Mar 28, 2024  
2021-22 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-22 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Animation, B.S.


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Media Arts  
615-898-5628
Kevin McNulty, program coordinator
Kevin.Mcnulty@mtsu.edu

The Animation major is designed for those who wish to work professionally in animation and/or imaging, including character animation, video games, motion graphics, visual effects, simulation and visualization, and image manipulation. This program blends theoretical and hands-on approaches to traditional and digital animation. Students are encouraged to complete their education with internships in professional settings.

In addition to supplemental classes, students take a six-semester sequence of courses (fall and spring) focused in 3D animation. The final two semesters of the six-semester sequence culminate in a two-semester capstone experience in which each student creates a project of their own design or with a team to serve as a primary item in their creative portfolios.

The major requires a minor in Art as described below.

Notice to Transfer Students: MTSU’s Animation degree program is designed as a four-year, eight-semester program. Most of the courses must be taken in a strict sequence. To graduate in four years, students must follow the prescribed sequence of classes described below. ART 1610 - Two-Dimensional Design , ART 1620 - Drawing I , and PHOT 1050 - Basic Digital Photography and Imaging  must be completed in the Freshman year. Even with transferring those credits, the student may be excessively burdened with animation classes the first semester sophomore year. ANIM 2300 - Introduction to 3D Animation  must be taken no later than the first semester of the sophomore year. Transferring to MTSU’s Animation program later than the first semester of the Sophomore year will definitely require extra semesters to complete the program. Contact an MTSU academic advisor for more information.

NOTE: Majors must complete all major course requirements with a grade of C (2.00) or better.

Admission to Candidacy


 To be admitted to candidacy in Animation, the student must meet the following requirements:

  1. 45 hours completed before applying for candidacy
  2. Passing grade in EMC 1010 
  3. Grade of C (2.00) or better in each of the following pre-candidacy courses:

ART 1610  

ART 1620  

ANIM 1300  

ANIM 2300 

ANIM 3040 /VFP 3040  

PHOT 1050 /EMC 1050 

Minimum overall GPA in pre-candidacy coursework of 2.50. 

  1. In addition to the above requirements, candidacy will be granted to students earning a score of 90 or better on the Animation Candidacy Evaluation. A limited number of additional students may be granted candidacy based upon candidacy score and available resources.
  2. Animation Candidacy Evaluation uses a 100-point scale composed of 60 percent portfolio review and 40 percent grade point average (GPA) on required pre-candidacy courses.
    1. The student’s portfolio may be composed of work from classes and personal projects. Portfolios will be scored on a 60-point scale. Suggested work samples include
      1. traditional art such as drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, graphic design, etc.,
      2. still digital art,
      3. animation of any form or format,
      4. other creative work to demonstrate the student’s creative and aesthetic competency as it applies to the fields of Animation.
    2. The student’s GPA for required pre-candidacy courses will be multiplied by 10 for a maximum score of 40 points.

Academic Map


Following is a printable, suggested four-year schedule of courses:

Animation, B.S., Academic Map   

Degree Requirements


General Education 41 hours
Major Requirements 58 hours
     College Core Requirements    9 hours*
     Major Requirements    49 hours
Minor (Art or Interactive/Illustration) 18 hours
Computer Literacy Requirement 3 hours
Electives 0-3 hours
TOTAL 120 hours

*This program requires courses that can also fulfill requirements of the General Education curriculum. If program requirements are also used to fulfill General Education requirements, the number of elective hours will increase.

General Education (41 hours)


General Education requirements (shown in curricular listings below) include courses in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences.

The following course required by the program meets General Education requirements:

Major Requirements (58 hours)


Animation Requirements (49 hours)


Minor (18 hours)


Choose from Art Minor  or Interactive/Illustration Minor .

Computer Literacy Requirement (3 hours)


Electives (0-3 hours)


Curriculum: Animation


Curricular listings include General Education  requirements in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.

Subtotal: 16 Hours


Freshman Spring


Subtotal: 15 Hours


Sophomore Fall


Subtotal: 16 Hours


Subtotal: 16 Hours


Subtotal: 16 Hours


Junior Spring


Subtotal: 16 Hours


Senior Fall


Subtotal: 12 Hours


Senior Spring


  • 3 to 4 credit hours (4 credit hours required)
  • Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours
  • Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 credit hours
  • Elective 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 13 Hours


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