• Study an option in 2D animation, 3D animation, production, or screenwriting.
• Gain hands-on experience at MAGIC Spell Studios, where you can work in labs that focus on 2D, 3D, stop-motion animation, and virtual reality; access to multiple sound stages with post-production editing, sound mixing, and color correction suites.
• 24/7 Access to a dedicated graduate lab with industry-level software.
• Gain career experience as a graduate assistant, faculty research assistant, and more.

In the MFA program in film and animation, you will create live-action production, scripts, 2D, 3D, or stop motion animation that is unique. The School of Film and Animation houses state-of-the-art facilities, including full production facilities. The program is also supported by highly specialized faculty from RIT's photography, imaging science, computer science, information technology, and design programs.

You will join a collaborative environment with highly-trained faculty and state-of-the-art production facilities. The program is connected to MAGIC Spell Studios, which offers you industry and commercial experience as you pursue your degree.

The MFA in film and animation offers four options:

1. 2D Animation: Concentrate on both traditional or digital animation as well as stop-motion animation. Courses focus on teaching the fundamentals of animation, 2D mechanics, all aspects of pre-production, and stop-motion fabrication techniques. 
2. 3D Animation: Learn all aspects of the 3D animation pipeline. Courses focus on 3D animation, modeling, lighting, texturing, and rendering. You may also explore working in VR or with virtual production techniques.
3. Production: Develop and refine your creative approach to fictional narrative, documentary, and experimental live-action filmmaking. Courses focus on directing, sound recording, screenwriting, cinematography, and editing.
4. Screenwriting: Learn the craft of storytelling in relation to feature, short, and series-length screenplays. Courses focus on short-film production, history, theory, and writing techniques.  

All four options require two years of course work and a third year focused on a thesis film or script. All students create and screen finished films in their first two years.

Electives: Elective courses are available in animation, film, video, multimedia, screenwriting, printmaking, painting, sculpture, communication design, museum studies, crafts, bookmaking, typography, color photography, new media, studio photography, advertising photography, perception, gaming, computer graphics, art history, and archival preservation and conservation. There are also opportunities for independent studies, internships, and concentrations.

Thesis: Specific instructions pertaining to the thesis are available in the “MFA Guide for Students and Faculty: Policy Regarding Student Work.” The School of Film and Animation reserves the right to retain copies of student-produced films to be used for educational purposes, to show to prospective students, and as examples of student productions.

Screenings: Screenings are required for all student-produced films and are coordinated through the professor or the thesis chair.

Film and Animation (2D animation option), MFA degree, typical course sequence
Course    Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
SOFA-603    2D Animation I: Fundamentals    3
SOFA-605    Basic Sound Recording    3
SOFA-610    Graduate Seminar    2
SOFA-611    History and Aesthetics of Animation    3
Choose one of the following:    
3
   SOFA-615       3D Animation Fundamentals     
   SOFA-617       Stop Motion Puppet Fundamentals     
SOFA-622    30 Second Film    3
SOFA-625    Animated Acting Principles    3
SOFA-627    Pre-Production for Animators    3
SOFA-628    Animation Writing and Visual Storytelling    3
Choose one of the following:    
3
   SOFA-623      Stop Motion Master Class     
   SOFA-748      Concept and Character Design     
SOFA-630    Animation Film Language    2
Second Year
Choose one of the following:    
3
   SOFA-604       2D Animation II: Mechanics     
   SOFA-652       Alternative Frame by Frame     
SOFA-618    Business and Careers in Animation    3
SOFA-676    After Effects for Animators    3
SOFA-717    Animation Workshop    4
SOFA-780    Thesis Preparation Seminar    1
     
Open Electives
6
     
Professional Electives
6
Third Year
SOFA-790    Research and Thesis I    4
SOFA-890    Research and Thesis II    4
Total Semester Credit Hours    
65

Professional Electives
Course
SOFA-620    3D Modeling Mastery
SOFA-638    Complete 3D Character Creation
SOFA-644    Cinematic Compositing
SOFA-652    Alternative Frame by Frame
SOFA-665    Creative Research Workshop
SOFA-684    Animation Gesture
SOFA-616    
Virtual Production I
SOFA-629    
Experimental Animation
Film and Animation (3D animation option), MFA degree, typical course sequence
Course    Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
SOFA-605    Basic Sound Recording    3
SOFA-610    Graduate Seminar    2
SOFA-611    History and Aesthetics of Animation    3
Choose one of the following:    
3
   SOFA-603       2D Animation I: Fundamentals     
   SOFA-617       Stop Motion Puppet Fundamentals     
SOFA-615    3D Animation Fundamentals    3
SOFA-622    30 Second Film    3
SOFA-625    Animated Acting Principles    3
SOFA-627    Pre-Production for Animators    3
SOFA-628    Animation Writing and Visual Storytelling    3
SOFA-630    Animation Film Language    2
SOFA-695    Advanced 3D Animation    3
Second Year
SOFA-618    Business and Careers in Animation    3
Choose one of the following:    
3
   SOFA-675       3D Lighting and Texturing     
   SOFA-652       Alternative Frame by Frame     
SOFA-676    After Effects for Animators    3
SOFA-717    Animation Workshop    4
SOFA-780    Thesis Preparation Seminar    1
     
