Top 40 Public Animation Schools and Colleges in the U.S. – 2025 College Rankings

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). 

The Ohio State University (OSU) belongs to an elite group of universities that have land-, sea-, and space-grant designations. The largest campus in Columbus, OSU houses more than 200 academic centers and institutes; 350 study abroad programs across 70 countries on six continents; and nearly 20 colleges and schools. This includes the College of Arts and Sciences, which provides more than 250 majors, minors, certificates, and graduate programs to approximately 19,310 students. 

Students seeking a career in animation can choose from several paths including the Moving Image Production BA (MIP BA); BFA and MFA degrees in Art and Technology; and a Digital Animation and Interactive Media MFA. 

Established in 2017, the MIP BA is a collaboration between the Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD), and the Departments of Art; Theatre, Film, and Media Arts; and Design. This interdisciplinary program combines live-action and animated filmmaking, with studio practice in narrative, animation, documentary, and experimental filmmaking. 

Students will complete 38 credits in the major and 15 credits in the Film Studies. Course examples for the program include Computer Animation: Form, Light and Motion; Procedural Animation; Motion I-II; Group Studies in Digital Animation and Interactive Media; Animation Techniques and Practices; Motion Capture Production and Experimentation; Designing Immersive Virtual Environments; Concept Development for Time-Based Media; and Motion Studies Through Hand-Drawn Animation.

OSU MIP BA students will also have opportunities to take additional production, screenwriting, and other courses through electives within the program and through the Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD) and the Wexner Center for the Arts. 

Other program benefits include participation in OSU’s internship and study abroad programs. MIP BA students have interned with or established careers with CBS, Netflix, YouTube, Sundance, Starz, 3 Arts Entertainment, 4th Row Films, and Bungalow Media, among others. Students have also worked on productions such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Fast and Furious 8, Carol, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Possible study abroad locations include Dublin, Rome, London, Copenhagen, Prague, and Germany. 

Part of the College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Art, the Art and Technology emphasis for the BFA and MFA programs is an interdisciplinary area that explores animation, 3D modeling, robotics, animatronics, and everything in between. Course examples include Art and Technology Studio Practice; Computer Animation; Internet Art; Graphic Novel – Web Comic Production; New Media Robotics; Moving Image Art; Video Art; Digital Imaging; and Aspects of Art and Technology I-II with special topics such as Art Games and Eco Art. 

Students in the OSU Art and Technology BFA and MFA programs also benefit from project-based learning; opportunities to work with 3D animations, virtual reality, interactive installations, and sound; and access to dedicated labs, state-of-the-art production facilities, and collaborative studio spaces. 

The Digital Animation and Interactive Media MFA is part of the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Design, and a collaboration with the ACCAD. Students in this program will complete 60 credit hours of study including core design courses, thesis project and writing development, and open electives in history/theory/criticism; studio/lab; and collaborative/interdisciplinary studio.

Course and elective examples for the program include Graduate Studio; Exploration in Graduate Design Studies; Virtual Modeling; Aspects of Art and Technology; and Computer Game Art and Design. 

In the final year of the Digital Animation and Interactive Media MFA program at OSU, students will complete four thesis courses (with a three-person committee), culminating with the Project Exhibition and Oral Defense. 

Across programs, graduates are prepared to pursue roles in animation, film and television, multimedia design, computer graphics (CG), game design, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), visual communication, directing, motion graphics, interaction design, mixed reality (MR), human-computer interaction (HCI) design, user interface (UI) design, and visualization. 

The Ohio State University was established in 1870 as Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College. The school serves approximately 66,900 students across campuses in Columbus (main), Lima, Mansfield, Marion, and Newark, Ohio. The school also houses the Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster, Ohio. More than 200 majors, minors, and specializations are provided across 18 colleges and schools. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredits the Ohio State University. 

University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is home to the state’s first arts and technology degree. Launched in 2002 and housed in the 50-year-old Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (Bass School), the program is known as Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC). Today, the program has expanded to include BA, MA, MFA, and PhD degrees. 

Across pathways, ATEC students benefit from interactions with guest speakers from major studios such as Pixar, DreamWorks, and Disney; seminars and lectures led by industry professionals; project-based exercises; and applied and experimental research in collaboration with instructors in varying areas of expertise. 

For student productions, research, and other projects, the ATEC program provides access to Bass School research labs and creative practice studios such as ArtSciLab; LabSynthE; the Narrative Systems Research Lab; The Studio for Mediating Play; the Creative Automata Lab; Fashioning Circuits; the Cultural Science Lab; the 3D Studio; the Emerging Gizmology Lab; SP&CE Media; and the Public Interactives Research Lab (PIRL).

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

Within the UT Dallas ATEC program are several options for animators. The BA program has an Animation and Games (A&G) concentration. MA and PhD students may focus their studies in animation, science and technology, games, or other areas. ATEC MFA students may specialize in Animation or Creative Practice. All graduate level programs provide advanced study in computer-based arts, interactive media, technology, digital media, and professional practices. 

ATEC coursework for the BA option explores computer animation, game studies, user interface and user experience (UI/UX) design, motion graphics, and digital fabrication. Course examples include Animation Origins and Techniques; Programming for Digital Artists; Drawing for Animation; Computer Animation; Lighting and Composition; Scripting for Animation; Game Design; Rigging; Level Design; Modeling and Texturing; History of Visual Effects; Animation and Game Fundamentals; and Time-Based Media.   

