Overview

What you will learn

Hench DADA challenges graduate students to invent their own aesthetic. Although it embraces traditional forms, the program strongly encourages innovation and experimentation, and emphasizes imagination, creativity and critical thinking. Graduate students have their own mini studios within the Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Center for Animation where they work on thesis.

The Animation and Digital Arts MFA program at University of Southern California is a three-year (six semester) graduate program designed for students who have clearly identified animation and digital art as their primary interest in cinema. The program focuses on animation production, including a wide range of techniques and aesthetic approaches, from hand-drawn character animation to state-of-the-art interactive digital animation. While embracing traditional forms, the program strongly encourages innovation and experimentation, and emphasizes imagination, creativity and critical thinking. Students should graduate with a comprehensive knowledge of animation from conception through realization; an understanding of the history of the medium and its aesthetics; in-depth knowledge of computer animation software and the most important elements of digital and interactive media.

The program requires a minimum of 50 units: 32 units are in prescribed, sequential courses in the School of Cinematic Arts. The other 18 units are cinematic arts electives, 4 of which must be taken in the Division of Critical Studies. A thesis is required for the MFA degree. Ongoing workshops in new technologies, traditional and digital media provide additional educational opportunities for student.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

History of Animation
The Art of Animation
Expanded Animation
Storytelling for Animation
Animation Production
Animation
Animation Design and Production
The Business of Animation

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-23 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-11-15 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

50 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Los Angeles, United States

Disciplines

Graphic Design Animation View 95 other Masters in Graphic Design in United States

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Academic requirements

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

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

USC Graduate Application for Admission
SlideRoom Application

Cinematic Arts Supplemental Materials
- Cinematic Arts Personal Statement
- Portfolio
- Résumé
- Letters of Recommendation (3)

Official Transcripts (From all Academic Institutions Attended)

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

60478 USD / year

≈ 60478 USD / year
Out-of-State

60478 USD / year

≈ 60478 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

60478 USD / year

≈ 60478 USD / year

Additional Details

Tuition for the first year

Living costs

Los Angeles

United States

1520 - 2570 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 and Digital Arts.

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

What you will learn

Programme Structure

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

Additional Details

Living costs

Los Angeles

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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