Top 50 Animation Schools and Colleges in the U.S. – 2025 College Rankings

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) provides programs that combine a liberal arts curriculum and mentoring, with immersive coursework in film and video. Housed in CalArts’ largest department—the School of Film/Video (F/V), all programs allow students to explore multiple modes of moving image. Examples include animation, live-action, and documentary filmmaking. 

Other program features include courses led exclusively by working artists, filmmakers, and technicians; famous alumni such as Tim Burton (Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood), John Lasseter (Cars, Toy Story), and Chris Buck (Frozen); interactions with accomplished animators and filmmakers through the visiting artist series; field trips to demonstrations and screenings; and small class sizes. 

The School of F/V at CalArts also provides opportunities to study abroad in places such as Berlin, Paris, and Prague; paid internships through the Academy Internship Program (established by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences); participation in the Bijou Festival at CalArts (attended by professionals in the animation, film, and television industries); collaborations with The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the UCLA Film and Television Archive, and the Montreal International Festival of New Cinema, among others; and the opportunity to present works at Sundance, Centre Pompidou in Paris, and New York Film Festival. 

Specific School of F/V programs for animators include the Experimental Animation BFA and MFA, and a Character Animation BFA. 

The Experimental Animation BFA and MFA programs at CalArts focus on animation approaches, techniques, and processes such as 2D animation, motion capture, performance animation, programming, digital production, stop motion, and installation. Independent study, seminars, lectures, and workshops supplement courses. 

Course examples for BFA students include Animation Production; Motion Controlled Animated Camera; Animal Anima; Absolute Animation Workshop; Sound for Experimental Animation I-II; Hybrid Imaging; Motion and Meaning; Experimental Characters; Animating Virtual Worlds in Real-Time; Loop Loop; Drawn Techniques for the Experimental Animator; Cartoon Logic; and Creating Augmented Reality Experiences. 

To enhance the curriculum, Experimental Animation BFA students may add a minor, pursue one of several interdisciplinary programs, or both. A popular option is the Digital Arts minor. This 18-unit program allows students to develop skills in areas such as computer programming, digital media and web development, video editing, and digital sound production. 

The CalArts Experimental Animation BFA program takes four years to complete. A final project and the creation of a professional portfolio are the culminating experiences for the program. 

The Experimental Animation MFA at California Institute of the Arts is a three-year, residency track program that begins with a first-year project. Designed for students seeking leadership roles in studio production, those interested in launching their own studios, and individuals who would like to become educators, this interdisciplinary, terminal degree program provides opportunities to select courses from art, dance, theater, and music to reach the required 60 credits. 

At least six graduate-level history/theory credits must be completed in residence at CalArts. To fulfill these requirements, students will take Seminar in Animation History; History of Experimental Animation; and one additional approved history/theory course. Other course examples include Digital Workflow for Animators; Drawn Techniques for the Experimental Animator; First Year Shorts; Introduction to Cinema 4D; Sound for Experimental Animation; Stop Motion Basics; and Interactive Media. 

The Experimental Animation MFA at CalArts culminates with a thesis, completed across 12 credit hours of seminar courses. This includes Experimental Animation Thesis Concept Seminar (two courses/three credits each) and Experimental Animation Thesis Production Seminar (two courses/three credits each). 

The Character Animation BFA at CalArts is a four-year program that prepares students to work in traditional, computer graphic (CG), and independent animation. Course examples include 2D Character Animation I-III; Digital Methods; Animation Layout; Life Drawing I-II; CG Foundation; Acting for Animators; CG Character Modeling; Drawn Techniques for the Experimental Animator; CG Special Effects for Animated Films; Cinematography; Color as Storytelling; and Character Animation I-IV. 

Like Experimental BFA students, Character Animation students may enhance the program by pursuing one of several interdisciplinary programs, adding a minor, or both. 

The Character Animation BFA at California Institute of the Arts culminates with an individual short and professional portfolio. 

Graduates of the creative programs at California Institute of the Arts have found success in animation, film and video, advertising, music, acting, graphic design, theater, and more. Examples of companies that hire CalArts graduates include Pixar, NBCUniversal, Disney, Illumination, Sony Animation, Netflix, Warner Bros., Capitol Records, Google, and Apple. 

Many CalArts alumni have also gone on to launch their own studios and other entertainment businesses. Examples include Handbuilt Studio, Clay and Kelsy Instruments, Minimal Audio, and Scale Navigator. 

California Institute of the Arts was established in 1961 after the consolidation of the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music (est. 1883) and the Chouinard Art Institute (est. 1921). With the financial backing of Walt Disney, the newly formed CalArts incorporated all areas of the visual and performing arts. Today, the school serves 1,520 students enrolled in more than 70 degree programs across the School of Art; the School of Critical Studies; the School of Film/Video; Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts; Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance; and the School of Theater.

California Institute of the Arts also houses the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT), located in the Walt Disney Concert Hall complex in Los Angeles, and the award-winning Community Arts Partnership (CAP) with community organizations and public schools across LA County. Established in 1990, CAP has the support of The Getty Foundation, Sony Pictures, and the National Endowment of the Arts. 

CalArts is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The school is also one of approximately 83 accredited institutional members of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).

Ringling College of Art and Design (RCAD) is Florida’s only post-secondary institution dedicated exclusively to teaching art and design. One of the school’s most popular programs is the Computer Animation BFA. Established in 1990, this 120 credit-hour program opens the door to coveted internships with places such as Pixar, DreamWorks, Sony Pictures, Nickelodeon, and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Thanks to RCAD’s industry relationships, students also have the unique opportunity to engage in fourth-year critiques with professionals from these and other major studios. 

Other program features include courses taught by animation industry veterans; guest speakers from major studios; real-world projects with area businesses; and participation in the RCAD initiative INDEX (Industry Experience). Developed in partnership with The Patterson Family Foundation, INDEX provides experiential learning opportunities from additional internships to competitions sponsored by major clients and brands. INDEX also helps students with resume and portfolio-building.  

The Computer Animation BFA program at Ringling College of Art and Design highlights 48 credit hours in the major and the Media Arts First Year Community (MA-FYC) consisting of 18 credit hours. Course examples for the MA-FYC include 2D Design; Figure Drawing I-II; 3D Design; and Perspective Drawing I. 

With 12 credit hours of open electives, BFA students can enhance the curriculum by developing skills in additional areas of art and design. Examples of required major courses include Computer Animation I-VI; Visual Development for Computer Animation I-II; Traditional Animation I-II; Story Development I-III; and Animation Preproduction. 

The culminating experience for the RCAD BFA program is the Thesis Project in Computer Animation, which incorporates animation methods, technologies, and sound to demonstrate proficiency in all areas of computer animation. Students will present and defend their work. 

For students seeking a program that explores animation and other areas of art and design, Ringling College of Art and Design has a Motion Design BFA that explores 2D and 3D animation, storytelling, visual effects (VFX), sound design, stop motion animation, and graphic design. Other program features include opportunities to develop creative projects in teams; participation in the ART Network Group; access to the state-of-the-art Studio 314; and the FutureProof Conference. 

This week-long event, hosted by the Department of Motion Design, consists of workshops, presentations, technical demos, and other activities designed to enhance the Motion Design curriculum. Past and recent speakers include artists and others from places such as Nickelodeon, CNN, Disney Live Entertainment, Telemundo, FutureDeluxe, and Hornet. 

The RCAD Motion Design BFA requires 120 credit hours, including 39 in the major, 12 regular electives, and 12 open electives. Other credits come from liberal arts, general education, art and design history, and First Year Community (FYC). Major course examples include Design in Sequence for Motion; 2D Animation; 3D Animation; Animation Techniques; Branding and Visual Systems; Design Fundamentals for Motion; Concept Development I-II; Advanced 2D Animation; and Advanced 3D Animation. 

Elective examples include Persuasive Messaging in Motion; Digital Compositing for 2D; Experimentation in Motion; Digital Compositing for 3D; Styleframe Development in Motion; Project Mapping; Advanced Motion Design Techniques I-II; and Advanced Animation Techniques. 

The culminating experience for the Motion Design BFA program at Ringling College of Art and Design is the senior project consisting of two courses: Production Studio and Experimental (with presentation). 

Graduates of the Computer Animation and Motion Design BFA programs at Ringling College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue careers across all areas of animation, film, television, and other related fields. Program alumni can be found at places such as Pixar, MPC, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Weta FX, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks Animation, LAIKA, Cartoon Network, Lucasfilm, Nickelodeon, Riot Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Reel FX, Hasbro, and Psyop. 