Students will also complete 30 semester credit hours of required electives. Examples include Animation Lab I-II; Virtual Environments; Procedural Animation; Character Design; Motion Capture Animation; Game Production Lab I-II; Stop Motion Animation; Virtual Reality; Animation Studies; Storyboarding; Experimental Animation; Motion Design Lab I-II; Topics in Animation; and Real Time Texturing.  

Depending on the program, culminating experiences may include a capstone project, thesis, or research project. Most experiences have an exhibition component. 

Graduates of the ATEC programs at UT Dallas are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as 3D computer animation, game design and development, virtual environments, medical and scientific visualization, advertising, modeling and simulation, architecture, publishing, law, education, and training. Program alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, 900lbs of Creative, Cisco Systems, JP Morgan Chase, Texas Instruments, AT&T Foundry, and Gearbox Software.

University of Texas at Dallas began as the Graduate Research Center of the Southwest (GRCSW) in 1961. The owners of Texas Instruments established the center to create better higher-education opportunities in North Texas. Today, UT Dallas is an official member of the University of Texas System, and a Carnegie R1 Doctoral Institution. 

The school also serves approximately 29,865 students enrolled in more than 150 degree programs across seven schools. University of Texas at Dallas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) has a four-year Animation BFA program that focuses on experimentation and innovation. Housed in the school’s Animation Department, the program features courses taught by accomplished faculty; dedicated state-of-the-art labs, classrooms, and production spaces such as digital studios and stop motion stations; campus events such as screenings and exhibitions; collaborative projects; and the opportunity to display works on campus. 

Students will begin the MassArt Animation BFA program with the 30-credit Studio Foundation Curriculum (SFC). In addition to taking courses such Studio for Drawing; Thinking, Making, Writing: Using Words with Clarity and Flair; and Visual Language, students will develop projects from start to finish. Critiques, both self and peer, are also part of the SFC, as well as opportunities to exhibit first-year projects at MassArt’s Brant Gallery. 

In the second year of the Animation BFA program at MassArt, students will be introduced to animation basics, digital 2D animation, and experimental animation. Students will also take art history, liberal arts, and creative courses. Examples include Human Figure in Illustration; Animation 1: Basics; Life Drawing; Figurative Clay Construction; Introduction to Digital 2D Animation; Media Techniques; Color for Painting; Animation 2: Experiments; and Design for Animators. 

In the junior and senior years of the Animation BFA program at MassArt, students will focus primarily on studio electives such as 3DCG Character Animation; Puppet Animation and Fabrication; and Sound Design for Animators. Examples of other advanced coursework includes Animation 3: Communication, and Animation 4: Production. BFA students will also complete an animation portfolio and animation project as the culminating experience for the program. 

Graduates of the Animation BFA program at Massachusetts College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue creative roles in industries such as film and animation, digital art, advertising and marketing, and design. Program alumni have also gone on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses.

Founded in 1873, Massachusetts College of Art and Design is the first public, independent college of art and design in the U.S. The school serves approximately 1,940 students enrolled 18 undergraduate programs, nine graduate programs, and a number of minor, certificate, continuing education, and post-baccalaureate study programs. Massachusetts College of Art and Design is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University (ASU) was created in 2009 after the ASU College of Design and the Katherine K. Herberger College of Fine Arts merged. Today, Herberger employs more than 600 faculty members that serve nearly 9,000 students enrolled in 130 different programs across the School of Art; the School of Arts, Media and Engineering; the Design School; The Sidney Poitier New American Film School; ASU FIDM; and the School of Music, Dance and Theater. The Herberger Institute also houses the ASU Art Museum.

The School of Art and the School of Arts, Media and Engineering provide several paths to study animation. In the School of Art, students can enroll in the Art BFA with a concentration in Animation; the Art MFA; or the 18 credit-hour Animation minor. School of Arts, Media and Engineering students can enroll in the Digital Culture BA program; the interdisciplinary 21 credit hour undergraduate minor; or the 18 credit-hour Digital Culture certificate. 

The Digital Culture BA features a variety of courses that allow students to focus in animation. Examples include Introduction to Computer Animation; Experimental Video Art; 2D Computer Animation; 3D Tools; Stop Motion Animation; Introduction to Animation for Film; Animating Virtual Worlds; 3D Computer Imaging and Animation; Fundamentals of Sound Art; and Motion Graphics and Animation. The program culminates with a final project. 

Graduates of the Digital Culture BA program at Arizona State University are prepared to pursue roles in areas such as animation and film, video game development, media arts, computing, and graphic communications. 

The Art BFA with a concentration in Animation requires 120 credit hours of study. Courses for the program are led by industry professionals with expertise in animation filmmaking, emerging technology, and computer-generated imagery. Course examples include Animation Motion Studies; The Art Experience; Storyboarding and Narrative Sequencing; 3D Computer Imaging and Animation; Illustration; and Junior Animation Projects I-II. 

Elective options for the program allow students to gain experience in other areas such as stop motion animation, visual effects (VFX), experimental video art, game art, and screenwriting.

Other Art BFA/Animation program benefits include access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources at the Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) Center in Mesa, Arizona; internships with local studios, companies, and arts organizations; visiting artist lectures supported by the School of Art galleries, the Ceramics Research Center and Archive, and the ASU Art Museum; and participation in public exhibitions. 

