Do we need to draw you a picture? How about this: you draw it. We’ll show you how to turn it into a really awesome job.
Madison College animation student using a stylus pen
92%
Job Placement
92% job placement within six months of graduation.
$45k
Annual Salary
Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $45,252.
95%
Work Local
95% of our recent graduates work in Wisconsin.

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Animation
Program Number: 102071
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Arts, Design and Humanities
Delivery Method:
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
61 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
transfer icon Program Transfers
net price calculator sketch
What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.
Estimated Tuition

$9,546.77

$8,750.45 Tuition
$796.32 Materials/Supplemental Costs
$0.00 Other Costs
  • Program Overview

    Gain professional skills in traditional and digital 3D animation and concept planning and development.

    Madison College’s Associate of Arts Degree in Animation and Concept Development classes will provide you with a broad foundation of skills in:

    • Concept drawing and layout
    • Figure/life drawing for concept work
    • Concept presentation
    • Digital modeling, texturing, rigging and animation
    • Level design and construction
    • Asset creation and management
    • Digital lighting and cinematography

    Graduating students have the opportunity to apply for professional internships and mentorships, and create a professional portfolio and demo reel.

    Program Details

    Students in the Animation program must attend classes full time.

    Animation classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.

    Careers in Animation

    Earning your associate degree in the Animation program at Madison College prepares you for valuable work as a:

    • Character Animator
    • Concept Artist/Designer
    • Storyboard Artist

    You will also be prepared for work as an animator, modeler, lighter, or illustrator in the following industries:

    • Advertising
    • Architecture
    • Broadcasting
    • Entertainment
    • Game Design
    • Instructional
    • Medical and Scientific
    • Multimedia Production
    • Printing/Publishing
    • Product Design Development
    • Web Design
  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2023-2024 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    Prior to Start of Program (required)
    10-207-112
    2 credits
    10-207-113
    2 credits
    First Semester
    10-207-103
    2 credits
    10-207-110
    2 credits
    10-207-111
    2 credits
    10-207-114
    2 credits
    10-207-139
    2 credits
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-207-117
    3 credits
    10-207-120
    2 credits
    10-207-122
    2 credits
    10-207-150
    3 credits
    10-207-224
    2 credits
    10-804-107
    3 credits
    Third Semester
    10-207-130
    2 credits
    10-207-131
    2 credits
    10-207-134
    2 credits
    10-207-140
    2 credits
    10-207-151
    2 credits
    10-801-196
    3 credits
    Elective Credit
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-207-133
    2 credits
    10-207-141
    3 credits
    10-207-145
    1 credit
    10-207-144
    2 credits
    10-809-166
    3 credits
    10-809-199
    3 credits
    Recommended Electives
    10-207-152
    2 credits
    10-207-153
    2 credits
    10-207-154
    2 credits
    10-207-155
    2 credits
    10-207-156
    2 credits
    10-207-157
    2 credits
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Students need to complete the petition process to get into core-program classes for this program. Before submitting an application, it’s important to review the Petition Process webpage which also includes estimated wait times for each program.

      • View the admission requirements for application deadlines, materials, and requirements
         
      • There is currently 0-1 years between acceptance into pre-program and the start of core classes. The estimated time to enter the core-program is subject to change based on the variable number of students ready to petition each semester.
         
      • Learn more about the Madison College experience and get help with the admissions process

      After Acceptance

      Once you have been accepted in a pre-program status, your next step is to complete the Petition Requirements. See the Petition information in the next section.    

      Additional Notes

      Students will be required to meet the current admission and petition requirements. Requirements must be amended any time accreditation requirements are updated or changed. Requirements may also be amended based on Madison College programmatic assessment data.

      Questions?

      Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

      apply for admission

      Get Started!

      Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Animation career.

      It's Free to Apply

    • Petition

      After Acceptance

      After you have been admitted into a pre-program status, complete all of the Petition Requirements for your program. Login to your student account and run a Degree Progress Report to review the Petition Requirements and see which requirements you have completed and which need to be satisfied.

      Requirements vary by program, and may include some or all of the following:

      • Prerequisites (examples: Algebra, Geometry, Chemistry, Biology, English and Reading): This varies by program
      • Course Requirements (examples: Anatomy and Physiology, Intro to Psychology, etc.): This varies by program
      • Testing Requirement (examples: ACT, HESI, TEAS): This varies by program
      • Petition Workshop: This is done online and can be found in Blackboard after you have been admitted in a pre-program status

      You can view the Petition Requirements for this program using the links below.

