The MFA in Animation degree is for students who are interested in creating original animated films and artwork as their main vocation. Students in the MFA in Animation degree will receive intense and rigorous training in the history, critical artistic issues, and fundamental principles that are necessary for animation artists. The student films created throughout their degree will be challenged by faculty in critiques, through which students will be urged to develop a personal vision and push the limits of their abilities and the potential of animation as an expressive medium. The program uses the cohort model, so students will work alongside their peers throughout their degree. Filmmakers choosing this field often support themselves and fund their films by teaching college, which requires an MFA, so MFA in Animation graduates will be eligible to compete for tenure-track teaching positions within the growing number of Animation programs around the world. The degree is intended for those with undergraduate degrees in Animation, Film, Art, Graphic Design, Illustration and other visual art areas.
DePaul's large group of full time and adjunct Animation faculty come from diverse backgrounds in commercial production, game development and art exhibition. We are part of the School of Cinema & Interactive Media, which features the latest digital technologies and facilities: a stop motion studio, two green screen stages, a sound recording and mixing studio, and a motion capture studio. Our visiting artists series brings prominent animators to campus. Past visitors include David O'Reilly and legendary animator Yuri Norstein.