Animation Associate's and Bachelor's Degrees at a Glance
An undergraduate degree in animation will prepare graduates for entry-level employment as an animator or visual artist. These programs will teach students how to create graphics and visual effects for the multimedia industry. While an associate's degree will provide students with basic skills in the field, those who continue their education at the bachelor's degree level will obtain additional skills and become proficient in animation software programs. However, prospective employers will look more favorably on what an applicant can do artistically, compared to the educational level they have obtained. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), animators are expected to see an 8% growth in employment from 2010 to 2020.
Associate's | Bachelor's | |
---|---|---|
Who is this degree for? | Individuals who want to gain basic animation skills | Those who want advanced animation skills |
Common Career Paths (with approximate mean annual salary) | - Illustrator ($53,000) * - Graphic designer ($49,000) * | - Animator ($68,000*) * - Art director ($96,000) * |
Time to Completion | 2 years, full-time | 4 years, full-time |
Common Graduation Requirements | - About 20-24 courses - Portfolio | - About 40-48 graduate level courses - Portfolio |
Prerequisites | - High school diploma | - High school diploma |
Online Availability | Yes | Yes |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 figures)