Eligibility
If you are a high school student
High school students must first apply to a two-year Associate in Applied Science (AAS), preferably in one of FIT’s School Art and Design programs such as Illustration or Communication Design. On completing that degree, students may apply to the two-year Animation, Interactive Media, & Game Design BFA program. The Computer Graphics Department can provide information regarding the best course of study to guide you into the program.
If you have an AAS from FIT
You may apply to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program if your AAS is from one of FIT’s School of Art and Design programs and you have 60 transferable credits as they apply to the Animation, Interactive Media, & Game Design program.
Applicants are expected to provide a competitive portfolio and the department will schedule a portfolio interview with you. If your AAS from FIT is not in an art or design related field, please schedule an appointment with Admissions to discuss your options.
The following courses, or the equivalent from your major, are the required prerequisites for FIT students:
- CG 271 or CG 211
- CG 272 or CG 213
- CG 273 or CG 212
- CG 274 or CG 221
These may be taken as related-area courses during your AAS degree. You must complete CG 271, CG 272, CG 273, and register for CG 274 before submitting your Animation, Interactive Media, & Game Design BFA application. Completing all four bridge courses before applying will improve your chance of success.
If you have taken CG 211, CG 212, CG 213, or CG 221 before Fall 2023, these credits will be counted. Starting in Fall 2023, all applicants should take the new courses CG 271, CG 272, CG 273, and CG 274. These may be taken as related-area courses during your AAS degree.
If you have credits or a degree from another college
You may apply to the two-year Animation, Interactive Media, & Game Design BFA program as a transfer student if you meet the following criteria by the time you enroll at FIT:
- You will have an earned associate's degree OR 60 credits toward a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Eligible applicants must have completed 24 credits in design coursework, and at a minimum, six credits of art history and have a working knowledge of technologies applicable to their areas of specialization. Eligible candidates must also complete the required FIT liberal arts requirements for art and design majors.
You should have experience working with a professional 3D modeling program such as Autodesk’s 3D Max, Maya, or other 3D programs. It is also expected that you will have studied Photoshop and After Effects and produced finished work using those programs. Intro level scripting is also required. Your work using these programs must be included in your portfolio at the time of your interview which takes place early in the spring semester.
Graduates in a related area, such as game design, interaction design, or computer science, are encouraged to apply. These candidates also must have completed 24 credits in design courses which exhibit competency in the areas described above. All applicants are expected to provide a portfolio.
The Office of Admissions can help you with questions regarding eligibility. Contact Admissions at [email protected] or (212) 217-3760.
Carefully review our Portfolio Requirements. You should consider this program if you are someone who loves storytelling and the art of animation and if you are excited by the advances in technology that have brought us movies in 3D and interactive experiences with amazing visual effects.