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Top 25 Animation Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree Programs - 2022 College Rankings

What are the top schools with animation MFA programs for 2022?

For our graduate degree rankings, we have evaluated animation schools and programs with the best Master of Arts (MA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Master of Science (MS) options. To determine which degree matches your career goals, it is important to understand how each qualification differs.

The Master of Arts (MA) is an advanced degree that focuses on areas such as the humanities. MA degrees are typically available in the areas of communications, English, teaching, literature, linguistics, art, and languages. Seminars are the main method of learning for MA programs and many programs do not require a thesis.

The Master of Science (MS) degree option typically focuses on science, technology, engineering,  and math. This advanced degree often includes immersive lab work, scientific research, analysis, and evaluation. Unlike MA programs, most MS programs require a thesis.

The Master of Fine Art (MFA) is academically recognized as a terminal degree and it is typically awarded in the visual, fine and performing arts. The MFA degree demands the highest level of professional competency in these areas and practicing artists must exhibit the highest level of accomplishment through the generation of a body of work.

Below are the Top 25 Animation MFA Programs for 2022.

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) offers an MFA degree in Experimental Animation. The program is housed in the largest school at CalArts—the School of Film/Video—which focuses on intensive programs that emphasize technical and comprehensive artistic training. The programs are taught by experienced professionals working in CG, traditional, and independent animation.

Students in the CalArts Experimental Animation MFA Program collaborate closely with mentors to master a range of animation approaches, processes, and techniques. Examples include 2D animation, digital production, installation, motion capture, multipane, performance animation, programming, stop motion, and more. MFA course examples include First Year Shorts, Sound for Experimental Animation, and The Digital Path for Animation.

MFA students can expect to participate in independent study, internships, lecture courses, seminars, workshops, and visiting artist lectures. School of Film/Video students will produce a professional portfolio and final project to graduate.

Many California Institute of the Arts graduates go on to successful careers in advertising, animation, film/video, and marketing, while others have launched their own studios.

Students in the Animation Program at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) have access to more than 800 networked computers and a 60,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art digital media center consisting of a green screen lab, in-house theater, and studio environment. At all degree levels, SCAD animation students receive instruction from celebrated professors who have worked at major studios and on award-winning productions such as The Lion King , Ice Age , and Pocahontas .

SCAD animation programs are housed in the School of Animation & Motion. The MFA in Animation is a 90 credit hour program offered in Atlanta, Savannah, and via SCADnow. The pathway requires a graduate internship and completion of three thesis courses. Students in the program can expect to take other courses such as Drawing in Motion, Media Theory and Application, and Storyboarding and Previsualization. Completion of at least seven 500- to 700-level electives are also part of the program.  

From Stop-Motion Animator to Creature Technical Director, SCAD Animation graduates have been recruited by major studios such as 20th Century Fox, Electronic Arts, DreamWorks, Lucasfilm Animation, Pixar, Disney, Sony Pictures Imageworks, and many others.

The MFA Computer Arts Department at School of Visual Arts (SVA) was the first MFA program in the U.S. to focus on computer art. Established in 1986, the program highlights workshops, guest lectures, visiting artists, and internship experiences. During the final year of the program, MFA students will complete academic research and a creative work accompanied by an artist’s statement.

Graduates of the SVA MFA in Computer Arts Program have landed positions at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), MTV, Pixar, Google, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Electronic Arts, and Disney, DreamWorks. Some alumni have gone on to open their own studios or win Academy, Emmy Award, and Grammy awards.

University of California (USC) houses the School of Cinematic Arts, home to the John C. Hench Division of Animation + Digital Arts (Hench DADA), which offers an MFA in Animation + Digital Arts.

The University of Southern California MFA Program provides mini studios for all students. The spaces are provided for animation production and thesis work. Students in the program can expect to master techniques and approaches, from hand-drawn character animation to interactive digital animation. Course examples include Expanded Animation, Animation Production, and Storytelling for Animation. Elective units are an important part of the program, and include titles such as Survey of Interactive Media, Seminar: Avant-Garde Film/Video, and World Cinema Before 1945.

Graduates of the Animation programs at the University of Southern California work for studios such as Digital Domain, Digital Idea, DreamWorks Animation, Illumination Entertainment, Industrial Light & Magic, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Pixar, and Sony Pictures. Many USC alumni have founded their own independent studios. 

The School of Art at Pratt Institute (Pratt) houses the Graduate School of Art, which offers an MFA in Digital Arts with concentrations in Digital Animation and Motion Arts, Interactive Arts, And Digital Imaging. Department highlights include small class sizes, a collaborative environment, state-of-the art studios and classrooms, and courses taught by experienced artists in the field.

Pratt MFA students can expect to take courses such as Digital Animation Studio, Traditional Animation, and Advanced Digital Animation. Graduate Seminar I-II and Thesis I-II are also part of the program.

Pratt Institute graduates have landed positions at Digital Domain, Gameloft, Walt Disney Animation Studios, NBCUniversal, Industrial Light & Magic, Sony Pictures Imageworks, and other top studios.

Many Pratt alumni have gone on establish academic careers at institutions such as New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), New York University (NYU), Rochester Institute of technology (RIT), Howard University, and American Academy in Rome, to name a few.

University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) is home to the UCLA Animation Workshop. Leading to an MFA, the three-year Workshop guides students through the filmmaking process from beginning to end. Sample required courses include Animation Design, Interactive Animation, Advanced Computer Animation Maya, Writing for Animation, and Visual Thinking and Organization for Animation.

Students in this graduate program will complete one interactive project and several films including a thesis film, traditional film, and computer film.

UCLA Animation Workshop alumni work in a variety of roles at Walt Disney Imagineering, Nickelodeon, Pixar, DreamWorks, and many other major studios.  

The College of Art and Design at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) houses the School of Film and Animation, which offers an MFA in Film and Animation. The program has four options: 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Production, and Screenwriting. All options offer internship opportunities, cooperative education, and experiential learning opportunities.

RIT animation students also have access to the 52,000 square foot MAGIC Spell Studios, along with labs and classrooms outfitted with industry standard technology and software. At all levels, RIT animation students will have the opportunity to participate in the RIT’s Creative Industry Day, where they get to mingle with representatives of studios, design firms, and other creative companies.

Graduates of Rochester Institute of Technology can be found in a variety of positions at Lucasfilm, Electronic Arts, Dolby, Nickelodeon, Sony, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic, Disney, and many others.

Academy of Art University (Academy of Art) houses the School of Animation & Visual Effects (VFX), which offers an MFA in Animation & Visual Effects. Learning takes place in a studio production environment known as StudioX. The School of Animation & VFX is the only school of its kind to teach in this type of environment. Because StudioX mimics most real-world studios, students gain hands-on experience with industry standard equipment, collaborating with other artists and on teams, and managing a production from start to finish.

In addition to several collaborative projects, students will complete an internship and create a professional portfolio.

Academy of Art Animation alumni work at major studios and companies such as Google, Laika, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Marvel, Sony Pictures Animation, CASA VFX, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Riot Games, Weta Digital, Industrial Light & Magic, and many others.

The Film, Video, New Media, and Animation Department (FVNMA) at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has a Studio Program that offers an MFA in Studio. The program has extensive coursework in animation with course titles such as 3D Character Animation, Advanced Drawing for Animation, Motion Graphics and Visual Effects, Puppet Animation, Writing and Art Direction for Animation, Type and Image in Motion, and Intermediate Animation: Experimental Methods.

Other Department highlights include interaction with visiting artists, access to state-of-the-art production studios, the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, and on-campus galleries, and graduate seminars, screenings, and performances. In addition, FVNMA MFA students will participate in Critique Week. This week-long event takes place each semester. The entire faculty, along with invited visiting artists and designers, form panels designed to critique students work. All classes are suspended during this time.