The Art BFA program at Arizona State University culminates with the Animation Capstone completed across two courses. The capstone results in an independent short film or a full-length film produced as a team. 

The Art MFA program at ASU Herberger provides the opportunity to complete projects in a discipline of the student’s choice. Examples include animation, intermedia, drawing and painting, photography, and printmaking. Other program benefits include workshops; teaching opportunities; visiting artist lectures; and access to private, state-of-the-art studio space at Grant Street Studios. 

Located in downtown Phoenix, Grant Street houses several galleries and resources such as printmaking presses, a computer lab and 3D print lab, and a photography darkroom. 

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

Graduates of the Art BFA/Animation and MFA programs at Arizona State University are prepared to pursue careers in the creative, technical, and scientific industries, among others. Examples include animation and film, robotics, medical illustration, scientific and data visualization, games and game development, cinema and television, AR/VR, illustration, and fine arts. 

ASU Art and Animation alumni hold titles such as Animator, Creative Director, VFX Artist, Graphic Artist, Art Director, and Multimedia Designer.

Founded on March 12, 1885, Arizona State University is the state’s first higher education institution. The school opened its doors on February 8, 1886 as Territorial Normal School (TNS). On the first day of class, TNS welcomed 33 students to a four-classroom building in Tempe, Arizona. Today, ASU sits on 1,550 acres that house multiple campuses, 16 colleges and schools, and ASU Online. Approximately 152,810 students from across the U.S. and nearly 160 other countries have access to more than 800 degree programs. 

Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Engineering at ASU is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) is a public urban research university that encompasses some of the oldest areas in the city. Examples include Tivoli Student Union (housed in a former brewery), and Ninth Street Historic District. CU Denver also houses the College of Arts and Media (CAM), home to the Department of Visual Arts (VA) and the Digital Animation Center (DAC).

Students in the CAM Visual Arts BFA program will learn and create in the DAC, which is a state-of-the-art facility that houses labs, studios, and production areas. This includes include 100 workstations outfitted with the latest industry 3D software including Maya, Houdini, and ZBrush; a large volume Vicon Motion Capture System; and a dedicated render farm with more than 4,300 cores. 

Other Visual Art BFA features include internships at major studios such as Pixar, Disney, and NBC Universal; study abroad experiences in places such as the UK, Greece, Italy, France, and South Korea; and access to the CU Denver Comcast Media and Technology Center (CMTC). The CMTC is a partnership between CAM and the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) that focuses on research and development in everything from artificial intelligence (AI) to the performing arts.  

The Visual Art BFA program at University of Colorado Denver also houses a 3D Graphics and Animation emphasis. Course examples for the program include Animation Foundations; Surfacing and Lighting; Advanced Character Animation; Modeling I-II; Introduction to Animation and Rigging; Production Practices; Creating Visual Story; Art History Survey I-II; Digital Cinematography; 3D Design; Dynamic Simulation; International Perspectives Through Animation; and Production I-III. 

In the beginning of the third year of the 3D Graphics and Animation program, students will start production on the Senior Film requirement. This 18-month Capstone experience is a collaboration across departments in the College of Arts and Media. Animation students will work in all areas of design and production to create an industry-ready film, which will be screened at the Visual Arts Thesis Exhibition at Redline Contemporary Art Center or other venue. 

To date, CAM 3D Graphics and Animation graduates have produced works that have been screened at more than 300 film festivals across 22 countries. Program graduates have also won more than 75 Best Animated Short awards in non-student categories. 

CU Denver CAM alumni also work in a variety of roles at major companies and studios across the U.S. Examples include Disney, Nickelodeon, Sony, LucasArts, Pixar, HBO, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Google, Apple, AEG Live, Comcast, and Rolling Stone. Some CAM alumni also go on to launch their own independent studios or freelance businesses. 

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

New Mexico State University (NMSU) is a NASA Space Grant College and home to the state’s first Honors College. The school also houses the Creative Media Institute for Film and Digital Arts (CMI). Designed for students seeking intensive training in digital filmmaking, animation, and storytelling, the CMI is a department in NMSU’s College of Arts and Sciences. 

Housed in the NMSU College of Arts and Sciences, the CMI features state-of-the-art production facilities including an animation lab, digital projection screening room, production spaces, and post-production labs. The CMI is also home to the Bachelor of Creative Media with an emphasis in Animation and Visual Effects (BCM-ANVE); the Digital Filmmaking BCM; and an 18 credit-hour Animation and Visual Effects minor. 

The cross-disciplinary BCM-ANVE is a 120 credit-hour program with two paths including 2D Production, and 3D and Visual Production. The paths have a common core. Courses include Beginning 2D Animation; Foundations of 3D Animation; Storyboarding; Writing for Animation -or- Screenwriting; Digital Illustration Techniques; Principles of Story Across the Media -or- Narrative: Principles of Story Across the Media; Introduction to 3D Modeling; Screenwriting; and History of Animation. 

2D Production students will take additional courses such as 2D Compositing and FX; Motion Graphics; Sets and Environments; Advanced 2D Animation; Character Design and Development; and Acting for Animation. 3D and Visual Production students will take courses such as 3D Animation; Visual Effects; Light, Shade, Render; Rigging for 3D Animation; Previsualization; and Motion Capture Techniques. 

Students in both options will complete the 3D Production Studio I-II courses, culminating in a short film to be presented in a showcase. 

