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Program Overview

Program Overview

Elevate Your Animation Craft Online.

Introducing the graduate level 2D Advanced Animation Certificate, a specialized program designed for animators and artists ready to take their animation skills to new heights. Tailored for individuals with a foundational understanding of animation and strong drawing skills, this certificate is your gateway to mastering advanced techniques in 2D animation and propelling your career forward in the animation industry.

Your path to advanced animation mastery. This 2D Advanced Animation Certificate is more than just a program—it's a transformative journey that will elevate your animation skills and set you apart in the competitive world of animation. With the guidance of industry experts and a curriculum focused on advanced techniques, you'll emerge as a proficient animator capable of bringing complex stories and characters to life.

Apply now to take the next step in your animation career, and let us help you unlock the full potential of your creative talent. 

CEA

 

Who Should Apply?

This certificate is aimed at animators and artists who have a solid foundation in animation principles and possess strong drawing skills.

If you're eager to challenge yourself, explore new creative horizons, and achieve professional excellence in 2D animation, this program is designed for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




Customize Your Degree (Stackable MFA)

Certificate + Certificate + Certificate + Capstone = Stackable Master of Fine Arts

Combine this certificate with two others in creative arts sectors to craft your own Master of Fine Arts degree program. Our stackable certificates offer not only versatility but also an economical path to a prestigious qualification. Pave your way toward an MFA in Entertainment, Design & Creative Enterprise – a degree that stands as the pinnacle of achievement in the fine arts. Learn more about the MFA stackable degree.

Explore more certificate options for the MFA Stackable degree:

CG Animation Animation Foundation TV Writing Screenwriting

Admissions Requirements

Admissions Requirements

* Due to high demand enrollment is limited

All applicants to the 2D advanced animation certificate graduate program must submit the following:

  • Application Form. Each applicant must complete an application form. The application form is available at grad.lipscomb.edu/apply.
  • Application Fee. Each application should be accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee.
  • Official Transcript(s). Each applicant must submit an official transcript, showing degree conferral when appropriate, from all schools attended. Official transcript(s) Undergraduate degrees with a cumulative 3.0 GPA will receive priority consideration.
  • Personal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Résumé

* The admission process also includes an interview which will be scheduled through the program director. 

Courses

Courses

15:1

Faculty to student ratio

Portfolio Submission and Review

Admission to this advanced certificate requires a portfolio submission, showcasing your current animation skills and drawing abilities. Our review process ensures that the 2D Advanced Animation Certificate is the right fit for your skill level, potentially recommending our Animation Foundations Certificate as a starting point if needed.

Professional Feedback and Instruction

Benefit from weekly feedback sessions led by industry professional instructors, providing you with the critique and guidance necessary to hone your craft. These live interactions are crucial for understanding the nuances of advanced animation and for pushing your creative limits.

Comprehensive Learning Resources

Complementing the live instruction, our program offers extensive video support and assignments tailored to advanced animation techniques. These resources are designed to reinforce your learning, allowing for practical application and continuous improvement of your animation skills.

Our Faculty

  • Melissa Forte headshot

    Melissa Forte

    Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies, George Shinn College of Entertainment and the Arts

    After six years of industry work with the Walt Disney World company in Orlando, Fla., Melissa Forte returned to Ohio University to complete an M.A. in Media Studies and an...

    Meet Melissa Forte
  • Mike Nawrocki headshot

    Mike Nawrocki

    Visiting Professor

    As co-creator of "VeggieTales," co-founder of Big Idea Entertainment and the voice of the beloved Larry the Cucumber, Mike Nawrocki has been part of the pulse of the "VeggieTales" brand,...

    Meet Mike Nawrocki
  • Steve Taylor

    Steve Taylor

    Assistant Professor

    Steve Taylor is a filmmaker, writer, producer and recording artist who earned his "Renaissance Man" stripes (Prism Magazine) from a body of work that's garnered him multiple Grammy, Billboard, Telly,...

    Meet Steve Taylor
  • Tony Bancroft headshot

    Tony Bancroft

    Program Director

    Tony Bancroft is a seasoned Director, Animator, and Podcaster with over 30 years of experience in the animation industry. He's known for his work at Disney, co-directing Disney's Mulan and...

    Meet Tony Bancroft
  • Mike Meredith headshot

    Mike Meredith

    Chair, Animation and Interactive Media Department

    Mike Meredith is a seasoned illustrator and educator with over two decades of experience in the creative industry. Currently serving as the Associate Professor and Program Chair for Animation &...

    Meet Mike Meredith
  • Diana Coco-Russell headshot

    Diana Coco-Russell

    Artist in Residence

    Diana Coco-Russell has spent most of her artistic career in animation, with her longest run at Walt Disney Feature Animation as a clean-up animator. Beginning with Beauty and the Beast...

    Meet Diana Coco-Russell
  • Eric Stars

    Eric Stars

    Visiting Professor

    With over a decade of experience working as a professional animator and visual effects artist, Eric Stars comes to Lipscomb University from Fivestone Studios. Stars' primary focus is 3D character...

    Meet Eric Stars
  • Jake Morgan headshot

    Jake Morgan

    Marketing Videography Producer

    Jake Morgan is a screenwriter living in Nashville. After graduating with an MFA in Screenwriting from Florida State University, Jake moved to Los Angeles where he worked for companies like...

    Meet Jake Morgan
  • Lori Fischer

    Lori Fischer

    Adjunct Faculty

    Lori Fischer (MFA, NYU Dramatic Writing Department) is an Independent Vision Award Nominee for Outstanding Achievement in Screenwriting for her feature film Chasing Taste. Chasing Taste was also the Feature Comedy Award...

    Meet Lori Fischer