Graduates of SAIC’s FVNMA Department are prepared to seek careers in animation, film, games, digital media, and more.

The College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM) at DePaul University (DePaul) houses the School of Cinematic Arts, home to the Animation MFA Program, which follows the project model. Students will spend their time creating a single project with the assistance of an MFA co-chair and MFA faculty mentors. The program is designed for animators who have earned an undergraduate degree in the visual arts. Animation, Art, Illustration, Graphic Design, and Film are just a few examples.

All animation students may participate in the Los Angeles Quarter Program. This 10-week immersion program allows students to intern at major Hollywood studios such Disney, DreamWorks Animation, Sony Studios, Nickelodeon, The Jim Henson Company, Titmouse Animation, Bix Pix Animation, Warner Brothers, and many others.

Other program highlights include the visiting artist series, where past guests have included artists from Disney and Pixar, access to the Animation Lodge, and participation in Project Bluelight. Students at The Lodge collaborate on group projects, network, and build their portfolios. Bluelight provides hands-on experience in motion picture production to all interested students.

Graduates of the Animation MFA Program at DePaul University have been hired by industry giants such as Electronic Arts, Google, Nickelodeon, Blizzard Entertainment, DreamWorks Animation, Laika Studios, Wargaming, and many others.

The School of Visual Arts & Design (SVAD) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) offers an MFA in Emerging Media with two tracks: Animation & Visual Effects and Studio Art & Design. Students in both tracks have access to the Graduate lab, outfitted with MacPro and Dell Workstations, equipped with dual articulating monitor arms, 22HD Cintiq and 27 4K Monitors and Herman Miller Saly Chairs.

MFA students will have opportunities to complete an internship, portfolio, several projects, and a final thesis film.

Graduates of the UCF SVAD Animation MFA Program are employed with major studios such as Pixar, DreamWorks, Disney, and Electronic Arts, among others.

The Department of Art in Ohio State University’s (OSU) College of Arts and Sciences offers an MFA in Art with an emphasis in Art and Technology. 3D modeling and animation, art games, sound, digital imaging, moving images, and emerging forms are just a few areas students will explore. Course highlights include Computer Animation, New Media Robotics, Internet Art, Moving Image Art, and 3D Modeling.

Also housed in the College of Arts and Sciences is the Department of Design. Established in 1968, the Department offers an MFA with a Digital Animation and Interactive Media Track. To graduate, students must complete 60 credit hours of study in design, the thesis project, and open electives.

Graduates of the Animation programs at OSU have gone on to become Animators, Human-Computer Interaction Designers, Game Designers, Motion Graphics Designers, Mixed Reality Designers. User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX) Designers, Virtual Reality Designers, Multimedia Designers, Art Directors, Interaction Designers, Freelance Artists, College Professors, and many others.

San Jose State University (SJSU) houses the College of Humanities and the Arts, home to the Department of Art and Art History. In collaboration with the SJSU CADRE Institute, the Department offers an MFA in Art with a Concentration in Digital Media Art. CADRE (Computers in Art, Design, Research, and Education) became SJSU’s formal fine arts program in 1985.

The 60-credit hour MFA is a three-year program that includes studio courses, independent study, art history, and seminars. Students in the program will explore animation, sound, computer visualization, multimedia, virtual reality, and other areas. The culminating experience for the program is the MFA Project, worth three credit hours.

SJSU MFA graduates and others have been hired at more than 135 studios and colleges. Just a few include Animation Mentor, Cogswell Institute, Sony/Columbia, Blizzard Entertainment, Disney Interactive, Cartoon Network, Lucasfilm Animation, NBCUniversal Studios, Nickelodeon, Pixar, Zynga, and 20th Century Fox.

The College of Architecture at Texas A&M University (TAMU) houses the Department of Visualization, which offers an MFA in Visualization. The MFA degree is just one of a few programs of its kind in the U.S. and possibly the only one in the State of Texas.

Established in 1989 the TAMU Visualization Program is cross-disciplinary, allowing students to explore interaction, art, design, visualization, and computer graphics. Students at all levels may focus in an area of specialization through electives. Students also have opportunities to participate in the annual career fair and the semester away program in Italy, Germany, and other countries.

Internship opportunities are also available. TAMU Visualization students have interned at animation, game, and graphic design companies.  

Texas A&M University Visualization graduates are often hired for positions at major studios. Examples include Walt Disney Animation Studios, Reel FX, Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, and Industrial Light & Magic.

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) houses the College of the Arts—one of the universities largest and most popular colleges. Made up of six separate academic units, the College is home to the School of Art, which offers an MFA in Studio Art with an Animation Track.

School of Art highlights include workshops and presentations led by industry professionals, courses taught by experienced animators and illustrators, access to a range of study abroad experiences, and internship opportunities. Graduate students will have the opportunity to customize the program AND choose a track. Graduates will leave the CSULB Animation Program with a focused body of work.

The School of Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC) at University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) offers an MFA in ATEC. Students in the program may specialize in Animation. All ATEC graduate level programs provide advanced study in computer-based arts, interactive media, digital media, technology, professional practices, and more.

Other ATEC program highlights include guest speakers from Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, and others, seminars and lectures presented by industry professionals, portfolio and project-based exercises, and applied and experimental research in collaboration with instructors in varying areas of expertise.

Graduates of the ATEC programs at UT Dallas are prepared to seek careers in animation, games, film, and television, as well as emerging fields such as medical and scientific visualization.

DigiPen Institute of Technology (DigiPen) offers an MFA in Digital Arts that provides advanced training in animation, 3D modeling, drawing, digital painting, and more. Free electives and independent study provide opportunities for students to customize their pathway. Course highlights include Organic and Hard Surface Modeling, Art Research Methodology, Art Production Process, Character Design, Digital Arts Survey and Analysis, and 3D Concepts and Production.

Digital Arts MFA students will complete the MFA Thesis, which begin with the Thesis Pre-Production course, which lasts a semester. For the final two semesters of the program, students will work with a faculty advisor to complete the Thesis project. Throughout the program, students will also work in teams to create several games, films, and more.

Graduates of the Digital Arts MFA Program are prepared to compete for positions such as Animator, Character Artist, 3D Modeler, Simulation and Effects Animator, Producer, Art Director, Environmental/Asset Artist, UI Designer, Concept Artist, and many others. To date, more than 600 companies worldwide have hired DigiPen Institute of Technology graduates.

DigiPen alumni have landed position at major studios and companies such as Apple, Amazon Game Studios, Walt Disney Imagineering, Google, Blizzard Entertainment, Activision, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Zynga, Meta (formerly Facebook), DreamWorks Interactive, Sony Online Entertainment, Riot Games, ArenaNet, Disney Online, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Nintendo, and many others.

Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) offers an MFA in Visual Arts. This 60-credit hour program operates within a 13,700-square-foot graduate facility that houses individual private studios, a lounge, exhibition space, and faculty offices. In the facility, MFA students may work on individual projects and the thesis in any area of interest. Examples include animation, interactive design, illustration, film, game art, and television. Students may focus in any of these areas through six hours of required art and design electives or even through CCAD’s many minor and concentration options.

Other Visual Arts MFA highlights include small class sizes (the program accepts nine to 15 students per year), internship opportunities with nonprofits and businesses located in places such as New York, Honduras, Chicago, Seattle, Ireland, and Oregon, and the visiting artist series, which welcomes designers and guest artists who teach workshops and seminars, present lectures, and mentor students.

Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) offers an MFA in Visual Studies. The MFA is an interdisciplinary and experimental program, which allows students to focus in one or more areas of interest. Examples include animation, experimental film and video, illustration, drawing and painting, comic arts, and web and multimedia, to name a few. 

Other program highlights include some 50 private studios, smart classrooms, access to state-of-the-art production facilities, and a large gallery space. MCAD MFA students may also participate in the Master’s Trip to NYC, featuring visits to art and design venues, creative agencies, artist studios, and more.