Founded in 1931, Ringling College of Art and Design is a private, not-for-profit college that began as a collaboration between circus baron John Ringling and Dr. Ludd M. Spivey—then president of Southern College. The school launched as a remote branch of Southern College named The School of Fine and Applied Art of the John and Mable Ringling Art Museum. Around 75 students and 13 faculty members arrived for the school’s first class. 

Today, Ringling College of Art and Design sits on a 48-acre campus that serves 1,666 students enrolled in 11 different majors leading to a BFA degree, two majors leading to a BA, and 10 minors. In addition, RCAD recently launched an undergraduate Artificial Intelligence (AI) certificate. This is the first program of its kind at an art and design college. 

Ringling College of Art and Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

School of Visual Arts (SVA) hosts an annual festival known as the After School Special. This decade old event highlights the work of some of SVA’s most accomplished alumni in animation, film, television, and visual effects (VFX). In addition to the After School Special, School of Visual Arts houses one of the nation’s largest animation departments. 

Serving approximately 760 animation students, the Animation Department at SVA provides two undergraduate programs for animators including BFAs in Animation, and 3D Animation and Visual Effects. Both programs provide hands-on experience with latest industry software including Adobe Animate, Storyboard Pro, After Effects, Toon Boom Harmony, and Maya.

BFA students also benefit from relationships with independent animators across New York and alumni-owned studios such as Titmouse, Augenblick, and Plymptoons; and mentorships with accomplished directors, character designers, and VFX artists.

Across programs, students will take courses such as Gesture Drawing; Python Scripting for Maya Artists; Sonic Storytelling; VFX and Compositing I-II; Visual Development; History of Animation I-II; Life Drawing: Figure, Form and Function; Advanced Animation Workshop I-II; and Animation Workflow. 

The culminating experience for the Animation BFA is the thesis and presentation. 3D Animation and Visual Effects students will have the option to complete a thesis in computer animation or visual effects and compositing. 

Graduates of the Animation Department at SVA are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of animation, film, VFX, and more. They can be found at DreamWorks, Lucasfilm Animation, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon, Sony Pictures Animation, and Disney Animation Studios. Some alumni have also gone on to land positions at established independent studios, or they have launched their own. 

For animation students seeking an advanced degree, School of Visual Arts has a Computer Arts MFA program. Established in 1986, this terminal degree program was the first in the nation to focus solely on computer arts. Program features include immersive workshops; visiting artists; guest lectures in animation, motion graphics, and experimental art; internships with local and national studios; and an active network of more than 1,200 alumni.

SVA Computer Arts MFA students may focus their studies in animation, experimental art, or motion design. The curriculum also allows students to pursue a multidisciplinary course of study. Course examples for the program include Programming for Animators; Narrative and Visual Storytelling; Animation Culture; Digital Storyboarding; Modeling and Animation; Character Animation; Compositing; Editing for Animation; Experiments in Virtual Production; Techniques in Experimental Animation; Electronic Portfolios; 3D Animation for 2D and Motion Graphics Artists; technical Direction; and Creative Programming for Artists I-II.

The culminating experience for the Computer Art MFA program at SVA is the thesis project completed across four courses: Thesis Research and Writing I-II; and Thesis I-II. 

Computer Art MFA students have been nominated for 13 Student Academy Awards and won nine. Students have also won awards at SIGGRAPH; Prix Ars Electronica; ISEA; the YouTube Awards; the Leonardo Awards for Excellence; and the Adobe Design Achievement Awards. Student works have also appeared at the New York Film Festival (NYFF); Cannes Film Festival; Tribeca Film Festival; Sundance Film Festival; Annecy International Film Festival; and the Ottawa Film Festival (OFF).

Graduates of the Computer Arts MFA program at School of Visual Arts are routinely hired at major companies and studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), MTV, Pixar, Google, Adobe, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney, and DreamWorks. Some alumni have also gone on to launch their own studios and freelance businesses. 

School of Visual Arts opened in 1947 with three teachers and 35 students. Today, the school serves approximately 3,815 students enrolled in dozens of BFA, MA, MFA, and MPS programs. School of Visual Arts is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), with individual program accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). 

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) opened its doors in the late 1800s with a mission to support Rhode Island’s growing jewelry and textile industries. The first courses of study at RISD focused in two areas: Freehand Drawing and Painting, and Mechanical Drawing and Design. Today, the school caters to artists of all kinds including from sculptors to animators. 

All programs provide hands-on learning with access to state-of-the-art production studios; Macintosh and CGI workstations equipped professional editing and production software; sound mixing studios; and digital editing rooms. RISD students also benefit from collaborative study; experimental projects; workshops; the First Year in Florence program; and internship opportunities with local and national studios. 

Rhode Island School of Design is also home to the Film/Animation/Video (FAV) Department. Serving approximately 150 students, the department houses the FAV BFA program, which combines animation, live-action, and open media. While students may specialize in any of the three areas, all students must complete first year studios in Experimental and Foundation Studies (EFS). Students will also take liberal arts courses to supplement studio studies. 

Course examples for the RISD FAV BFA include Puppetry; Character Animation; Topics in Movement: Performance Assemblages; Animation Practices; Storyboarding; Intermediate Studio: Animation; Directing Cinema; Stop-Motion Animation; Computer Generated Imagery 3D; Experiments in Stop-Motion Animation; Experimental Film Techniques; Digital Effects and Compositing for the Screen;  Computer Animation: Integrated Techniques; Advanced Stop-Motion Animation; and Character Design. 

In the final year of the FAV BFA program at RISD, students will produce an independent project from idea to finished product. Students will receive critiques and individual guidance weekly from established industry professionals. Class meetings for the year will focus on group critiques, film screenings, and specialized technical workshops.

The year culminates with a professional reel, portfolio, and the RISD Senior Festival. Held in May, this public event allows students to network and present their final animated or live action films. 

Graduates of FAV BFA program at the Rhode Island School of Design have gone on to create, direct and/or produce animated films and series such as Family Guy (Seth Macfarlane, Creator), The Simpsons (Lance Wilder, Animator), and the Oscar-nominated animated short Feral (Daniel Sousa, Animator and Director). 

RISD graduates are also routinely hired at major networks and studios such as DreamWorks, HBO, Pixar, and PBS. Others have launched their own independent studios, freelance businesses, and production companies.

Rhode Island School of Design was founded in 1877 by a small group of women led by Helen Adelia Rowe Metcalf. One of the nation’s first independent colleges of art and design, RISD serves approximately 2,520 students enrolled in 44 full-time bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. This private nonprofit college and museum is fully accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), and approved by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). 

RISD’s Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and MA in Teaching programs have special accreditation by the National Architecture Accrediting Board, the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board, and the RI Department of Education. 

Once called the “MIT of Visual Effects,” Gnomon is a competitive digital arts college the provides degree and certificate programs. The school also provides more than 100 individual courses and a preparatory program known as Foundation in Art and Design (FIAD). Open to high school graduates, the FIAD is a full-year, non-vocational program that provides an alternative to a traditional community college path. Students will immerse in foundational art and design studies, along with introductory courses in animation, game production pipelines, and the 3D software used in the visual effects industry. 

FIAD students may choose to focus on portfolio development; obtaining an entry-level position in animation, games, or visual effects; or transferring into a Gnomon degree or certificate program. 

Degree and certificate options include the 12-term Digital Production BFA and the two-year Digital Production for Entertainment (DPE) certificate. The BFA requires 180 total units, including 135 in career-focused study and 45 in general education. Students may choose from three concentration options including Visual Effects Animation; Game Art; and 3D Generalist. Although the Visual Effects Animation concentration is a top choice for animators, all options provide intensive training in industry software such as Houdini, ZBrush, Unreal Engine, Nuke, Maya, After Effects, V-Ray, and Photoshop. All options also feature extensive animation coursework. 

Across programs, students have access to courses and electives such as History and Principles of Animation; Character Animation 1-3; Liquid Simulations; Animation and Visual Effects 1-2; Art of Compositing; Previsualization and Animatics; HD Digital Filmmaking for VFX; Maya Modules; Dynamic Effects 1-4; Storyboarding; Advanced Compositing; Motion Capture; Houdini 1-4; and Virtual Production. 

The culminating experience for the Digital Production BFA program at Gnomon is the creation of a professional demo reel. Students will complete the project across four courses (Demo Reel 1-4). 

The Digital Production for Entertainment certificate is a 147-unit, full-time program with five areas of study. This includes Character and Creature Animation; Visual Effects Animation; Game Art; Modeling and Texturing; and 3D Generalist. All areas provide intensive training in Maya, Nuke, Unreal, ZBrush, Substance, V-Ray Houdini, and Unreal Engine. 

