About Animation (mfa) in DePaul University

The Animation MFA is the premiere degree of the DePaul graduate Animation program. It’s designed for students who are interested in creating original animated films and artwork as their main vocation, and is the terminal degree in the field. 

The DePaul Animation MFA program is centered around a fall-through-spring single project model, in which students are closely mentored by faculty. During the first year students spend the majority of their time working on a film they complete under the tutelage of one of the two Animation MFA Co-Chairs, Amy Lockhart and Jacob Ciocci. They also choose MFA Faculty Mentors from our full-time faculty, who regularly consult with them on their projects. Students are helped to develop a personal vision and push the limits of their abilities and the potential of animation as an expressive medium.

During their second year, students begin work with one of the MFA Co-Chairs on their MFA Thesis Project, and assemble their MFA Thesis Committee for regular feedback. The program uses the cohort model, so students will work alongside their peers throughout their degree. Animation MFA students also receive rigorous training in the history, critical artistic issues, and fundamental principles that are necessary for animation artists. The degree is intended for those with undergraduate degrees in Animation, Film, Art, Graphic Design, Illustration and other visual art areas.

Graduate applicants are those who have completed, or are in process of completing, the equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, either in the U.S. or abroad, and are applying to a graduate or professional program of study (Master's, PhD, LLM, JD).  Each graduate program establishes its own application and admission standards and deadlines, which may differ from program to program even within the same department.  

The minimum scores for direct admission are a TOEFL score of 80 (ibt), with all section scores at 20 or higher, or an IELTS score of 7.0, with all section scores at 6.5 or higher, or a Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 53. We prefer to see scores of 96 (ibt) with all section scores of 22 or better, or a 7.5 on the IELTS. Duolingo English Test scores of 110 and above qualify you for full admission; Duolingo scores of 90-109 qualify for conditional admission. Test scores are official only when received directly from the testing vendor.

Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition : $55,816

Depaul University Cost of Attendance

Tuition Rate 2020-2021 for students willing to pursue an undergraduate and postgraduate degree at DePaul University:

The distribution of expenses in the form of an estimated budget for international students looking to study in the US for 2020- 21 semesters are tabulated below: