Full Sail University was established in 1979 as a career college for students wishing to study various aspects of the entertainment industry. In 2007, Full Sail began offering online degree programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Computer Animation. The university is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Classes begin every month, and Full Sail's website advises that their computer animation degree requires 5.25 semesters to complete. As of 2010, the average total cost for this degree program is between $70,000 and $80,000.
Full Sail University
3300 University Boulevard
Winter Park, Florida 32792
888-993-7338
fullsail.edu
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh was founded in 1921, and their online division was launched in 2000. They offer 16 online degree programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Media Arts and Animation. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Classes are offered in eight five-and-a-half-week sessions each year, with 180 credit hours required for graduation. At nine credits per session, the degree would require 2.5 years to complete. As of 2010, the average total cost for this degree program is between $75,000 and $85,000.
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh--Online Division
1400 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
877-872-8869
aionline.edu
The Academy of Art University was founded in 1929 and is the largest private school of art and design in the country. Their online degree programs include an Award of Completion, an Associate of Arts in Animation, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and a Masters of Fine Arts in Animation. The Academy of Art University is accredited by the Senior Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. The Academy's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation requires 132 units to complete, or four years with summer classes. As of 2010, the average total cost for their undergraduate degree program is between $70,000 and $80,000, and the total cost for their graduate degree program is between $50,000 and $60,000.
The Academy of Art University
79 New Montgomery Street, 4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105-3410
800-544-2787
academyart.edu
Animation Mentor was founded in 2005 and is an online non-degree program for animators only. The program focuses on teaching students to simulate physical movement in 3D characters and objects. Animation Mentor offered a certificate in Advanced Studies in Character Animation.The program is made up of six classes, with each course lasting for three months. Animation Mentor is not an accredited online school. In total, the program takes 18 months to complete. As of 2010, the cost for the full program was between $17,000 and $19,000.
Animation Mentor
1400 65th St., Suite 250
Emeryville, CA 94608
877-326-4628
animationmentor.com
Digital Tutors was founded in 2001 and is an online library of over 10,000 instructional videos on various computer graphics software and techniques. They are not an accredited online school and do not offer any degrees or certificates. Digital Tutors operates on a subscription basis, which allows the user unlimited access to their full library of tutorials. As of 2010, the cost for membership was between $360 and $528 per year.
Digital Tutors
501 N. Walker, Suite 160
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
866-741-6725
digitaltutors.com
The Gnomon School of Visual Effects offers online courses, purchasable training DVDs and one-month master classes taught by well-known professionals in the fields of visual effects and games. The Gnomon School does not offer certifications or degrees for online training. The school is accredited by the Council of Occupational Education, and the online courses are between one and ten weeks in length. The cost of online training at the Gnomon School is between $500 and $2000 per course (current as of 2010).
The Gnomon School of Visual Effects
1015 North Cahuenga Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90038
323-466-6663
gnomonschool.com