Regardless of focus area, students will study the 3D production pipelines in film, visual effects, and games. Course examples across areas include Character Animation 1-2; Motion Capture; Dynamic Effects 1-4; Animation and Visual Effects 1-2; Storyboarding; Art of Compositing; Houdini 1-4; Previsualization and Animatics; Character Rigging Fundamentals; and Photoshop for Digital Production. 

In the final two terms of the Gnomon DPE certificate program, students will complete the Career Realities course, the Portfolio and Resume Workshop course, and six Reel Lab courses. The lab courses culminate with a demo reel or the student’s best work. 

Gnomon graduates are prepared to pursue careers across the entertainment industry. With a near 100% employment rate, Gnomon alumni can be found at places such as Marvel Entertainment, Walt Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Nickelodeon Animation, Weta FX, Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Electronic Arts (EA), Naughty Dog, Digital Domain, Riot Games, and Reel FX.

Established in 1997 by Alex Alvarez, Gnomon sits on a 45,000 square feet campus within the historic Television Center Studio lot in North Hollywood, California. The school serves more than 550 students enrolled in digital arts degree and certificate programs. The school also provides 110 individual courses for skills improvement or to enhance marketability. The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) accredits gnomon.

Brigham Young University (BYU) is home to one of the nation’s most competitive animation programs. Established in 2010, the BYU Center for Animation accepts just 20-25 students each year. Students may gain entrance to this closed-enrollment program through BYU’s Animation BFA program or the Computer Science BS with an Animation and Games emphasis. 

Throughout the BYU Center for Animation program, students will gain hands-on experience through individual and collaborative projects; faculty mentoring; and internships with major studios such as DreamWorks, Pixar, and Disney. Students will also develop advanced design and software skills. In the junior or senior year of the program, students can specialize in anything from 3D animation to visual effects (VFX). 

Housed in the Design Department in the College of Fine Arts, the Animation BFA is a limited enrollment program that accepts just 75 students per enrollment period. In this 65 credit-hour program, students will explore areas such as 3D modeling, storyboarding, character animation, compositing, previsualization, lighting, special effects, materials/shading, technical animation, and concept art. 

Course examples include Experimental Animation and Production; Visual Development; Scripting for Animation; 3D Visual Effects; Technical Animation; The Joy and Beauty of Computing; Scripting for Animation; Advanced Shading; Pitching for Film and Games; Lighting for 3D Graphics; Visual Narrative; Intermediate 3D Computer Graphics; Animated Film Production 1-3; Advanced Storyboarding; Visual Development and Character Design; Directed Studies in Animation; and Business and Ethics in Animation. 

Housed in the Department of Computer Science in the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, the Computer Science BS (Animation and Games emphasis) is a limited enrollment program that accepts just 42 students per enrollment period. Consisting of 77-81.5 credit hours, the program explores animation, visual effects, software engineering, video game production, programming, computer graphics, user interfaces, and more. 

Course examples for the program include Scripting for Animation; Real-Time Techniques; Animated Film Production 1-3; Materials and Surfacing; Photography for Animation; Computer Graphics; 3D Visual Effects; Previsualization; Visual Narrative; Digital Sculpting; Lighting for 3D; and Advanced Shading; and History of Animation. 

The culminating experience for all programs is the Film Animation Capstone project completed across several courses. Films are submitted to national and international competitions. BYU animation students have won awards and received recognition from the Nickelodeon Film Festival; ACM Siggraph; Cannes Film Festival; the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Foundation; Annecy Film Festival; the Electronic Entertainment Expo; and Houston WorldFest. 

Graduates of the Animation programs at Brigham Young University are prepared to pursue careers in the entertainment industry, game design and development, advertising, and many others. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Pictures Animation, Hasbro, Riot Games, and Digital Domain. 

Brigham Young University was founded in 1875 by Brigham Young—President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The school opened as Brigham Young Academy (BYA) on January 3, 1876. On the first day of classes, the school had just 29 students enrolled. Today, Brigham Young University serves approximately 35,745 students from more than 100 countries. Campuses include BYU-Utah, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, BYU Pathway Worldwide, and Ensign College. 

One of the largest private universities in the U.S., BYU provides approximately 435 programs across dozens of colleges and departments. Brigham Young University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is the world’s only institution to have Buggy Races. Although this tradition began as something fun and silly to do back in the 1920s, the races today begin as a design project that sees student teams brainstorm, sketch plans, build from scratch, and test the vessels before the big event. For what takes long hours to complete, Design teams take the skills and knowledge they’ve acquired in the classroom and apply it to each project—all to win one of CMU’s many coveted awards. 

Students in all majors are welcome to participate in the Buggy Races. This includes students in programs supported by the Integrative Design, Arts and Technology (IDeATe) Network. In collaboration with the Robotics Institute (est. 1979) in the School of Computer Sciences, the IDeATe Network manages a total of 10 undergraduate minors, including Animation and Special Effects.

Open to students from any major, the Animation and Special Effects minor helps students develop marketable skills in areas such as digital 2D and 3D animation techniques; storytelling through animation; rendering and compositing; visual effects and procedural animation; expanded and experimental animation methods; and real-time animation systems. 

Courses for this 45-unit program are project-based, immersive, and led by expert faculty in Art and Robotics. Course examples include Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice; Intermediate Studio Creative Coding; Introduction to 3D Animation Pipeline; Technical Character Animation; Storytelling Through Effects Animation; Storyboarding; Bipedal Rigging for Animation Production; Character Modeling; Experimental Capture; and Advanced Animation Studio. 

While the IDeATe Animation and Special Effects minor is open to students from all majors, an ideal program option for students seeking a four-year degree is the Electronic and Time-Based Media BFA (ETB BFA). Housed in the College of Fine Arts (CFA), this interdisciplinary program explores areas such as animation, video and performance, game art, and computational and interactive arts. Students will take advanced courses such as Animation, Art, and Technology; Digital Storytelling and Resistance; Experimental Game Design; and Music Video/Visual Music. 

Graduates of the ETB BFA and Animation and Special Effects minor programs at Carnegie Mellon University are prepared to pursue positions at film and animation studios, game design studios, television networks, advertising agencies, and more. Program alumni have been hired at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Comedy Central, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Walt Disney Studios, Zynga Games, MTV, Paramount, Blizzard Entertainment, and Warner Interactive.

Carnegie Mellon University was founded on November 15, 1900 by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Back then, the school was known as Carnegie Technical Schools. Today, CMU is a private global research university that provides over 200 programs to more than 14,500 students from 126 countries. In addition to the main campus in Pennsylvania, Carnegie has campuses in Silicon Valley and Doha, Qatar. 

Housed across seven colleges and schools, the academic programs at CMU are also provided at locations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Mexico, and Portugal. Carnegie Mellon University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The College Station campus at Texas A&M University (TAMU) serves approximately 72,560 students, making it the largest campus by enrollment in the state and one of the largest public universities in the nation. One of the few American universities to have land-, sea- and space-grant designations, TAMU also houses one of the largest visual and performing arts colleges within a public university.   

The College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts (PVFA) is a multidisciplinary school that provides programs in film, visualization, production, dance, theater, and music. Established nearly 35 years ago, the PVFA Visualization program houses several programs for animators. These include BS, MS, and MFA degrees in Visualization.

The Visualization MFA is one of a few programs of its kind in the U.S., and possibly the only one in the state of Texas. All options allow students to explore design, computer graphics, interaction, art, and visualization. Students at all levels may focus in an area of emphasis. Options for BS students include Animation and Virtual Production; Game Creation; Interactive Design; Media Art; and Visual Computing.

BS students also have the opportunity to work in project-based studios and on courses that explore programming, art theory, technical skills, and the production pipeline. Course examples include Principles of Design 1-3; Digital Media; Art History; 2D Visualization Techniques; Scientific and Technological Developments in Visual Arts; Computing for Visualization I-II; and Visual Studies Studio 1-3. 

BS students may also participate in the Field Study course or sign up for the TAMU Internship Program. This supervised work experience lasts 15 weeks for a total of 600 hours. TAMU Visualization students have completed internships at major animation studios, graphic design firms, and game development studios. 

The TAMU Visualization MS provides eight areas of emphasis including Computer Animation; Gaming; Augmented Reality (AR); Computer Graphics; Virtual Reality (VR); Interactive Design; User Experience Design; and Data Visualization. This program has both thesis (32 credit hours) and non-thesis (36 credit hours) options. Non-thesis students will complete a portfolio and capstone project to graduate. 

Free electives allow all MS students to develop additional (advanced) skills in their chosen focus area. Elective examples include Generative Art; 3D Modeling and Animation; Design Communication I-III; Advanced Animation; Rendering and Shading; Computer Animation; Time-Based Media; Digital Compositing; Physical Computing for Art and Design; Image Synthesis; and Computer Aided Sculpting. 