Internship and/or study abroad experiences are available in places such as Italy, the UK, Germany, and Japan. Students have interned at Nickelodeon, MTV, Walker Art Center, Massachusetts Museum of Art, and more.

Potential careers for MCAD Visual Studies graduates include Background Animator, Character Developer, 3D Modeler/Animator, Pixel Artist, Special-Effects Animator, Storyboard Artist Inker/Opaquer/Checker, Producer, Project Manager, Film Editor, Stop-Motion Animator, and Writer, among others.

Parsons School of Design is one of the seven colleges and schools of The New School Parsons (The New School). The School offers an MFA in Design and Technology. The program is a STEM-designated, studio-based degree that requires on-campus study. Students in the program have the opportunity to interact with and work on projects with professionals at places such as Nickelodeon, gameLab, Apple, Samsung, Atari, MTV, and many others.

Graduates of the MFA Program are prepared for success for a wide range of positions in 2D and 3D animation, film and television/digital filmmaking, media art, advertising, game design, VR/AR, UI/UX, graphic arts, interaction design, software design, mobile and application design, web design, and more.

The College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences at Clemson University (Clemson) is home to School of Computing, which houses the Division of Visual Computing’s Digital Production Arts (DPA) Program. A 60 credit hour MFA in DPA is offered here.

Course highlights include Technical Foundations, Visual Foundations, 3D Modeling and Animation, Visual narrative, Special Effects Compositing, 2D Game Engine, Virtual Reality, Physically Based Animation, Advanced Animation, and Physically Based Visual Effects. Students in the program will also complete 12 credit hours in Digital Production Studio, where they will work in teams to complete a production project. Graduate Research Studio (six credits) and MFA Thesis (six credits) are also part of the program.

DPA graduates are prepared for a range of roles in the film and animation, video, electronic gaming, and visual effects industries. Graduates have gone on to land positions at DreamWorks, Electronic Arts, Industrial Light & Magic, ReelFX, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Pixar, and Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Arizona State University (ASU) houses the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, home to the School of Arts, Media and Engineering. Here, graduate students can earn an Art MFA that allows them to complete projects in a discipline of their choice in their own private studios. Other program highlights include visiting artist lectures, workshops, and teaching opportunities.

Graduates of the Arizona State University Herberger Art programs work in animation and film, games and game development, cinema and television, AR/VR, illustration, robotics, medical illustration, scientific and data visualization, fine arts and many other areas. ASU alumni are Animators, Creative Directors, Graphic Artists, Multimedia Designers, and Art Directors, among others.

The College of Arts and Sciences at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) houses the School of Art. One of the largest and oldest state art schools in Ohio, the School of Art has five divisions: Graphic Design, Digital Arts, Art History, Studio, and Art Education. School of Art highlights include study abroad opportunities and internship opportunities with local studios and national studios such as Pixar and Disney Animation.

The Division of Digital Arts in the Bowling Green State University School of Art offers an MFA in Art with a Specialization in Digital Arts (Computer Animation, Digital Media, and Interactive Media). The program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours of study, with 21 semester hours within the studio specialization and 12 semester hours of studio electives.

MFA students will complete a body of work and accompanying brochure to be entered into the BGSU MFA Exhibition, held each spring in the Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery in the Fine Arts Center.

BGSU Division of Digital Arts graduates are routinely hired by major animation and game studios such as Blizzard, DreamWorks Animation, and Epic Games, among others.

The College of Art & Design at Louisiana State University (LSU) houses the School of Art, which offers an MFA in Digital Art that takes two years to complete.

The curriculum for the LSU Digital Art MFA is experimental and allows students to blend courses that explore computational artmaking with coursework in animation, film, computer science, painting, electronic music, and more. Graduate MFA students will complete 60 credit hours, with 12 general electives to be taken in any specialization, and nine in an area of focus. Six credit hours are devoted to Thesis Research.

Students in all School of Art programs at Louisiana State University have access to the Arts, Visualization, Advanced Technologies and Research (AVATAR) Initiative and they may join the Digital Art and Design Association (DADA), which hosts the Annual Animation Jam.

The College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) houses the School of Art & Art History. The School’s MFA in Art provides opportunities to study animation.

This highly interdisciplinary program is a combination of collaborative projects, seminars, individual projects, research, advanced critique courses, and coursework from other Departments at UIC. Course options run the gamut from Drawing and Painting to New Media Arts and Moving Image. Another highlight for the program is the environment—private studio spaces are provided for all MFA students.

During the final year of the program, MFA students will present a public exhibition and complete a thesis or final project. The UIC MFA in Art requires 64 credit hours to graduate.

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Master of Fine Arts Animation

For international students: this is a STEM-designated program , which can qualify you to extend your post-graduation stay in the United States .

The Animation MFA is the premiere degree of the DePaul graduate Animation program. It’s designed for serious students who are interested in creating original animated films and artwork as their main vocation, and is the terminal degree in the animation field. The degree is intended for those with undergraduate degrees in Animation, Film, Art, Graphic Design, Illustration and other visual arts areas.

The DePaul Animation MFA program is centered around a fall-through-spring single project model, in which students are closely mentored by faculty. During the first year students spend the majority of their time working on a film they complete under the tutelage of one of the two Animation MFA Co-Chairs, internationally recognized artists/animators Amy Lockhart and Jacob Ciocci. They also choose MFA Faculty Mentors from our large full-time Animation faculty, who regularly consult with them on their projects. Students are helped to develop a personal vision and push the limits of their abilities and the potential of animation as an expressive medium.

During their second year, students begin work with one of the MFA Co-Chairs on their MFA Thesis Project, and assemble their MFA Thesis Committee for regular feedback. The program uses the cohort model, so students will work alongside their peers throughout their degree. Animation MFA students also receive rigorous training in the history, critical artistic issues, and fundamental principles that are necessary for animation artists.

Animation MFA students have an opportunity to explore our wide and deep range of animation courses in traditional animation (hand-drawn, stop motion, and hybrid), 3D animation and modeling, character design, storyboarding, game art, motion graphics, VFX animation, as well as advanced graduate film and TV courses in screenwriting, editing, sound, and directing. Students will have access to the latest in animation software, tools, and technologies including professional-level animation and effects software, Cintiq labs, 3D printing, stop motion stages and fabrication studios, 3D motion capture, motion control, and sophisticated sound studios. MFA students often collaborate on their film projects with talented voice actors and musicians in DePaul’s nationally-ranked Theatre School and School of Music.

Nationally Recognized Programs

• #15 animation program in the US and #1 in the Midwest according to Animation Career Review (2024)
• A Variety Top Film School in North America (2022)
• #14 film school in the US by the Hollywood Reporter (2023)

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Amy, Animation MFA co-chair, has screened at festivals nationally and internationally, including the Ann Arbor Film Festival and the International Animation Festival in Hiroshima, Japan.

Jacob, Animation MFA co-chair, is a founding member of the influential art collective Paper Rad, and has exhibited at major international museums including MoMA, the New Museum, and Tate Britain.

Brian is a 25-year veteran Walt Disney Feature Animation character animator whose filmography includes Beauty and the Beast , The Lion King , Aladdin , and Mulan .

Animation Faculty

DePaul has one of the largest full-time Animation faculties in the country. Their filmography includes Beauty and the Beast , The Lion King , Mulan , The Simpsons , Futurama , and Rugrats . Our instructors come from diverse backgrounds in feature and TV animation, commercial production, game development, motion graphics, CGI, and art exhibition. They have worked at major animation and game studios including: Disney Feature Animation, Fox TV, Fox Kids, JibJab, Will Vinton, Sesame Street, NBC Studios, Nickelodeon, Calabash, Rough Draft, WMS, RoboModo, Wideload, and Day 1, and have exhibited internationally at galleries and film festivals.

