Overview
The Animation Arts BFA is designed for students seeking professional-level training in animation and moving image production. The program expands on the BA’s strong foundation by adding production-focused credits and offering a tightly woven sequence of courses dedicated to creative and technical study. The BFA provides deeper, earlier, and more continuous animation training than the BA.
You’ll combine core filmmaking principles with animation coursework such as Experimental Animation, Stop Motion, and Intro to 3D Animation. The curriculum also integrates courses in professional practice, storyboarding, and digital production tools like Maya, After Effects, and Unreal Engine.
Throughout the program, you’ll develop advanced artistic, conceptual, and collaborative skills applicable across film, television, gaming, and immersive media. With mentorship from experienced faculty and visiting professionals, you’ll gain the confidence and portfolio needed to launch your creative career.
The BFA culminates in a two-semester senior project, where you’ll produce an original animated film that reflects your technical excellence, creative depth, and readiness to enter the animation industry.
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Faculty and Staff
Our inspirational faculty and staff make sure students feel welcome and empowered to think outside the box and explore all possibilities of making art at UWM. Visit the Peck School of the Arts directory to meet these artists, explore their biographies and engage with recent work.
Scholarships and Aid
Financial constraints shouldn’t hinder your artistic dreams. Our comprehensive range of scholarships and aid programs is designed to empower and support artists like you.
Study Abroad
We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate applicants must meet general University admission requirements in addition to specific Peck School of the Arts requirements.
Undergraduate Advising
Academic advising is a collaborative process that empowers students to realize their maximum educational potential. Students are encouraged to visit the Peck School of the Arts Advising & Student Services page to meet with your advisor prior to each semester’s registration period. Advisors provide students with individualized appointments to assist with degree requirements, course selection, campus resources, college success strategies, graduation assessment, academic policies and more.
Laptop Requirement
Preparing for a future defined by digital technology is an important step in developing artists. Our digitally integrated curriculum helps you achieve a professional level with leading art-related software and practices.
Laptop ownership is strongly recommended for all students. However, it’s required for most majors. For more information, please visit the Peck School of the Arts admission page.
Credits and Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Core | 45 | |
| Animation Requirements | 72 | |
| General Electives | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
University Core
The minimum number of credits required to complete the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Fine Arts is 120. Students who need background preparation courses in math, English, foreign language, and chemistry may need additional credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements 1 | ||
| Competencies 1 | ||
| Oral and Written Communication – Part A and Part B 2 | ||
| Quantitative Literacy (QL) – Part A and Part B 2 | ||
| Foreign Language 2 | ||
| Distribution Requirements 1 | ||
| Humanities | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences (Must include one lab) | 6 | |
| Social Sciences | 6 | |
| Cultural Diversity 2 | ||
| Electives | ||
| Additional Electives | 12 | |
| Credits in Peck School of the Arts 3 | 12 | |
| University Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
- 1
Learn more about the General Education Requirements.
- 2
Credits may be utilized in required curriculum areas.
- 3
Up to 12 credits inside the Peck School of the Arts (9 required, the remaining 3 may remain inside FVANG as an elective) in at least 3 of the 4 departments outside the student's discipline (Art and Design, Dance, Music, and Theater).
