visual Development and Storytelling; Digital 2D; Visual Language; Interactive and New Media; 2D Motion Fundamentals; Illustration I-III; Advanced Figure Drawing; and Animation Professional Practice. 

The culminating experience for this 120 credit-hour program is the thesis project completed across two courses. Students will work individually or in teams to produce an industry-ready animation project to be presented at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design Thesis Exhibition. 

Graduates of the Illustration BFA/Animation program are prepared to pursue careers in entertainment, games, advertising, architecture, medical, education, legal, news media, graphic design, and more. Program alumni have been hired at Amazon Studios, HBO, Variety, Nike, and The New Yorker. Some MIAD alumni have also launched their own studios and freelance businesses. 

Other MIAD graduates have been hired at places such as Harley-Davidson, Milwaukee Tool, and Kohl’s; Milwaukee’s top eight advertising agencies; five of the top seven architectural firms in the state; and galleries and museums worldwide. 

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design was established in 1974. The school serves approximately 900 degree-seeking students, 600 pre-college students, and 250 outreach/special programs students. Degree-seeking students have access to seven degree programs, five studio minors, and nine liberal studies minors. The school’s affiliation with Marquette University also provides access to additional courses in the humanities and sciences. 

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is also a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD)—a consortium of 39 leading art schools in the U.S. and Canada. 

Ohio University (OU) is home to the E.W. Scripps College of Communication. Within the college are five schools that provide a combination of major, minor, graduate, and certificate programs. Schools include Visual Communication (VisCom); Journalism (JOUR); Media Arts and Studies (MDIA); Communication Studies; and the J. Warren McClure School of Emerging Communication Technologies (ECT). 

Serving approximately 600 undergraduates, the Scripps School of Media Arts and Studies (MDIA) provides two paths to study animation including the Animation BS and the Media Arts Production BS. In partnership with the Warren School of ECT and the VisCom School, the School of Media Arts and Studies provides Communication Media Arts MFA.

For the BS programs, students have access to the Advanced Animation Lab and more than a dozen other state-of-the-art facilities, studios, and labs. Other program benefits include participation in student organizations; industry internships and other experiential learning experiences; study abroad opportunities; and capstone projects. 

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

The Animation BS program at Ohio University requires 120 credit hours. Students will complete the Animation Core consisting of Animation Foundation and Animation I-II. Electives allow students to focus in an area of interest within Animation or take advanced courses. Electives examples include Animation III; Character and Production Design for Animation; Compositing; Special Topics in Games and Animation; Visual Storytelling; Animated Documentary Production; and Traditional Animation Techniques. 

All Animation students will complete a capstone to graduate. For this culminating experience, students may select the Animation Capstone course or the Storytelling, Technology and Digital Media in Theme Parks course. The Animation Capstone is a semester-long portfolio project consisting of projects that utilize animation through all steps of the creative pipeline. 

The Storytelling, Technology and Digital Media in Theme Parks course explores the technology, media design, and storytelling principles utilized in theme park development. Students will integrate different forms of media into a single immersive environment. This project includes one off-campus field trip.

The Media Arts Production BS at Ohio University is designed for students seeking careers in animation, game design, film and video, music, and social media, among others. For students seeking careers in animation, the program provides related coursework through requirements and electives. Examples include Animation Foundation; Global Animation; Animation I-II; Traditional Animation Techniques; Character and Production Design for Animation; Advanced Video Production; Special Topics in Games and Animation; Visual Storytelling; Sound for Moving Image I-I; The Craft of Editing; and Production in Los Angeles. 

For the culminating experience, Media Arts Production students may select one from the following options: Advanced Screenwriting for Film; Advanced Narrative Production Credit Hours; Nonfiction Storytelling and Documentary Production; Advanced Digital Video Postproduction; and Media and Web Delivery. 

Graduates of the School of Media Arts and Studies at Ohio University are prepared to pursue titles such as Animator, Motion Graphics Designer, 3D Artist, Visual Effects (VFX) Artist, Animation Production Assistant, Cinematic Artist, Video Editor, Multimedia Artist, Technical Artist, Art Director, and Environmental Artist. 

The Communication Media Arts MFA at Ohio University is a multidisciplinary, three-year program that provides the opportunity to study in two or more areas. Examples include Animation; Video Game Design; Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR); Data Visualization and Infographics; Interactive Web Design; and Music Production. 

