The Computer Graphics & Animation MFA Track prepares graduates to pursue a career in animation or self-directed creative research in animation as it relates to the areas defined in the Art & Technology MFA Track.
Graduate courses, group discussion, critiques and consultation with thesis advisors emphasize creative thinking, character, storytelling, and storyboard development, digital compositing and special effects experimentation, and computer programming. The program exposes students to both 2D and 3D computer animation.
The results will be in the completion of a portfolio of innovative computer animation. The student who plans to prepare for a career in computer animation will most likely create a portfolio of commercially-based animated shorts, each with strong characters, a well-defined story, with a strong sense of beginning, middle, and end. The student who plans to prepare for a career in self-directed creative research in animation will create a portfolio of innovative computer animation which is self-expressive, ready for gallery exhibition or animation festival presentation.
Animation projects will be presented in a professional thesis exhibition including photographic documentation of the animation stills in a thesis book complete with written critical evaluation of the thesis project. The animation on video tape and on digital media must also be submitted upon completion. Graduates will also be expected to make a successful oral defense of their final thesis to thesis advisors.
Curriculum requirements
for the
Master of Fine Arts degree
in Computer Graphics and Animation
ARTH 601 History of Art & Technology - 3 credits
ARTB 651 Critical Thinking & Writing About the Arts - 3 credits
ARTH 602 Aesthetics and Theory - 3 credits
ARTC 801 Graduate Critique/Thesis Orientation - 3 credits
ARTA 701 3D Modeling & Animation - 3 credits
ARTA 801 Concept, Character & Storyboard Development - 3 credits
ARTH 651 Contemporary Art in Context - 3 credits
ARTC 851 Thesis Proposal - 2 credits
ARTC 752 Advanced 3D Modeling and Animation - 3 credits
ARTA 851 Character Animation - 3 credits
ART_ ___ Elective - 3 credits
ARTB 701 Business of Computer Graphics and Animation - 3 credits
ARTB 751 Professional Critiques - 2 credits
ART_ ___ Elective - 3 credits
ART_ ___ Elective - 3 credits
ARTU 902 Thesis: Graduate Studio I - 6 credits
ART_ ___ Elective - 3 credits
ART_ ___ Elective - 3 credits
ARTU 952 Thesis: Graduate Studio II - 6 credits
ARTC 951 Thesis: Paper & Exhibition - 3 credits
Total credits required - 64
Computer Graphics and Animation graduate students may choose any of the following for their major elective options: (6-12 credits)
Graduate Drawing Studio
Advanced 2D Animation
Digital Compositing & Special Effects
Animation Studio
Stop Motion Studio
Digital Audio
Character Animation II
Digital Video
Advanced Concept, Character & Storyboard Development
2D Computer Animation
Digital Animation Technical Workshop
Computer Graphics and Animation graduate students may choose any of the following for their recommended elective options: (3-9 credits)
Advanced Graduate Drawing Studio
Advanced Digital Audio
C++ Programming for Artists
Advanced Digital Imaging
Computer Fundamentals for Artists
Advanced Experimental media/performance/Installation
Advanced Digital Sculpture
Physical Computing
Advanced Digital Video
Algorithm in Art and Design
Students who have completed the NYIT – Master of Arts in Communication Arts degree may use those credits towards the NYIT MFA degree, but will need to take a minimum of 30 MFA credits to earn the MFA degree. Students who were matriculated in the NYIT – Master of Arts in Communication Arts degree program may utilize more than 9 credits toward the MFA degree with permission of the MFA program director.