Visiting Artists Series

This series brings innovative practitioners and industry leaders to the DePaul campus for film screenings, on-stage conversations, and professional panels. Past visiting artists include legendary Russian animator Yuri Norstein, stop-motion animators The Brothers Quay, Disney features writer/director John Musker, experimental 3D animator David O’Reilly, Pixar director Doug Sweetland, Pixar character designer Chris Sasaki, Disney Feature Animation storyboard artist Lissa Treiman, Pixar Writer/Director Adrian Molina, and many more.

Animation students have the opportunity to study and intern in Los Angeles for three months through DePaul’s innovative LA Quarter program. Students accepted into the program earn degree credit while living in the center of the animation, film and game development industries. LA Quarter students have interned at many studios including DreamWorks Animation, Bix Pix Entertainment, Duck Animation Studios, and Nickelodeon Animation.

Premiere Film Festival

Our annual Premiere Film Festival showcases the best of student work in cinema and animation with awards covering all facets of filmmaking, from screenwriting to post production. Jury members include industry insiders, festival programmers, and filmmakers from around the country.

Project Bluelight

Project Bluelight is a professional, educational, and community outreach program where students receive hands-on experience in motion picture production. The award-winning stop-motion/live actor project Speed Dating was recently created as part of this program.

Animation Lodge

Animation Lodge is a student organization for both animation majors and enthusiasts. The Lodge provides a space for members to discuss animation trends and techniques, network with one another and professionals, and help build each other’s portfolios through critiques and group projects. Animation Lodge hosts Mayday, a weekend-long animation marathon where students, alumni, and faculty create films based around a designate theme, annually.

The Latest Technology

We are constantly researching and testing the latest industry technology for use in our classes, and add new software and equipment annually. In the past year, we’ve built two new stop-motion studios and have become the only animation program in the US with a pro-level Volo Motion Control Crane (used by Laika and Disney) Dragonframe system. We also have two green screen stages and a VR studio, fully equipped animation teaching and student labs, and sound recording studio, to name just a few of our state-of-the-art facility and equipment offerings.

Application Deadlines

Admission process.

The graduate application process involves completing an online application, sending in your transcripts and submitting any supplemental material (e.g., letters of recommendation, certifications, etc.). To learn more about your program specific requirements, visit our Graduate Admission page

Admission Requirements

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• Master of Fine Arts Degree in 3D Animation & VFX

Master of Fine Arts Degree in 3D Animation & VFX

Faculty highlights, build advanced 3d animation & vfx skills at nyfa.

NYFA’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in 3D Animation & VFX is a rigorous practicum in visual storytelling where students foster creative leadership in the various fields of the cinematic and emerging arts. Learning from faculty that bring knowledge and experience from major brands including Disney, Dreamworks, Universal, and Netflix, MFA students master the tools and techniques to create compelling 3D Animation & VFX shots while nurturing a deep sense of service toward storytelling, culminating in their final thesis.

To advance their creative and technical skills, students complete hands-on projects exclusive to our MFA degree in 3D animation, which may include Technical Direction, Motion Capture & Motion Data, and Previs demo reels. At the master’s level, NYFA effectively executes on delivering a hybrid learning curriculum for students seeking to become innovators in 3D Animation, VFX, Computer Imaging, Feature Film, Television, New & Emerging Media, Research & Development, and the Interactive & Game Industries. Students leave the program with a demo reel that demonstrates their talent and advanced skill set.

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New York Film Academy’s MFA in 3D Animation and Visual Effects program is offered at our Los Angeles campuses.

Start dates

• August, 2024
• January, 2025
• September, 2025
• January, 2026
• August, 2026

Interview with Los Angeles Chair, Craig Caton-Largent

3d animation & vfx school alumni.

Francesco Panzieri

Visual Effects Artist

Alexandra LoRusso

3D Animation & VFX Artist

Alex Gabriel

At NYFA’s 3D Animation & VFX School, students learn the practical, technical and artistic skills that are required to bring CG-enhanced stories to life. The MFA curriculum is challenging, and students identify and develop a mastery of a specialization within that pipeline, and command a competency in the rest of the pipeline.

During the program, students also:

• Develop a thorough technical understanding of the animation & VFX workflow & pipeline
• In Pre-Production/Preparation of Animation & VFX, students analyze and identify industry trends
• Hone their craft in intermediate and advanced Digital Element Creation, Motion Capture, Animation, Interactive Games, Stereoscopic 3D, Post-Production/Image Manipulation, Organization of Data Acquisition & Capture
• Study in professional facilities using state-of-the-art equipment, gaining extensive training with industry standard software which may include Autodesk’s 3D Maya, MotionBuilder, Pixologic’s ZBrush digital sculptor, SideFX’s Houdini FX, Chaos Group’s V-Ray, and Foundry’s Nuke compositing and editing program

The integration of 3D Animation & VFX curricula has been fine-tuned to provide students with a specific technical and artistic education and has been tailored to fit industry standard technical and artistic roles as laid out in the Visual Effects Societies Handbook.

To learn more about the MFA program, refer to NYFA’s Course Catalog or request more information .

Degree Details

NYFA’s MFA in 3D Animation & VFX is a four-semester, full-time graduate program.

Outside of thesis completion, students tackle open-ended problems and challenges facing the industry as a whole, completing an array of projects. The program ends with a screening of thesis projects for invited guests, including members of the industry from the production, executive, and talent representation spheres. To learn more about the projects that animation students complete, visit our projects page.

History and Theory Courses

To complement their 3D Animation & VFX classes, MFA students also take History and Theory Courses, designed to align with many topics within their discipline. Prospective MFA students can learn more about these requirements on NYFA’s History and Theory Courses page.

The MFA in 3D Animation & VFX is offered at our Los Angeles campus.

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Nyfa ranked amongst top animation schools for 12th consecutive year, nyfa 3d animation & vfx faculty: interview with craig caton-largent, new york film academy named top 25 school for game design & animation, new york film academy (nyfa) 3d animation & vfx faculty matt galuppo works on 3 super bowl commercials, new york film academy (nyfa) 3d animation & vfx alum daniela lobo dias works on ‘sonic the hedgehog’, new york film academy (nyfa) bfa 3d animation & vfx students arina andriushchenko & nathan hacker work on ‘borderlands 3’ holiday video, new york film academy (nyfa) 3d animation & vfx instructor kelley williams works on ‘frozen ii’, student showcase.

Please note: Equipment, curriculum, and projects are subject to change and may vary depending on location. Students should consult the most recently published campus catalog for the most up-to-date curriculum.

Find the Best Fine Arts Schools

Artists interested in pursuing a master's degree in fine arts can explore a wide range of schools offering programs in areas such as graphic design, photography and sculpture.

Best Fine Arts Schools

• # 1 University of California--Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
• # 2 School of the Art Institute of Chicago  (tie) Chicago, IL
• # 2 Yale University  (tie) New Haven, CT

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Emerging Media (MFA) – Animation and Visual Effects

Program at a glance.

• In State Tuition
• Out of State Tuition

Learn more about the cost to attend UCF.

Housed in the School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD), the Emerging Media MFA - Animation and Visual Effects track is a specialized program designed to emulate the professional and independent studio environment, providing opportunities to assume an artistic leadership role. The principal emphasis is placed on narrative film structure and the entrepreneurial aspects of animation as related to independent filmmaking, studio employment, and job creation.

Designed to prepare students for careers in animation, courses provide an understanding of the collaborative function of a commercial studio during the first-year production courses. In addition, students develop their unique style of independent filmmaking during preproduction and production of their thesis film over the duration of the three-year program. Opportunities are available to co-direct a team of undergraduate Character Animation students, adding toward our canon of award-winning films. Labs and studios are equipped with the same industry-standard software and hardware used in professional studios.