This 90 credit hour program also emphasizes hands-on training through collaborative and experiential projects. Examples include projects in the Game Research and Immersive Design (GRID) Lab; practicum projects through Scripps College or the College of Fine Arts; grant-funded faculty initiatives; or projects through WOUB Public Media—a broadcasting service licensed to Ohio University. Note that collaborative and experiential projects are a required component of the MFA program.

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. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in areas such as entertainment, game design and development, television and film, web design, advertising, VR/AR, education, and research. 

Ohio University was founded on February 18, 1804, making it the oldest public university in the state. When it opened, the school consisted of a single building, three students, and one professor. Today more than 4,000 employees and approximately 28,000 students occupy 200 buildings, 1,800 acres of land, over eight million gross square feet, five regional campuses, and extension campuses in Cleveland and Dublin, Ohio. 

Students at Ohio University have access to more than 250 program options across 11 colleges, 16 schools, and dozens of departments. Ohio University has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1913.

Ferris State University (Ferris State or FSU) is home to Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD). The school prepares students for careers in the visual arts, design, and art history. Program examples include Digital Art and Design; Illustration; Collaborative Design; Art History; Graphic Design; and Studio Arts. Across all programs, students will work and learn in classrooms, studios, and labs led by expert faculty. 

Leading to a BFA, the KCAD Digital Art and Design program is the most popular option for students seeking careers in animation. The program allows students to develop portfolios in one or more areas such as 2D Animation; Interaction Design; 3D Game Art; Visual Development; and Motion Design. Concentration options in Entertainment Art and Multimedia Design are also available.

For individuals in other majors, KCAD has a Digital Art and Design minor that includes five studio courses selected by the student. This allows students to customize the program to support their interests. Studio course examples include Animation Process; Introduction to Digital 3D; Professional Studio I-II; Interactive Multimedia Design; Digital Imaging II; and Professional Practices. 

The Digital Art and Design BFA consists of 120 credit hours of study. Students in this program will take required courses such as Introduction to Narrative Studies; Math in Art and Design; Writing; Global Art I: Prehistory – 14th Century; Philosophy; and Perspectives on Science. Students in both concentration areas will take the same major studio courses (42 credit hours) and at least 12 credit hours of electives. 

Studio course examples include Introduction to Digital 3D; Animation Process; Professional Studio I-II; Interactive Multimedia Design; Professional Practices; and Digital Art and Design Thesis I-II. Elective examples include 2D Character Animation; Storyboard Art; Motion Design; 3D Video Game Art I-II; Interaction Design; Concept and Production Art; 3D Character Design; and Video. 

Graduates of the Digital Art and Design BFA program at Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue careers in animated films, television production, game art and design, advertising, and education, among others. 

KCAD alumni have been hired at places such as Disney Television Animation, YouTube, Epic Games, and R/GA New York. KCAD BFA alumni have also been accepted into graduate programs at places such as Academy of Art University, Vancouver Film School, and School of Visual Arts, New York (SVA NY).

Ferris State University was established in 1884. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the school serves approximately 9,950 students enrolled in more than 190 programs across eight colleges. This includes Kendall College of Art and Design. Founded in 1928 and located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, KCAD serves 565 students enrolled in more than a dozen degree and certificate programs.

As part of Ferris State University, KCAD is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). 

The School of Communications (SOC) at Webster University (Webster) is home to the Media Arts Department, which houses a STEM-designated Animation BA program and an Animation Production minor. Students in both programs benefit from small classes; hands-on experience through experiential learning activities; and collaborative projects across SOC disciplines and the university.

Housed in a 66,000 square feet state-of-the-art media production and education facility known as the Sverdrup Complex, the SOC is a designated Toon Boom Centre of Excellence that provides access to state-of-the-art animation, game design, and video post-production labs. The complex also houses the Media Center; audio and video production suites; workshops and teaching spaces; the Kooyumjian Gallery; sound stages; a photography studio; recording suites; Winnifred Moore Auditorium; and The Webster University Film Series. 

Established in 1979, the Film Series hosts more than 100 film screenings, over 20 visiting performers and speakers annually, filmmaking workshops, outside sponsors, and more than 6,800 viewers. 

The 18 credit hour Animation Production minor at Webster University explores the theory, principles, and practice of animation. Courses include Animation I-II and Writing Screenplays for Film. For the remaining credits, students will complete nine hours of animation electives. Examples include Photorealistic 3D Animation; Cartooning; 3D Animated Short Film; Visual Storytelling; Special Topics in Animation; Character Design; Experimental Animation; and Storyboarding. The minor culminates with a final project. 

