Animation (BA)

 

This program is offered by the School of Communications/Media Arts Department and is only available at the St. Louis main campus.

STEM program

Program Description

The Bachelor of Arts in Animation provides training in the core principles and techniques of motion, emphasizing storytelling, rendering, performance, and visual expression across traditional and digital media. Through intensive studio coursework, students develop foundational skills in character animation, experimental practice, fine art techniques, and professional applications while cultivating an individual's creative voice. The curriculum progresses from fundamentals to advanced production processes, preparing students with contemporary tools, collaborative workflows, and a broad understanding of animation as both an art form and a profession.

Learning Outcomes

Successful graduates of the animation program will be able to:

• Create animation with artistic and technical proficiency.
• Demonstrate visual concepts through effective design and aesthetics.
• Convey expressive intent in animation form.
• Analyze and create animation informed by historical, theoretical, and global perspectives.

Degree Requirements

For information on the general requirements for a degree, see Baccalaureate Degree Requirements under the Academic Policies and Information section of this catalog.

• 57 required credit hours
• Applicable University Global Citizenship Program hours
• Electives

Required Courses

Required Core (42 hours)

• ANIM 1000 Fundamentals of Animation (3 hours)
• ANIM 2100 2D Animation Structure and Form (3 hours)
• ANIM 2200 3D Animation Structure and Form (3 hours)
• ANIM 3100 2D Animation and Rigging (3 hours)
  or ANIM 3200 3D Animation and Rigging (3 hours)
  or ANIM 3300 Experimental Animation (3 hours)
• ANIM 4000 Animation Seminar (3 hours)
• ANIM 4620 Senior Capstone* (3 hours)
• AUDI 1000 Audio Production for Non-Majors (3 hours)
• EPMD 1040 Visual Storytelling (3 hours)
• FLST 1000 Film and Television Appreciation (3 hours)
• FLST 2070 History of Animation (3 hours)
• FTVP 1400 Graphics and Effects (3 hours)
• FTVP 2400 Motion Graphics (3 hours)
• MDST 2500 Professional Development for Media Careers (3 hours)
• SCPT 3300 Writing the Short Script (3 hours)

* Capstone Course

Electives

A minimum of 15 credit hours must be chosen from the following:

• ANIM 2040 Cartooning (3 hours)
• ANIM 3010 Voice Acting (3 hours)
• ANIM 3040 Comic Book Creation (3 hours)
• ANIM 3100 2D Animation and Rigging (3 hours)
• ANIM 3150 Special Topics in Animation (3 hours)
• ANIM 3200 3D Animation and Rigging (3 hours)
• ANIM 3220 3D Procedurally Generated Environment (3 hours)
• ANIM 3300 Experimental Animation (3 hours)
• ANIM 4010 2D Character Design (3 hours)
• ANIM 4050 3D Character Design (3 hours)
• ANIM 4030 Storyboarding (3 hours)
• ANIM 4040 Concept Art (3 hours)
• ANIM 4100 2D Animation Short Film (3 hours)
• ANIM 4200 3D Animated Short Film (3 hours)
• ANIM 4400 Photorealistic 3D Animation (3 hours)
• ARHS 2200 Current Art (3 hours)
• ART 1110 Introduction to Drawing (3 hours)
• ART 2110 Figure Drawing (3 hours)
• ART 2130 Illustration (3 hours0
• FTVP 2450 Visual Effects (3 hours)
• FTVP 3500 Production House (3 hours)
• GAME 2600 Game Art (3 hours)
• GAME 4600 Video Game Production (3 hours)
• MDST 4950 Internship (3 hours)
• SCPT 3500 Writing Screenplays for Film (3 hours)

Areas of Study

Although any combination of these courses can be taken to fulfill the degree requirements, courses can be grouped by areas for students who want to focus on a particular aspect within animation arts.

Character Animation

• ANIM 3010 Voice Acting (3 hours)
• ANIM 3100 2D Animation and Rigging (3 hours)
• ANIM 3150 Special Topics in Animation (3 hours)
• ANIM 3200 3D Animation and Rigging (3 hours)
• ANIM 4100 2D Animated Short Film (3 hours)
• ANIM 5200 3D Animated Short Film (3 hours)

Concept Arts

• ANIM 4010 2D Character Design (3 hours)
• ANIM 4020 3D Character Design (3 hours)
• ANIM 4030 Storyboarding (3 hours)
• ANIM 4040 Concept Art (3 hours)
• ART 2110 Figure Drawing (3 hours)

Comic Arts

• ANIM 2040 Cartooning (3 hours)
• ANIM 3040 Comic Book Creation (3 hours)
• ART 1110 Introduction to Drawing (3 hours)
• ART 2130 Illustration (3 hours)
• SCPT 3500 Writing Screenplays for Films (3 hours)

Technical Arts

• ANIM 3210 3D Procedurally Generated Environment (3 hours)
• ANIM 4400 Photorealistic 3D Animation (3 hours)
• FTVP 2450 Visual Effects (3 hours)
• GAME 3550 Game Art (3 hours)
• GAME 4600 Video Game Production (3 hours)

Auteur Cinema

• ANIM 3300 Experimental Animation (3 hours)
• ARHS 2200 Current Art (3 hours)

Client Production

• MDST 4950 Internship (3 hours)
• FTVP 3550 Production House (3 hours)

Admission

See the Admission section of this catalog for general admission requirements. Students interested in applying must submit their application online at www.webster.edu/apply. Transcripts should be sent from your institution electronically to transcripts@webster.edu. If this service is not available, send transcripts to:

Office of Admission
Webster University
470 E. Lockwood Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63119