Students desiring admission to the Emerging Media MFA - Animation and Visual Effects track should be primarily interested in the opportunity to create their own animation and/or visual effects thesis. In this program students are encouraged to develop their visual storytelling skills while using a variety of animation and visual effects techniques, including traditional hand-drawn, stop motion, 2D computer, and 3D computer animation.

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in animation, visual effects, emerging media, art, film, theater, computer science, graphic design, illustration, creative writing, mass communications, game design, or related field and must demonstrate, through a portfolio of work and writing, that they are currently proficient and successful in the area of Animation.

The Emerging Media MFA - Animation and Visual Effects track is a competitive program whereby students receive the best instruction from professors who have had extensive professional industry experience and connections. Drawing on the expertise of the current faculty, graduates are well qualified to enter the teaching and academic professions. SVAD graduates have a competitive edge for greater opportunities within the animation, visual effects, and simulation industries.

The Animation and Visual Effects track in the Emerging Media MFA program is a full-time three-year program (six full-time semesters excluding summers in most instances) and students must progress through the program by taking required classes in particular semesters. The program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours including a thesis project. All courses must be approved by the Graduate Program Director. The thesis consists of producing a short film and thesis document

Total Credit Hours Required: 60 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree

Graduate students must maintain a 3.0 or better GPA in all course work to complete the program.

Application Deadlines

• International

Ready to get started?

Career opportunities.

• Animation Professor
• Character Animator
• Layout Artist
• Production Designer
• Story Artist
• Storyboard Artist
• Visual Development Artist
• Visual Effects Animator

University of Central Florida Colleges

Track Prerequisites

Applicants to the MFA program normally must hold an earned bachelor's degree in one of the areas below or equivalent and must have exhibited, through a portfolio of work or writing that they are currently proficient and successful in the area of Animation.

Degree Requirements

Required courses.

• DIG5439C - Script and Story Development for Animation and Visual Effects (3)
• DIG5865 - The History of Animation and Visual Effects (3)
• DIG5386C - Animation and Visual Effects Production I (3)
• DIG5366C - Animation and Visual Effects Production II (3)
• DIG5378C - Editing for Animation and Visual Effects I: Theory and Production (3)
• DIG5385C - Visual Effects for Animation and Live Action I (3)
• DIG5387C - Visual Development and Design for Animation and Visual Effects (3)
• DIG6379C - Editing for Animation and Visual Effects II: Practical Editing (3)
• DIG6365C - Media and Music for Animation and Visual Effects (3)
• DIG6388C - Animation and Visual Effects Production III (3)
• DIG6384C - Directing for Animation and Visual Effects (3)
• DIG6389C - Animation and Visual Effects Production IV (3)
• DIG6377C - Visual Effects for Animation and Live Action II (3)
• DIG6866C - Technical Problem Solving for Animation and Visual Effects (3)
• FIL5800 - Research Methods in Film and Digital Media (3)
• FIL6619 - Guerrilla Marketing and Models of Distribution (3)
• DIG6971 - Thesis (1 - 99)
• The thesis consists of a short film production and thesis document. The final oral review before the supervisory thesis committee occurs at the end of the sixth semester. At the same time, the graduate student presents a short film production. Students are required to submit an electronic version of the thesis to the UCF College of Graduate Studies. After approval by the UCF College of Graduate Studies, the UCF Library will add it to its archives and make the electronic version of the thesis accessible on the web. The required thesis is created during the independent learning experience in the degree program.

Equipment Fee

• Students in the Emerging Media MFA program pay a $90 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled.

Independent Learning

• A thesis is required.

Grand Total Credits: 60

Application requirements, financial information.

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Fellowship Information

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.

• Full-time Student: $90 per term

Course Schedule

The Emerging Media MFA -Animation and Visual Effects track is a full-time, three-year cohort program that requires students to abide by the following course sequence. Students must remain with their cohort in order to remain in good academic standing and graduate within the three -year program of study.

Year 1 Fall: 12 Credit Hours

• DIG 5439C - Script and Story Development for Animation and Visual Effects 3 Credit Hours
• DIG 5865 - The History of Animation and Visual Effects 3 Credit Hours
• DIG 5386C - Animation and Visual Effects Production I 3 Credit Hours
• DIG 5387C - Visual Development and Design for Animation and Visual Effects 3 Credit Hours

Spring: 9 Credit Hours

• DIG 5366C - Animation and Visual Effects Production II 3 Credit Hours
• DIG 5378C - Editing for Animation and Visual Effects I: Theory and Production 3 Credit Hours
• DIG 5385C - Visual Effects for Animation and Live Action I 3 Credit Hours

Year 2 Fall: 12 Credit Hours

• DIG 6379C - Editing for Animation and Visual Effects II: Practical Editing 3 Credit Hours
• DIG 6377C - Visual Effects for Animation and Live Action II 3 Credit Hours
• DIG 6388C - Animation and Visual Effects Production III 3 Credit Hours
• FIL 5800 - Research Methods in Film and Digital Media 3 Credit Hours
• DIG 6384C - Directing for Animation and Visual Effects 3 Credit Hours
• DIG 6389C - Animation and Visual Effects Production IV 3 Credit Hours
• DIG 6365C - Media and Music for Animation and Visual Effects 3 Credit Hours

Year 3 Fall: 9 Credit Hours

• DIG 6866C - Technical Problem Solving for Animation and Visual Effects 3 Credit Hours
• DIG 6971 - Thesis 6 Credit Hours
• DIG 6575C - Animation and Visual Effects Production V 3 Credit Hours

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Home » Academics » Animation & Visual Effects (MFA)

Animation & Visual Effects (MFA)

The Expanded Animation Research + Practice program offers a creative environment for advanced artists to explore a broad spectrum of animation techniques and genres, critical theory, and animation history and contemporary practice.

XA faculty nurture each student’s ‘iconic self’– their unique, individual identity and their vision for the future. Students are encouraged to research deeply, to tell their original personal stories, create a persuasive call to action, experiment with abstract animation or immersive installations.

Our research concentrations include character, experimental and documentary animation, stop motion animation, animation for robotics, virtual humans and AI, cinematic installations, fine art animation practice, gesture movement, and science visualization.

XA is a three-year, six-semester Master of Fine Arts degree and requires a minimum of 50 units– 30 units are prescribed sequential XA courses and 20 units are selected electives from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. In addition, the MFA degree requires completion of a thesis project.

Admission is granted once a year in the fall. There are no spring admissions. Approximately 15 students are enrolled in each incoming class.

View degree requirements in the USC Catalog

Application instructions

SCA Admissions

Upon successful completion of the XA MFA program, students will have

• Advanced understanding of the principles of animation. 
• Understanding of cinematic concepts such as development, storyboarding, design, cinematic concepts,  2D or 3D animation real-time and immersive production, directing, editing, cinematography, and sound design with an emphasis in innovation and creativity.
• Broad knowledge and appreciation of international animation history and contemporary practice across the animation industry, academia, and the fine arts. 
• Development and refinement of narrative and/or abstract cinematic skills to communicate effectively, and demonstrate these skills in the execution of a creative project.
• Awareness of, and experimentation with, the evolving nature of media, organic materials, and technology, and expanding the boundaries of existing parameters.
• Specialization in one creative animation production with substantial proficiency, which is demonstrated in completion of an advanced thesis project produced as a film, VR, AR, game, installation, or other new media platform(s). Critical research to support the creative project, such as a website, research paper, documentation, or publication, is required.

voicemail: (213) 764-3332

CalArts offers a variety of unique programs at the undergraduate and graduate level within its six world-renowned Schools—Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music and Theater.

Undergraduate core courses are the foundation of BFA studies at CalArts, providing a strong general education and opportunities to deepen every student's artistic practice.

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Explore is your first stop if you are considering applying to CalArts. Here you can find information about your program(s) of interest, events the Institute is hosting or attending, a virtual campus map, and much more. Your journey to CalArts starts here.

