Animation Degree
The Animation A.F.A. is an art and animation intensive program where students will develop essential skills in both 2D and 3D animation through a combination of studio and digital art courses, with two-thirds of credits in art and animation and one-third in General Education. The curriculum provides a foundation in studio art as well as specialized courses in animation. The Animation A.F.A. prepares students for transfer to a four-year B.A. or B.F.A. program. Montgomery College is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Students selecting this program should consult with program faculty advisor early in the program.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Utilize foundational skills and demonstrate competency in a range of art media and techniques.
- Demonstrate visual problem-solving capacity.
- Develop and employ skills necessary to proficiently apply the principles of animation in both 2D and 3D animation.
- Employ professional and effective workflows for creating both 2D and 3D animation.
- Analyze and discuss student-produced animation through structured peer review.
- Develop a portfolio representative of learned animations skills and techniques.
Program Advising
Meet with your academic advisor regularly to discuss your academic plans and make sure you are on track to graduate and/or transfer. The program advising guide outlines the degree requirements and is meant to supplement the advising process.
- Find a Program Advisor
- For a printable degree planner, please go to the Programs of Study page in the catalog new window, locate and navigate to your program, and click on the "Print Degree Planner" icon at the top of the page.
Transfer Opportunities
MC has a long history of successfully preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions. See all transfer agreements.
Careers
For some positions listed, a bachelor's degree or higher may be required. Use the Career and Program Explorer to see a full report for this career field. See links below chart for further guidance and/or connect with a Program Advisor to discuss career goals.
Multimedia artists and animators create animation and visual effects for television, movies, video games, and other forms of media.
- MC Student Employment Services: Speak with the Student Employment Specialist for help with resume writing, interviewing, setting up a College Central Network (CCN) new window account and other job search topics.
- Career Coach: Explore Career Coach to learn more about this career and/or discover related majors and in-demand careers based on your current interests! Take a Career Assessment and then browse careers and job opportunities in the area.
Curriculum
A suggested two-year course sequence for students in Animation follows
- All students should review the advising guide and consult an advisor.
- Find out about related programs and course in the Fields of Study section.
- Most courses have either assessment levels that must be met or prerequisites (courses that must be taken first). Part-time students and those who need to meet assessment levels or take prerequisite courses will take longer to complete a degree. An advisor will help make sure you are taking your courses in the right order.
- All degree-seeking students must take a central group of General Education courses in English, mathematics, arts, behavioral and social sciences, humanities, and science. These courses are included in the suggested course sequence below.
Suggested Course Sequence
Students should complete the required English and Math foundation courses within the first 24 credit hours. A suggested course sequence for full-time students follows. All students should consult an advisor.
First Semester
- ENGL 101 - Introduction to College Writing 3 semester hours
- Mathematics Foundation 3 semester hours (MATF)
- ARTT 100 - Introduction to Drawing 3 semester hours (ARTD)
- ARTT 102 - Introduction to 2D Design 3 semester hours (GEEL)
- GDES 116 - Digital Tools for the Visual Arts 4 semester hours
Second Semester
- ENGL 102 - Critical Reading, Writing, and Research 3 semester hours (ENGF)
- ARTT 103 - Introduction to 3D Design 3 semester hours
- ARTT 200 - Global Art History I 3 semester hours
- ARTT 205 - Figure Drawing I 3 semester hours
- ANIM 200 - Animation I: Introduction to 2D Animation 3 semester hours
Third Semester
- Behavioral and Social Sciences Distribution 3 semester hours (BSSD)
- ANIM 210 - Animation II: Introduction to 3D Animation 3 semester hours
- ARTT 201 - Global Art History II 3 semester hours
- ARTT 263 - Professional Practice for the Visual Artist 1 semester hour
- ARTT 112 - Digital Photography for Fine Arts I 3 semester hours
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OR
- ARTT 152 - Photographic Expression I 3 semester hours
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OR
- PHOT 161 - Introduction to Digital Photography 3 semester hours
Fourth Semester
- Humanities Distribution 3 semester hours (HUMD) †
- Natural Sciences Distribution with Lab 4 semester hours (NSLD)
- ANIM 220 - Animation III: Character Animation and Motion Capture 3 semester hours
- TVRA 140 - Video Editing 3 semester hours
- Program Elective 3 semester hours **
* ENGL 101/ENGL 011, if needed for ENGL 102, or program elective. Please consult a program advisor or transfer institution for assistance with course selection.
** Please choose from the list of program electives: ARTT 202, ARTT 221, ARTT 225, ARTT 285, GDES 134, GDES 210.
† The Humanities distribution language course and an additional art history elective are recommended to help transfer students progress faster at UMBC. Students are required to have an intermediate level language at UMBC.
Related Programs and Courses
General Studies Degree
Students who major in general studies explore personal, professional, and academic areas of interest within a flexible framework supporting transfer.
Workforce Development and Continuing Education
MC offers a wide variety of noncredit classes. These courses are designed to help you upgrade your skills, pursue career training, or learn something new.