Overview

The Animation program at DePaul University offers 5 concentration options:

Motion Graphics

Motion Graphics, sometimes known as Motion Design, involves putting graphic forms, text, and photographic elements into motion using the principles of animation. These are almost always paired with sound and music for a specific purpose, such as in advertisements, educational and industrial videos, films and television titles, visual effects, and video games. Chicago is a major center for commercial advertising production, and Motion Graphics is a significant part of the commercial production and post-production process.

Storyboarding and Character Design

Storyboard artists are in demand in the television and feature film animation industries. A storyboard artist can also find work storyboarding live action films, visual effects, and commercials. The skills of the storyboard artist can also be applied to graphic novels and comics. Character design is a much sought-after role in animation, game art, live action film, comics, and children’s literature. Both disciplines share a requirement for strong traditional drawing skills.

Technical Artist

The Technical Artist Concentration prepares students for a range of technical roles, from the complex jobs of riggers, next generation modelers and motion capture artists to the hybrid specialization of the Technical Artist. A game industry Technical Artist is an art department member who serves as a bridge between art and engineering. The TA needs to understand the language of both fields and act as a translator between the areas. In the film and television CGI animation and VFX industries the Technical Artist is more commonly referred to as a Technical Director or Technical Animator. The TA in these fields shares many of the core responsibilities (pipeline, troubleshooting) and animation technical skills as the game TA.

Traditional Animation

The Traditional Animator Concentration is for students who are interested in deepening their knowledge of traditional animation, including hand-drawn, stop motion, and hybrid methods, with an eye towards a production career in animation. Students in this concentration will training in the history, critical artistic issues, and fundamental principles that are necessary for animation artists.

3D Animation

The 3D Animation concentration is for students interested in 3D animated filmmaking. Students will learn all the 3D tools necessary to realize their cinematic vision, including the most current approaches to 3D animation, modeling, texturing, lighting, rigging, visual effects, compositing, and rendering. Students will complement their 3D studies with a solid foundation in studio art, visual design, art history, and traditional approaches to cinematic filmmaking.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Animation Mechanics
Animation History and Practice
Visual Design for Games
Cinema, Animation and Art
Traditional Animation
Visual Concept Development

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-10 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-06-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-03-28 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-15 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

115

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

52 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Chicago, United States

Disciplines

Animation View 24 other Masters in Animation in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.5

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Complete online application ($25 application fee)

Submit official transcripts from all college and universities attended

Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale

Bachelor's degree awarded from a regionally accredited institution

Test of English Proficiency for international students

Submit a reel or portfolio that includes examples of your creative visual work as part of your application

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

25558 USD / year

≈ 25558 USD / year
Out-of-State

25558 USD / year

≈ 25558 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

25558 USD / year

≈ 25558 USD / year

Living costs

Chicago

United States

1297 - 2491 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Animation.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Motion Graphics

Storyboarding and Character Design

Technical Artist

Traditional Animation

3D Animation

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Chicago

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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