MA Animation

Our 36 credit Master of Arts degree in Animation offers three concentrations (3D Character Animation, Visual Effects, Video Games) that center around gaining hands-on skills in the chosen concentration. This major is designed for students who possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited university, college or art school who are looking to further sharpen their skills and increase their understanding of the discipline. It accepts recent undergraduates, master’s level transfer students, and working professionals who want to grow their animation skills, as well as people who desire a complete career change.
The fall and spring semesters are attended in-residence and the summer semester is completed online. Part-time students may attend courses over multiple years until the required 36 credits are completed. A candidate for admission is encouraged to make a personal appointment with an admissions counselor in order to discuss admission eligibility, education plans and/or take a campus tour. Prospective students may also arrange a meeting with the Animation Program Director to discuss the curriculum options and tour the animation facilities.
Upon entry, students select one of these concentrations to be their area of focus.
3D Character Animation Concentration
Required Courses (18 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
Major Electives (18 Credits)
Visual Effects Concentration
Required Courses (18 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
Major Electives (18 Credits)
Video Games Concentration
Required Courses (18 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
Major Electives (18 Credits)
ANIM 5100 History of Animation & Special Effects
ANIM 5200 History of Video Games
ANIM 5750 3D Character Modeling
ANIM 5850 Advanced Digital 2D Animation
ANIM 5900 Expressions and Scripting in After Effects
ANIM 6700 Animating Fluids
ANIM 6805 Motion Tracking
ANIM 6900 Digital 2D Game Creation
ANIM 7100 3D Character Animation – Weight, Overlap and Follow through
ANIM 7200 Character Animation – Emotion and Personality
ANIM 7250 Lip-Syncing
ANIM 7300 Animation with Hair/Fur
ANIM 7400 Animation with Cloth
ANIM 7425 Motion Capture
ANIM 7525 Virtual Reality
ANIM 7550 Internship I
ANIM 7600 Video Game Team Project
ANIM 7700 Faculty/Student Research I
ANIM 7775 Internship II
ANIM 7805 Faculty/Student Research II
ANIM 7900 Animation Career Preparation
MA 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
Resume