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CalArts is located in Santa Clarita, Calif., 30 miles north of Los Angeles. Explore the local area and community.

Offering innovative continuing education arts courses designed to meet the needs of both emerging artists and lifelong learners.

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Experimental Animation

• Program Faculty

3-Year Program

In the MFA Experimental Animation Program, students are provided with a comprehensive foundational background and are encouraged to seek out poetic, lyrical, structural and other modes of experimentation with the materials and forms of the moving image. Students are trained to not only become makers—but also critically minded contributors to the advancement of animation history and theory.

In addition to coursework in technique and theory, the EA curriculum includes training in professionalization. Students are expected to become familiar with film festivals and submission processes, attend professional gatherings and events, and become members of related organizations. Accordingly, graduates become creative leaders in the field, establishing careers in studio production, teaching and personal practice, often forming creative partnerships with fellow CalArts students.

All MFA Experimental Animation students are required to complete a first-year project, complete a thesis proposal in the second year and finally pass a Thesis Review in order to complete the Program.

Full Curriculum

Detailed curriculum and academic requirements can be found in the online course catalog.

View Curriculum Requirements

Interdisciplinary Opportunities

In addition to CalArts' rich and diverse community and naturally collaborative atmosphere, the Institute provides several programs of study that can be pursued concurrently with a student's chosen metier.

The Center for Integrated Media concentration is designed specifically for MFA students whose creative use of technology—in particular digital media—goes beyond their primary areas of study.

Ready to Begin?

Request Information

Home • Programs • Experimental Animation • MFA

School of Film/Video

661-253-7825 phone 661-253-7824 fax (main) 661-291-2728 fax (Character Animation) Room E204

Film and Animation Master of Fine Arts Degree

Request Info about graduate study Visit Apply

Graduates of RIT’s film and animation MFA work as artists, filmmakers, and storytellers at the world’s leading animation and live-action studios, including Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks, and Nickelodeon.

Co-op/Internship Encouraged

Among Schools Offering An Animation MFA

Overview for Film and Animation MFA

• Study an option in animation (2D or stop-motion), 3D animation, production, or screenwriting
• Access 2D, 3D, stop-motion animation, and virtual reality labs
• Utilize multiple sound stages with post-production editing, sound mixing, and color correction suites.
• 24/7 Access to a dedicated graduate lab with industry-level software.
• Gain career experience as a graduate assistant, faculty research assistant, and more.

The film and animation MFA is supported by highly specialized faculty from RIT's photography, imaging science, computer science, information technology, and design programs. This program is offered by the School of Film and Animation which houses state-of-the-art facilities, including full production facilities.

While achieving your master's in film and animation, you will join a collaborative environment with highly-trained faculty and state-of-the-art production facilities. The program is connected to MAGIC Spell Studios , which offers you industry and commercial experience as you pursue your degree.

RIT's Film and Animation Master's Degree

The MFA in film and animation offers four options:

• Animation: Concentrate on both traditional or digital animation as well as stop-motion animation. Courses focus on teaching the fundamentals of animation, 2D mechanics, all aspects of pre-production, and stop-motion fabrication techniques.
• 3D Animation: Learn all aspects of the 3D animation pipeline. Courses focus on 3D animation, modeling, lighting, texturing, and rendering. You may also explore working in VR or with virtual production techniques.
• Production: Develop and refine your creative approach to fictional narrative, documentary, and experimental live-action filmmaking. Courses focus on directing, sound recording, screenwriting, cinematography, and editing.
• Screenwriting: Learn the craft of storytelling in relation to feature, short, and series-length screenplays. Courses focus on short-film production, history, theory, and writing techniques.

All four options require two years of course work and a third year focused on a thesis film or script. All students create and screen finished films in their first two years.

Electives: Elective courses are available in animation, film, video, multimedia, screenwriting, printmaking, painting, sculpture, communication design, museum studies, crafts, bookmaking, typography, color photography, new media, studio photography, advertising photography, perception, gaming, computer graphics, art history, and archival preservation and conservation. There are also opportunities for independent studies, internships, and concentrations.

Thesis: Specific instructions pertaining to the thesis are available in the “MFA Guide for Students and Faculty: Policy Regarding Student Work.” The School of Film and Animation reserves the right to retain copies of student-produced films to be used for educational purposes, to show to prospective students, and as examples of student productions.

Screenings: Screenings are required for all student-produced films and are coordinated through the professor or the thesis chair.

Students are also interested in: Visual Communication Design MFA , Photography and Related Media MFA

Join us for Fall 2024

Many programs accept applications on a rolling, space-available basis.

Learn what you need to apply

30% Tuition Scholarship for NY Residents and Graduates

Now is the perfect time to earn your Master’s degree. If you’re a New York state resident with a bachelor’s degree or have/will graduate from a college or university in New York state, you are eligible to receive a 30% tuition scholarship.

Learn more about Master Up NY

Careers and Experiential Learning

Typical job titles, cooperative education and internships.

What makes an RIT education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete relevant, hands-on career experience. At the graduate level, and paired with an advanced degree, cooperative education and internships give you the unparalleled credentials that truly set you apart. Learn more about graduate co-op and how it provides you with the career experience employers look for in their next top hires.

Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. Co-op in the College of Art and Design  provides hands-on experience that enables you to apply your artistic capabilities in dynamic professional settings while you make valuable connections between classwork and real-world applications.

Cooperative education, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities are optional but strongly encouraged for graduate students in the MFA in film and animation.

Creative Industry Days

Connect with design industry leaders.

RIT’s  Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education  hosts  Creative Industry Days , which connects students majoring in art, design, film and animation, photography, and select computing majors with companies, organizations, creative agencies, design firms, and more. Creative Industry Days are a series of events that allow you to network with company representatives and interview directly for open co-op and full-time employment positions.

Featured Work

The Snowman

The snowman's head came out too small. Time to fix it.

Tender Scent

A film by Teng Chen '22 MFA (film and animation)

A film by Meghdad Asadi '13 MFA (Film and Animation), assistant professor in the School of Film and Animation

Featured Profiles

Emmy Award-nominated series

Amy Adrion, Meghdad Asadilari, Don Casper

Assistant Professor Amy Adrion, with the help of RIT students, alumni and faculty, has directed and produced many episodes of Storyline Online. The series was nominated for a Children’s and Family...

Launching an educational series

Chelsea DeMott Wildey

Film and animation MFA student Chelsea DeMott Wildey led an animation team in the creation of the series ScienceLore through the MAGIC Maker Program.

Student films a hit at festivals

2D-animated works by Diane Lee '24 are making waves on the film festival circuit around the world. 

Curriculum for 2023-2024 for Film and Animation MFA

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

Film and Animation (2D animation option), MFA degree, typical course sequence

Professional electives, film and animation (3d animation option), mfa degree, typical course sequence, film and animation (production option), mfa degree, typical course sequence, history and aesthetics electives, film and animation (screenwriting option), mfa degree, typical course sequence, admissions and financial aid.

This program is available on-campus only.

Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. Part-time study is 1‑8 semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Film and Animation MFA program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete an online graduate application . 
• Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college.
• A recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives .
• Submit two letters of recommendation .
• Entrance exam requirements: None
• Submit a portfolio. View portfolio requirements.
• Writing samples are optional.
• Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required. Details are below.

English Language Test Scores

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver .

International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.

How to Apply   Start or Manage Your Application

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree .

A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree

Kevin Bauer

Mari Jaye Blanchard

Munjal Yagnik

Latest News

May 8, 2024

MFA candidate's film screens at South by Southwest

Diane Catsburrow Linnet ‘24 MFA (film and animation) has had her films accepted into film festivals around the world, with the latest being one of the circuit's crown jewels.

May 1, 2024

Students score with RIT Sports Network

Since 2002, more than 1,200 students have gained valuable experience creating a multimedia production ensemble with RIT Sports Network.