Professional Electives
6
     
Open Electives
6
Third Year
SOFA-790    Research and Thesis I    4
SOFA-890    Research and Thesis II    4
Total Semester Credit Hours    
65
Professional Electives
Course
SOFA-620    3D Modeling Mastery
SOFA-638    Complete 3D Character Creation
SOFA-644    Cinematic Compositing
SOFA-652    Alternative Frame by Frame
SOFA-665    Creative Research Workshop
SOFA-681    Particle Effects and Dynamics
SOFA-684    Animation Gesture
SOFA-616    
Virtual Production I
SOFA-629    
Experimental Animation
Film and Animation (production option), MFA degree, typical course sequence
Course    Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
SOFA-602    Production Processes    6
SOFA-605    Basic Sound Recording    3
SOFA-606    Graduate Directing    3
SOFA-610    Graduate Seminar    2
SOFA-613    Graduate Screenwriting    3
SOFA-621    Spring Film    3
SOFA-626    Writing the Short    3
     
Professional Elective
3
     
History and Aesthetics Elective
3
Second Year
SOFA-614    Business and Careers in Film    3
SOFA-678    Cinematography and Lighting I    3
SOFA-721    Fall Film    3
SOFA-733    Hybrid Forms: Theory and Practice    3
SOFA-780    Thesis Preparation Seminar    1
     
History and Aesthetics Elective
3
     
Professional Electives
6
     
Open Electives
6
Third Year
SOFA-790    Research and Thesis I    4
SOFA-890    Research and Thesis II    4
Total Semester Credit Hours    
65
History and Aesthetics Electives
Course
ARTH-600+    
Any ARTH-600 level course or above
PHGR-701    Histories and Aesthetics of Photography I
PHGR-702    Histories and Aesthetics of Photography II
SOFA-642    History and Aesthetics: Animation Stories
SOFA-660    Documentary Film History
SOFA-661    New Documentary Issues
SOFA-662    Film History
SOFA-691    Film Sound Theory Music
SOFA-692    Film Sound Theory: Effects
SOFA-693    Film Sound Theory:Voice
Professional Electives
Course
SOFA-607    Advanced Directing
SOFA-635    Acting for Film
SOFA-641    Advanced Sound Recording
SOFA-644    Cinematic Compositing
SOFA-652    Alternative Frame by Frame
SOFA-655    Film Practice
SOFA-657    Digital Color Correction
SOFA-665    Creative Research Workshop
SOFA-670    30 Second Commercial Production
SOFA-671    Advanced Production Immersion
SOFA-672    Mixing and Sound Design
SOFA-678    Cinematography and Lighting I
SOFA-682    Underwater Cinematography
SOFA-683    Advanced Editing
SOFA-689    Cinematography and Lighting II
SOFA-616    
Virtual Production I
Film and Animation (screenwriting option), MFA degree, typical course sequence
Course    Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
SOFA-602    Production Processes    6
SOFA-605    Basic Sound Recording    3
SOFA-606    Graduate Directing    3
SOFA-610    Graduate Seminar    2
SOFA-613    Graduate Screenwriting    3
SOFA-621    Spring Film    3
SOFA-626    Writing the Short    3
     
History and Aesthetics Elective
3
     
Professional Elective
3
Second Year
SOFA-614    Business and Careers in Film    3
SOFA-663    Writing the Feature    3
SOFA-664    Writing the Series    3
SOFA-721    Fall Film    3
SOFA-733    Hybrid Forms: Theory and Practice    3
SOFA-780    Thesis Preparation Seminar    1
     
History and Aesthetics Electives
6
     
Open Electives
6
Third Year
SOFA-790    Research and Thesis I    4
SOFA-890    Research and Thesis II    4
Total Semester Credit Hours    
65
History and Aesthetics Electives
Course
ARTH-600+    
Any ARTH-600 level course or above
PHGR-701    Histories and Aesthetics of Photography I
PHGR-702    Histories and Aesthetics of Photography II
SOFA-642    History and Aesthetics: Animation Stories
SOFA-660    Documentary Film History
SOFA-661    New Documentary Issues
SOFA-662    Film History
SOFA-691    Film Sound Theory Music
SOFA-692    Film Sound Theory: Effects
SOFA-693    Film Sound Theory:Voice
 

Professional Electives
Course
SOFA-607    Advanced Directing
SOFA-635    Acting for Film
SOFA-641    Advanced Sound Recording
SOFA-644    Cinematic Compositing
SOFA-652    Alternative Frame by Frame
SOFA-655    Film Practice
SOFA-657    Digital Color Correction
SOFA-665    Creative Research Workshop
SOFA-670    30 Second Commercial Production
SOFA-671    Advanced Production Immersion
SOFA-672    Mixing and Sound Design
SOFA-678    Cinematography and Lighting I
SOFA-682    Underwater Cinematography
SOFA-683    Advanced Editing
SOFA-689    Cinematography and Lighting II
SOFA-616    
Virtual Production I

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MFA in film and animation, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete an online graduate application. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for information on application deadlines, entry terms, and more.
• Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college.
• Recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Two letters of recommendation are required. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
• Not all programs require the submission of scores from entrance exams (GMAT or GRE). Please refer to the Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements page for more information.
• Submit a portfolio. Refer to Graduate Portfolio Requirements for more information.
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
• International applicants whose native language is not English must submit official test scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for additional information on English requirements. International applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver. Refer to Additional Requirements for International Applicants to review waiver eligibility.

Students who are evaluated to have MFA potential but need additional study in preparation for graduate courses will be advised to take such courses either prior to entrance or during their first year of study.

Tuition fee-$1,60,000 for 3 years