Animators are in high demand these days to create content in the entertainment, advertising, and gaming industries. Animation certificates are academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels available to students who want to work in the fast-growing field of animation as entry-level professionals.
In this article, we’ll explain the different kinds of animation certificate programs, how they differ from professional certification, and the best schools that offer these animation college certificate programs.
What Is an Animation Certificate College Program?
An animation certificate college program is an undergraduate level program that covers the basics of the design process, 2D and 3D animation, visual graphics, and related multimedia. This kind of program includes both theory and hands-on experience for students to learn the skills involved in becoming an entry-level animator in the media industry.
What’s the Difference Between a College Animation Certificate and Professional Certification in Animation?
The difference between a certificate and a professional certification in animation is that a certificate shows you have attended an academic education program while a certification shows you have professional skills. A certificate program consists of several courses either at the graduate or undergraduate level and is hosted by an academic institution.
Professional certification is often a stand-alone exam for working professionals to show that they have specific skills. Producers of digital tools, such as Adobe Animate, offer certification exams to show that you have mastered that tool.
Animation College Certificate vs Animation Certification: Key Differences
| Animation Certificate | Animation Certification |
|---|---|
| No work experience required | Can require prior work experience |
| Credits earned can be transferred to a degree | Stand-alone exam, sometimes with a short course without transferrable credits |
| Courses meet academic requirements of an accreditation agency | Exam and course content meets standards set by an industry or professional organization |
How Long Does It Take To Get an Animation Certificate at College?
It takes six to 12 months to get an animation certificate at college. The exact duration may vary from program to program. Animation certificate programs can take from 18 to 40 credits, and they may be part-time or full-time programs.
Best Animation Certificate Undergraduate Programs
| School | Program Name | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| City College of San Francisco | Certificate of Achievement in Digital Animation | $46/semester unit (in state); $339/semester unit (out of state) |
| Cuyahoga Community College | Certificaticate in 3D Animation | $124.54/credit hour (in county); $154.08/credit hour (in state); $291.19/credit hour (out of state) |
| McHenry County College | Certificate in Animation | $111.50/credit (in district); $360.75/credit (in state); $472.46/credit (out of state) |
| Montgomery College | Certificate in Digital Animation | $201/credit hour (in county); $341.80/credit hour (in state); $467.80/credit hour (out of state) |
| Maricopa Community College | Certificate of Completion in Animation | $85/credit hour (in county); $472/credit hour (in state); $326/credit hour (out of state) |
| Shoreline Community College | Certificate in Digital Illustration/Animation | $147.42/credit (in state); $241.53/credit (out of state) |
| South Dakota State University | Certificate in Animation | $259.10/credit hour (in state); $376.10/credit hour (out of state) |
| University of California Riverside Extension |
Certificate in Animation | $505/course |
| University of Cincinnati – Blue Ash College | Certificate in Animation | $283/credit hour (in state); $649/credit hour (out of state) |
| Wichita State University | Undergraduate Certificate in Animation | $228.09/credit hour (in state); $540.27/credit hour (out of state) |
Best Undergraduate Animation Certificate Programs: Explained
There are a number of universities and colleges in the US that offer animation certificates at the undergraduate level. Below are 10 of the most popular, yet affordable, animation certificate programs.
Animation College Certificate Program vs Animation Associate Degree
A college Certificate in Animation is a quick way to learn about motion graphics and different kinds of animations. It is a focused program with mostly required courses and relatively few electives.
An animation associate degree is a two-year degree program to build foundational animation skills and cover general education requirements. You can start working as a visual effects artist or an animator after completing this degree, or you can transfer your credits to a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Animation. Below are some factors that differentiate a certificate vs a degree.
- Cost. A college certificate program is less expensive than an associate degree program because you are paying for fewer credits.
- Duration. An associate degree is normally a two-year program while an animation certificate program ranges from six months to one year.
- Focus. Degree programs provide a more comprehensive education with curriculum requirements in diverse fields, while certificates are focused on a single subject.
- Number of credits. Associate degree coursework is more comprehensive, usually covering 60 credits. A certificate program ranges from 12 to 40 credits.
- Variability between programs. Associate degrees are very similar from school to school. Certificate programs can be highly variable in the types of classes, the number of classes, and hands-on learning opportunities.
Best Online Associate Degrees
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Best Associate Degrees
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Is an Undergraduate Animation Certificate Worth It?
Yes, an undergraduate animation certificate is worth it because it is a cost-effective way to learn the art of animation through a focused curriculum. These are short programs that prepare you quickly for an entry-level job in the animation industry.
Best Animation Certificate Graduate Programs
| School | Program Name | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | Graduate Certificate in Animation Essentials | $711.40/credit (in state); $1,051.87/credit (out of state) |
| Northeastern University | Graduate Certificate in 3-D Animation | $20,800 (whole program) |
| Northeastern University | Graduate Certificate in Game Design | $18,900 (whole program) |
| Northeastern University | Graduate Certificate in Digital Video | $17,000 (whole program) |
| University of Pennsylvania | Graduate Certificate in Time-Based and Interactive | $1,413.95/credit |
Best Graduate Animation Certificate Programs Explained
A graduate animation certificate is an advanced program for students who already have an undergraduate degree. These graduate certificate animation programs can be a stand-alone credential or they can be a pathway to a master’s degree. Here are some schools that provide the best graduate animation certificate programs.
