DePaul University · School of Cinematic Arts (Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media)

Animation (MFA)

MFAMaster of Fine ArtsCompetitive full fundingEditorial selection: Top Animation Schools in USA: Degrees & Programs

Overview

In-person, cohort-based MFA in Animation built around a first-year short film and a second-year thesis project. Applicants submit a reel or portfolio, a statement of creative intent, a project description and two recommendations; the degree requires a minimum of 80 graduate credit hours.

Official program name: Animation (MFA)
Awarded degree: Master of Fine ArtsMaster's · Master of Fine Arts
Source: depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Qualification classification: Academic degreeMaster of Fine Arts degree titled Animation; the page describes it as the terminal degree in the animation field.Titled as a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in its own national system.
Source: depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Degree-awarding body: The institution itself unless stated otherwise on its official page.
Country: United States
Teaching language: Not verified
School: DePaul University — School of Cinematic Arts (Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media)
Location: Chicago, IL
Delivery: On campus
Source: depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Required attendance: Regular campus attendanceStudents attend classes and studios on campus throughout the program.
Source: depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Study intensity: Not published
Duration: Not verified
Credits and credit system: minimum of 80 graduate credit hours (quarter system)Credits (system as published) — not directly interchangeable with other countries' systems.
Source: depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Start: Fall
Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Specializations

Specialization	Classification	Evidence
General Animation	Dedicated degreeThe degree itself is in this field.	Source: depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Why this degree is listed

Dedicated master of fine arts degree in Animation.

Source: depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026

We list verified animation degrees only — no certificates, short courses or generic degrees with a few animation modules. Eligibility rules

Curriculum, pathways and faculty

Graduation film, thesis or capstone

Capstone projectStudents complete an MFA Thesis Project, which may be a film or an alternative animation solution, with a three-member thesis committee.

Source: depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Studio projects

First-year MFA Short Film sequence in which each student completes a short film.
Source: depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Faculty listed by the program

Faculty list: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.

Software, equipment and costs

Software and equipment are shown only as the school publishes them: required, taught, provided or bought by the student. Tuition does not include hardware, software or materials unless the school says so, and online students do not automatically share campus facilities.

Software

Software list: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.

Equipment, computers and facility access

Equipment and facility access: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.

Published equipment and software costs

Equipment and software costs: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.

We never estimate a total cost when key expenses are unpublished. Compare equipment and software

Admissions

Each submission item is shown exactly as the school states it. Anything not listed is not verified — never “not required”.

Portfolio and submission materials

Material	Status	Instructions as published
Showreel	Required	Reel of 5-10 minutes or a portfolio of the best dozen examples, with an information sheet.Length: up to 10 minutesSource: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Research proposal	Required	One-page description of a possible animation project.Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Other requirements

Grades / GPA: RequiredMinimum 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Statement of purpose: RequiredStatement of creative intent, maximum of 2 pages.
Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Recommendation letters: Required2 letters — At least two letters of recommendation.
Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Application fee: RequiredUSD 25 — Application fee of $25 for domestic and $75 for international applicants.
Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Tests

Test policy: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.

We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate competitiveness. Build an application checklist

Deadlines

Dates are shown with the year and intake the school printed. A past date is marked passed and is never carried into a new cycle.

Priority deadline
December 15 (priority); May 15 (final) · for Fall
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Year not printed

Tuition and fees

Each amount keeps its original currency, applicant category, academic year and basis. Per-credit, per-year and whole-program figures — and different currencies — are not comparable with each other. Equipment and software costs are listed separately above.

Category	Amount	Basis and year
All students — Jarvis College of Computing and Digital MediaFrom the school's rate table for this levelRule: Graduate per credit hour rate, 2026-27 academic year.	USD 1,003	per credit · 2026-27EstimateUSD 80,240 = 80 credits × USD 1,003 per credit. Excludes mandatory fees, equipment and software costs, travel, and any rate change during the program.Source: depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Funding

Full funding (tuition and stipend) is available to selected students only. Admission does not guarantee it. “Fully funded” never means every personal or production expense is covered. How we classify funding

Competitive full funding

Tuition coverage: The DePaul Cinema Studios Scholarship covers full tuition for the entire MFA Animation program.
Source: depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Named scholarships, fellowships and assistantships

DePaul Cinema Studios Scholarship scholarship
Full tuition for the program · Competitive
Eligibility: Apply by the December 15 priority deadline for consideration.
Source: depaul.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Sources and verification

Every fact on this page comes from the official pages below. Last verified October 14, 2026.

cdm.depaul.edu/admission-and-aid/graduateadmissions/grad-program-requirements — Official funding / aid page, verified October 14, 2026
depaul.edu/academics/programs/mfa-in-animation — Official program page, verified October 14, 2026
depaul.edu/academics/programs/mfa-in-animation/requirements-mfa-in-animation — Official program page, verified October 14, 2026
depaul.edu/tuition-and-aid/graduate-and-professional-tuition-and-fees — Official tuition and fees page, verified October 14, 2026

Something out of date? Suggest an update · Represent this school? Claim the profile

Similar programs

Same degree level and specialization. Listed for discovery, not ranked.

Arts University Bournemouth

MA Animation Production

MAMA Animation Production

Bournemouth, England, United Kingdom

On campus · Full- or part-time

General Animation (dedicated degree)

Duration not verified

Not verified

Funding not verified

GBP 9,975 entire program · Home students — Home, full-time · 2026/27

No upcoming verified deadline

View program

École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs

Diplôme de l'EnsAD (grade de master) – Cinéma d'animation

Other awardDiplôme de l’École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs, grade de master

Paris, Île-de-France, France

On campus

General Animation (Cinéma d'animation concentration) · Animation Filmmaking (Cinéma d'animation concentration)

4 semestres (master cycle); 300 ECTS in the whole cursus

French

Funding not verified

Tuition not published

No upcoming verified deadline

View program

Kingston University

Animation MA

MAAnimation MA

London, England, United Kingdom

On campus · Full- or part-time

General Animation (dedicated degree)

Duration not verified

Not verified

Funding not verified

GBP 13,400 per academic year · Home students — Home (UK students), full time · 2027/28

No upcoming verified deadline

View program

AnimationSchools.Net is independent and not affiliated with DePaul University. Information is collected from official pages and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.