The Animation BA program at Webster University focuses on storytelling, drawing, production, performance, and digital and traditional animation. The major consists of 57 credit hours, including required courses such as Animation I-II; Voicing Your Creation; History of Animation; Character Design; Advanced Animation; 3D Modeling; Storyboarding; Graphics and Effects; Writing the Short Script; and Professional Development for Media Careers. 

Students can develop skills in additional areas of interest within animation and the creative arts through a pre-selected list of electives. Examples include Game Art; Film and Television Appreciation; Writing Screenplays for Film; Video Game Production; 3D Animated Short Film; Cartooning; Experimental Animation; Visual Effects; 3D Character Sculpting; and Comic Book Creation.

Students in all Webster SOC programs may add the Entrepreneurship certificate to enhance the degree. Housed in the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology’s Management Department, the Entrepreneurship certificate is an 18 credit hour program that explores financial management for animation, film, and television; video production; media arts; graphic design; and music. The program also focuses on marketing and small business management.

Careers Week provides additional opportunities to enhance the Animation BA. This department-focused event features information panels led by industry professionals; interactive career videos; and the annual Internship Expo where students meet with a variety of professionals to secure an internship. SOC students have interned at companies and studios such as Titmouse, ESPN, Plymptoons, MTV, Bad Dog Pictures, Genius Games, and Vidzu Media. 

The Animation BA program at Webster University culminates with the capstone project and presentation. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions in areas such as animation, game art and design, filmmaking, visual effects, television production, advertising, multimedia, and graphic design. 

Program alumni have been hired at major studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Sony Pictures Imageworks, DreamWorks, and Digital Domain. Just a few alumni credits include Lord of the Rings, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, and King Kong. 

Webster University was founded in 1915 by the Sisters of Loretto. When it opened as Loretto College, the school became the first senior Catholic college for women in Missouri, and one of the first Catholic women’s colleges west of the Mississippi River. 

Today, Webster University serves approximately 13,450 students enrolled in more than 160 programs across five colleges and schools. The university also has overseas campuses in Greece, China, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Georgia, Uzbekistan, and Austria. Webster University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSU Moorhead or MSUM) is just one of seven institutions in the state of Minnesota to be awarded accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). MSUM is also one of the few schools in the world to provide tuition-free pathways for eligible local residents and those in some neighboring states. The school allows students from other regions to complete up to 18 credit hours per semester for the price of just 12. This makes MSU Moorhead one of the nation’s most affordable four-year universities. 

Minnesota State University Moorhead houses the School of Media Arts, Design and Entertainment. Within the school is an Animation BFA program that focuses on traditional stop-motion animation, game graphics and 3D simulations, 2D and 3D animation, technical graphics, and 3D modeling. As part of the School of Media Arts, Design and Entertainment, students in the program benefit from immersive hands-on learning; community partners such as the F/M Opera, the Minnesota State Historical Society, and Habitat for Humanity; and one-on-one mentorship. 

Other School of Media highlights include field trips to local and regional studios, festivals, and museums; attendance at professional conferences; internships; opportunities to work with student-run Dragon Entertainment Group; study abroad experiences at University of Lincoln in the UK; and the option to join the Anime Club and/or the Film, Animation, Music and Audio Production and Entertainment Management (FAME) Learning Community. 

The Animation BFA program at MSU Moorhead requires 120 credit hours including 54 credits in the core and 16 credits of electives. Course examples include Foundations in Animation; Scriptwriting; 3D Animation; History of Motion Pictures; Stop-Motion Animation; Video Production; 2D Animation and Motion Graphics; Film Appreciation; Animation Studio; Critical Approaches to Film and Media Arts; and 3D Modeling. 

Elective requirements allow students to develop skills in additional areas of animation and filmmaking. Course examples include Advanced 16 mm Production; Techniques in Film Directing; Topics in Animation; Sound and Film for Video; Editing Techniques; Lighting Studio; and Community Video Project.  

In the final year of the MSUM Animation BA program students will complete a capstone project for public presentation. Students must also demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively on a creative team of animators. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers with animation studios, television stations, advertising agencies (and in-house advertising departments), video production houses, web design studios, multimedia firms, and in the music industry. 

MSU Moorhead Animation alumni have been hired at places such as the Smithsonian Institution, YouTube, Nokia, Show Low TV, North Star Imaging, 4 Max Post, and Circa Productions. 