The Visualization MFA program at Texas A&M University focuses collaborative projects, innovations, team-building activities, and technical applications. In this program, students will select from eight areas of emphasis. Options include Computer Animation; Visual Storytelling; Interactive Art; Visual Effects, Gaming; Virtual/Augmented Reality (VR/AR); User Experience Design; and Data Visualization. 

Course examples across emphasis areas include Contemporary Art Studio/Seminar; Professional Study; and Professional Practice. Other courses will come from core and free electives. Examples include 3D Modeling and Animation; Computer Animation; Motion Capture Animation; Virtual Reality; Form, Installation, and Environment; Advanced Animation; Generative Art; Multimedia Web Design; Interactive Virtual Environments; Advanced Game Design; Figure Drawing for Narrative and Concept Art; Digital Compositing; Augmented Reality; Physical Computing for Art and Design; and Digital image.

Students in both the MS and MFA programs also have the opportunity to complete a professional internship. Graduate internships are worth eight credits. 

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

Across all TAMU Visualization programs, students benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities and studios; courses taught by accomplished instructors; student organizations such as Texas Aggie Game Developers (TAGD), Women in Animation, and Viz Industry Fair (VIF); participation in the Annual Career Fair; and the Semester Away Program in Italy, Germany, and many other countries. 

A capstone project serves as the culminating experience for the TAMU Visualization BS program. MFA students will complete a professional body of work. A portion of this work must be exhibited in at least one competitive external venue approved by their advisory committee. A local exhibition of the student’s body of work is also required. This event will be coordinated with the final MFA examination.

Graduates of the Visualization programs at Texas A&M University are prepared to pursue advanced roles in the entertainment industry, among others. Visualization graduates are routinely hired at major studios such as DreamWorks Animation, Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Reel FX Animation.

Serving approximately 79,115 students, Texas A&M University is the largest university in the state and one of the top 10 largest in the nation. Founded in 1876, TAMU is also the first public institution of higher learning in the state of Texas. With two local campuses, a Health Science Center, and a campus in Doha, Quatar, Texas A&M houses 16 colleges and schools that provide approximately 415 degree programs. 

Texas A&M University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The 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 design (UI), 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 Central Florida (UCF) is home to Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA). Developed in 2005 in partnership with State of Florida, the City of Orlando and UCF, the academy opened with just 12 students. Today, the academy enrolls more than 130 students annually in its Interactive Entertainment MS program. 

Housed in the College of Sciences’ Nichols School of Communication and Media, the FIEA MS program provides access to state-of-the-art facilities such as Studio 500. Launched in 2008, the studio houses a 3,300 square feet motion capture stage, which is one of the largest on the east coast. The studio also houses a 3,500 square feet soundstage. These facilities sit on what is known as UCF Downtown—a 7,000 student campus that focuses on film, games, communication, and interactive media. 

Other FIEA benefits include internships and the opportunity to work in production teams mentored by industry professionals. Mentors provide instruction in areas such as 3D animation and modeling, game design, technical art, motion capture, software engineering, and creative collaboration. 

The FIEA Interactive Entertainment MS program requires 30 credit hours of study, including 12 credit hours of core courses; nine credit hours in a specialization, such as Art, Production or Programming; a practicum; and a capstone experience. The Capstone results in a large-scale project that will be presented at a special event for the FIEA community and invited guests. 

Graduates of the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy at University of Central Florida are prepared to pursue careers at major studios across the U.S. and abroad. To date, more than 250 companies have hired UCF FIEA graduates. Examples include Google, Electronic Arts (EA), Marvel, Sony, Gameloft, Microsoft Studios, Walt Disney Imagineering, Lockheed Martin, Epic Games, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Universal, Riot Games, Zynga, Ubisoft, Apple, DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, Hasbro, Unity, Bungie, Gearbox Software, YouTube, Bethesda Softworks, and Naughty Dog.

The College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) has several additional programs for animators. Housed in the CAH School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD), the Emerging Media program has BFA and MFA options with Character Animation and Experimental Animation tracks (BFA), and an Animation and Visual Effects track (MFA). 

Character Animation and Experimental Animation are highly-competitive, portfolio-based tracks that take place in a professional studio environment. Other program benefits include faculty mentors; courses taught by industry professionals; access to state-of-the-art facilities; and internship opportunities.  

Course examples for the Character Animation track include Visual Storytelling and Visual Development; Advanced 3D Animation; Digital Production in Artificial Environments; New Imagery in Motion Workshop; 3D Textures; Digital Effects and Compositing; and Character Animation Portfolio Review. 

Course examples for the Experimental Animation track include Experimental Animation Workshop; Experimental Animation Professional Practice; Advanced Experimental Animation; and Experimental Animation Portfolio. Students in this track will also complete a BFA thesis project which culminates with an exhibition (screening).

Both BFA tracks allow students to work their way through the production pipeline from idea to post-production. After completing general education and other program requirements, the Emerging Media tracks take two years to complete, full-time. 

The Emerging Media MFA with an Animation and Visual Effects track provides the opportunity to create an animation and/or visual effects thesis using traditional hand-drawn techniques, stop motion, 2D animation, and 3D computer animation. Students in this program also benefit from co-directing opportunities and access to state-of-the-art labs and studios. This competitive terminal degree program requires 60 credit hours of study, completed over three years, full-time. 

Graduates of the Emerging Media MFA program at UCF will have advanced skills in narrative film structure, independent filmmaking, creative direction, management, and more. 

Program alumni are prepared to pursue leadership roles in all areas of animation, filmmaking, and television. Emerging Media MFA graduates are routinely hired at major studios and gaming companies such as Pixar, DreamWorks, Disney, and Electronic Arts (EA). Many graduates go on to launch their own independent studios and freelance businesses. 

University of Central Florida was founded in 1963 as Florida Technological University (FTU). Roughly five years later, the school opened with just under 2,000 students. Today, University of Central Florida serves approximately 69,820 students, making it the largest university by enrollment in the state of Florida, and one of the top 10 largest universities in the U.S. 

More than 13,130 faculty, adjuncts, and staff members deliver nearly 600 degree programs across 13 colleges and dozens of departments. University of Central Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 

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 experience/user interface UX/UI 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).

San Jose State University (SJSU) has an Animation and Illustration program with three degree options: the BFA in Animation and Illustration (ANI BFA); the Design Studies BA, specializing in Animation and Illustration; and the Master of Design (MDes) with a specialization in Animation. All programs are housed in the College of Humanities and the Arts’ Department of Design. 

Across all programs, students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities and studios; immersive courses taught by industry professionals; internships; and study abroad experiences in more than 170 locations. Students also benefit from interactions with guest speakers from major studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Disney, Sony Pictures Animation, DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Animation.

The SJSU ANI BFA is a professional degree that explores traditional and 3D animation, storyboarding, visual development, character design, modeling, and physics of motion. Students in this program may specialize in Animation or Visual Development. Specializations are 21 units, including 12 units of approved electives. Course examples across specializations include Digital Animation I-II; Visual Development I-II; Animation Production – Storyboarding; and Digital Modeling I-II. 

Students in both specializations will take courses such as Drawing for Animation/Illustration; Visual Storytelling; 2D Animation I-II; Illustration Fundamentals I-III; and Color Principles for Screen Arts. All ANI BFA students must also pass a milestone portfolio review and complete the six-unit capstone Senior Seminar Animation/Illustration.

The SJSU Design Studies BA is a liberal arts degree that requires a specialization. If a student was admitted to the ANI BFA program, but did not pass the portfolio review, they may enroll in the Design BA with a specialization in Animation and Illustration. Even without the specialization, the Design BA provides plenty of opportunities to study animation. Course examples for the program include 2D Animation; Digital Apps: Motion & Interaction Design; Fundamentals of Graphic Visualization; Design Process; Illustration Fundamentals; Visualization I-II; and Sketching, Drawing + Modeling. 

The MDes program at San Jose State University is considered the terminal degree in Design and Animation. With a specialization in Animation, the program focuses on current, emerging, and experimental professional practices. The MDes also emphasizes technical courses such as CG Animation; Building Interactivity in Animation and Games; and Lighting and Rendering. Students in this program also benefit from SJSU’s partnership with industry professionals who provide mentoring while students work on perfecting their portfolios and final projects. 

In addition to the Department of Design, the College of Humanities and the Arts is home to the Department of Art and Art History. Founded in 1911, the department is one of the oldest contemporary art schools on the west coast. Within the department is a Digital Media Art (DMA) MFA provided in partnership with CADRE (Computer in Art, Design, Research, and Education). 

Established in 1985, CADRE is the second oldest education art media lab in the U.S. MIT’s Media Lab is the oldest. CADRE houses the Physical Computing Lab (Art 237) and the Game Development Lab (Art 241) on the San Jose State University campus. 