BFA Animation Arts Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Animation Foundation Requirements | ||
| FILM 110 | Foundation Topics: (Students are required to complete 2 sections for 6 credits of FILM 110.) | 6 |
| FILM 180 | Foundation Production: Fiction | 6 |
| FILM 232 | Animation I | 3 |
| Completion of Foundation Courses | ||
| FILM 233 | Digital Animation | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| 16mm Filmmaking | ||
| Introduction to the Screenplay | ||
| Writing for Film | ||
| Introduction to Digital Arts | ||
| 300+ Level Production Electives | ||
| FILM 347 | Introduction to 3D Animation | 3 |
| or FILM 388 | Stop Motion Animation | |
| FILM 379 | Storyboarding | 3 |
| FILM 486 | Advanced Animation | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Character Design and Animation | ||
| Drawing for Animation | ||
| Interactive Animation | ||
| Puppetry | ||
| 300+ Portfolio Electives | ||
| FILM 361 | Animation Studio | 3 |
| FILM 385 | Experimental Animation | 3 |
| 300+ Contextual Electives | ||
| FILM 303 | Current Topics in Media Arts Production | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Theory/Practice Seminar: (Science Fiction in Animation) | ||
| Cartoons, Animation, and the Graphic Novel | ||
| The Animated Short | ||
| Miyazaki Shorts and Features | ||
| 300+ Professional Practice | ||
| FILM 343 | The Business of Animation | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Milwaukee Underground Film Festival | ||
| The Producer's Role | ||
| The Screenwriting Business | ||
| Documentary Projects: doc/UWM | ||
| Advanced Internship/Professional Practice | ||
| Advanced Documentary Projects: doc/UWM | ||
| Senior Project | ||
| FILM 509 | Senior Project I | 3 |
| FILM 510 | Senior Project II | 6 |
| FVANG Electives | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 72 | |
Film, Video Animation, and New Genres Electives
Consult your academic advisor in the Peck School of the Arts Student Services Office for electives in the PSOA Core Curriculum and General Education Requirement courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FILM 150 | Multicultural America (Satisfies UWM's Cultural Diversity requirement) | 3 |
| FILM 203 | Media Workshop: (subtitle) | 3 |
| FILM 220 | 16mm Filmmaking | 3 |
| FILM 222 | Digital Filmmaking | 3 |
| FILM 231 | Writing for Film | 3 |
| FILM 232 | Animation I | 3 |
| FILM 234 | Introduction to the Screenplay | 3 |
| FILM 255 | Introduction to Digital Arts | 3 |
| FILM 297 | Study Abroad: | 1-12 |
| FILM 301 | Film Art for Non-Majors (subtitle) | 3 |
| FILM 305 | Digital Cinema and the Computer (Satisfies UWM's OWCB - Oral & Written Communication - Part B) | 3 |
| FILM 316 | Filmmaker as Theorist/Practitioner: (subtitle) | 3 |
| FILM 318 | Film and the Visual and Performing Arts | 3 |
| FILM 319 | Theory/Practice Seminar: (subtitle) | 3 |
| FILM 320 | The Art of the Short Film | 3 |
| FILM 323 | Film as a Modernist Art Form | 3 |
| FILM 324 | Genre and the Horror Film | 3 |
| FILM 325 | Indie Cinema | 3 |
| FILM 326 | Philosophy and Film | 3 |
| FILM 327 | Cartoons, Animation, and the Graphic Novel | 3 |
| FILM 328 | Radical Cinema | 3 |
| FILM 329 | Sociological Cinema | 3 |
| FILM 330 | Structuring Gaps | 3 |
| FILM 332 | Miyazaki Shorts and Features | 3 |
| FILM 336 | Special Effects and Illusion in Cinema | 3 |
| FILM 341 | Theory/Practice Seminar: (subtitle) | 3 |
| FILM 342 | Milwaukee Underground Film Festival | 3 |
| FILM 343 | The Business of Animation | 3 |
| FILM 344 | The Producer's Role | 3 |
| FILM 345 | The Screenwriting Business | 3 |
| FILM 346 | Documentary Projects: doc/UWM | 3 |
| FILM 360 | Portfolio Topics: | 3 |
| FILM 361 | Animation Studio | 3 |
| FILM 362 | Documenting Community | 3 |
| FILM 363 | Mumblecore: Fundamental Cinema | 3 |
