Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Animation is a hands-on program designed to develop both your technical expertise and artistic voice. You’ll gain the skills needed to succeed in the animation industry while also exploring animation as a powerful form of creative expression.
Built upon the infrastructure, reputation, and direction of UWM's award-winning Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres department, the Animation program helps a diverse community of students find their place in an expanding and evolving creative media field. Faculty and teaching staff are world-renowned independent and commercial animators whose work has been showcased internationally. Our program offers classes in 2D, 3D, stop motion, puppetry, VFX, and experimental animation, with the technical and aesthetic knowledge acquired being broadly applicable to both artistic and commercial paths. Coursework in Animation is complemented by broad exposure to the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, and natural sciences.
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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.
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate applicants must meet general University admission requirements in addition to specific program requirements found on the Peck School of the Arts apply page.
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 | 57 | |
| General Electives | 18 | |
| 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).
BA Animation Arts Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Animation Requirements | ||
| Animation Foundation | ||
| 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 | ||
| Writing for Film | ||
| Introduction to the Screenplay | ||
| Introduction to Digital Arts | ||
| Contextual Requirement | ||
| FILM 303 | Current Topics in Media Arts Production | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Theory/Practice Seminar: (Science Fiction in Animation) | ||
| Cartoons, Animation, and the Graphic Novel | ||
| The Animated Short | ||
| Miyazaki Shorts and Features | ||
| Post-Foundation Studios | ||
| Advanced Animation Courses | ||
| FILM 385 | Experimental Animation | 3 |
| FILM 486 | Advanced Animation | 3 |
| FILM 388 | Stop Motion Animation | 3 |
| or FILM 347 | Introduction to 3D Animation | |
| FILM 379 | Storyboarding | 3 |
| or FILM 384 | Drawing for Animation | |
| Select additional 300+ Animation elective | 3 | |
| FVANG Electives | 6 | |
| 12 cr. of animation courses numbered Film 340+ | ||
| Senior Project Capstone | ||
| FILM 509 | Senior Project I | 3 |
| FILM 510 | Senior Project II | 6 |
| Total Credits | 57 | |
Sample Plan of Study
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| FILM 110 | Foundation Topics: (Animation Form and Meaning) 1 | 3 |
| FILM 180 | Foundation Production: Fiction 1 | 6 |
| University Core 2 | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FILM 110 | Foundation Topics: (Cinema as Experiment) 1 | 3 |
| FILM 232 | Animation I 1 | 3 |
| Contextual elective: select from: 3 | 3 | |
| Theory/Practice Seminar: (Science Fiction in Animation) | ||
| Cartoons, Animation, and the Graphic Novel | ||
| The Animated Short | ||
| Miyazaki Shorts and Features | ||
| University Core 2 | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ARTHIST 205 | History of Film I: Development of an Art (Fulfills GER: Humanities) 2 | 3 |
| FILM 233 | Digital Animation 4 | 3 |
| University Core 2 | 6 | |
| Select from: 4 | 3 | |
| 16mm Filmmaking | ||
| Writing for Film | ||
| Introduction to the Screenplay | ||
| Introduction to Digital Arts | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FILM 388 | Stop Motion Animation | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: 3 | 3 | |
| Cartoons, Animation, and the Graphic Novel | ||
| The Animated Short | ||
| Miyazaki Shorts and Features | ||
| University Core 2 | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| FILM 385 | Experimental Animation | 3 |
| Film or Animation Elective | 3 | |
| University Core or General Electives 2 | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FILM 486 | Advanced Animation | 3 |
| Film or Animation Elective | 6 | |
| University Core or General Electives 2 | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Film or Animation Elective | 3 | |
| FILM 509 | Senior Project I | 3 |
| University Core or General Electives 2 | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FILM 343 | The Business of Animation | 3 |
| FILM 510 | Senior Project II | 6 |
| University Core or General Electives 2 | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Students must complete Animation Foundation courses (FILM 110 @ 6cr, FILM 180, FILM 232) to advance in the major.
- 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, FILM 336.
- 4
Students must complete FILM 233 and one additional post-foundation studio (FILM 220, FILM 231, FILM 234, FILM 255) and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 before enrolling in Advanced Animation coursework (FILM 343, FILM 347, FILM 361, FILM 379, FILM 384, FILM 385, FILM 386, FILM 387, FILM 388, FILM 486) with the exception is that students may take 200-level post-foundation studios and a Contextual course simultaneously. FILM 234 can count as either a post-foundation studio or a production elective (but not both).
Animation Arts, BA Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with the BA in Animation Arts will be able to:
- Create and produce original animation works that demonstrate the effective application and knowledge of specific artistic principles, conventions, methods, and practices.
- Demonstrate media literacy and knowledge of core concepts, capabilities, and tools of animation technologies across a range of independent creative, fine arts, and industry contexts.
- Effectively navigate the creative concepts, aesthetic choices, and technical requirements of animated projects, and apply these skillsets across individual and collaborative fiction, non-fiction, and hybrid artist-practices.
- Implement high-quality production values in animated projects through the consistent application of professional-level standards and/or creative approaches to skills, including 3D, experimental, hand-drawn, and stop motion animation.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively and to apply critical and creative thinking skills toward problem-solving within all production scenarios.
- Utilize animation across creative and practical contexts, including educational, advertising, film production, storyboarding, architecture, video games, and other entertainment and arts industries.
- Engage fully in the entire production process from concept to distribution, displaying a grasp of animation pipelines, roles, and responsibilities within a range of production scenarios.
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.