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Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects Major

Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects

2,699 Bachelor's Degrees Annually
387 Master's Degrees Annually
#123 in Popularity

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
Bachelor’s Degree 3,047
Associate Degree 1,090
Basic Certificate 519
Undergraduate Certificate 478
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

Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects majors often go into careers in which the following knowledge areas are important:

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  • 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

animation, interactive technology, video graphics and special effects majors are found most commonly in careers in which the following skills are important:

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  • 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

As a animation, interactive technology, video graphics and special effects major, you will find yourself needing the following abilities:

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  • 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 Bachelor’s Degree in Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects?

3,047 Bachelor's Degrees Annually
55% Percent Women
39% Percent Racial-Ethnic Minorities*
Roughly 55% of the graduates are women, and 45% 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:

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Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 333
Black or African American 260
Hispanic or Latino 423
White 1,362
International Students 331
Other Races/Ethnicities 338

Geographic Diversity

Americans aren’t the only ones with an interest in Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects. About 10.9% of those with this major are international students.

Some careers associated with animation, interactive technology, video graphics and special effects require an advanced degree while some may not even require a bachelor’s. 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.

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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

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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