The multidisciplinary DMA MFA allows students to customize their own focus area through 24 units of required electives. This means students can specialize in everything from animation to web development. Other DMA MFA program benefits include exclusive 24/7 access to lab facilities; collaborative art and technology projects; and internship opportunities at major studios in Silicon Valley. Consisting of 60 units of study, the DMA program culminates with the MFA Project, worth three units. 

Graduates of the Animation and Illustration, Design Studies, and DMA programs at San Jose State University are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as film and animation, television production, game design and development, advertising, and education. 

SJSU alumni have been hired at hundreds of studios, networks, companies, and universities. Just a few examples include Cartoon Network, Lucasfilm Animation, Cisco, Disney Interactive, Nickelodeon, Electronic Arts (EA), Google, the Cogswell Institute, Sony Pictures, UC San Diego, Pixar, Microsoft, Blizzard Entertainment, NBCUniversal Studios, Intel, 20th Century Fox, Zynga, National University of Singapore, and Animation Mentor.

San Jose State University was established in 1857. Known as Silicon Valley’s Public University, the school employs 4,300 faculty and staff that serve more than 36,000 students across nine colleges and dozens of departments and schools. Programs include bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in 250 areas of study. San Jose State University is accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 

Purdue University (Purdue) houses 10 academic colleges that provide degrees at all levels across all disciplines. Among the school’s 10 colleges is Purdue Polytechnic Institute. 

Formally organized in 1964 as the School of Technology and known as Purdue Polytechnic, the institute serves more than 7,000 students at 11 locations across Indiana. With six academic departments, the Polytechnic is the college for Purdue’s Division of Military Science and Technology and its three ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) programs on campus. 

One of the six departments of Purdue Polytechnic is the Department of Computer Graphics Technology (CGT). Within the department are several paths to study animation. Options include a CGT BS with a major in Animation and Visual Effects (ANFX); the CGT MS; and a Five-Year CGT BS/MS. The CGT MS is part of Purdue’s Computational Interdisciplinary Graduate Program.

Visual Effects at Purdue is a STEM-based discipline, so CGT BS ANFX students will take courses in calculus, physics, and trigonometry. The program also focuses on 3D modeling, computer rendering, digital lighting, video, motion, texturing, character rigging, and audio. Throughout the program, students will have opportunities to create animated films, games, and other productions using industry software such as Autodesk and Maya. Students may also experiment with other types of animation software. 

The CGT BS ANFX program requires 120 credit hours, including 39 major course credits, 15 credits of entertainment “selectives,” and 52 credits in other departmental requirements. The required 14 elective credits allow students to focus in different areas of animation, games, VFX, and more. Core course examples for the program include Visual Effects Introduction; Introduction to Computer Animation; Geometric Modeling for Visualization and Communication; Animation Foundations; Sketching for Visualization and Communication; Production for Computer Animation; and Computer Graphics Professional Practices II. 

Graduates of Purdue Polytechnic’s CGT BS in Animation and Visual Effects are prepared to pursue positions in the animation and games industries, among others. Some graduates have gone on to work for studios such as Disney and DreamWorks, while others go on to teach, launch their own independent studios or freelance businesses, or apply to the CGT MS program. 

The CGT MS at Purdue Polytechnic Institute serves close to 100 students. Primary focus areas include Computer Animation; Information Visualization; Games; and UX Design. This highly flexible, interdisciplinary program provides opportunities to create a customized a plan of study or take coursework across other Purdue graduate programs. Thesis and non-thesis options are available. 

The Computer Animation focus for the CGT MS covers the entire digital animation process. The program also explores visual effects, games, and virtual reality. Course examples include Animation History, Technology and Technique; Visual Intelligence and Perception; Current Topics in 3D Animation; Seminar in Computer Graphics Technology; The Art and Technology of Computer Animation; and The Development of Graphics in Technology. Elective requirements allow students to explore other areas of interest. 

The culminating experience for the non-thesis CGT MS program at Purdue University is the Animation Capstone (Production). The non-thesis CGT MS culminates with the Animation Thesis Research project. Graduates of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute CGT MS program are prepared to pursue leadership roles across industries. Examples include Animation Director, Lead Technical Artist, Game Developer, Art Director, Senior Simulation and Visualization Specialist, Lead Animator, and Technical Director.

CGT MS program alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Google, Salesforce, DreamWorks, and Deloitte. Some CGT MS graduates go on to apply for admission to Purdue Polytechnic’s Technology PhD program. 

Also housed in the Department of Computer Graphics Technology, the PhD supports study and research in computer animation, game studies, human-computer interaction (HCI), digital enterprise systems, user experience (UX) design, and data visualization. Graduates of the Technology PhD program at Purdue University go on to pursue teaching, research, management, and other leadership roles in industries such as film, technology, advertising, education, science, medicine, government, aviation, aerospace, engineering, information systems, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Purdue University is Indiana’s only land-grant university. Established in 1869, the school serves approximately 60,240 students, making it the second largest university in the state. Approximately 11% of all students at Purdue are enrolled at Purdue Polytechnic Institute. More than 400 programs are provided across 11 academic colleges and schools—including Purdue Polytechnic. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredits Purdue University. 

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. 

The Animation program at Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) was established in 1987. Recognized as a Center of Excellence by Toon Boom, the program focuses on developing advanced skills in the latest animation techniques and tools. Examples include 2D, 3D, Claymation, and stop-motion. The program also explores virtual reality, motion graphics, and digital modeling. 

Other program benefits include CCAD Sketch, where students can sketch live animals (in studio) as they play with their trainers; participation in the Animation Student Collective, which features networking opportunities; unlimited access to CCAD’s Cloyd Family Animation Center, which houses flex spaces, the Animation Student Collective, student lounges, and state-of-the-art labs such as stop-motion, virtual reality drawing, computer, and teaching; participation in the 24-Hours Animation Contest for Students; and real-world projects with nonprofit, corporate, and government partners.

Examples of CCAD partners include American Greetings, Odam Publishing, Greater Columbus Film Commission, General Motors, Rela Art, Greater Columbus Arts Council, Nutella, 99P Labs, JP Morgan Chase, Procter & Gamble, Old Navy, Keep Ohio Beautiful, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Goodwill Industries, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Cardinal Health, White Castle, Ohio History Connection, and Zox.

Students in the Animation program at CCAD can earn a BFA. An Animation minor is open to Film and Video BFA students. All BFA students will complete the first-year experience, which consists of drawing, technology, design, and business classes. During this time, students will also explore creative processes and performance, conduct research, and collaborate with peers. 

Upon completion of the first-year, Animation BFA students may select a concentration or one of 18 minor options. Concentrations require nine credit hours of coursework, while minors require 15 credit hours. Concentration examples include Animation/Game Design; Illustration/Entertainment; Animation/Experimental; Design/Modeling; Design/Drawing; and Illustration/Illustrative Design. Minors that complement the program include Animation 2D or 3D; Illustration; Comics and Narrative Practice; Fine Art; Film and Video; Creative Writing; Advertising and Graphic Design; and Photography. 

The CCAD Animation BFA requires 120 credit hours. Course examples include 3D Character Animation Simulation; Visual and Narrative Storyboard; 3D Animation Modeling and Surfacing; Historical Art and Design; Animation Lab Pipeline; Café Sketch; Visual Literacy; Animation Lab Production; and Writing and the Arts.

The Animation BFA program at Columbus College of Art and Design culminates with a final project, portfolio, and presentation. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in entertainment and other creative industries. Examples of recent employers include Netflix, Sony Pictures Animation, Amazon Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Cartoon Network, Pixar, Nickelodeon, Titmouse, DreamWorks Animation, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Riot Games, Aardman Animations, Framestore, LAIKA, ZeniMax Media, Illumination Entertainment, Aha Media, PIXEL Park, and AXIS Studios. 

Some Animation BFA alumni also go on to open their own independent studios or to enroll in a graduate program, such as CCAD’s Amelita Mirolo MFA in Visual Arts. This 60-credit hour terminal degree program is one of the most competitive programs at CCAD. Each year, the program accepts just 15 students. 

The CCAD Visual Arts MFA program operates within a 13,700 square-feet facility that houses individual private graduate studios, exhibition space, faculty offices, and a lounge. In the facility, students can work on individual projects and thesis production in any area of interest. Examples include animation, game art, film, television, interactive design, and illustration. Students may focus in any of these areas through art and design electives and/or CCAD’s numerous minor and concentration options. 

