Animation

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Animation develops knowledge and skills in the area of digital animation, including but not limited to the production of still and time-based media, animation techniques, narrative development, character design, compositing, motion graphics, and interactive design. The curriculum is designed to provide the student with an understanding of animation techniques, use of production equipment, animation terminology, media and interactivity applications, and industry practices. This certificate prepares students for employment and upgrades the skills of persons employed in occupations such as digital animators, media producers, storyboard artists, media artist/designers, and interaction designers. Certificates of Completion (CCL) in Video Game Production, and Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees in Animation and Time-Based Media and Video Game Production, are also available. Some of these programs are available at select colleges. Please check with your local college for program availability.

Details

Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Animation (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5169
Total credits required
40
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

This CCL is designed for individuals who already have a degree or relevant experience in the field or who are currently employed in the field.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Create still, interactive, and time-based images to project specifications, demonstrating professional competence in research, planning, production, and presentation.
  2. Apply critical thinking skills, animation processes, and historical and media literacies to solve design problems.
  3. Analyze still, interactive, and time-based images to evaluate their effectiveness.
  4. Apply industry standard tools and research to develop effective animations, media, designs, and workflows.
  5. Demonstrate professional and collaborative practices.
  6. Communicate still, interactive, and time-based image solutions that recognize cultural and individual differences.
  7. Create a portfolio of work that reflects current industry practices.

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information.

Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film

$73,170

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators

$52,220

* Wage information sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2022.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts 1
ART111 Drawing I 3
ART/COM/STO150 or
CRW150 or
CRW172 or
CRW176 or
FMT121
Digital Storytelling or Introduction to Creative Writing or Introduction to Comic Book Writing or Writing Narrative for Video Games or Story Theory for Film, Television and Media 3
AVC177 Digital Photographic Imaging I Critical course Gateway course 3
AVC/MMT185 3D Modeling and Animation I 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC/MMT184 Digital Animation I Critical course 3
AVC170 or
AVC/THO246
3D Computer Design or Digital Fabrication 3
AVC178 or
AVC169
Digital Arts Studies or 2D Media Design 3
AVC200 Animation and Interactivity 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ART116 Life Drawing I 3
AVC284 Digital Animation II 3
AVC/MMT285 3D Modeling and Animation II 3
AVC287 3D Character Animation 3
AVC240 Cinematography and Directing for 2D/3D Animation 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts 1
ART111 Drawing I 3
AVC177 Digital Photographic Imaging I Critical course Gateway course 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC/MMT184 Digital Animation I Critical course 3
AVC178 or
AVC169
Digital Arts Studies or 2D Media Design 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ART/COM/STO150 or
CRW150 or
CRW172 or
CRW176 or
FMT121
Digital Storytelling or Introduction to Creative Writing or Introduction to Comic Book Writing or Writing Narrative for Video Games or Story Theory for Film, Television and Media 3
AVC/MMT185 3D Modeling and Animation I 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC170 or
AVC/THO246
3D Computer Design or Digital Fabrication 3
AVC200 Animation and Interactivity 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ART116 Life Drawing I 3
AVC287 3D Character Animation 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC284 Digital Animation II 3
AVC/MMT285 3D Modeling and Animation II 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC240 Cinematography and Directing for 2D/3D Animation 3
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=184833).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.