| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana State University | Baton Rouge |
| 2 | Tulane University | New Orleans |
| 3 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Lafayette |
| 4 | Louisiana State University-Shreveport | Shreveport |
| 5 | Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond |
Our 2022 ranking -our eleventh annual- of the top animation school programs in Louisiana. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The College of Art & Design at Louisiana State University (LSU) houses the School of Art, which has several pathway options for animators. The BFA in Studio Art with a Digital Art Concentration provides instruction and training in Animation, 3D Modeling, Visual Effects (VFX), Games, and Experimental New Media Art. Course examples include Virtual Space and Motion, Two-Dimensional Design, Moving Image, Creative Coding, Digital Art, and Three-Dimensional Design.
To enhance the BFA degree, students may add any Minor from the LSU School of Art Digital Media Arts & Engineering (DMAE) Program or the Screen Arts Program.
The School of Art also offers a BA that allows students to integrate courses from areas such as Film & TV, Computer Science, Screen Arts, and Mass Communications, into the program. The BA explores Animation, VFX, New Media Art, and Games. Course highlights include Intermediate 3D Animation, Houdini, Digital Art Studio, Intermediate 3D Modeling, Unreal Engine, and Video Game Prototyping.
This Liberal Arts degree is an attractive option for transfer students and students seeking a second degree.
At the graduate level, Louisiana State University’s School of Art offers an interdisciplinary Master in DMAE that offers coursework in Animation, Video Games, and VFX and an MFA in Digital Art. This immersive program takes two years to complete.
The curriculum for the LSU Digital Art MFA is experimental and allows students to blend courses that explore computational artmaking with coursework in animation, film, computer science, painting, electronic music, and more. Graduate MFA students will complete 60 credit hours, with 12 general electives to be taken in any specialization, and nine in an area of focus. Six credit hours are devoted to Thesis Research.
Students in all School of Art programs at Louisiana State University have access to the Arts, Visualization, Advanced Technologies and Research (AVATAR) Initiative and they may join the Digital Art and Design Association (DADA), which hosts the Annual Animation Jam.
Louisiana State University was founded in 1860 as the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy. The flagship institution of the Louisiana State University System, LSU serves nearly 36,000 students enrolled in more than 330 programs across 18 colleges, schools, and centers, and LSU Online. Louisiana State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The three areas of concentration in the School of Art are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
All programs allow students to study Digital Arts, which allows ample opportunities to explore time-based media (animation and video). Students will explore other areas such as digital imaging, 3D graphics, and interactivity. The undergraduate programs begin with the Foundations of Art Series. The interdisciplinary MFA focuses on individual studio practice and cross-disciplinary seminars. Graduate students will participate in the Thesis Show, where each artist will exhibit a culminating body of work in the Newcomb Art Department’s Carrol Gallery located in the Woldenberg Art Center.
In addition to a number of projects completed throughout the program, BA students will complete a Senior Capstone, while BFA students will complete a final major project. Final works will be presented at the Carroll Gallery.
Tulane University was founded in 1834. Serving more than 14,500 students, Tulane was the first major research institution to require public service for graduation. The school offers more than 275 programs in 10 colleges and schools. Tulane University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The College of the Arts at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) houses the Department of Visual Arts. Launched in 1992, the Department has the oldest established computer animation program in Louisiana.
Within the Department of Visual Arts is the BFA in Visual Arts Program, which offers a Concentration in Computer Animation. Sample courses for the program include Introduction to, Intermediate, and Advanced Computer Animation, Conceptual Formal Development Drawing, Media Workshop, and Digital Art.
During the final year of the program, students will complete the Senior Capstone Art Project consisting of two courses totaling six credit hours and 12 lab hours. The project leads to a completed professional portfolio and exhibition.
Graduates of the Computer Animation and Visual Arts Programs at UL Lafayette have worked on projects for Pixel Magic in Lafayette. Examples include The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Men in Black, Looper, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One and Part Two, Looper, and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part One.
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette was established in 1898 as the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute. The school serves more than 19,000 students, making UL Lafayette the second largest university in Louisiana. More than 110 programs are offered in 14 colleges and schools. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The Digital Media and Arts Department at Louisiana State University-Shreveport (LSUS) offers a BFA in Digital Arts and a BS in Computer Science with a Digital and Interactive Design Concentration. Both programs take four years to complete, and the BS prepares students for technical roles in the animation and visual effects industries.
The BFA program explores 2D and 3D animation, computer graphics, motion graphics, media arts, painting, photography, drawing, and software applications such as Adobe Photoshop. Fifteen credit hours of electives allow students to focus in areas such as animation, game design or graphic design.
Other program highlights include hands-on learning in a collaborative environment, internship opportunities with local companies and studios, and the chance to join ACM SIGGRAPH, the American Advertising Federation, or the Game Development Club. All offer opportunities to participate in workshops and network with other artists and professionals.
Students in both programs will graduate with a resume and a professional portfolio of their best work. Potential careers include animation, game art, game design and development, visual effects, advertising and marketing, film and video production, and graphic design, to name a few.
Part of the Louisiana State university System, Louisiana State University-Shreveport began as a two-year college in 1967. Serving close to 10,000 students, LSUS offers more than 20 undergraduate degree programs, a dozen master's degree programs, and a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership Studies. Louisiana State University-Shreveport is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Southeastern Louisiana University (Southeastern) houses the Department of Visual Art + Design, which offers 11 areas of study leading to a BA degree. Students in all areas have access to state-of-the-art technology in studios, labs, and other Southeastern facilities. Other department highlights include semi-private studio spaces for fourth year students, visiting artist lectures and workshops, and internship opportunities in the art, design, and entertainment industries.
The Southeastern BA in Visual Arts with a Major in New Media & Animation combines fine and experimental art, with traditional, internet, and emerging technologies. Students will explore digital video, 2D and 3D animation, digital imaging, 3D computer graphics, rapid prototyping, computer art, sound design, and 2D and 3D interactive multimedia.
Graduates of the Southeastern BA in Visual Arts Program are prepared for jobs in animation game design, special effects, broadcast design, TV/film, multimedia art, videography, and directing, among others.
Serving 14,300 students, Southeastern Louisiana University the state’s third largest public university. The school consists of five academic colleges offering more than 150 majors, minors, and concentrations. Established in 1925, Southeastern Louisiana University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Southeastern is also accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