Other CCAD Visual Arts MFA highlights include access to the Tad Jeffrey FabLab, which houses 3D printers, one of the largest laser cutters in the state, computer labs, studios, digital printing facilities, darkrooms, and a walk-in spray booth; participation in the visiting artist series, which features seminars, mentoring, workshops, and lectures; and internship opportunities with nonprofits and businesses located in places such as New York, Ireland, Chicago, Seattle, Honduras, and Oregon. 

Graduates of the Visual Arts MFA program at Columbus College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue leadership roles in areas such as filmmaking, illustration, advertising, fine art, museums, and education. CCAD Art and Design alumni have been hired at places such as Pixar, Cartoon Network, and American Greetings.

Columbus Art School was established in 1879 by five women who had been prohibited from taking art classes alongside men. When it opened, the school had just six students. Serving more than 1,000 students, Columbus Art School is now known as Columbus College of Art and Design. Students at this private, nonprofit art and design college have access to 11 undergraduate majors, 18 minors, and three graduate programs across more than 10 departments. 

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

In 1926, The New School became the first American university to teach the history of film, and one of the first to provide college-level courses in jazz and photography. Courses in the creative arts were taught by the likes of artists such as Frank Lloyd Wright, W. H. Auden, and Martha Graham. Today, The New School is the only university to have a design school (Parsons School of Design), liberal arts college, performing arts college, and graduate programs and colleges under one roof. 

Serving approximately 5,755 students, Parsons School of Design is the largest college at The New School. Within the school is a STEM-designated Design and Technology program with BFA and MFA pathways. 

The BFA program focuses on storytelling, emerging art, design practices, and interaction. Specialization options include Creative Technology and Game Design. Course examples for this the 120 credit-hour program include Drawing/Imaging; Critical Computation Lab; Objects as History; Space/Materiality; Integrative Studio; History of Design; Core Studio Environments; Time; and Design Studies. 

All New School undergraduates must also complete the 30 credit-hour first-year experience (FYE). Students will explore 2D and 3D processes, drawing, and digital design; complete liberal arts studies; and participate in seminars and studios. 

The Design and Technology BFA culminates with a thesis project, completed across two courses worth a total of 12 credits. 

The Design and Technology MFA at The New School requires 60 credit hours of study. Students in this program have access to studios such as xFab Lecture and Lab; Major Studio; Creative Practice Seminar; and Collaboration Studio. Other program features include immersive classes taught by industry professionals; opportunities to work on projects with external partners such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) and One Plus; and creative collaborations with Communication Design, Transdisciplinary Design, and Data Visualization students, among others. 

The Design and Technology MFA program at Parsons School of Design culminates with the Thesis Studio, completed across two courses totaling 12 credit hours. 

All students may participate in The New School’s internship program, as well as projects with external partners such as Samsung, Google, TheNew York Times, Intel, Panasonic, NYC Media Lab, IBM, Nokia, MIT, and SXSW. In addition, students in all New School programs have the opportunity to interact with and work on projects with professionals at places such as Nickelodeon, Atari, MTV, Apple, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), UNESCO, Siemens, Eyebeam Art and Technology Center, and OnePlus Technology. 

The School of Continuing and Professional Education at The New School has an additional program for animators interested in a flexible, shorter course of study. The Motion Design and Animation certificate consists of just three required courses that explore the production process from start to finish. Courses include Storytelling with Motion Graphics and Animation; Motion Design 1 with After Effects; and Moton Design 2 with After Effects. 

The Motion Design and Animation certificate can be taken alone or in combination with the Design and Technology BFA or MFA programs. This 100% online program takes just one year to complete. 

Graduates of the BFA, MFA, and certificate programs at The New School are prepared to pursue positions in animation, 2D and 3D animation, game design, advertising, VR/AR, motion graphics, immersion experience design, digital filmmaking, graphic arts, interaction design, television production, mobile and application design, web design, software design, and media art. 

The New School was founded in 1919 as the New School for Social Research. Serving approximately 10,815 students today, the school provides close to 130 degree and diploma programs across six colleges and schools. This includes Parsons School of Design; Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts; the College of Performing Arts; The New School for Social Research; the Schools of Public Engagement; and Parsons Paris. 

The New School has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) since 1960. Parsons Paris is declared to the Rectorat de Paris as an établissement d’enseignement supérieur privé (a private higher education establishment) and has maintained its right to operate in France since 2013. This branch campus of The New School is also MSCHE-accredited. 

DigiPen has international partnerships with Princess Nourah bint Abdul Rahman University in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Keimyung University in South Korea; The One Academy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Thammasat University in Thailand. These partnerships help foster the fields of animation, game design, computer science, engineering, and more. 

DigiPen is also a Certified Partner of SideFX and the first school in the world to offer a bachelor’s degree in video game programming. SideFX is the Toronto-based company that developed Houdini—the 3D procedural software for film, TV, and game development. Houdini is the preferred software for major studios such as Pixar, DreamWorks, Disney Animation, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DNEG, MPC, and many others. 

Other DigiPen features include intensive programs for artists seeking degrees in art, engineering, design, and technology; interdisciplinary team-based projects that last anywhere from a semester to a year; courses taught by accomplished artists who have worked on projects for Lucasfilm and Disney Animation Studio; and the opportunity to study abroad at the DigiPen campuses in Singapore or Spain, or at any partner institute. 

Program options for animators include the Digital Art and Animation BFA, and the Digital Arts MFA. The BFA is a competitive program designed for artists looking to enhance their skills. Students will explore areas such as 2D and 3D animation, computer graphics, storytelling, digital sculpting, drawing, and production pipelines. Course examples include Animation I-III; Film History; Introduction to Scripting and Programming; Visual Development for Production; Game History; Storytelling; 3D Digital Art Pipeline; and Cinematic Project I-III. 

In the junior year of this 126 credit-hour program, students will create a specialization of their choice from Digital Art and Animation electives, and open electives. 

The Digital Art and Animation BFA is available at all DigiPen campuses. The program culminates with a final project and presentation. 

The DigiPen Digital Arts MFA is a 60 credit-hour program designed for students with formal training in animation, composition, 3D modeling, color theory, digital painting, and drawing. This means, the program focuses heavily on advanced training in 2D or 3D digital art production.

Course examples for the program include Art Research Methodology; 3D Concepts and Production; Conceptual Design and Illustration; Advanced Character Creation; Organic and Hard Surface Modeling; Art Production Process; Physics for Animation and Modeling; Digital Arts Survey and Analysis; Storyboarding; Character Design; and Management for Art Directors. Free electives and independent study provide opportunities for students to customize a specialization. 

The Digital Arts MFA program culminates with the thesis project, completed over two courses. The Thesis Pre-Production course lasts one semester. For the final two semesters of the program, students will work with a faculty advisor to complete the final Thesis Project course. Throughout the program, students will also work in teams to create several animated films, games, live-action films, or other works. 

Graduates of the Digital Art and Animation BFA, and the Digital Arts MFA programs at DigiPen are prepared to pursue roles across the entertainment industry, for leadership roles across industries, or to launch their own studios and freelance businesses. 

Over the years, DigiPen graduates have earned more than 300 awards and festival selections; they have won approximately 230 awards for game projects and academic papers; and they have helped develop more than 2,000 commercial game titles. 

DigiPen alumni have been hired by more than 1,250 companies worldwide. Examples include Electronic Arts (EA), Nintendo, DreamWorks, Sony, Microsoft, Amazon Games, Walt Disney Imagineering, Zynga, Google, Blizzard Entertainment, Warner Bros. Games, ArenaNet, Apple, Riot Games, and Meta.

DigiPen was established in 1988 as a computer simulation and animation company in Vancouver, British Columbia. Today, DigiPen is an institute of technology that serves over 1,000 students across campuses in Redmond, Washington; Singapore; and Bilbao, Spain. Programs include 10 undergraduate and graduate degrees in Computer Science, Digital Art and Animation, Engineering, Game Design and Development, and Music and Audio. DigiPen is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

Clemson University (Clemson) is home to the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences (CECAS), which houses the School of Computing. Within the school is the Division of Visual Computing and the Digital Production Arts (DPA) program, which provides several paths to study animation. Options include the DPA minor, MFA, and MS. 

Launched in 2011, the DPA minor is a partnership between the School of Computing and the Department of Art in the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. This 15 credit-hour program explores computer animation; visual effects; graphics production using Maya; animation production; and computer games. The minor is open to all majors. However, it is ideal for students in architecture; visual arts; computer science; computer engineering; and computer information systems. 

Courses for the DPA minor vary by major and may include Studio Methods for Digital Production; Advanced 3D Modeling; Technical Foundations of Digital Production I-II; Computer Graphics Images; Advanced Three- Dimensional Modeling; Game Engine Construction; and Special Studio Topics in Digital Production Arts. 

