Visual Development is a Master Degree program (100% Online) 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 Visual Development MA program provides professional development with advanced coursework in still life painting, figure drawing, character design, concept painting, layout design for animation, and other core skills of professional visual developers.
Master character design from first sketch to sculpted maquette—capturing form, weight, and personality. Create immersive worlds through environment and prop design for film and games. Hone your eye for composition, color, light, and perspective. You’ll graduate with production-ready film and game assets that work across platforms and stand out on any screen.
What sets this Program apart
Visual development artists set the tone, shape the mood, and define the look of entire worlds. They’re the architects of imagination in the production pipeline.
In our Visual Development programs, you’ll learn the tools and techniques to design characters, environments, and concepts for film, games, and new media—building the creative vision that drives today’s storytelling.
Online Learning Program. [img data-src="https://bpiqpjsgebtv-u1573.pressidiumcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/UXUIonline-1.webp"]
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.
State authorization for online education.
Online education providers are required to seek authorization by many U.S. states and territories to enroll their residents and those physically located in their jurisdictions. Academy of Art University restricts enrollment for applicants in and from areas where online programs are not approved. Current and prospective students are encouraged to consult the university’s State Authorization for Distance Education Status Table to determine whether the Academy is authorized to offer their degree programs in the state where they will be located while taking online courses.
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.
Our online programs offer immersive classroom experiences both in real time and on demand.
- 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: 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 program charges for a domestic student taking all courses online: tuition $55,836, application fee $50, enrollment fee $95, registration fees $200, for $56,181, plus course fees. Course fees vary by course, and fees may be different for on-campus sections and online sections (see the Course Fees & Prerequisites list). The university’s published Total Program Cost estimates are for full-time, onsite students.
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: 53%; 2024: 48%.
- The percentage of graduates in 2023/2024 who took out federal student loans to pay for this program: 2023: 46%; 2024: 44%.
- 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
This program is available online and on campus.
Unit Requirements.
- Major Coursework: 33 units
- Graduate Liberal Arts: 3 units
- Total: 36 units
MA Visual Development 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:
Artistic Ability
- Demonstrate strong drawing and compositional skills
- Create value studies that demonstrate an understanding of lighting, composition, and space
Research and Critical Thinking
- Apply visual research to design solutions
Visual Development
- Apply color and design elements consistent with the overall look of the film
- Design elements to support the narrative
- Demonstrate continuity in visual storytelling
Presentation Skills
- Create visually compelling, professional-quality presentation materials
- Pitch ideas clearly and professionally
Professional Readiness
- Produce a cohesive portfolio tailored to reflect career goals
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
We give you the training and hands-on experience to launch your career in visual development. Our programs are built to equip you with the skills studios want and the portfolio to prove it.
Production Designer
- Art Director
- Character Designer
- Concept Artist
- Matte Painter
- Production Artist
- Vector Artist
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: 22% (6 of 27 students available for graduation); 2024: 38% (9 of 24 students available for graduation).
- Placement Rate % Employed in the Field: 2023: 14% (1 of 7 graduates available for employment); 2024: 17% (2 of 12 graduates available for employment).
- License Examination Passage Rates: Not Applicable.
- Annual salary and wages reported for 2023 graduates employed in the field (1): $35,001 - $40,000: 1.
- Annual salary and wages reported for 2024 graduates employed in the field (2): $35,001 - $40,000: 1; No Salary Information Reported: 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 disruptors, CEOs, creative directors, and startup founders join us—live and on Zoom—from around the world. They speak from experience. About the work. The risk. The path forward.
Every student whether you are on-campus or online is welcome. To listen. To ask. To connect. These aren’t lectures—they’re conversations.
Around it all, student clubs like Women in Animation ,and Tea-time animation, offer space to gather, create, and share. You’ll meet friends, test ideas, and build together. Sometimes it’s a project. Sometimes it’s a collaboration that lasts for years. It’s always fun.
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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