Degrees that combine two or three majors that are usually offered separately are becoming more and more common as more employer’s demand that job candidates have a more diverse creative and technical skill set. These types of programs allow students to cover multiple areas in less time than it takes to complete a full-blown double major or dual degree. A typical double major or dual degree program takes no less than five years to complete, full-time. A single degree that combines two majors typically takes four years to complete. Students on the fast track may complete the program in less time.
Graduating a year earlier than dual degree students and double majors allows students to enter the workforce faster and save thousands on tuition costs. Even better is, students who want to work in both animation and games will be just as prepared to compete in the field as dual degree and double major graduates.
There are so many schools that offer degrees that combine multiple majors you’ll lose count. We don’t have room to list them all, so we found five that will give you a good idea of what’s out there. Here you go.
Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois
Animation & Game Design BFA
The Animation & Game Design BFA at Bradley University combines the curricula of the Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts Animation and Game Design programs. The resulting 124 semester hour program prepares students for advanced positions in both animation and game design. Program highlights include guest speakers, participation in the Game Design Club, the Digital Arts Team, and the Video Game Narrative Club, and access to the Animation and Game Design Research Labs and InterMedia Center. The BFA curriculum
Sample courses include Game Art, Game Design, 2D Animation, Concepting & Storytelling for IM, 3D Animation, History of Animation, Interactive Media, Game Production, and Animation & Game Design Thesis I & II.
Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Animation & Game Arts BFA
The Animation & Game Arts BFA at Moore College of Art & Design prepares graduates for a career in animation, game art and mobile media design. According to the school, the 126 credit hour program is for students “who are curious self-learners and problem-solvers, have the desire to be part of a creative team or community, and thrive on the challenge of working within frameworks and prescribed limitations. It teaches a variety of industry-relevant knowledge including hand and digital drawing, animation and storyboarding, development of 2D character design and 3D environments, history, theory, gaming strategies, proficiency in the use of art-making software and critical analysis of interactive culture.”
Sample courses include Digital Painting for IMA, Animation & Storyboarding, Time Based Media Projects, Game Strategies, 3D Animation, Game Projects, and Mobile Media Projects.
Oklahoma Christian University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Gaming and Animation BFA
Students in the Gaming and Animation BFA program at Oklahoma Christian University (OC) “will be exposed to film, video, and animation disciplines as well as game design in a highly sought after, but hard-to-find program,” says the school. Students will gain industry-level skills and artistic techniques such as texturing, unwrapping, animating, rigging 3D models, game level design, 2D animation techniques, audio production and interactive design. “While learning and discovering the art of animation geared specifically for gaming, degree seekers will also be exposed to the history of film, video, and animation.”
The 126 credit hour program requires 33 hours of animation and gaming, and six hours of art and design electives that can be used to enhance the degree. Sample courses include 3D Modeling & Animation, Team Game Production, Gaming and Animation Studio, Interactive Media Design, Media Production, Motion Imagery and Animation Principles & Practices. For students interested in branching out on their own, the program also offers “Business of Branding Yourself.”
Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, Arkansas
Game, Animation, and Simulation BFA
The Game, Animation, and Simulation BFA at Southern Arkansas University (SAU) is a unique 120 credit hour program that prepares students for careers in animation, games, and “a broad variety of scenarios which require prototyping 3D designs for manufacturers of medical equipment, transportation and the military,” says the school. Offered through the College of Liberal & Performing Arts, the BFA program teaches students how to:
- Communicate orally, visually and in written form to support a visual art or design decision ×Critically analyze visual design problems, synthesize information and create pieces with corresponding written or oral language to support their outcomes
- Employ traditional art techniques and technological knowledge necessary to work in the art and design community
Students will also “understand art in terms of its civic and ethical impact and use the tools and technology related to their specific concentration, and will acquire an informed voice as it pertains to art history.”
Sample courses include Animation, Character Design and Sculpture, Character Rigging, Digital Cinema, World Creation and Design, Computer Science, Simulation Development, 3D Modeling Tools, Game Design Management, Playgramming, Physics of Animation, Drawing, and Multimedia and Web Design.
University of Advancing Technology, Tempe, Arizona
Game Art and Animation BA
Students in the University of Advancing Technology (UAT) Game Art and Animation BA program will learn how to create and animate environments, textures, props, characters, and collision objects utilizing 2D and 3D platforms. According to UAT, they will also “develop the complex technical skills that make games not only move but also interact with the player to achieve a heightened sense of reality not to mention a more enjoyable – and educational – experience.”
Students will “master all levels of game development to create 3D art assets for multiple video game platforms. They learn to incorporate the artistic principles used in 3D video games art asset creation such as color theory, lighting, shading, anatomy, life drawing, perspective, scene staging, modeling low polygon and high polygon, 3D mesh topology, texturing, rigging, hand key character and prop animations, as well as motion capture and facial animation.”
The 120 credit hour program highlights courses such as 3D Modeling Environments and FX, Environmental and FX Animation, Game Art and Animation, Game Texturing, Storyboarding, Characters and Vehicles Animation, Design and Animation, Advanced Game Character Creation, and Production Studio.
Whether you’re looking for a combined degree, dual degree, or double major in animation and game design, we can help! Use our School Locator to find accredited degree programs in your area.
Sources
“Animation & Game Arts BFA.” Moore College of Art & Design. Moore College of Art & Design, 2017. Web. 14 July 2017.
“Animation & Game Design BFA.” Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts. Bradley University, 2017. Web. 14 July 2017.
"BFA Gaming and Animation." Oklahoma Christian University. Oklahoma Christian University (OC), 2017. Web. 14 July 2017.
“Game, Animation, and Simulation BFA.” Southern Arkansas University. Southern Arkansas University (SAU), 2017. Web. 14 July 2017.
"Game Art and Animation BA." University of Advancing Technology. University of Advancing Technology (UAT), 2017. Web. 14 July 2017.