Animation MFA

Our Mission

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.

About the Degree

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.

Special Admissions Instructions:

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.

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.

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

Flexible Degree Paths

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.

Our Degrees

Each degree and concentration offers an opportunity to develop skills that will help you pursue your artistic and professional goals. 

Student Learning Objectives

Students in the Animation Majors will be able to:

1. Develop and compose written conceptual materials effectively.
2. Convey information and ideas through visual imagery proficiently.
3. Engage actively in verbal critiques and discussions.
4. Create high-quality 2D and 3D character animations.

Industrial Application of Skills and Competencies:

Graduates of the program will be prepared to:

1. Utilize the principles of animation language as applied in the video game industry.
2. Write detailed character biographies, video game design proposals, treatments, and storylines effectively.
3. Apply animation knowledge specifically to the context of the video game industry.
4. Present animation and video game concepts, principles, and practices clearly in oral presentations.

Potential Career Paths*

The animation and video game industry is experiencing higher than average growth between 8% and 16% annually.  

• Animators
• Special Effects Artists
• Video Game Designers
• Web Developer
• Digital Designer

*Statistics and information compiled by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics

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

Required Courses (36 Credits)

• ANIM 5300 Storytelling
• 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
• ANIM 7650 Thesis I
• ANIM 7750 Thesis II
• ANIM 7850 Thesis III
• ANIM 7900 Animation Career Preparation

Major Electives (24 Credits)

Video Games Concentration

Required Courses (36 Credits)

• ANIM 5400 Character Design
• ANIM 5500 Digital 2D Animation
• ANIM 6100 Digital Sculpting
• 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
• ANIM 7650 Thesis I
• ANIM 7750 Thesis II
• ANIM 7850 Thesis III
• ANIM 7900 Animation Career Preparation

Major Electives (24 Credits)

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

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

Resume

“I was immersed in an inspiring environment created by passionate artists and dedicated professors who were very caring and patient. The FDU animation program provided me with the most up-to-date tools and knowledge to get my skills ready, whether it was for the professional world or academia.”

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