The Digital Filmmaking BCM at New Mexico State University requires 120-123 credit hours of study. This includes 27 elective credits allowing students to specialize in animation. Of the 27 elective credits, 21 are at level 300 and above. This means, students will also develop advanced skills animation and film. Course examples include Visual Effects; Advanced Screenwriting; Sound Design I-II; Digital Video Production I-II; Directing I-II; Directed Studies; Writing for Animation; Practicum; Film Crew I-II; Storyboarding; Pre-Production Management; and Business of Filmmaking/Animation. 

In the final year of the Digital Filmmaking BCM program at New Mexico State University, students will complete FDMA 497: Portfolio Design and Development. During this course, students will focus on marketing strategies, building their portfolios and resumes, and developing individual demo and promotion packages. 

All BCM students are eligible to enter their films or animated productions into the Las Cruces International Film Festival. Entry is free for NMSU students. 

NMSU CMI graduates are prepared to pursue careers in entertainment, television production, advertising, and more. Across programs, NMSU students have interned with, completed co-op experiences with, or been hired at companies, studios, and organizations such as Disney, Amazon, NASA, IBM, Rolls-Royce, Tyson Foods, GEICO, the City of Las Cruses, Lockheed Martin, and Cummins, Inc. 

Founded in 1888 as Las Cruces College, New Mexico State University is a system of five colleges that serves approximately 22,710 students. Las Cruces serves approximately 15,410 students, making it the largest campus in the NMSU system. More than 100 programs are provided across seven colleges and the graduate school. New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) provides programs in design, technology, business, and fashion. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the school focuses on collaboration, innovation, hands-on training, and global studies. 

For FIT students interested in animation, the school has an Animation, Interactive Media, and Game Design program. Housed in the School of Art and Design and leading to a BFA, the program takes place in a collaborative environment designed to mimic professional production pipelines. Students will explore animation, game design, immersive environments (AR/VR), and Interactive storytelling, while mastering the latest tools, techniques, and technologies used in the entertainment and games industries. 

Courses for the program are taught by industry professionals who are active in the field. Course examples include Principles of Animation I-II; 2D Computer Animation; Design Fundamentals for Animation and Game Design; 3D Computer Modeling and Rendering; Narrative Animation Fundamentals; Design and Authoring for Interactive Media II; 3D Modeling and Animation; Storyboarding and Storytelling; History of Animation; Digital Editing for Film and Video; Advanced 3D Animation; Programming for Artists; Animation Production; and 2D Computer Image Generation. 

The culminating experience for the FIT BFA program is the Senior Project. Consisting of an individual short or interactive work, final projects are presented at the Graduating Student Exhibition for the School of Art and Design.

Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in 2D and 3D animation, visual effects (VFX), game design, motion graphics, animation production, post-production, advertising and marketing, architecture, television production, publishing, recording studios, news agencies, corporations, and more. 

FIT alumni have been hired at places such as Disney, LucasArts, DreamWorks, Warner Bros., Pixar, BBDO Worldwide, Electronic Arts (EA), Framestore, Weta, Blizzard Entertainment, Marvel Studios, Nickelodeon, Epic Games, Activision Blizzard, MPC, LEGO, Atlantic Records, CNN, Nike, Sony Music, Vogue, R/GA, ESPN, Psyop, Hyperkat, Think Brands, MoMA, and Harper’s BAZAAR.

Fashion Institute of Technology opened in 1944 inside the High School for the Needles Trades. On the first day of class, the school welcomed 100 students. Today, with a campus that spans 1.5 NYC blocks, FIT serves nearly 8,000 students from the U.S. and abroad. Part of the State University of New York (SUNY), the school houses five divisions that provide more than 50 majors leading to an AS, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, or MPS degree. 

In addition to the NASAD, Fashion Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).

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). 

University of Utah (The U) houses the College of Fine Arts. Within the college is the Department of Film and Media Arts, which provides two paths to study animation: the Animation emphasis in the Film and Media Arts BA program and the Animation Studies minor. The BA requires 122-123 credits, with at least 39 in the emphasis. The Animation Studies minor requires a minimum of 19 credit hours, with at least 12 credit hours in animation. 

Required courses for the minor include Making Movies and Introduction to Animation Techniques. Students may select one course from four drawing and mapping courses. For the remaining credits, students will select from the following courses: Introduction to 3D Animation; 3D Character Animation; Traditional Animation Production; Animation: Then, Now, and Next; Animation Film History; Japanese Anime; Storyboarding/Visual Storytelling; and Exploring Movement Through Animation. The culminating experience for the minor is an animation project. 

To kick off the Film and Media Arts BA program, students will complete four courses. These include Introduction to Film and Media Arts; History of Film and Media Arts: Origins to 1952; Making Movies; and History of Film and Media Arts: 1952 to the Present. For the Animation emphasis, students must also complete Introduction to Animation Techniques; Storyboarding/Visual Storytelling; Introduction to 3D Computer Animation; and Exploring Movement through Animation. 

For the remaining courses, students will select from at least 15 different courses. Examples include Contemporary Animation: The Simpsons to South Park; Digital Effects and Compositing for the Screen; Japanese Anime; 3D Character Animation; Drawing the Human Head and Hands; Traditional Animation Production; Animation: Then, Now, and Next; Digital Drawing; and Animation Film History. 

All Animation students will work and learn in state-of-the-art production facilities, classrooms, and studios. Students will also have opportunities to compete an internship, participate in workshops, and attend seminars. And thanks to The U’s Learning Abroad program with University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), Animation students have access to more than 50 programs in 26 countries.

The Film and Media Arts BA at University of Utah culminates with the Animation Project. Completed across an advanced four-credit course, the project allows students to complete an independent animated production using the techniques of their choice. 

Graduates of the creative and technology programs at University of Utah have found success as animators, game artists, directors, filmmakers, advertising animators, storyboard artists, and VFX artists. Some alumni have been hired at places such as Lucasfilm and Nickelodeon. Others have gone on to launch their own studios. This includes Pixar Animation Studios, which was co-founded by University of Utah Computer Science alum Edwin Catmull. 

University of Utah is the state’s flagship institution of higher learning. The school opened on February 28, 1850 as University of Deseret. Classes were held in private homes for $8 per quarter. Today, University of Utah is a Tier 1 research university that sits on 1,534 acres. The school also serves more than 36,000 students enrolled in over 200 programs across 17 colleges and schools. University of Utah is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The school is also a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). 

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) has some of the largest and most diverse programs in the academic world. The school houses the only Professional Golf Management program in Texas and one of the nation’s oldest speech and debate programs. With a full-service courtroom, and the headquarters of the Texas Forensic Science Commission, SHSU’s criminal justice program is also one of the largest programs of its kind in the U.S. 

One of Sam Houston’s most diverse programs is the Animation BFA. Housed in the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication’s Department of Art, the program explores storyboarding, 2D and 3D animation, lighting, 3D modeling/rigging/texturing, character design, and rendering. Program highlights include the portfolio reviews by industry leaders; the guest speaker series; and SHSU SIGGRAPH. This self-governed student-run organization features on-campus exhibitions, student-led workshops, and collaborative animation and other digital art projects.  

Courses and projects for the SHSU Animation BFA program take place in state-of-the-art classrooms and studios such as the PC Lab with 20 workstations and 20 Cintiq Pro 16 – creative pen displays; a dedicated production studio for stop motion and 3D printing; a dedicated space for audio recording; and an additional lab with 20 HD interactive pen displays. 

Program facilities are outfitted with other equipment and software such as professional studio lighting; ZBrush, Dragonframe, Maya, iPi Motion Capture, Mudbox, and Pixar’s RenderMan; animation lightboxes; and HD-TVs for displaying student work. 

The SHSU Animation BFA program requires 120 credit hours including the University Core Curriculum; the Art Department Foundation; the Art Department Core, and 45 credit hours of Animation coursework. Upon completion of Foundation requirements, all BFA students will participate in the Art Department BFA Portfolio Review before being admitted to the Animation major. 

The major includes the following required courses: History of Animation; Experimental Animation; Character Animation; 2D Animation; Shading, Lighting and Rendering; Introduction to 3D Animation; Animation Concepts and Techniques; Advanced 3D Animation; and Animation Preproduction. The program culminates with the final Animation Portfolio course. 

Graduates of the Animation BFA program at Sam Houston State University are prepared to pursue careers in animation, filmmaking, video games, television, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), interactive media, advertising, and education. Graduates may also pursue roles in emerging areas for animators such as AI-powered animation, UX design, healthcare, and sustainability. Others have gone on to pursue graduate studies at SHSU, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Florida State University (FSU), Texas A&M University (Texas A&M), Southern Methodist University (SMU), and University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), among others. 

SHSU Animation BFA alumni can be found at places such as Zynga, EA Mobile, Powerhouse Animation, 900lbs of Creative, Kiloo Games, Perkins+Will, Rio Bravo Productions, Next Level Design Company, Stoic Studio, Jacobs Visual Media Group, JHT Incorporated, Softway Solutions, Brown Distributing Company, and the Texas Public School System. 

Sam Houston State University was founded in 1879 as the Sam Houston Normal Institute. When it opened, the institute became the first teacher preparation program in Texas. Today, SHSU serves approximately 21,040 students enrolled in baccalaureate, professional, and graduate degree programs in more than 170 fields of study. This includes America’s first PhD in Forensic Science. Programs at SHSU are housed across eight colleges. 

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

Bowling Green State University (BGSU) houses Ohio’s largest public undergraduate school of art. Established more than 75 years ago, the BGSU School of Art has also been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 1984. Students in the school benefit from BGSU’s student life program with over 300 student organizations; specialized workshops and career coaching; access to array of STEM programs; and dozens of state-of-the-art spaces that simulate real-world production studios, labs, offices, and research centers. 

Part of the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Art also houses five divisions including Digital Arts; Graphic Design; Art History; Studio; and Art Education. Features across divisions include a student-faculty ratio of 15:1; opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships with Pixar, Disney Animation, and the Museum of Modern Art; the chance to study abroad at BGSU’s partner school in Florence, Italy; opportunities to work in BGSU’s professional large-format printing studio; and access to a variety of curriculum-enhancing minors.

In addition, the newly built 100,000 square feet Wolfe Center for the Arts provides access to three state-of-the-art digital studio classrooms; a 20-seat HP (Windows 7) lab; an editing lab with 20 Mac Pro video editing workstations; and a 20-seat Mac Pro OSX lab. The School of Art also houses The Media Center, which houses high-end digital A/V equipment for student checkout; high-dynamic range wide format printers; high-resolution scanners; and 3D printers.