| FILM 364 | Music Video Production | 3 |
| FILM 365 | Sex and Gender in Film and Video | 3 |
| FILM 366 | Experimental Sound Techniques | 3 |
| FILM 367 | Personal Cinema | 3 |
| FILM 368 | Dreams: Yours, Mine, Ours | 3 |
| FILM 379 | Storyboarding | 3 |
| FILM 380 | Production Topics: (subtitle) | 3 |
| FILM 382 | Visual Effects | 3 |
| FILM 385 | Experimental Animation | 3 |
| FILM 386 | Interactive Animation | 3 |
| FILM 388 | Stop Motion Animation | 3 |
| FILM 390 | Directing | 3 |
| FILM 391 | Cinematography | 3 |
| FILM 392 | Documentary Filmmaking | 3 |
| FILM 393 | Sound Design | 3 |
| FILM 394 | Film Score Studio | 3 |
| FILM 395 | Preproduction | 3 |
| FILM 396 | Video Installation | 3 |
| FILM 397 | Drawing for Filmmakers | 3 |
| FILM 398 | Editing and Post-Production | 3 |
| FILM 399 | Advanced Independent Study | 3 |
| FILM 419 | Advanced Theory/Practice Seminar: | 3 |
| FILM 420 | Intermediate Media Arts Module: (subtitle) | 3 |
| FILM 434 | Film Aesthetics: (subtitle) | 3 |
| FILM 446 | Advanced Documentary Projects: doc/UWM | 3 |
| FILM 460 | Advanced Portfolio Topics: (subtitle) | 3 |
| FILM 461 | Landscape Cinema | 3 |
| FILM 462 | Humor and Filmmaking | 3 |
| FILM 463 | Experimental Documentary | 3 |
| FILM 464 | Observational Documentary | 3 |
| FILM 465 | Experimental Narrative | 3 |
| FILM 466 | Appropriated Media | 3 |
| FILM 480 | Advanced Production Topics: | 3 |
| FILM 481 | Advanced 16MM Film Production | 3 |
| FILM 482 | Advanced Cinematography | 3 |
| FILM 483 | Post-Production Sound | 3 |
| FILM 484 | Field Recording | 3 |
| FILM 486 | Advanced Animation | 3 |
| FILM 497 | Study Abroad: (subtitle) | 1-12 |
Sample Plan of Study
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| FILM 110 | Foundation Topics: (Animation Form & Meaning) 1 | 3 |
| FILM 180 | Foundation Production: Fiction 1 | 6 |
| Select two of the following: 2 | 6 | |
| History of Film I: Development of an Art (GER-H) | ||
University Core | ||
University Core | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FILM 110 | Foundation Topics: (Cinema as Experiment) 1 | 3 |
| FILM 232 | Animation I 1 | 3 |
| Animation Contextual Elective 3 | 3 | |
| University Core 2 | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| FILM 233 | Digital Animation 4 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: 4 | 3 | |
| 16mm Filmmaking | ||
| Writing for Film | ||
| Introduction to Digital Arts | ||
| Introduction to the Screenplay | ||
| FILM 303 | Current Topics in Media Arts Production 3 | 3 |
| University Core 2 | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select either: 5 | 3 | |
| Introduction to 3D Animation | ||
| Stop Motion Animation | ||
| Animation Production Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Department Elective | 3 | |
| University Core 2 | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| FILM 379 | Storyboarding 5 | 3 |
| FILM 385 | Experimental Animation 6 | 3 |
| Animation Production Elective 5 | 3 | |
| University Core 2 | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FILM 486 | Advanced Animation 5 | 3 |
| FILM 361 | Animation Studio 6 | 3 |
| Animation Contextual Elective - select from: 3 | 3 | |
| Cartoons, Animation, and the Graphic Novel | ||
| Miyazaki Shorts and Features | ||
| The Animated Short | ||
| University Core 2 | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| FILM 509 | Senior Project I 7 | 3 |
| Professional Practice Elective 8 | 3 | |
| Department Elective | 3 | |
| University Core 2 | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FILM 510 | Senior Project II 7 | 6 |
| FILM 343 | The Business of Animation 8 | 3 |
| University Core 2 | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Students must complete Foundation courses (FILM 110@ 6cr, FILM 180, FILM 232).