Minnesota State University Moorhead opened in 1888 as The Moorhead Normal School. The first graduating class consisted of just eight students. Today, MSUM serves approximately 5,550 students enrolled in more than 230 programs across five colleges. Minnesota State University Moorhead is accredited by Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the school is a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). 

The College of Applied and Technical Studies (CATS) at Kent State University (Kent State) has partnered with Intel to lead a network of 13 other Northeastern Ohio colleges and universities to prepare students to join the growing workforce of professional semiconductor engineers. CATS plans to accomplish this (in part) through the more than 35 undergraduate programs, seven minors, and 19 certificate programs it provides. Examples include Engineering Technology, Technical and Applied Studies, and Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology. 

In addition to engineering, CATS has a range of programs for students seeking careers that combine technical and creative skills. For animators, the school provides an Animation Game Design program accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Programs can be completed at the Kent, Stark, or Tuscarawas campuses. 

Leading to a BS, the Animation Game Design program provides access to courses that combine art, engineering, and computer science. Examples include Engineering Drawing; Technical Computing; Computer Hardware for Animation; Computer Science-Procedural Programming; and Modeling for Architecture. The Kent State CATS Animation Game Design BS also has two concentrations: Animation and Game Design. 

Each area requires 18 focused credits. Both Animation and Game Design students will learn to create digital media works such as cartoons, games, and virtual reality environments using industry software and technologies for traditional animation, 3D models, digital sculpting, and 2D graphics.

Course requirements for the Animation concentration include Character Animation; Animation Production and Visual Effects; Solid Modeling; Real-Time Rendering for Animation; and Animation Project. All students have the option to complete the Internship in Animation and Game Design elective, worth 1-3 credits. Other elective examples include The Art of Acting; Elements of Film, TV and Animation; Individual Investigation in Animation and Game Design; Animation and Game Design Practicum; Special Topics in Animation and Game Design; Audio Recording; and Story for Picture. 

The Animation Game Design BS at Kent State University culminates with the Senior Capstone Project or Technical and Applied Studies Capstone—student’s choice. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles at all levels in areas such as animation, 2D and 3D modeling, game design, technical illustration, and production. Program alumni have been hired at studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Epic Games, and High Moon Studios. Across Kent State, graduates have also been hired at places such as NASA, Tesla, ESPN, Delta Airlines, Express, and the Cleveland Cavaliers.   

Kent State University was established in 1910 as a teacher-training school. Today, the school serves more than 41,000 students across eight campuses, 14 colleges, 22 departments, 16 schools, one division, and Kent State Online. Kent State students have access to more than 300 academic programs leading to the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree. Kent State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 

The Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities at Missouri State University (MSU) houses the School of the Art and the School of Communication. The School of Art is home to the Art and Design Department, which provides an Art BFA with a Computer Animation track. The School of Communication houses and Electronic Arts BS with a Computer Animation Studies track. 

The Art BFA/Computer Animation program explores 2D and 3D animation techniques. Course examples include 2D Design; Computer Animation I-V; Creative Coding; Three-Dimensional Design; Color Theory; Contemporary Art; Individual Instruction; and Professional Practices in Computer Animation. 

Students may also complete three to six credit hours in any studio area and an art internship to enhance the degree. The culminating experience for the program is the Public Affairs Capstone (Senior Exhibition). 

Students in the Electronic Arts/Computer Animation Studies BS program will take many of the same required courses for the Art BFA/Computer Animation program. Other course examples include Fundamentals of Collaboration in Electronic Arts; Introduction to New Media; Digital Film and Media Production; Principles of Cinematography; Editing for Film and Animation; and Introduction to Audio Techniques. 

Students in the BS program will complete the Junior Portfolio Review and the Public Affairs Capstone (Senior Project in Electronic Arts) to graduate. 

Graduates of the Missouri State University Animation programs are prepared to pursue titles such as Animator, Computer Animator, Filmmaker, Visual Effects (VFX) Artist, Game Artist, Television Production Artist, Advertising Animator, and Animation Professor. 

Missouri State University was founded in 1905 as the Fourth District Normal School. When it opened, the school’s primary goal was to train teachers to enter the public school systems in Southwest Missouri. Today, Missouri State is a public university system that serves approximately 24,225 students enrolled in more than 260 different undergraduate majors and graduate programs across four campuses and eight colleges. Campuses include Springfield, West Plains, and Mountain Grove, Missouri, and Dalian, China. Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).