For degree-seekers, Digital Production Arts at Clemson University encompasses dozens of disciplines. However, each DPA degree program has its own learning objectives. The curriculum for the DPA MFA blends art and performing arts; psychology; computer science and engineering; philosophy; and graphic communications. Technical electives allow students to develop advanced skills in areas such as game engines, virtual reality (VR), multimedia systems and applications, human computer interaction (HCI), and computation.

Course and elective examples for this 60 credit-hour, terminal degree program include Visual Narrative; Visual Foundations of Digital Production; Special Effects Compositing; Film Genres; Physically Based Animation; 3D Modeling and Animation; Technical Character Animation; Virtual Reality Systems; Improvisation: Interpreting and Developing Texts; Advanced Animation; 2D Game Engine Construction; Digital Production Studio; and Advanced Computer Graphics. 

In the Digital Production Studio course, Clemson DPA MFA students will work on a team project from start to finish. This project is worth 12 credits. Students will also complete the Graduate Research Studio course, which consists of a major project or projects under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The culminating experience for the program is the MFA Thesis, completed under the guidance of the student’s advisor and thesis committee. 

Graduates of the DPA MFA at Clemson University are prepared to pursue advanced or leadership roles in animation, film, games, video, and television, and many others. Graduates have been hired at major studios such as Walt Disney Animation, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, DreamWorks, Electronic Arts (EA), ReelFX, and Sony Pictures Imageworks. 

Established in 2017, the DPA MS program at Clemson University focuses on developing advanced skills in film production, commercial video, and games. The curriculum is very similar to the MFA program curriculum. Course examples include Virtual Reality; Rendering and Shading; Software Construction; Physically Based Visual Effects; Human and Computer Interaction (HCI); Visualization; 2D Game Engine Design; Advanced Computer Graphics; 3D Modeling and Animation; and Computer Graphics. 

The six required electives for the program allow students to explore other areas such as audio engineering, advanced drawing, visual narrative, printmaking, photography, and improvisation. 

Graduates of the DPA MS program at Clemson University are prepared to pursue technical roles in the broad entertainment industry. Sample job titles include Technical Animator, 3D Graphics Programmer, VFX Animator, Layout Artist, Gameplay Animator, VR Developer, Software Engineer, and Technical Director. 

Founded in 1889, Clemson University opened in 1893 as Clemson Agricultural College. On the first day of classes, the college welcomed 446 students. Today, Clemson is a public institution that serves approximately 29,080 students enrolled in more than 80 majors, 90+ minors, and over 130 graduate programs across nine colleges. Clemson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB or Cal State Long Beach) has a long list of notable alumni. One of the most accomplished is Steven Spielberg. This renowned filmmaker attended CSULB for three years, paused his studies to pursue filmmaking, then returned under a pseudonym 30+ years later to complete his film degree in the College of the Arts (COTA). 

More than 3,000 students and over 250 faculty members call COTA home, making it one of largest and most popular colleges at CSULB. With six separate departments including Art; Film and Electronic Arts; Design; Theater Arts; Dance; and the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, COTA houses state-of-the-art production facilities, studios, and work spaces; five separate, customizable student art galleries; the 1100-seat Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center; and University Art Museum. 

The College of the Arts also houses dozens of programs leading to a BA, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, Bachelor of Music (BM), Master of Music (MM), and an MFA/MBA. Animators seeking an undergraduate degree typically enroll in the Art BFA program, which has Animation and Pre-production tracks. For students seeking an advanced degree, the COTA Art Department provides an Art MFA with a Studio Art concentration/Animation track. 

COTA also has a multidisciplinary Art BA program for students looking for a flexible program that explores a wide range of creative disciplines. With an option in Studio Art, the program requires courses in 2D and 3D Media, and art history. Students have access to courses such as Intro Studio: Animation; Foundation Computer Art; Foundation Life Drawing; Intro Studio: Illustration – Rendering; Foundation Transdisciplinary Practice; and Safety and Sustainable Practices for Studio Artists. 

BA students will also take upper division courses from COTA’s Animation, Illustration, Drawing and Painting, and Photography areas, among others. The program culminates with the Art or Art History Capstone course. 

The Art BFA/Animation program at CSULB emphasizes storytelling, foundation principles, and experimentation. Students in this 120 credit-hour program will take 82 credit hours of core, major, major support, and track courses. Core course examples include Animation - Practices; Animation - Design 1; Animation - Story Art; Advanced Studio: Animation Filmmaking; Advanced Studio Design 2; and Advanced Studio: Animation 3D CG 1. 

Examples of animation track courses include Experimental Animation 1-2; Storyboarding for Film and Television; Special Studies in Animation; Advanced Animation Practices; Advanced Studio: Animation 3D CG 2; and Professional Practices in Illustration/Animation. This course helps students develop their brands, self-promotion, and entrepreneurial skills. Topics include: portfolio and resume development; project management; interviewing and networking; pricing and negotiating; pitching ideas to networks; ethical guidelines; and submitting to film festivals, competitions, and conventions. 

The Art BFA/Animation program at Cal State Long Beach culminates with the Animation Senior Film, completed across two courses. 

The COTA Art MFA with a Studio Art concentration/Animation track is a 60 credit-hour terminal degree program that requires 21 credit hours in the MFA core, and 39 in the track. Course examples include Graduate Studies: Animation; Graduate Studies: Directed Studio; Graduate Studies: Image as Text; and Graduate Studies: Professional Practices for Visual Communication. 

The culminating experience for the COTA Art MFA is the Graduate Studies: MFA Project. This includes the execution and completion of a studio project with members of the student’s Project Committee.

Graduates of the COTA Art BFA and MFA programs at California State University, Long Beach are prepared to pursue careers in the entertainment industry, as well as game design, television, advertising, and publishing among other fields. 

CSULB has partnerships with recruiters in animation, games, and media arts. Examples include Walt Disney Animation Studios, Cartoon Network, Pixar, Sony Pictures Animation, Activision Blizzard, Shadow Machine Studio, and KCET Studios. Graduates are routinely hired at these and other places such as MGA Entertainment, Fox, and OPR Communications. 

California State University, Long Beach was established in 1949 as Los Angeles-Orange County State College. One of the 23 campuses of the California State University System, CSULB serves approximately 39,965 students enrolled in more than 300 programs across eight colleges. California State University, Long Beach is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The University is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). 

College for Creative Studies (CCS) is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Founded in 1944, this prestigious organization accredits less than 350 institutions nationwide. In addition to NASAD-accreditation, CCS houses a STEM-designated Entertainment Arts program that has Animation, Game Design, and Concept Design pathways. 

A Toon Boom Center for Excellence, the Entertainment Arts program at CCS also features courses taught by Hollywood insiders and Unreal Authorized Instructors (UAI); access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment including PC and MAC equipment, gaming labs, editing suites, and full VR capabilities with Vive goggles and sensors; and internship opportunities with local and regional studios. Students may also participate in the study abroad program, which features faculty-led and independent experiences in places such as Paris, London, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and India. 

Leading to a BFA, the Entertainment Arts program begins with the First Year Experience (FYE), which consists of courses such as Animation I; 2D Design Principles; Digital Techniques; Process and Making; Drawing I: Rapid Concept; and Drawing II: Style and Skill. 

In the second year of the program, students will begin taking courses in their chosen pathway. Animation course examples include Animation II-III; Experimental Animation; Animation Nuts and Bolts; Introduction to Filmmaking Animation Production; and History of Animation and Digital Media. Animation elective examples include Stop Motion; Sound Design; Computer Character Animation; Playing the Self; and Storyboarding for Film/Animation. 

Upper division course examples include Animation Projects I-II; Professional Futures; and Advanced Story Concepts. In the final year of the program, CCS Animation students will complete several required general education electives; Entertainment Arts electives; and Senior Production Studio I-II. The studio culminates with a finished project and portfolio. 

Graduates of the Entertainment Arts BFA (Animation) program at College for Creative Studies are prepared to pursue careers in the entertainment, games, advertising, and other industries. Program alumni have been hired at major studios, companies, and networks such as Nickelodeon, Lucasfilm, Disney, Pixar, Cartoon Network, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Marvel, DreamWorks Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, Google, Universal, Titmouse, EA Sports, Warner Bros. Animation, Technicolor Group, Bento Box, ABC Television Group, DC Entertainment, and WildBrain Studios. 

College for Creative Studies was established in 1906 as the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts. Today, this private, nonprofit institution serves more than 1,400 students enrolled in 23 different art and design programs leading to a BFA, MA, or MFA degree. In addition to NASAD accreditation, College for Creative Studies is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) also accredits CCS. 