March 21, 2024

Innovation unleashed: students forge transdisciplinary projects at RIT's a2ru summit

Students leveraged the variety of makerspaces in RIT's brand-new SHED facility to create arts-integrative work responding to a theme of "Play."

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Animation MFA

A Master of Fine Arts is the highest degree in animation. Our MFA offers three concentrations ( 3D Character Animation, Visual Effects, Video Games ) that center around gaining intensive hands-on skills in the chosen concentration. This major focuses on increasing practical, visual, and creative skills to the highest level and provides students an opportunity to enhance their portfolios using twenty-first-century media and technologies. Prior to graduation, students are required to execute rigorous, in-depth thesis projects that demonstrate the skills learned in all of the classes in the curriculum. Upon completion, the thesis projects are exhibited in a public venue. Additionally, MFA students prepare portfolios  and other materials necessary for job applications and interviews.

This 60-credit degree accepts recent undergraduates, master’s level transfer students, working professionals who want to grow their animation skills, as well as people who desire a complete career change. A candidate for admission is encouraged to make a personal appointment with the Director of the Animation program in order to discuss admission eligibility, education plans, curriculum options, or to schedule a tour of the animation facilities.

All of the courses in this program are offered in a hybrid format, which allows students to decide if they would like to  attend classes in-residence, remotely online, or a combination of the two . If you live locally, some weeks you may want to be in our state-of-the-art Animation Lab with the Professor while other weeks you may opt to join remotely to work around personal or family obligations. Whether you live near or across the globe, you can be in our Animation Master’s program and attend your classes in whichever way works best for you.

New enrollees can apply to begin in the Fall or Spring semester. Full-time students can complete this program in 2.5-3.5 years. Part-time students may take courses over multiple years until the required 60 credits are completed.

F-1 visa holders must attend all courses in-residence on a full-time basis.

Upon entry, students select one of these concentrations to be their area of focus.

3D Character Animation Concentration

Required courses (36 credits).

• ANIM 5300  Storytelling
• ANIM 5400  Character Design
• ANIM 6100  Digital Sculpting
• ANIM 6150  3D Character Texturing
• ANIM 6300  3D Character Animation
• ANIM 7000  Advanced 3D Character Animation
• ANIM 7250  Lip-Syncing
• ANIM 7425  Motion Capture
• ANIM 7650  Thesis I
• ANIM 7750  Thesis II
• ANIM 7850  Thesis III
• ANIM 7900  Animation Career Preparation

Major Electives (24 Credits)

Visual effects concentration.

• ANIM 5500  Digital 2D Animation
• ANIM 5600  3D Layers in After Effects
• ANIM 5700  Dynamic Effects and Particle Systems in After Effects
• ANIM 5800  Compositing in After Effects
• ANIM 6350  3D Particle Systems and Effects
• ANIM 6700  Animating Fluids
• ANIM 6805  Motion Tracking

Video Games Concentration

• ANIM 6400  3D Animation for Games
• ANIM 6600  Game Creation
• ANIM 7500  Advanced Game Creation
• ANIM 7525  Virtual Reality
• ANIM 7600  Video Game Team Project

Other Animation Electives

• ANIM 5100  History of Animation & Special Effects
• ANIM 5200  History of Video Games
• ANIM 5650 3D Modeling
• ANIM 5750  3D Character Modeling
• ANIM 5850  Advanced Digital 2D Animation
• ANIM 5900  Expressions and Scripting in After Effects
• ANIM 6200 Animation with Houdini
• ANIM 6900  Digital 2D Game Creation
• ANIM 7100  3D Character Animation – Weight, Overlap and Follow through
• ANIM 7200  Character Animation – Emotion and Personality
• ANIM 7300  Animation with Hair/Fur
• ANIM 7400  Animation with Cloth
• ANIM 7550  Internship I
• ANIM 7700  Faculty/Student Research I
• ANIM 7775  Internship II
• ANIM 7805  Faculty/Student Research II

MFA in Animation degree applicants must digitally submit a portfolio of 10-15 creative pieces as part of the application process. Acceptance is based on the quality of the work as well as meeting all of the other academic admission requirements of the university. The review committee is looking for work that is original in concept and content and will evaluate the portfolios to determine if the applicant qualifies to enter the program based on their artistic skills. If the submitted work infringes on copyright laws or is copied from other sources the applicant will be denied admission.

Requirements for Graduate Admissions

No Standardized Testing is Required

Completed FDU graduate admissions application

Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all colleges and universities attended

Two letters of recommendation (from a professor, employer, or professional in the field familiar with the student’s strengths and abilities)

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative grade point ratio (CGPR) of 2.70 (applicants with a CGPR of less than 2.70 may be admitted on probation)

Digital portfolio

Personal statement

Truc Tran , Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Animation, Western Kentucky University

School of the Arts

Animation Studies

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Animation (MFA)

Let’s get started

All MFA programs in Film, Television and Digital Media are full-time programs. The department admits new students only once each year for the Fall Quarter and the next application period is for Fall 2024. We will be publishing the Fall 2024 supplemental requirements by September 15, 2023. Applicants must submit all required application materials to be considered for admission.

• International Applicants

For more information

• [email protected]

How to Apply

APPLICATION WORKSHEET AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY

By the time of entrance, MFA applicants must:

• Have at least a 3.0 GPA.
• Satisfy the University of California’s Graduate Admission Requirements .
• Complete equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree.

Deadline: February 1, 2024

UCLA Graduate Application

Complete the Application for Graduate Admission .

• Indicate MFA, Film and Television, Animation as the program.
• Submit a 1-2 page document
• Upload a Personal Statement
• Upload a Portfolio Breakdown
• Submit an Original Storyboard
• Submit Other Creative Work
• For guidelines on portfolio submissions, click here .
• Upload unofficial copies of all transcripts
• Enter the names and emails of all recommenders into the Application for Graduate Admission

Mail an official copy of all transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.

• Note: Community college transcripts are not necessary.

Request that all test scores be sent directly to UCLA.

• Only test scores taken by December 31, 2024 will be accepted.
• Note: The GRE is not Required for MFA Applicants.

Mailing Address

Graduate Film Admissions: Animation UCLA Department of Film, Television, and Digital Media 103 East Melnitz Hall, Box 951622 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1622

Animation and Visual Effects

Emerging Media MFA

Emerging Media MFA – Animation and Visual Effects  is a specialized program designed to emulate both the professional and independent studio environment, providing opportunities to assume an artistic leadership role. Principal emphasis is placed on narrative film structure and entrepreneurial aspects of animation as related to independent filmmaking, studio employment, and job creation.

Promo Reel 2022

Designed to prepare students for careers in animation, courses provide students an understanding of the collaborative function of a commercial studio during the first year production courses as well as the development of their unique style of independent filmmaking during preproduction and production of their thesis film over the course of the three year program. In addition, opportunities are available to co-direct a team of undergraduate character animation students, adding toward our canon of award-winning films. Labs and studios are equipped with industry-standard software and hardware. Faculty members have extensive professional, industry experience.

The program allows students to create their own animation and/or visual effects thesis. Students are encouraged to develop visual storytelling skills while using a variety of techniques, including traditional hand-drawn, stop-motion, 2D computer, and 3D computer animation.

Graduates are well qualified to enter the teaching and academic professions and have a competitive edge within the animation, visual effects, and simulation industries.

This Emerging Media MFA track builds upon the legacy of the BFA Character Animation track, where alumni are working for major animation and gaming companies such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, PIXAR Animation Studios, Blue-Sky Animation Studios, Weta Digital, Framestore, Lightbox, MPC, Titmouse, Netflix, Genius Brands, Reel FX, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Blur Studios, Epic Games, Electronic Arts, Riot Games, Turtle Rock Studios, and Blizzard Entertainment or creating simulations for organizations including the U.S. Navy, NASA, DISTI, and Lockheed Martin.

