Bachelor of Arts in Animation

Webster's animation degree gives you a strong foundation in the techniques of hand-drawn and computer animation, the technology that powers today's cutting-edge animated content and the theoretical knowledge that will grow your artistic perspective. Our students synthesize theory and practice to create vibrant animated content with a global viewpoint. You will gain insight and mentorship from our practitioner faculty. 

Hone Your Craft with a BA in Animation

• An animator is both a storyteller and an artist. Learn to exercise your skills to make images move on the screen — and in the hearts and minds of your audience.
• Our Animation major prepares you for a career in independent and commercial animation. You will develop a broad range of expertise in animation arts, including 2D and 3D character animation, game art, comics, concept art and character design.

BA Degree Highly Ranked

• Webster University’s bachelor’s degree in Animation was ranked 21 in the Midwest and 2 in Missouri in 2024 by the Animation Career Review, an online resource dedicated to providing aspiring animation students with information on the best schools in the field. Webster’s Animation program is also one of only 18 schools in the nation to become a Toon Boom Center of Excellence.

Utilize Leading Industry Software and Equipment

• The School of Communications complex houses a state-of-the-art media production and education facility that meets industry standards and includes unique, first-in-the-region technologies and capabilities. Studio facilities include an audio and video production and recording suite, soundstage, workshop space, photography studio, gallery, animation, game design and video post-production labs, as well as flexible teaching spaces.
• In addition, Webster University has been designated a Toon Boom Centre of Excellence school. Toon Boom Animation is a leading animation and storyboarding software used by many prominent studios — including Disney and DreamWorks — for developing animation and new content.

Develop Your Portfolio

• Over the course of your Animation major studies, you will make and distribute your own animations, develop an individual style and voice, work in a welcoming and creative studio environment and graduate with a comprehensive portfolio of independent artistic work.

BA in Animation

• Find out more about the overall curriculum, electives, learning outcomes and more.

Program Description

• The BA in animation offers students the opportunity to learn core principles and techniques focusing on storytelling, motion, drawing, performance and expression through traditional and digital forms. Each student will undertake an intensive course of study including character animation, experimental concepts, fine art techniques and diverse applications, building a strong, global foundation before embarking upon an eventual area of concentration.

Learning Outcomes
Successful graduates of the animation program will be able to:

• Create animation with fundamental and technical proficiency.
• Express visual concepts artistically.
• Integrate storytelling and performance.
• Synthesize theory and practice creating animation from a global perspective.

Degree Requirements
For information on the general requirements for a degree, see Baccalaureate Degree Requirements under the Academic Policies and Information section of this catalog.

• 57 required credit hours
• Applicable University Global Citizenship Program hours
• Electives

Required Courses

• ANIM 1000 Animation I (3 hours)
• ANIM 1010 Animation II (3 hours)
• ANIM 1040 Storyboarding (3 hours)
• ANIM 2000 Advanced Animation (3 hours)
• ANIM 2200 3D Modeling (3 hours)
• ANIM 3010 Voicing Your Creation (3 hours)
• ANIM 4000 Animation Seminar (3 hours)
• ANIM 4010 Character Design (3 hours)
• ANIM 4620 Senior Overview* (3 hours)
• or MDST 4950 Internship* (3 hours)
• ART 1110 Introduction to Drawing (3 hours)
• FLST 2060 Modern World Cinema (3 hours)
• FLST 2070 History of Animation (3 hours)
• FTVP 1400 Graphics and Effects (3 hours)
• MDST 2500 Professional Development for Media Careers (3 hours)
• SCPT 3300 Writing the Short Script (3 hours)

A minimum of 12 credit hours must be chosen from the following:

• ANIM 1200 3D Character Sculpting (3 hours)
• ANIM 2010 Experimental Animation (3 hours)
• ANIM 2040 Cartooning (3 hours)
• ANIM 3040 Comic Book Creation (3 hours)
• ANIM 3150 Special Topics in Animation (3 hours)
• ANIM 3200 3D Animation and Rigging (3 hours)
• ANIM 4040 Concept Art (3 hours)
• ANIM 4200 3D Animated Short Film (3 hours)
• ANIM 4400 Photorealistic 3D Animation (3 hours)
• ART 1120 Principles of Drawing (3 hours)
• ART 2110 Figure Drawing (3 hours)
• ART 2120 Intermediate Drawing (3 hours)
• EPMD 1040 Visual Storytelling (3 hours)
• FLST 1000 Film and Television Appreciation (3 hours)
• FLST 2050 History of Film (3 hours)
• FTVP 2400 Motion Graphics (3 hours)
• FTVP 2450 Visual Effects (3 hours)
• FTVP 3500 Production House (3 hours)
• GAME 2600 Game Art (3 hours)
• GAME 4600 Video Game Production (3 hours)
• SCPT 2900 Scriptwriting (3 hours)
• SCPT 3500 Writing Screenplays for Film (3 hours)
• SPCM 3500 Presentations for Media Professionals (3 hours)