Animation
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Animation develops knowledge and skills in the area of digital animation, including but not limited to the production of still and time-based media, animation techniques, narrative development, character design, compositing, motion graphics, and interactive design. The curriculum is designed to provide the student with an understanding of animation techniques, use of production equipment, animation terminology, media and interactivity applications, and industry practices. This certificate prepares students for employment and upgrades the skills of persons employed in occupations such as digital animators, media producers, storyboard artists, media artist/designers, and interaction designers. Certificates of Completion (CCL) in Video Game Production, and Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees in Animation and Time-Based Media and Video Game Production, are also available. Some of these programs are available at select colleges. Please check with your local college for program availability.
Details
Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Animation (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5169
Total credits required
40
Catalog Year
2025-2026
Effective Term
Fall 2025
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
This CCL is designed for individuals who are new to the field, as well as to those who already have relevant experience or are employed in the field.
What You'll Learn
- Create still, interactive, and time-based images to project specifications, demonstrating professional competence in research, planning, production, and presentation.
- Apply critical thinking skills, animation processes, and historical and media literacies to solve design problems.
- Analyze still, interactive, and time-based images to evaluate their effectiveness.
- Apply industry standard tools and research to develop effective animations, media, designs, and workflows.
- Demonstrate professional and collaborative practices.
- Communicate still, interactive, and time-based image solutions that recognize cultural and individual differences.
- Create a portfolio of work that reflects current industry practices.
Career statistics
Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Art Directors
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Film and Video Editors
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
Producers and Directors
Special Effects Artists and Animators
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVC100 | Introduction to Digital Arts | 1 | |||
| ART111 | Drawing I | 3 | |||
| AVC150 or CRW150 or CRW172 or CRW176 or FMT121 |
Multimedia Storytelling or Introduction to Creative Writing or Introduction to Comic Book Writing or Writing Narrative for Video Games or Story Theory for Film, Television and Media | HU or None or None or None or None | 3 | ||
| AVC177 | Digital Photographic Imaging I | Critical course Gateway course | 3 | ||
| AVC/MMT185 | 3D Modeling and Animation I | 3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVC/MMT184 | Digital Animation I | Critical course | 3 | ||
| AVC170 or AVC/THO246 |
3D Computer Design or Digital Fabrication | 3 | |||
| AVC178 or AVC169 |
Digital Arts Studies or 2D Media Design | 3 | |||
| AVC200 | Animation and Interactivity | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART116 | Life Drawing I | 3 | |||
| AVC284 | Digital Animation II | 3 | |||
| AVC/MMT285 | 3D Modeling and Animation II | 3 | |||
| AVC287 | 3D Character Animation | 3 | |||
| AVC240 | Cinematography and Directing for 2D/3D Animation | 3 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVC100 | Introduction to Digital Arts | 1 | |||
| ART111 | Drawing I | 3 | |||
| AVC177 | Digital Photographic Imaging I | Critical course Gateway course | 3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVC/MMT184 | Digital Animation I | Critical course | 3 | ||
| AVC178 or AVC169 |
Digital Arts Studies or 2D Media Design | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVC150 or CRW150 or CRW172 or CRW176 or FMT121 |
Multimedia Storytelling or Introduction to Creative Writing or Introduction to Comic Book Writing or Writing Narrative for Video Games or Story Theory for Film, Television and Media | HU or None or None or None or None | 3 | ||
| AVC/MMT185 | 3D Modeling and Animation I | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVC170 or AVC/THO246 |
3D Computer Design or Digital Fabrication | 3 | |||
| AVC200 | Animation and Interactivity | 3 |
Term 5
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART116 | Life Drawing I | 3 | |||
| AVC287 | 3D Character Animation | 3 |
Term 6
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVC284 | Digital Animation II | 3 | |||
| AVC/MMT285 | 3D Modeling and Animation II | 3 |
Term 7
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVC240 | Cinematography and Directing for 2D/3D Animation | 3 |
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=16452735).
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Animation