BFA in Art, Option in Animation

California State University, Long Beach                                                                                                               Policy Statement 23-03

January 11, 2023

 

 

 

 

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art,

Option in Animation

 

 

(This new option was approved by the CSULB Academic Senate on November 17, 2022, approved by the President on November 21, 2022, and the CSU Chancellor’s office on December 19, 2022.)

 

 

The BFA in Art, Option in Animation, provides students with essential knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the field of animation for film, game and media arts. The degree option offers a curriculum with emphasis on foundational principles, storytelling and experimentation.

The degree option in Animation begins the training using traditional methods and evolves to digital media. As students progress through the curriculum they may also experiment with alternative techniques for narrative and non-narrative films.

This degree option provides students with a thorough experience of animation production and filmmaking to grow their artistic visions and to develop professional skills needed to succeed in the field of animation and media arts. This degree option culminates in a showcase, which introduces our graduates to professionals in the field of animation and media arts.

Admission requirements:

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following. Applicants to BFA in Art, Option in Animation must also receive a positive recommendation from the faculty following review of a portfolio submitted by the applicant.

If applying to the BFA, the following are a list of the minimum requirements needed to be eligible. Keep in mind that although these are the minimum requirements, we highly advise students to have additional preparation (classes) to add to their portfolio when applying.

In order to be eligible for the BFA, all students must meet the following minimum requirements: Have earned no more than 96 Timely Graduation Units;

Able to complete all degree requirements within 120% of the number of units required for the degree; Have earned a minimum of 2.5 for the following four (4) GPAs:

• Overall GPA
• CSULB GPA

• Major GPA
• Major Upper Division CSULB GPA

Have completed major preparation courses with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and with a grade of "C" or better that include

1. Art History: AH 111A (Foundation Art History I);
2. Art History: AH 111B (Foundation Art History II);
3. Art: ART 130 (Foundation Two-Dimensional);
4. Art: ART 131 (Foundation Three-Dimensional);

 

 

Have completed General Education/Foundation courses with a “C” or better OR earned Credit (“CR”). Required courses include:

• • Oral Communication (A1)
  • Written Communication (A2)
  • Critical Thinking (A3)
  • Mathematics (B4)

 

 

Admission into the BFA programs require the submission of a portfolio for consideration. Freshman will submit a portfolio closer to their junior year, while Transfers have the option of submitting a portfolio during their admission cycle or as an art major at CSULB. Admission to the BA degree will not guarantee admission into the BFA.

BFA Portfolio Requirement:

Student’s portfolio must include a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 images representing student’s best past or current work in animation, pre-production, or other appropriate areas. Choose original work that represents the artistic interests, draws from observation, composition, use of color, use of imagination, and painting. Ten seconds of animation counts as one piece. Student must indicate either Animation, or Pre-Production track when submitting the portfolio.

To remain a BFA candidate, a successful student must maintain a specified minimum GPA in their discipline. Students who fall below a GPA of 3.0 in upper division courses in Animation for 2 consecutive semesters will be removed from this BFA program.

Core Requirements (33 units)

Take all of the following:

• • ART 130
  • ART 131
  • ART 181
  • ART 184
  • ART 287
  • ART 391

• • ART 393
  • ART 402
  • ART 416
  • ART 418
  • ART 426

 

 

Additional Major Requirements (13 units)

Take all of the following:

• • ART 272
  • ART 291
  • ART 390
  • ART 491E
  • ART 494A or ART 499E

Major Support Requirements (12 units)

Take the following courses:

• • AH 111A
  • AH 111B
  • AH 111C or AH 111D or AH 111E or AH 111F or AH 111G
  • ART 311

Additional Supportive Requirement Units (9 units)

Take the following requirements:

• • ART 227
  • 6 units upper-division Art History Animation Track Specific Requirements (15 units) Take the following:
  • ART 394
  • ART 476

Select 9 units from the following:

• • ART 373
  • ART 392
  • ART 417
  • ART 427
  • ART 478
  • ART 494A
  • ART 494B