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Animation Graduate Certificate Program vs Animation Master’s Degree
A graduate certificate program is like the icing on the cake of your undergraduate degree, while a master’s degree is a whole step forward. In both programs, you get to learn advanced and updated methods, techniques, and software for visual effects and animation. However, there are some key differences between these two programs. Let’s look at some of the defining factors that differentiate them below.
- Authority. A graduate certificate carries some additional authority in the field but a master’s degree is a more complete education that verifies your mastery of a subject.
- Professional Scope. Getting a Master’s Degree in Animation will enhance your professional stature and increase the worth of your resume. You’ll get better positions and better salaries as compared to someone with a bachelor’s degree and graduate certificate.
- Comprehensive projects. A master’s degree and graduate certificate program typically follow the same core curriculum, but a master’s degree involves more project-based classes and may include a capstone project or thesis.
- Research scope. A master’s degree is a more research-oriented program than a graduate certificate. A graduate certificate is more practical and job-oriented. An animation master’s degree holder is more likely to innovate and apply new techniques and solutions to problems in visual effects and animation.
Best Online Master’s Degrees
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Best Master’s Degrees
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Is a Graduate Animation Certificate Worth It?
Yes, a graduate animation certificate is worth it because you’ll improve your professional and technical abilities. With a graduate Certificate in Animation, your chances of being hired are higher than your peers with only an undergraduate degree.
Animation Certificate Program Coursework
Certificate programs in animation teach students the fundamentals of animation, from the history of animation through current technologies used in the profession today. The curriculum also educates students on different digital design tools and software applications suitable for film or other media platforms. Coursework may involve the following classes.
Digital Storytelling
This course teaches students how to work in a collaborative media environment. Each student is encouraged to tell stories in their own unique way by including a variety of media in their narratives. Some of the topics covered in this course are structure, storyboarding and visual storytelling, shot and sound design, editing concepts, and sourcing audio and visual assets.
Digital Drawing and Illustration
An animator has to know how to create vector graphics that are visually appealing. In this hands-on course, you will learn how to draw and edit with Adobe Illustrator or similar software to produce drawings.
2D Animation
This course teaches students how to create high-quality 2D animated content. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of animation before moving on to more complicated character animations. Students will leave the course with a portfolio of short animated projects and a good understanding of industry-standard software.
3D Animation
Students learn how to approach both anime-styled and lifelike animation. As students progress through the course, they learn about the various approaches needed to create visually appealing animated content. Students will learn advanced techniques in Autodesk Maya or similar software for creating 3D computer animation.
Storyboarding for Film and Animation
Storyboards allow everyone involved in the creative process to see what the ultimate product will look like. Concepts, ideas, images, and stories are all translated into a sequential visual structure in this course. Students will learn how to create a concept from start to finish, including characters, settings, plot, and a final storyboard for ads, film, television, or videogames.
Best Online College Courses for Credit
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What Can You Do With an Animation Certificate from College?
Students with an animation college certificate can work as assistants to graphic designers and animators. The best animation jobs for certificate holers are in the film, television, and gaming industries. The average animator’s salary is $57,528, according to PayScale.
Best Animation Jobs and Careers With a Certificate
| Job Role | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Art Director | $100,890 |
| Special Effects Animator | $78,790 |
| Digital Designer | $77,200 |
| Video Editor | $62,680 |
| Graphic Designer | $50,710 |
Best Animation Certificate Jobs and Careers: Explained
To be eligible for the best animation jobs in the industry, you need to have an associate or bachelor’s degree for an entry-level position. However, graduates with Certificates in Animation have the chance to start in entry-level careers like assistants to animators or special effects artists. You can eventually land a higher-level job through work experience.
Should I Also Get an Animation Certification?
Yes, you should also get an animation certification to enhance your chances of getting high-paying jobs which often require knowledge of specific software. Certification require an exam set by an industry or professional group.
Best Animation Certifications
- Autodesk Maya Certified Professional Certification. Autodesk Maya certification exams are available in Models to Motion or Visual Effects and Simulation. The exam has 20 questions and takes 90 minutes.
- Adobe Certified Professional in Graphic Design & Illustration Using Adobe Illustrator. This certification exam is available in-person or online. This certification proves that you know how to use Adobe Illustrator at a professional level, and it expires after three years.
- Adobe Certified Professional in Multiplatform Animation Using Adobe Animate. The company behind Adobe Animate offers a professional certification demonstrating mastery of the software. It’s recommended that you have 150 hours of instruction and hands-on experience before you register for the 50-minute exam.
Best Professional Certifications
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Is a College Certificate for Animation Worth It?
Yes, a college certificate for animation is worth it because the job outlook of animators and special-effects artists is forecasted to grow by 16 percent by 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With over 163.1 million digital video gamers in the US alone, according to Statista, it’s no surprise that there is plenty of work for animators.
Certificate holders in animation can start working as entry-level animators and work their way up the career ladder with additional experience and skills. Students can always use credits earned for their undergraduate certificate to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree.
Animation Certificates FAQ
You don’t need any specific certification to get a job as an animator. However, certifications in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, or Adobe Animate can make your resume stand out to potential employers.
The best certification course for animation depends on what digital tools are used in your specific area of animation. You can choose to go for a certification in digital design and animation with Autodesk Maya or select a course that teaches 3D VFX animation and modeling.
No, animators do not need a degree. Although employers sometimes prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree and work experience, they are willing to hire animation certificate holders for entry-level job positions. If you have an animation college certificate, a strong portfolio showing off your technical skills and compelling designs will help you in the job market.
Yes, you can animate if you can’t draw. When you start learning animation, you’ll see that creating 3D animations is more about shaping and controlling figures on a computer than drawing characters.
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