For individuals seeking an Animation degree, the Digital Arts Division provides BA, BFA, and minor options. A Studio Art MFA is provided in the School of Art. The 21 credit-hour Digital Arts minor has 3D Modeling and Animation; Video Art; Interactive Media; and Imaging specializations. Students may focus in these areas through electives selected with the help of Digital Arts faculty advisors. All minor students will complete Digital Imaging and three First Year Program courses. 

Other courses may be selected from 20 elective options. Examples include Animation Principles and Techniques; Story and Concept Development; Digital Character Animation I-II; Intro to Gaming; 3D Animation; Contemporary Practices in Digital Arts I-II; Artistic Animation Effects; and Digital Video Art. 

Digital Arts BA and BFA students may specialize in Animation, with a 2D or 3D Animation track. An optional interdisciplinary track allows students to incorporate classes from other formal areas such as Drawing, Graphic Design, or Photography. 

The 2D Animation track includes required courses such as Digital Imaging, and Art and Code. Other courses include 2D Digital Animation; Creative Character Design; 3D Modeling; Animation Principles and Techniques; and Animation Production. Students will also have the option to select from electives such as Collaborative Digital Art Development; 3D Animation; Art and Virtual Environments; and Animated Films: An International History. 

3D Animation track students will also complete the required Digital Imaging, and Art and Code, as well most 2D track courses. Elective options are identical as well. Other 3D Animation courses include Artistic Animation Effects and Advanced 3D Animation Techniques.

The 2D Animation and 3D Animation tracks culminate in a semester-long senior capstone completed across three courses including Professional Practices (4090); Senior Studio (4180); and BFA Thesis (4190). Projects will be screened at The Wolfe Center for the Arts during the School of Art's Annual BFA Exhibition and Film Festival. 

The School of Art Studio Art MFA is a two-year, full-time program with a specialization in Digital Arts. This includes Computer Animation, Digital Media, and Interactive Media. The program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours, including 39 credits of required courses; 18 credits of studio electives; and three for the culminating experience. 

Included in the 39 credit hours are 21 credits from Digital Arts; six from Art History; and 12 from research, critique, and pedagogy. These include Studio Critique; Contextualizing Practice and Research; and Pedagogy and Research in Studio Art. Elective examples include Artistic Animation Effects; Interactive Art Studio; Advanced Study in Digital Animation; Workshop in Art; Collaborative Multimedia Development; Digital Animation Studio; Advanced Study in Interactive Art; and Graduate Travel Studio. 

The culminating experience for the MFA program is the Exhibition Research course, which entails supervised independent study activities encompassing all phases of preparation for the BGSU MFA Exhibition. This event is held each spring in the Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery in BGSU’s Fine Arts Center. 

Graduates of the Digital Arts and Studio MFA programs at Bowling Green State University are prepared to pursue titles such as 2D or 3D Animator, Special Effects Artist, Motion Graphics Artist, Video Game Animator, Multimedia Designer, Web Design Animator, Technical Director, Producer, Advertising Animator, and Animation Professor. 

BGSU alumni have been hired at major companies and studios such as DreamWorks Animation, Apple, Blizzard Entertainment, Epic Games, American Greetings, Root Learning, and Designing Digitally. 

Bowling Green State University was established in 1910 as a teacher-training institution. The school held its first classes in 1941. Today, BGSU provides more than 200 programs across six colleges and BGSU Firelands in Huron, Ohio. Serving approximately 18,795 students, Bowling Green State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 includes 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).

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.

University of Wisconsin – Stout (UW-Stout) is the only career-focused polytechnic university in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Located just 24 miles from Eau Claire, Wisconsin and less than an hour from Minneapolis, UW-Stout boasts a 99% rate of employment (or graduate school) right after graduation. This is thanks, in part, to industry partnerships with major companies and studios such as Sony, Andersen Corporation, Target, 3M, Forbes, Thomson Reuters, and Great Northern Corporation.

The College of Arts and Humanities (CAHS) is one of the two colleges of UW-Stout. Within the college is the School of Art and Design (SOAD), which serves approximately 1,000 students enrolled in 18 degree and minor programs. As part of the SOAD, all programs are accredited by the National Association for Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). 

Students in all programs also benefit from cooperative education and field experiences; hands-on, polytechnic-inspired curriculums supplemented by national and international internships; additional study abroad experiences; and access to dedicated SOAD studios, labs, and galleries. This includes the new motion capture studio (mocap) for animation and game design.

Specific program options for animators include the Animation and Digital Media BFA, and a Design MFA. The Animation and Digital Media BFA is a collaborative, cross-disciplinary program that explores 2D and 3D animation, motion capture, real-time production, animation software, character design, 2D and 3D modeling, design software, visual storytelling, and environment design. 

Course and elective examples for this 120 credit hour program include 3D Modeling and Animation; Digital Sound; Pixel and Vector Art; Design Drawing and Concept Visualization; 3D Character Animation; Video Production; Typography in Motion; Fiction Into Film; Animation Production; Comics; Commercial Motion Graphics; American Cinema; Visual Effects and Compositing; Digital Illustration; Virtual and Augmented Reality Video Applications; 3D Game Art and Engines; and Professional Practices in Design. 

The Animation and Digital Media BFA program at University of Wisconsin - Stout culminates with the two-semester sequence Animation Capstone. Students will develop a professional level project from using the techniques and tools utilized in the animation industry.

