The BFA degree in Traditional Animation is offered as a professional degree. The educational experience and subsequent body of work reflect three areas of success in the animation profession: (a) a capstone animated film created in a collaborative, team-oriented setting, (b) an animated short created as a solo thesis project, and (c) additional courses in critical studies, story, classic art, advanced animation, and the technical facility that seeks to prepare students for immediate entry into the professional world.

Submission Guidelines

Students can apply to be accepted into the BFA program once they have earned 45 credit hours. Each student must submit a brief document stating their intention to apply for the BFA along with their projected future goals. They will then participate in an advising session and provide a portfolio for review, which should include examples of all department course and project work completed to date. The review will be conducted by the coordinators of the Animation Program along with invited faculty from the Cinema Art and Science Department.

As a result of successfully completing program requirements, students should be able to:

• demonstrate proficiencies in digital and computer-generated software and technology through the creation of animated projects;
• demonstrate a comprehension of history, aesthetics and the analytical context of animation in cinema through written, oral and animated presentations;
• employ a professional level of industry practices, standards and career strategies to successfully market and showcase their animated work;
• collaborate on a team project in the development, production and presentation of an animated short film;
• create and present an animated thesis film; and
• create a professional quality animation portfolio demonstrating original cinematic material and a developed artistic voice.