- 2
PSOA Arts Distribution Requirement for FVANG is part of the University Core Curriculum (42-credit core).
- 30 credits outside of PSOA (18 credits of GER requirements)
- 12 credits outside PSOA
- 12 credits within PSOA but outside of FVANG in at least 3 PSOA departments outside of discipline (Art and Design, Dance, Music, and Theater)
- 3
Contextual Electives: Choose from: FILM 303 required, FILM 319, FILM 327, FILM 331, FILM 332.
- 4
Students must complete FILM 233 and one additional post-foundation studio (FILM 220, FILM 231, FILM 234, FILM 255) before enrolling in production or portfolio electives 300+ level.
- 5
Production Electives: FILM 486, FILM 379 are required. Choose from either FILM 347 or FILM 388. Plus 6 more credits selected from: FILM 383, FILM 384, FILM 386, FILM 387.
- 6
- 7
Senior Capstone: Students must enroll and complete a senior capstone project. This requires enrollment in FILM 509 and FILM 510.
- 8
Professional Practice Electives: FILM 343 required. Choose an additional 3 credits from: FILM 342, FILM 344, FILM 345, FILM 346, FILM 450, FILM 446.
Animation Arts, BFA Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with the BFA in Animation Arts will be able to:
- Create high-quality, original animation works that demonstrate the effective application of fundamental artistic principles, conventions, and methods, across a variety of genres and styles.
- Demonstrate media literacy and knowledge of core concepts, capabilities, and tools of animation filmmaking technologies.
- Utilize animation across creative and practical contexts including educational, advertising, film production, storyboarding, architecture, video games, and other entertainment and arts industries.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively, applying critical and creative thinking to solve problems throughout all stages of production.
- Integrate creative, aesthetic, and technical requirements across fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid practices, engaging across a wide range of animation roles and responsibilities.
Policies and Regulations
Academic Regulations
For information on University-wide Academic Action Policy and honors for scholarship, see Academic Policies.
Auditing Courses
No studio or performance courses may be audited.
Declaration of Submajor
In most instances, after two years of basic preparatory courses in the major, students choose an area of specialization within their respective departments, known as a submajor. Students must declare a submajor after they have accumulated 45 to 75 credits to assure completion of the appropriate curriculum requirements for graduation.
Grievance and Appeal Procedures
If you have concerns about a class or a grade, or if you’ve been dropped from a program and would like to appeal, follow the grievance procedures found under the resources section on the Peck School of the Arts Advising & Student Services page.
Independent Study
Under special conditions, juniors and seniors are permitted to take courses in independent study. For regulations on independent study, see the departmental advisor.
Program Changes
All program changes must be signed by the instructor and the Peck School of the Arts Office of Student Services. Certain other courses may also require this approval indicated in the semester's Schedule of Classes.
Second Bachelor's Degree Candidates
Students with good scholastic records who wish to earn a second bachelor's degree in the Peck School of the Arts must obtain the recommendation of the Peck School of the Arts department in which they wish to major before they can be accepted. Upon acceptance, students must earn in residence a minimum of 30 credits beyond the studies for the first degree and must satisfy all curriculum requirements.
Semester Credit Load
A full-time Peck School of the Arts student is one who takes a minimum of 12 credits per semester. Typically, Peck School of the Arts students are not permitted to carry more than 18 credits per semester. Students who have a 3.0+ cumulative GPA may, with the permission of the Peck School of the Arts Office of Student Services, carry up to 21 credits per semester.
Transfer Students
Transfer students from other universities and colleges or UWM units are accepted by the Peck School of the Arts provided they meet the UWM admissions criteria and have a 2.0+ cumulative GPA.
Honors in the Major
- Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a GPA of 3.500 or greater in the major and the academic department's recommendation.
- High Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or greater and the academic department's recommendation.
- Departmental Honors are granted to students recommended by their academic department for Honors excellence in performance not reflected in the GPA.
- Dean's Honors are granted to students with major achievements in one or more of the arts.
College of the Arts and Architecture Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.