Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects

Types of Degrees Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects Majors Are Getting

The following table lists how many animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduations there were for each degree level during the last year for which data was available.

Education Level	Number of Grads
Master’s Degree	424
Graduate Certificate	53

What Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects Majors Need to Know

In an O*NET survey, animation, interactive technology, video graphics and special effects majors were asked to rate what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important in their occupations. These answers were weighted on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most important.

Knowledge Areas for Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects Majors

This major prepares you for careers in which these knowledge areas are important:

• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Skills for Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects Majors

When studying animation, interactive technology, video graphics and special effects, you’ll learn many skills that will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs - even those that do not require a degree in the field. The following is a list of some of the most common skills needed for careers associated with this major:

• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Abilities for Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects Majors

Some of the most crucial abilities to master while a animation, interactive technology, video graphics and special effects student include the following:

• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

What Can You Do With a Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects Major?

People with a animation, interactive technology, video graphics and special effects degree often go into the following careers:

Job Title	Job Growth Rate	Median Salary
Multimedia Artists and Animators	8.4%	$72,520

Who Is Getting a Master’s Degree in Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects?

Roughly 48% of the graduates are women, and 52% are men.

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of animation, interactive technology, video graphics and special effects majors is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity	Number of Grads
Asian	25
Black or African American	15
Hispanic or Latino	36
White	87
International Students	241
Other Races/Ethnicities	20

Geographic Diversity

Students from other countries are interested in Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, too. About 56.8% of those with this major are international students.

Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects

Some degrees associated with animation, interactive technology, video graphics and special effects may require an advanced degree, while others may not even require a bachelor’s in the field. In general, the more advanced your degree the more career options will open up to you. However, there is significant time and money that needs to be invested into your education so weigh the pros and cons.

How much schooling do you really need to compete in today’s job market? People currently working in careers related to animation, interactive technology, video graphics and special effects have obtained the following education levels.

Education Level	Percentage of Workers
Less than a High School Diploma	0.1%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)	5.4%
Some College Courses	39.9%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree)	1.7%
Bachelor’s Degree	53.0%
Master’s Degree	0.3%

Online Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects Programs

The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.

Degree Level	Colleges Offering Programs	Colleges Offering Online Classes
Certificate (Less Than 1 Year)	0	0
Certificate (1-2 years)	98	2
Certificate (2-4 Years)	6	1
Associate’s Degree	125	6
Bachelor’s Degree	3	0
Post-Baccalaureate	0	0
Master’s Degree	23	1
Post-Master’s	0	0
Doctor’s Degree (Research)	0	0
Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice)	0	0
Doctor’s Degree (Other)	0	0

Majors Related to Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects

You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to animation, interactive technology, video graphics and special effects.

Major	Number of Grads
Prepress/Desktop Publishing & Digital Imaging Design	1,137
General Graphic Communications	480
Graphic & Printing Equipment Operator, General Production	262
Other Graphic Communications	170
Printing Management	55
Platemaker/Imager	10
Printing Press Operator	3
Computer Typography & Composition Equipment Operator	2

References

*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• College Scorecard
• National Center for Education Statistics
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
• Image Credit: By Auburn University College of Architecture, Design and Construction under License

More about our data sources and methodologies.