Animation Foundations Certificate

Program Overview
Admissions Requirements
Courses

Embark on Your Animation Journey Online.

Welcome to the graduate level Animation Foundations Certificate, a transformative program designed for beginning animators and artists who aspire to delve into the vibrant world of animation. Whether you come from a background in graphic design, fine arts, or are stepping into the realm of animation for the first time, our certificate is crafted to enhance your skills in key areas of animation, preparing you for a successful career in this dynamic industry.

Your animation career starts here. Dive into the world of animation with confidence and creativity. This Animation Foundations Certificate offers a comprehensive pathway for you to master fundamental animation skills, guided by industry experts. By the end of the program, you'll have not only improved your artistic abilities but also gained a solid understanding of animation principles that will serve as the cornerstone of your career in animation.

Apply today and take the first step towards becoming a skilled animator, ready to bring your unique visions to life in the ever-evolving world of animation.

Who Should Apply?

This certificate is ideal for artists and designers looking to transition into animation, or those who have a passion for animation but lack formal training in specific animation skills.

If you're eager to build a strong foundation in animation and prepare for a career in this exhilarating field, our Animation Foundations Certificate is 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:

2D Advanced Animation TV Writing Screenwriting

Coming Soon: CG Advanced Animation Program

In Fall 2025, this program will be the perfect bridge to advanced proficiency for individuals already grounded in the fundamentals. The curriculum will focus on advanced character animation techniques, complex CG modeling and texturing, storytelling and conceptualization, as well as rigging and skinning characters for animation, using the latest industry-standard software and tools.

Please email melissa.forte [at] lipscomb.edutarget="_blank" for more information on this upcoming program.

Admissions Requirements

* Due to high demand enrollment is limited

All applicants to the animation foundations 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.

Portfolio Requirements

All portfolio links should be included on the "Portfolio/Work Sample" section of the application.
Provide links to a personal YouTube or Vimeo channel for movie files.
Provide link to a personal webpage showing work samples.
Please submit at least 10 works and no more than 15 works.
Digital slides will be accepted on Google Drive or Dropbox (Please provide a link on the "Portfolio/Work Sample" section of the application.)
Digital slides must have a corresponding slide list with the following information: the title of the piece, medium, size of the artwork and the date of completion.
There can be multiple images on a single page, but nothing too small, please. Sketches and exploratory work, along with the final piece are encouraged. Rendered drawings are not as important.

Here is a list of what we would like to see in order of importance, specifically, for the Animation graduate program:

Animation reel or animation tests
Figure drawings/gesture drawings (or sketches of people doing things around you)
Animal drawings or sketches
Sketchbook pages that you like
CG models (figures or objects)
Paintings and architectural renderings
Character designs
Caricatures or illustrations

Portfolio assets or a Google Drive link with the assets should be included/attached to the Portfolio/Work Sample section of the application.

Courses

Animation Foundations Certificate – 18 hrs

EDCE 5323 Dynamic Gestures (3)
EDCE 6303 Character Design (3)
EDCE 5333 2D Principles of Animation (3)
EDCE 5313 Storyboarding I (3)
EDCE 5343 CG Modeling (3)
EDCE 5353 Intro to CG Animation (3)

Contact Information

Film and Creative Media

Melissa Forte
Associate Professor and Chair, Cinematic Arts
(615) 966-5693
melissa.forte@lipscomb.edu

15:1

Faculty to student ratio

Comprehensive Skill Development

Our curriculum is focused on foundational skills essential for every animator. You will improve and learn new techniques in figure drawing, character design, 2D animation, and the basics of CG (Computer Generated) Animation. These core areas are critical for building a versatile and robust animation portfolio.

Expert Feedback and Guidance

Each course within the certificate is led by an industry professional instructor, ensuring that you receive high-quality, relevant instruction. Classes meet once a week for live feedback sessions via Zoom, allowing you to engage directly with your instructor, ask questions, and receive personalized critiques that will help refine your work and push your creative boundaries.

Supplemental Video Support and Assignments

To complement your learning and ensure you can practice and apply your skills, our program includes a rich library of video support materials and assignments. These resources are designed to reinforce live instruction, allowing you to learn and experiment at your own pace while ensuring you stay on track with your progress.

Our Faculty

Melissa Forte

Associate Professor and Chair, Cinematic 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

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
Tony Bancroft

Program Director

Meet Tony Bancroft
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

Program Director

Meet Tony Bancroft
Mike Meredith

Assistant Professor

Meet Mike Meredith
Diana Coco-Russell

Adjunct Faculty

Meet Diana Coco-Russell
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

Marketing Videography Producer

Meet Jake Morgan
Lori Fischer

Adjunct Faculty

Lori Fischer (MFA,Â NYUÂ 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