Animation & Illustration (Professional Degree)

The Animation & Illustration Program at San José State University was originally created to give local students a chance to compete for careers in the screen arts; it now attracts students nationally and internationally. Located in the center of Silicon Valley, the program has developed tight bonds with industry partners over the last 25 years. Guest speakers from industry leaders such as Bento Box, Blizzard, Blue Sky Studios, Cartoon Network, Disney, DreamWorks, Hallmark, Industrial Light & Magic, Nickelodeon, Pixar, SONY Pictures Animation, Warner Bros. Animation, and many more, provide students with insights into the latest trends and shifting demands of the industry. Our dedicated faculty foster a strong sense of community within the program, creating a place where students support and learn from each other as well as in the classroom. As a result, recruiters have continually sought out our graduates for job opportunities and full-time positions. Incoming students can get a feel for this welcoming atmosphere during one of the campus tours that the program provides. 

The program’s accomplished faculty prepares students for life after graduation by holding them to professional standards. From working on projects they might encounter in the professional world to pursuing their personal artistic interests, students are emboldened by the idea that there is great power in what they can create through the skills they have gained from the program. Our graduates complete the program with a sense of pride in their work and a sense of place within a global framework. Together, our community of faculty, students, and alumni work as a team to build a welcoming and inclusive learning environment.

*All students are required to select Animation/Illustration as their first choice on the CSU application. Additionally, supplemental drawing exercises must be completed. Kindly refer to the application guidelines page for further instructions. 

We highly encourage anyone interested in our program to join us for one of our monthly tours.