The Design MFA at University of Wisconsin – Stout takes place in a cross-disciplinary environment where students will participate in several design studios; complete a number or seminar courses; engage in independent study; and complete 21 Design/Art Studio “selectives” and nine credit hours of supporting electives.

The program has 11 formal focus areas. Examples include Animation and Digital Media; Illustration; Game Design and Development; Cinema, Video and Photography; Graphic Design and Interactive Media; and User Experience (UX) Design. 

While the UW-Stout Design MFA cannot be completed 100% online, students can complete core classes during the evenings with a combination of online and on-campus meetings. Students may also select full-time, on-campus studio courses or customize their own part-time schedule with independent projects and hybrid classes. 

The culminating experience for the flexible Design MFA program at University of Wisconsin – Stout is the Creative Thesis in Design. Students will complete an independent design research project under direction of a primary research advisor and committee. MFA students will present their final projects to the thesis committee, including a public lecture or exhibition. 

Animation and Digital Media BFA, and Design/Animation Digital Media MFA graduates are prepared to pursue roles in animation, film and television, games, advertising, architecture, science, medicine, and technology, among others. MFA graduates may also pursue careers in education. Design MFA alumni have been hired to teach at UW-Stout, UW-River Falls, and Vancouver College of Art and Design (VCAD). 

School of Art and Design (and UW-Stout) alumni have been hired at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Disney, Raven Software (part of Activision), Apple, Cisco, Grainger, Marriott International, 3M, Target, P&G, Boston Scientific, H&M, Ecolab, United Launch Alliance, Kohl’s, PUNY Entertainment, Fantasy Flight Games (FGG), Shutterfly, Larson Design Group, Lifetime Design, and The Nerdery. 

University of Wisconsin – Stout was established in 1891 as The Stout Manual Training School. Today, the school is one of just 125 polytechnic universities in the U.S. Serving approximately 6,915 students, University of Wisconsin-Stout provides more than 145 programs across two colleges and the Graduate School. Many of these programs are unique to UW-Stout, or they are not offered anywhere in the Midwest. 

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

University of Connecticut (UConn) is home to the School of Fine Arts. Established in 1961, the school houses four departments including Art and Art History; Music; Digital Media and Design (DMD); and Dramatic Arts. Programs in all departments are supported by specialized showcases, exhibition spaces, stages, and forums including the Digital Media Center; William Benton Museum of Art; von der Mehden Recital Hall; Contemporary Art Galleries; Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts; and the Connecticut Repertory Theatre. 

The DMD Department and the Department of Art and Art History provide several paths to study animation. DMD options include the BFA degree in Digital Media Design with concentrations in 3D Animation; Motion Design and Animation; Digital Film/Video Production; Game Design; and Web/Interactive Media Design. The Art and Art History Department has Art BA and Studio Art BFA programs. Students in both programs may concentrate in Illustration/Animation. All programs (including the DMD BFA) are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). 

Across options, students will engage in collaborative, project based-learning with access to state-of-the-art studios, labs, and production facilities. Examples include a high-powered Cintiq computer lab for high-end 3D work, a 688 foot Motion Capture Studio; and a render farm. Students also benefit from independent study and internship opportunities in the junior and senior years of the programs.

For animators, the most popular DMD BFA concentrations are 3D Animation, and Motion Design and Animation. Across options, students will take courses such as History of Animation; 3D Animation I-II; Cinematic Storytelling; Advanced Compositing for Visual Effects; Film and Video Editing; 3D Modeling, Lighting and Rendering; 3D Simulations; Advanced 3D Research and Production; and Animation Science. 

For the senior capstone, students in both concentrations will complete a year-long original BFA Senior Project under the direction of DMD faculty. Senior projects are showcased in the end-of-year DMD BFA Senior Thesis Exhibition, held in the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts. 

Upon completion of the DMD BFA program some students elect to pursue the UConn DMD MFA. This three-year pathway allows students to develop their own independent creative practice. Students may also concentrate in 3D Animation or Motion Design and Animation. Both areas are delivered at the advanced level. 

In addition to advanced concentration courses, MFA students will complete the following 5000-level courses: Digital Media Graduate Colloquium; Digital Culture; History and Theory of Digital Art; and MFA Studio Critique (taken a total of four times). Students will also complete the Digital Media Internship/Co-op or Independent Study. The program culminates with the MFA Final Project and Thesis Exhibition courses in the student’s area of concentration. 

The Art BA and Studio Art BFA programs at University of Connecticut require 120 credit hours of study. The BA includes 42 art and design credit hours and the Studio Art BFA includes 66 studio art credits. Students in the Illustration/Animation concentration will explore and create projects in both digital and analog environments. Examples include 2D animation; cartoons; stop-motion animation; character design; graphic novels; product design; comics; and environment design. 

Illustration/Animation course examples include Animation Fundamentals; Life Drawing I-II; Topics in Illustration; Graphic Design: Process and Thinking; Art History; Introduction to Digital Media; Studio Concepts; and Going Pro. 

The culminating experience for the programs is a project that focuses on the student's area of concentration. Final works will be exhibited in the Annual Senior Show. 

Graduates of the DMD and Art and Art History programs at University of Connecticut are prepared to pursue roles in areas such as animation, games, filmmaking, publishing, advertising, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), architecture, television production, user interface and user experience design (UI/UX), medical illustration, live performance, social media, sports, and animation or illustration for science, medicine technology, legal, aerospace, education, and research. MFA graduates are prepared to pursue advanced leadership roles in these areas. 

