Animation Arts, BFA
Overview
The Animation Arts BFA is designed for students seeking professional-level training in animation and moving image production. The program expands on the BA’s strong foundation by adding production-focused credits and offering a tightly woven sequence of courses dedicated to creative and technical study. The BFA provides deeper, earlier, and more continuous animation training than the BA.
You’ll combine core filmmaking principles with animation coursework such as Experimental Animation, Stop Motion, and Intro to 3D Animation. The curriculum also integrates courses in professional practice, storyboarding, and digital production tools like Maya, After Effects, and Unreal Engine.
Throughout the program, you’ll develop advanced artistic, conceptual, and collaborative skills applicable across film, television, gaming, and immersive media. With mentorship from experienced faculty and visiting professionals, you’ll gain the confidence and portfolio needed to launch your creative career.
The BFA culminates in a two-semester senior project, where you’ll produce an original animated film that reflects your technical excellence, creative depth, and readiness to enter the animation field.
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Faculty and Staff
Our inspirational faculty and staff make sure students feel welcome and empowered to think outside the box and explore all possibilities of making art at UWM. Visit the Peck School of the Arts directory to meet these artists, explore their biographies and engage with recent work.
Scholarships and Aid
Financial constraints shouldn’t hinder your artistic dreams. Our comprehensive range of scholarships and aid programs is designed to empower and support artists like you.
Study Abroad
We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.
Requirements
Credit Overview
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 30 | |
| Arts Requirements | 12 | |
| Major Requirements | 72 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Preparatory Coursework
Based on individual placement results, some students may be required to complete preparatory coursework before enrolling in the courses listed here. This may include English language or composition preparation, developmental math, introductory chemistry, and/or student support courses for students participating in the First Year Bridge program.
General Education Requirements (GER)
UW-Milwaukee has General Education Requirements that must be met in order to earn a bachelor’s or associate degree. They include at minimum 30 credits (10 courses) in six categories that are designed to assure basic student competencies and provide a broad body of knowledge as a context for specialization.
Some degree requirements may fulfill GERs. Please review the requirements and consult with your academic advisor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Categories and Credits | ||
| Civics and Perspectives (CP) | 6 | |
| Communication and Literacy (CL) | 6 | |
| Humanities and Arts (HA) | 6 | |
| Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (MQR) | 3 | |
| Natural Science and Wellness (NSW/NSWL) | 6 | |
| Social and Behavioral Science (SBS) | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate applicants must meet general University admission requirements in addition to specific Peck School of the Arts requirements.
Credits and Courses
Arts Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Peck School of the Arts Credits | ||
| 12 credits must be taken in at least three of the four departments outside of the student's discipline: Art and Design, Dance, Music or Theatre. | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Animation Arts Foundations | ||
| FILM 109 | Animation Form and Meaning | 3 |
| FILM 180 | Foundation Production: Fiction | 6 |
| FILM 111 | Cinema as Experiment | 3 |
| FILM 232 | Animation I | 3 |
| Post-Foundation Studios | ||
| FILM 233 | Digital Animation | 3 |
| Choose one course (3 credits) from the following: | 3 | |
| 16mm Filmmaking | ||
| Introduction to the Screenplay | ||
| Writing for Film | ||
| Introduction to Digital Arts | ||
| Contextual | ||
| FILM 303 | Current Topics in Media Arts Production | 3 |
| Choose two courses (6 credits) from the following: | 6 | |
| Science Fiction in Animation | ||
| Cartoons, Animation, and the Graphic Novel | ||
| The Animated Short | ||
| Miyazaki Shorts and Features | ||
| Production | ||
| FILM 347 | Introduction to 3D Animation | 3 |
| or FILM 388 | Stop Motion Animation | |
| FILM 379 | Storyboarding | 3 |
| or FILM 384 | Drawing for Animation | |
| FILM 486 | Advanced Animation | 3 |
| Production Electives | 6 | |
| Portfolio | ||
| FILM 361 | Animation Studio | 3 |
| FILM 385 | Experimental Animation | 3 |
| Professional Practice | ||
| FILM 343 | The Business of Animation | 3 |
| Choose one course (3 credits) from the following: | 3 | |
| Milwaukee Underground Film Festival | ||
| The Producer's Role | ||
| The Screenwriting Business | ||
| Documentary Projects: doc/UWM | ||
| Advanced Internship/Professional Practice | ||
| Senior Capstone | ||
| FILM 509 | Senior Project I | 3 |
| FILM 510 | Senior Project II | 6 |
| Film Electives | ||
| Choose two courses (6 credits) as film electives | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 72 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose 6 credits from any department on campus (including Film) in consultation with your advisor. | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Undergraduate Advising
Academic advising is a collaborative process that empowers students to realize their maximum educational potential. Students are encouraged to visit the Peck School of the Arts Advising & Student Services page to meet with your advisor prior to each semester’s registration period. Advisors provide students with individualized appointments to assist with degree requirements, course selection, campus resources, college success strategies, graduation assessment, academic policies and more.