      Fall 2022 and Spring 2023

      Fall 2023 and Spring 2024  

      After completing the petition requirements, students are then selected for entry into core program courses through the Petition Process.

      Questions?

      Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

       

    • Transfer Opportunities

      Wisconsin Private Schools

      Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.
      Students who complete the animation program can transfer up to 67 credits toward the Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership offered through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies.

      Out-of-State Schools

      Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement. This applies to students who are pursuing a bachelors of arts, bachelors of science or bachelors of fine arts at Bellevue University.
      Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.
    • Career Outcomes

      After completing the Animation program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:

      • Demonstrate competence in the technical and aesthetic skills necessary to meet challenges in the animation profession.
      • Apply the principles and theories necessary to contribute to the creation of professional animation in a business setting.
      • Apply critical thinking skills to solve complex problems and demonstrate effective organization in a high-pressure workplace.
      • Communicate effectively and professionally using appropriate media, including written, verbal, graphic and electronic communications.
      • Demonstrate creativity, innovation and flexibility in order to work successfully in a continuously changing animation business environment.
      • Assume responsibility for continuing education in order to maintain, expand and enhance professional and artistic growth.
      • Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with colleagues in a team setting and understand workflow processes in a business environment.
      • Exhibit desirable interpersonal skills, including but not limited to respect and sensitivity for diverse cultures and individuals.
      • Practice desirable professional ethics, honesty, and confidentiality as applied to copyrighted materials when working on various facets of animation.
      • Demonstrate the ability to apply principles of intellectual property and intellectual freedom to the professional production of animation.
      • Graduate Summary

        Graduate Report Summary Overview

        201920202021
        Number of Program Graduates634
        Number of Surveys Sent634
        Number of Surveys Returned523
        Percent of Surveys Returned83.30%66.70%75.00%
        Available for Employment523
        Percent Available for Employment100.00%100.00%100.00%
        Not in Labor Market000
        Percent Not in Labor Market0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Available for Employment

        201920202021
        Graduates Employed513
        Percent of Graduates Employed100.00%50.00%100.00%
        Employed in Related Occupation301
        Percent Employed in Related Occupation60.00%0.00%33.30%
        Employed in Unrelated Occupation212
        Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation40.00%100.00%66.70%
        Employed - No Response000
        Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Seeking Employment010
        Percent Seeking Employment0.00%50.00%0.00%
        Reaction To Training at Madison College

        201920202021
        Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.832.3
        Number of Satisfaction Responses523
        Very Satisfied (4)401
        Percent Very Satisfied80.00%0.00%33.30%
        Satisfied (3)120
        Percent Satisfied20.00%100.00%0.00%
        Unsatisfied (2)001
        Percent Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%33.30%
        Very Unsatisfed (1)001
        Percent Very Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%33.30%
        Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

        201920202021
        Number of Primary Reason Responses523
        Preparation for Getting a Job411
        Percent Preparation for Getting a Job80.00%50.00%33.30%
        Career Change001
        Percent Career Change0.00%0.00%33.30%
        Improvement of Existing Skills100
        Percent Improvement of Existing Skills20.00%0.00%0.00%
        Preparation for Further Education000
        Percent Preparation for Further Education0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Personal Interest011
        Percent Personal Interest0.00%50.00%33.30%
        Other000
        Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
        When Employment was Obtained

        201920202021
        Number of When Employment Obtained Responses513
        Before Enrollment000
        Percent Before Enrollment0.00%0.00%0.00%
        While Attending the College200
        Percent While Attending the College40.00%0.00%0.00%
        After Training at the College313
        Percent After Training at the College60.00%100.00%100.00%
        Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

        201920202021
        Number of Employment Location Responses513
        In College District502
        Percent In College District100.00%0.00%66.70%
        In Wisconsin, Not in District011
        Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%100.00%33.30%
        Outside of Wisconsin000
        Percent Outside Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Employer Location Unknown000
        Percent Location Unknown0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Salary Trend
        Salary Trend201920202021
        Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count21
        Average Monthly Wage$4,686$3,771
        Average Hourly Wage$27.25$21.92
        Average Work Hours per Week4550
        Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count1
        Average Hourly Wage$20.00
        Average Work Hours per Week30
      • Graduate Employers

        Graduate Employers for academic year: 2021
        Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
        PubgEnvironment Artist

        * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

        ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

        *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

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