DMD and Art and Art History alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Pixar, Adobe, Disney, HBO, Epic Games, Food Network, ESPN, Lego, Google Creative, NBC Universal, Adobe, Viacom, CBS 2 News, NBC Sports Group, World Wide Wrestling Entertainment (WWE,) DW Advertising, Stoopid Buddy Studios, Fusion 360, AW Design, XVIVO Medical Animation Studio, YouTube Gaming, Blur Studio, Matter Communications, and Greenhouse Studios. 

University of Connecticut is the state’s flagship university. Founded in 1881, the school opened with just three faculty members and 13 male students. Today, UConn is home to more than 18,000 faculty and staff that serve approximately 32,100 students across seven campuses, and 14 colleges and schools. Available programs include 245+ majors and minors, and more than 180 programs leading to a master’s, PhD, or graduate certificate. University of Connecticut is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Utah Valley University (UVU) follows a dual-mission model that combines university and vocational community college programs. This means, UVU students have many opportunities to engage in hands-on learning at companies and studios near Utah’s tech epicenter—Silicon Slopes. 

Utah Valley University is also home to Scott M. Smith College of Engineering and Technology (CET). Serving more than 6,700 students, Smith CET provides over 120 degree programs across 11 technology and other departments. Led by more than 450 faculty and staff, the Smith CET engineering programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET). 

Among the college’s departments is the Digital Media (DGM) Department. Within the department is an Animation and Game Development program featuring courses taught by professional animators and game producers from places such as DreamWorks Animation and Electronic Arts (EA). Leading to a BS, the Animation and Game Development program also provides opportunities for students to participate in associations and Animation and Game conferences. 

Examples include the Digital Animation and Games Association (DAGA); Immerse Global Summit; the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference; and the Game Developers Conference. Participation allows students to network and stay current with industry trends.

The Animation and Game Development BS has two tracks: 2D and 3D. Both options require 120 credit hours, including 35 credits in general education, 40 credits in the discipline core, and 45 credits in the track. Discipline core examples include 3D Modeling and Animation; Digital Media for Intercultural Communication; Advanced Character Rigging; Animation and Game Production Lab I-II; Animation Story Development; Digital Lecture Series; Animation I Lab; and Character Development. 

Recognized as an Animation Center of Excellence by Toon Boom, the cohort-based 2D track focuses on animation, compositing, and character rigging. Course examples include Animation Essentials Lab; Digital Storyboarding; Advanced Technical Direction I-II; Concept Essentials; Technical Design and Direction; Performance Animation; Introduction to Compositing; Studio Technology Essential; and Digital Media Essentials. 

The 3D track focuses on modeling, rigging, and scripting. Students in this track will take many of the same courses for the 2D track, as well as Scripting for Animation and Games I-II; Fundamentals of Programming; Game Development I-IV; and Intermediate Scripting. 3D students will produce group and individual titles throughout the program. 

The culminating experience for the Animation and Game Development BS at UVU is the Senior Capstone. All students will develop real-world projects, individually and as part of a team, in consultation with a faculty advisor. This course may be repeated for a maximum of six credits towards graduation.

Graduates of the Animation and Game Development BS program at Utah Valley University are prepared to pursue roles in all areas of animation, game design and development, television production, film and video, user interface and user experience (UI/UX) design, advertising, social media, architecture, graphic design, science, aerospace, medicine, legal, government, health, education, and research. 

Program alumni have been hired at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Amazon, Gearbox Software, Northrop Grumman, Tektonux, and ArenaNet. 

Utah Valley University has an additional option for students who would like to pursue a career that combines animation and illustration. The UVU Art and Design BFA, with an emphasis in Illustration, is part of the School of Art, which is one of the largest art and design schools in the state.

The BFA program provides opportunities to intern with places such as Paramount Studios, the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (Utah MOCA), and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met). BFA students also have opportunities to compete for international internships that may take them to places such as South Korea, Italy, the UK, and Germany. 

Consisting of 120 credit hours, the UVU Art and Design BFA allows students to focus in an additional area of interest through electives. Course examples include 2D Animation for Illustration; Advanced Rendering of Forms and Surfaces; Sequential Animation; Character Design; Digital Illustration; 3D Texturing and Rendering; and Environment Design. 

Discipline core and emphasis requirements also include animation and related courses such as Illustrative Media Techniques I-II; 3D Modeling; Advanced Illustration; 2D and 3D Design; Figure Drawing I-III; Conceptual Illustration; Computer Graphics; Imagination and Visual Literacy; and Narrative Illustration. 

The Art and Design BFA at UVU culminates with the BFA Project, completed across two semesters. Final projects will be presented at the Student Art Show and Exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions at animation studios, game design companies, film studios, advertising agencies, television production studios, marketing firms, publishing companies, magazines, graphic design firms, and in-house art and design departments. 

Some UVU Art and Design alumni also go on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses, while others go on to pursue graduate studies at UVU and other major universities. 

Utah Valley University was established in 1941 as Central Utah Vocational School (CUVS). When it launched, the school’s primary function was to provide war production training. Today, UVU provides more than 300 different degree and certificate options across eight colleges and schools. The school also serves a record 47,400 students, making it the largest public university in the state. Utah Valley University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).