Sample Plan of Study
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| FILM 109 | Animation Form and Meaning (Animation Form and Meaning) 1 | 3 |
| FILM 180 | Foundation Production: Fiction 1 | 6 |
| GER Course 10 | 3 | |
| GER Course 10 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FILM 111 | Cinema as Experiment (Cinema as Experiment) 1 | 3 |
| FILM 232 | Animation I 1 | 3 |
| FILM 332 | Miyazaki Shorts and Features | 3 |
| GER Course 10 | 3 | |
| GER Course 10 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| FILM 233 | Digital Animation 2 | 3 |
| FILM 231 | Writing for Film 2 | 3 |
| FILM 303 | Current Topics in Media Arts Production 3 | 3 |
| GER Course 10 | 3 | |
| GER Course 10 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FILM 347 | Introduction to 3D Animation 4 | 3 |
| FILM 383 | Character Design and Animation 4 | 3 |
| PSOA Arts Distribution 9 | 3 | |
| GER Course 10 | 3 | |
| GER Course 10 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| FILM 379 | Storyboarding 4 | 3 |
| FILM 321 | Science Fiction in Animation 3 | 3 |
| FILM 361 | Animation Studio 5 | 3 |
| PSOA Arts Distribution 9 | 3 | |
| GER Course 10 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FILM 486 | Advanced Animation 4 | 3 |
| FILM 385 | Experimental Animation 5 | 3 |
| FILM 382 | Visual Effects 4 | 3 |
| PSOA Arts Distribution 9 | 3 | |
| GER Course 10 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| FILM 509 | Senior Project I 7 | 3 |
| FILM 450 | Advanced Internship/Professional Practice 6 | 3 |
| Department Elective 8 | 3 | |
| PSOA Arts Distribution 9 | 3 | |
| UWM General Elective 11 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FILM 510 | Senior Project II 7 | 6 |
| FILM 343 | The Business of Animation 6 | 3 |
| Department Elective 8 | 3 | |
| General Elective 11 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Animation Foundation courses: 15 cr. total, completion required before advancing in the major:
- 2
Post-Foundation Studio: 6 cr. total
- Required: FILM 233
- One additional post-foundation studio, select from: FILM 220, FILM 231, FILM 234, or FILM 255
- 3
Contextual Electives: 6 cr. total
- 4
-
Production Electives: 15 cr. total
- 5
Portfolio Requirements: 6 cr. total
- 6
Professional Practice Electives: 6 cr. total
- 7
Senior Capstone: 9 cr. total
- 8
Department Electives: 6 cr. required
- Any course offered within the Department of Film, Video, Animation and New Genres.
- 9
PSOA Arts Distribution Requirement for FVANG
- 12 credits outside PSOA
- 12 credits within PSOA but outside of FVANG in at least 3 PSOA departments outside of discipline (Art and Design, Dance, Music, and Theater)
- 10
GER Requirements (UWM Core) - 30 cr. total
- (2) Communications and Literacy courses (total 6 cr.)
- (1) Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning course (total 3 cr.)
- (1) Social and Behavioral Science course (total 3 cr.)
- (2) Humanities and Art courses (total 6 cr.)
- (2) Natural Science and Wellness courses, one with lab (total 6 cr.)
- (2) Civics and Perspectives courses (total 6 cr.)
- 11
General Electives: 6 cr. total
Can include courses inside the Department of Film, Video, Animation and New Genres or in any area of the University.
Animation Arts, BFA Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with the BFA in Animation Arts will be able to:
- Create high-quality, original animation works that demonstrate the effective application of fundamental artistic principles, conventions, and methods, across a variety of genres and styles.
- Demonstrate media literacy and knowledge of core concepts, capabilities, and tools of animation filmmaking technologies.
- Utilize animation across creative and practical contexts including educational, advertising, film production, storyboarding, architecture, video games, and other entertainment and arts industries.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively, applying critical and creative thinking to solve problems throughout all stages of production.
- Integrate creative, aesthetic, and technical requirements across fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid practices, engaging across a wide range of animation roles and responsibilities.
Policies and Regulations
Academic Regulations
For information on University-wide Academic Action Policy and honors for scholarship, see Academic Policies.
Auditing Courses
No studio or performance courses may be audited.
Grievance and Appeal Procedures
If you have concerns about a class or a grade, or if you’ve been dropped from a program and would like to appeal, follow the grievance procedures found under the resources section on the Peck School of the Arts Advising & Student Services page.
Independent Study
Under special conditions, juniors and seniors are permitted to take courses in independent study. For regulations on independent study, see the departmental advisor.
Program Changes
All program changes must be signed by the instructor and the Peck School of the Arts Office of Student Services. Certain other courses may also require this approval indicated in the semester's Schedule of Classes.
Second Bachelor's Degree Candidates
Students with good scholastic records who wish to earn a second bachelor's degree in the Peck School of the Arts must obtain the recommendation of the Peck School of the Arts department in which they wish to major before they can be accepted. Upon acceptance, students must earn in residence a minimum of 30 credits beyond the studies for the first degree and must satisfy all curriculum requirements.
Semester Credit Load
A full-time Peck School of the Arts student is one who takes a minimum of 12 credits per semester. Typically, Peck School of the Arts students are not permitted to carry more than 18 credits per semester. Students who have a 3.0+ cumulative GPA may, with the permission of the Peck School of the Arts Office of Student Services, carry up to 21 credits per semester.
Transfer Students
Transfer students from other universities and colleges or UWM units are accepted by the Peck School of the Arts provided they meet the UWM admissions criteria and have a 2.0+ cumulative GPA.
Honors in the Major
- Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a GPA of 3.500 or greater in the major and the academic department's recommendation.
- High Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or greater and the academic department's recommendation.
- Departmental Honors are granted to students recommended by their academic department for Honors excellence in performance not reflected in the GPA.
- Dean's Honors are granted to students with major achievements in one or more of the arts.
College of the Arts and Architecture Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.