University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) houses the School of Filmmaking and the School of Design and Production. Both schools provide paths to study animation. In the School of Filmmaking, students can earn an Animation BFA. The School of Design and Production houses an Animatronics concentration within the MFA program. Students in both programs will work and learn in a 100,000 square feet of state-of-the-art production space. 

The Animation BFA program at University of North Carolina School of the Arts requires 120 credit hours of study including 84 in filmmaking; 30 in general education; and six in liberal arts of designated arts courses. The first year of the program focuses on courses such as Introduction to Animation I-II; Fundamentals of Production Design; Fundamentals of Screenwriting I-II; and Fundamentals of Picture Editing I-II.

At the end of the first year, students will complete a portfolio for entry into the full Animation program. Course examples include Storyboarding I-II; Computer Animation I-II; Computer Graphics I-II; International Animation; Sketching for Communication; Experimental Stop-Motion Animation; Life Drawing Studio; Advanced Computer Animation I-II; and Independent Study. 

Third year students will complete a short, three-minute animated project and begin working on fourth-year projects. This culminating experience consists of a five-minute film that will serve as the BFA Thesis. 

During the junior or senior year of the Animation BFA program, students also have the opportunity to complete an internship, along with upper-level elective courses to enhance the degree. UNCSA Animation BFA students have interned at major studios such as Cartoon Network, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Prologue Studios, and Stargate Studios. 

Graduates are prepared to pursue positions in the entertainment industry, among others. Program alumni have landed full-time positions at Cartoon Network and Prologue Pictures. Some graduates have also gone on to launch their own independent studios and freelance businesses, while others pursue graduate study such as the School of Design and Production’s Animatronics MFA. 

Launched in the Fall of 2021, the Animatronics MFA is a hybrid, three-year program that blends electronics and animation. The program emphasizes hands-on, immersive courses that explore the concepts, techniques, and tools used to create animated props and animatronic figures. Courses are supplemented by workshops, seminars, and screenings hosted by professionals in the industry. 

Courses examples include Animatronic Programming; Figure Design and Engineering; Animatronic Design; Sculpting and Animatics; Production; 3D Design; and Prototypical Project Management. 

The Animatronics MFA program at University of North Carolina School of the Arts culminates with a thesis project. Depending on the focus area, student’s thesis projects will highlight production, research, or a portfolio. Production Thesis students will present their finished work to the public. Research Thesis projects will be completed under the direction of a Thesis Supervisor. 

Portfolio Thesis students will participate in the Portfolio Gallery Presentation, which showcases the student’s entire body of work. These fully documented portfolios will also include a Final Thesis Gallery Review. Graduates of the Animatronics MFA program at University of North Carolina School of the Arts go on to land positions at major studios such as Disney, Nickelodeon, ABC, Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, LF Studios, and Animax. 

University of North Carolina School of the Arts is America’s first public arts conservatory. Established in 1963 by the N.C. General Assembly, the school became part of the 17-campus University of North Carolina System in 1972. Today, UNCSA serves nearly 1,400 students enrolled in 40 degree programs across five schools. University of North Carolina School of the Arts is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) provides the unique opportunity to work directly with some of the top animation studios in the world. The school has industry partnerships with studios such as Pixar, Disney, South Park Studios, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Cartoon Network, Sony, Warner Bros., Mattel, The Jim Henson Company, Fox, LAIKA, Obsidian Entertainment, and Titmouse. 

Other LCAD highlights include access to state-of-the-art production studios; opportunities to participate in the annual LCAD Animation Film Festival (LAFF)—a theatrical exhibition that highlights the best student animated films; interactions with visiting artists; courses taught by industry professionals; and study abroad experiences in places such as Paris. 

Laguna College of Art and Design also provides an Animation BFA—the school’s largest academic program. Options within the BFA include the broad Animation program or the focused Experimental Animation program. Programs have a common first-year core in traditional full-animation practices. An Animation minor is also available. 

While the five-course minor can be added to any LCAD program, it’s an ideal option for students in the Game Art, Entertainment Design, and Illustration majors. The Animation minor explores principles of both traditional and computer-generated (CG) animation. Courses for the program include Animation 1 and 2; Character Design for Animators 1; Storyboarding 1; and CG Animation 1. History of Animation is strongly recommended for this program, but it is not a requirement. 

The LCAD Animation BFA provides instruction and hands-on training in filmmaking (editing, directing, screenwriting, sound design); creating animated characters; working in teams; and pitching stories. The curriculum combines liberal arts and studio courses.

Animation course examples include Storyboarding; Animation 1-2; Background Painting; CG Animation; Visual Development; Character Design for Animators; Layout; Digital Animation Skills; Fundamentals of Maya; Directing for Animators; Dynamic Sketching; Fundamentals of Story; and Animal Drawing. The program culminates with the Senior Capstone and Thesis Defense. 

The Experimental Animation BFA program at Laguna College of Art and Design limits class sizes to just 18 students. Hands-on projects and collaboration are emphasized, as well as specializations in Show Design, Storyboarding, and Internet Series Projects. 

Course examples for the program include Storyboarding for Limited Animation; Art Direction for TV and New Media; 2D Paperless Animation; Original Series Development; History of Animation; 3D Modeling and Sculpting; Acting for Animators; Story Structure Visuals; Compositing for Animators; Fabrication; and Directing for Limited and Experimental Animation. This 122 credit-hour program culminates with the Senior Capstone and Thesis Defense.

Graduates of the Animation BFA programs at LCAD are prepared to pursue careers in the animation, film, television, and games industries, among others. Program alumni are routinely hired by all LCAD industry partners. 

Laguna College of Art and Design opened in 1961 as Laguna Beach School of Art (LBSA). This private art school serves approximately 770 students enrolled in 15 degree programs and nine minors. LCAD has a main campus in Laguna Beach, with educational affiliates around the world including Florence Academy of Arts (Italy), Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, and Breda University of Applied Sciences (NHTV) in the Netherlands. 

Laguna College of Art and Design is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). 

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). 

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is the largest producer of graduates in the Greater Nashville area and home to the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center—one the largest facilities of its kind on a college campus. MTSU is also home to the College of Media and Entertainment (CME). With a focus on news, storytelling, and entertainment, the CME is the only college of its kind. 

Within the college is the Department of Media Arts—home to the Animation BS and 18 credit-hour minor. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), both programs provide access to the 80,000 square feet John Bragg Media and Entertainment Building, which houses animation and graphics computer labs; radio, television, and recording production facilities; and the Center for Innovation in Media. 

The Department of Media Arts provides access to additional facilities such as a 40-foot Mobile Production Lab; five different studios; and numerous other labs. And with its own varsity team for live video production, the department provides plenty of opportunities for real-world, hands-on experiences and opportunities to work with virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR); 360-degree video production; and 3D projection mapping. 

All MTSU Animation students have the opportunity to complete an internship in the recently launched MT IMAGINE Animation Studio, which produces high-end animated visuals for clients on a budget. Housed in the College of Media and Entertainment, the studio’s project-based, paid internships allow faculty, students, and even recent graduates to create content for real-world clients. Projects span the 2D and 3D animation, XR virtual production, and VR/AR fields. 

Another component of the MTSU Animation program is the chance to volunteer at the annual SIGGRAPH conference. In 2023, 19 MTSU Animation students were accepted as volunteers and one was accepted as a team leader. These artists were among the nearly 300 students selected from over 100 universities worldwide for this coveted program.

The Animation BS is a 120 credit-hour program, including 76 credit hours in the major. Beginning in the first semester, students will explore traditional animation techniques through hands-on project opportunities. Students will gradually advance into coursework that covers advanced digital tools and techniques. 

Course examples for the program include: Introduction to Media and Entertainment; Scripts for Media; 2D Animation I-II; Texturing, Lighting, and Rendering; Motion Graphics I-II; Visual Effects; Animation and Performance; Character Modeling and Rigging; Animation Mechanics; History of Animation; Art Appreciation; Film History; Animation Preproduction; and Professional Practices in Animation.  

The MTSU Animation BS program culminates with the Animation Capstone, completed across two courses. The capstone consists of an original animated short that will be submitted to film and animation festivals around the world. This project will be centerpiece of the student’s final portfolio.

Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in entertainment (film, animation, television), game design and development, medical visualization, forensic recreation animation, AR/VR, advertising, publishing, architecture, education, and research. Program alumni have been hired at studios such as DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Blizzard Entertainment, Digital Domain, Cinesite, Pixel Magic, Titmouse, Pixomondo, WB Games, Tippett Studio, and Reel FX. 

Middle Tennessee State University was established in 1909 as Middle Tennessee State Normal School. The school launched with a two-year training program for teachers. On September 11, 1911, the Normal School opened with 125 students. Today, MTSU serves more than 20,000 students enrolled in over 300 majors and concentrations across nine colleges. Middle Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).