As part of the program, some courses study the form and proportion of the human figure. Nude models are used as reference.

View the Spring 2022 premiere films here!

Mfa open house emerging media – animation and visual effects, program info & tour.

Please watch the following before attending the Q&A session on March 6

Q&A Session

Wednesday, March 6 | 6-7 p.m. ET

Register Here

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in animation, visual effects, emerging media, art, film, theater, computer science, graphic design, illustration, creative writing, mass communications, game design or related field and must demonstrate, through a portfolio of work and writing, that they are currently proficient in the area of animation. Applicants are expected to already know how to animate and/or create visual effects.

Application Materials

• Portfolio of artwork demonstrating life drawing, design, art, and animation abilities.
• Original Animation/VFX Production concept demonstrated in a treatment with accompanying storyboards, character designs, and production designs for a 2-3 minute concept that could be developed into your thesis film. A treatment is written in short story format.
• Statement of purpose
• Three letters of recommendation

January 15: priority and international deadline May 1: deadline for admissions consideration

Do I need to already know how to animate?

Yes. This is a Master of Fine Arts degree so you are expected to know how to animate either characters or effects which should be demonstrated in your portfolio. Observational drawing should also be part of your portfolio.

What is a treatment?

A treatment is an idea for an animated short or visual effects film written in short-story format. Ideally your treatment will be developed into your thesis, so it should be written for a 1-3 minutes concept. Please understand that the committee reviews this portion as a potential thesis project. It could be already developed, but the quality should be consistent with a graduate level thesis.

How many storyboards do I need?

PIXAR creates approximately 134 storyboard panels per one minute of film. We expect you to have at least 10-15 storyboard panels to accompany your treatment, but you can have as many as you need to visually depict the story.

How do I submit the portfolio?

Once you submit the application you can then upload the remaining documents. The portfolio and original animation/vfx production concept should be in a pdf document for upload when applying. You may include links to external sites such as Vimeo, YouTube, or a personal website.  The treatment, storyboard, and Visual Development can be either in the same pdf with the portfolio, or separate. Either way works. Please be sure that everything is labeled clearly for the committee.

Is the GRE required?

The GRE is not required for the Emerging Media MFA – Animation & Visual Effects Track.

Can I start in Spring or Summer semester?

This track is a cohort that begins in Fall semester only.

What is a Cohort?

This is a cohort program, meaning you take specific courses with your accepted cohort (class of students) throughout every Fall and Spring semester following a specific course sequencing. There is only one cohort per year. All of the students will have the same schedule, unless there is a specific need which can be adjusted on an individualized, faculty approved, adjusted change (such as taking a film course or a Directed Research course).

What is the duration of the program?

The Animation and Visual Effects track in the Emerging Media MFA program is a full-time three-year program (six full-time semesters excluding summers in most instances) and students must progress through the program by taking required classes in particular semesters. The program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours including a thesis project. All courses must be approved by the Graduate Program Director. The thesis consists of producing a short film and thesis document.

How do I apply for a fellowship or assistantship?

If you submit everything by January 15th (priority deadline) as a full-time student, you will automatically be considered for any fellowships we will have available. If your portfolio is ranked in the top 2 of the applicants, you could receive a fellowship which consists of a full tuition waiver plus a $5,000 to $10,000 stipend. However, this would only be for the first year, and possibly the second year.

If you prove to be a candidate for Graduate Teaching, you could be awarded the assistantship for your 2nd and/or 3rd year which consists of a full tuition waiver and stipend as well. Our faculty rarely assign Teaching Assistantships during the first year. Due to the technical nature of our undergraduate courses, we try to get to know our MFA students and their abilities before we can confidently assign courses for them to teach.

What technology (hardware/software) is available to students in the computer labs?

The 1st year Graduate lab is equipped with 8 MacPro Workstations and 5 Alienware Workstations, each with dual articulating monitor arms, 22HD Cintiq and 27" 4K Monitors

MacPro Workstation specs:

• OS: macOS Sierra
• Processor: 3.5GHz 6-core with 12MB of L3 cache
• RAM: 32GB (4X8GB) of 1866MHz DDR3 ECC
• Hard Drive: 1 TB PCIe-based SSD
• Graphics Card: Dual AMD FirePro D500 GPUs with 3GB of GDDR5 VRAM each

Alienware Workstation specs:

• OS: Windows 10 Enterprise 
• Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790K CPU @ 4.0GHz  4.00 GHz
• RAM: 16GB) of 2400MHz DDR4 RDIM M ECC
• Hard Drive: PCIe Boot Drive : SAMSUNG SSD PM851 2.5 7mm 256GB
• 1 TB 3.5 Serial-ATA 5,400 RPM WDC WD10JPVX-75JC3T0
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
• Autodesk Entertainment Suite
• The Foundry's NukeX
• Side Effects Houdini
• ToonBoom Harmony
• Stop Motion Pro
• Pixelogic ZBrush
• Microsoft Office

2nd and 3rd year MFA students are assigned to a graduate research space. Each space is equipped with 2 workstations, based on preference of the students, a retrofitted Disney Animation Desk which can hold a 22" Cintiq or an Animation Disk, and 2 Herman Miller Sayl Chairs.

Dell Workstation specs:

• OS: Window 10 Pro for workstations
• Processor: 4-core Intel Xeon Processor E5-1630 v4 (4C, 3.7GHz, 4.0GHz Turbo, 2400MHz, 10MB, 140W)
• RAM: 64GB (4X16GB) of 2400MHz DDR4 RDIM M ECC
• Hard Drive: PCIe Boot Drive : Dell Ultra-Speed Drive Quad 1 X 512GB NVMe PCIe M.2 Solid State Drive X 16 C SSD X           16 C ard (boot) C40
• 1 TB 3.5 Serial-ATA 7,200 RPM
• Graphics Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti SC Black Edition GAMING, 11GB GDDR5X

Can you tell me what type of jobs this program can set me up for? Specifically the animation track?

Our MFA program is very new. 1st Cohort began Fall of 2017 and graduated Spring 2020, so we do not have much data on graduates as of yet.

Below is the information for our undergraduate Character Animation students. This program began the 16th year of graduates in Fall 2020:

Job placement rate:

There is no data available for 10% of our graduates. The below numbers are for the remaining 90% of our character animation program alumni. 30% are employed in the animation industry within 6 months from graduation 85% are employed in the animation industry within 3 years from graduation 15% pursued a graduate degree after graduation

Current Alumni work at these companies

How long is the program?

Is it possible to complete the program on a part time schedule.

This depends on space, quality of the student’s portfolio, and plan of study, however, it is not advised or desirable by the faculty since you become disjointed from your Cohort. University requires that all Graduate students complete their degree within 7 years.

Acceptance is limited to 10 students. Priority deadline is January 15. Currently the acceptance rate is 50%, however, once the Cohort is full applicants must wait until the next academic year. For more information about current deadlines, click here.

FAQ International

What are the requirements for international students.

International deadline is January 15 (you will automatically be considered for any assistantships or fellowships available when you apply by this deadline). For more information about current deadlines, click here.

Is this program STEM?

No, this program is not STEM.

What are the tuition and fees?

Tuition and Fees can be found here:

What courses are required?

The course descriptions can be found in the catalog here:

Is a portfolio required?

Yes, the application requirements can be found in the graduate catalog here:

graduate Catalog

Your portfolio, treatment, and storyboards are what will determine your placement. Your portfolio should show your life drawing proficiencies as well as animation abilities so that the committee can determine if you have the skills required for pursuing your MFA.

Is OPT and CPT available at UCF?

OPT / CPT information can be found here:

What score is required for IELTS?

IELTS information can be found here:

Jo Anne Adams

[email protected] (407) 823-1251 OTC5: 0190

Things to Do in Elektrostal, Russia - Elektrostal Attractions

Things to do in elektrostal.

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