Animation & Visual Effects is a Master Degree program offered by Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. The program takes 36 units to complete, with a total tuition of $55,836.
Program Overview
The MA program provides students an opportunity to work in 2D Animation & Stop Motion, 3D Animation, 3D Modeling, or Visual Effects, while focusing on storytelling with an emphasis on exhibiting technical skills and eliciting emotional responses.
Our faculty doesn’t just teach the industry, they are the industry. Pixar professionals. Studio veterans. Storytellers shaping what the world watches. You’ll study with the people shaping the stories the world loves.
With rLab, your computer becomes a full animation studio, giving you professional-level power, anytime, anywhere. And in StudioX, you won’t just practice. You’ll produce real films, earn real on-screen credits, and build a portfolio that proves you’re ready.
This isn’t just school. It’s your first big break.
What sets this Program apart
At our STEM-designated School of Animation and Visual Effects, you’ll start with core training in art and production pipelines taught by working professionals. Then, you’ll specialize in areas like CG, traditional, 3D, or stop-motion animation; modeling; rigging; dynamics; compositing; lighting; or look development.
You can join StudioX, our in-house production studio, where you’ll work on real films headed for theaters, streaming platforms, and TV. This is where theory turns into practice and your name appears in the credits.
With rLab, you’ll get 24/7 remote access to the same pro-level equipment and rendering power used by top studios. You’ll graduate with credits on real films and a portfolio that proves you’re ready for the industry.
Admission Requirements and Process
The Academy requires graduate applicants to demonstrate their ability and intent to complete a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA) or Master of Architecture program (M. Arch.). After submitting the application form and application fee, graduate applicants must submit a statement of intent, a résumé, college transcripts showing completion of at least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent, and a portfolio/reel. Upon receiving all application requirements, the department will review and will recommend that the student be accepted, not accepted or allowed to enroll in Graduate Preparatory Coursework.
General Requirements
- Bachelor’s degreeTranscripts must show completion of at least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent; you must submit official or unofficial transcripts from the institution from which you graduated.
- Application and feeSubmit the graduate application form and the $50 non-refundable application fee.
- Statement of IntentSubmit an explanation of Graduate School goals and desired outcomes of the graduate degree in a one page, typed essay.
- RésuméSubmit an itemized list of educational and professional experience.
- Portfolio/ReelA body of work representing the chosen discipline is required for class placement in the graduate program; additional materials may be required by the specific departments.
- Department reviewUpon receiving all application requirements, the department will review and will recommend that the student be accepted, not accepted or allowed to enroll in Graduate Preparatory…
Application Process
- 1Meet with an Admissions SpecialistSchedule a meeting with one of our admissions specialists. They’ll guide you to the school and program that best fits your goals and help you navigate the application process.
- 2Apply for admissionSubmit the graduate application form and the $50 non-refundable application fee.
- 3Send your supporting documentsSubmit your Statement of Intent, résumé and college transcripts showing completion of at least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.
- 4Submit your portfolio/reelSubmit a body of work representing your chosen discipline; registration for the appropriate classes is based on the skills demonstrated in the portfolio/reel.
- 5Department reviewThe department reviews your application and recommends that you be accepted, not accepted or allowed to enroll in Graduate Preparatory Coursework.
- 6File the FAFSAComplete the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov and use Academy of Art University’s Federal School ID Number: 007531.FAFSA Code for San Francisco Campus: 007531
Program Schedule
Start dates. Spring 2027 semester starts 2/3/2027 (application deadline 1/25/2027); Summer 2027 starts 6/21/2027 (deadline 6/14/2027); Fall 2027 starts 9/8/2027 (deadline 8/30/2027).
Graduate students must carry a minimum study load of 9 units to be considered as full-time students. Students are expected to attend summer semesters to meet their scheduled completion date.
On-site classes are offered Monday through Saturday in time blocks of 8am-11am, 11am-2pm, 2pm-5pm and 5pm-8pm, with Saturday classes from 9:30am-12:30pm and 1pm-4:30pm.
- February 03rd, 2027
- June 21st, 2027
- September 08th, 2027
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Tuition. Graduate & Art Teaching Credential tuition for Fall 2026–Summer 2027 is $1,551 per unit for domestic students ($1,857 per unit for international students); tuition is the same for both on-campus and online classes. This 36-unit program’s tuition is $55,836 for domestic students.
Fees.
- Application Fee: $50 (one-time, nonrefundable)
- Registration Fee: $50 per semester (nonrefundable after the cancellation period)
- Enrollment Fee: $95 for first-term domestic students, charged in lieu of the $50 registration fee ($100 for international students)
- Student Activity Fee: $30 per semester, on-site only; waived for students taking all courses online
- Student Tuition Recovery Fund: $0
- Course fees vary by course; fees may be different for on-campus sections and online sections
- Materials/Supplies: $545 average per semester
Estimated total program cost for a full-time, onsite, domestic student (effective fall semester 2026): application fee $50, enrollment fee $95, registration fees $200, student activity fees $150, estimated course fees $1,285–$3,093, for an estimated $57,616–$59,424 due for the entire program.
Payment options. Academy of Art offers many different ways to help you structure your payments, including interest-free installment plans and pre-payment options. The installment plan enables students to pay their tuition in four separate payments during Fall and Spring and two separate payments for Summer.
Financial aid. Federal aid available to Academy of Art University graduate students includes Federal Work Study, Direct Stafford (unsubsidized) Loans and Direct Graduate PLUS Loans. Complete the FAFSA using Academy of Art University’s Federal School ID Number: 007531.
Military and veterans. The Academy processes the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), the Yellow Ribbon Program, Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapters 30 and 1606), Veteran Readiness & Employment (Chapter 31), DEA (Chapter 35), Military Tuition Assistance and MyCAA.
Net Price Calculator. Estimate your cost with the Academy of Art University Net Price Calculator: https://npc.collegeboard.org/student/app/academyart
Living expenses. The cost of attendance budget includes the costs of tuition and fees, books, supplies, monthly allowances for room and board, transportation to and from school, and personal expenses such as clothes. Estimates of (Monthly) Living Expenses, 2026-2027:
- Food & Housing: $1,393 (student living with parents); $2,729 (student not living with parents); $4,133 (student living on campus, avg.)
- Personal Expenses: $507; $634; $441
- Transportation: $134; $184; $154
Federal student loan debt. From the program’s School Performance Fact Sheet:
- Most recent three year cohort default rate, as reported by the United States Department of Education: 2023: 0%; 2024: 0%.
- The percentage of enrolled students in 2023/2024 receiving federal student loans to pay for this program: 2023: 30%; 2024: 34%.
- The percentage of graduates in 2023/2024 who took out federal student loans to pay for this program: 2023: 26%; 2024: 33%.
- The average amount of federal student loan debt of 2023/2024 graduates who took out federal student loans at this institution: 2023: $14,395; 2024: $14,864.
Curriculum
Master of Arts (MA) Degree – Major Classes.
This program is available online and on campus.
Unit Requirements.
- Major Coursework: 33 units
- Graduate Liberal Arts: 3 units
- Total: 36 units
MA Animation & Visual Effects Degree Requirements.
- Successful completion of Final Portfolio Review
- Minimum grade of C in all required 36 units
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirement:
- 1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic Sensitivity course
Program Learning Outcomes.
Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
2D Animation & Stop Motion - Traditional Animation
- Demonstrate strong draftsmanship skills
- Create pieces that showcase expression and emotion
- Stage stories through effective camera placement choices
- Apply the major principles of animation
- Technical Skills - Demonstrate facility with animation technology and software
- Presentation Skills - Clearly demonstrate project and workflow plan
- Presentation Skills - Create a compellingly designed and well-composed review materials
- Professional Readiness - Curate a cohesive portfolio or demo reel tailored to reflect industry standards for a desired position
3D Animation
- Apply the major principles of animation
- Create pieces that showcase expression and emotion
- Stage stories through effective camera placement choices
- Technical Skills - Demonstrate facility with animation technology and software
- Presentation Skills - Create a compellingly designed and well-composed review materials
- Professional Readiness - Curate a cohesive portfolio or demo reel tailored to reflect industry standards for a desired position
3D Modeling – Modeling
- Convincingly model forms in 3-dimensions that demonstrate a thorough understanding of anatomy and sculptural form
- Display a range of modeling skill sets including hard surfaces and organic
- Create textures that will be applied to the surface of models
- Produce industry-standard turnarounds and wireframes
- Technical Skills - Demonstrate facility with animation technology and software
- Professional Readiness - Curate a cohesive portfolio or demo reel tailored to reflect industry standards for a desired position
Visual Effects
- Create shots or assets appropriate to the project aesthetic
- Develop shots or assets for narrative power
- Technical Skills - Demonstrate facility with visual effects technology and software
- Presentation Skills - Clearly demonstrate project and workflow plan
- Professional Readiness - Curate a cohesive portfolio or demo reel tailored to reflect industry standards for a desired position
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
With rLab’s 24/7 remote power and real-world production experience in StudioX, you’ll graduate with IMDB credits and a portfolio that shows—not tells—what you can do. Trained by Pixar pros and studio veterans, you’ll step into animation with the skills and the credits to land your first big break.
- 2D Animator
- 3D Animator
- 3D Rigger
- Character Animator
- Modeler
- Producer
- Stop Motion Artist
- Storyboard Artist
- Technical Director: Compositing
- Technical Director: Dynamics
- Technical Director: Lighting and Rendering
Program performance. From the program’s School Performance Fact Sheet filed with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (calendar years 2023 & 2024, revised November 25, 2025):
- On-Time Completion Rate: 2023: 35% (26 of 75 students available for graduation); 2024: 35% (19 of 54 students available for graduation).
- Placement Rate % Employed in the Field: 2023: 13% (2 of 15 graduates available for employment); 2024: 3% (1 of 30 graduates available for employment).
- License Examination Passage Rates: Not Applicable.
- Annual salary and wages reported for 2023 graduates employed in the field (2): $5,001 - $10,000: 1; $45,001 - $50,000: 1.
- Annual salary and wages reported for 2024 graduates employed in the field (1): $25,001 - $30,000: 1.
Graduation and retention rates (university-wide).
- Graduate Students (Full-time): % of all incoming full-time students (503) in Fall 2019 graduated in 5 years: 75%.
- Retention Rates – 2024 Cohort: All incoming full-time graduate students (199) in Fall 2024 re-enrolled in Fall 2025: 81%.
What to expect as a Academy of Art University student
Academy Award winners. Tech founders. Creative directors. CEOs. They join us live and on Zoom from around the world. They speak from experience. About the work. The risk. The path forward. No theory. Just real stories from people who’ve done it.
Every student is welcome. On campus or online. To listen. To ask questions. To make connections. These are conversations, not lectures.
Clubs like Women in Animation, Tea-time Animation, and Legend of VFX give you space to meet up, share ideas, and build projects together. Sometimes it’s a quick sketch. Sometimes it turns into something big; a collaboration that lasts a lifetime. It’s always fun.
Join us on Discord:
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Academy of Art University is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), currently on warning; its accredited status continues during the Warning period.
Approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the San Francisco Campus (IPEDS, 2024).
Percentages are of total fall enrollment. 910 students whose race or ethnicity was not reported are included in that total but shown as no category, so the figures above come to 83.4% rather than 100%.
Testimonials
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