Build Advanced 3D Animation & VFX Skills at NYFA
NYFA’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in 3D Animation & VFX is a rigorous practicum in visual storytelling where students foster creative leadership in the various fields of the cinematic and emerging arts. Learning from faculty that bring knowledge and experience from major brands including Disney, Dreamworks, Universal, and Netflix, MFA students master the tools and techniques to create compelling 3D Animation & VFX shots while nurturing a deep sense of service toward storytelling, culminating in their final thesis.
To advance their creative and technical skills, students complete hands-on projects exclusive to our MFA degree in 3D animation, which may include Technical Direction, Motion Capture & Motion Data, and Previs demo reels. At the master’s level, NYFA effectively executes on delivering a hybrid learning curriculum for students seeking to become innovators in 3D Animation, VFX, Computer Imaging, Feature Film, Television, New & Emerging Media, Research & Development, and the Interactive & Game Industries. Students leave the program with a demo reel that demonstrates their talent and advanced skill set.
Faculty Highlights
Curriculum
At NYFA’s 3D Animation & VFX School, students learn the practical, technical and artistic skills that are required to bring CG-enhanced stories to life. The MFA curriculum is challenging, and students identify and develop a mastery of a specialization within that pipeline, and command a competency in the rest of the pipeline.
During the program, students also:
- Develop a thorough technical understanding of the animation & VFX workflow & pipeline
- In Pre-Production/Preparation of Animation & VFX, students analyze and identify industry trends
- Hone their craft in intermediate and advanced Digital Element Creation, Motion Capture, Animation, Interactive Games, Stereoscopic 3D, Post-Production/Image Manipulation, Organization of Data Acquisition & Capture
- Study in professional facilities using state-of-the-art equipment, gaining extensive training with industry standard software which may include Autodesk’s 3D Maya, MotionBuilder, Pixologic’s ZBrush digital sculptor, SideFX’s Houdini FX, Chaos Group’s V-Ray, and Foundry’s Nuke compositing and editing program
The integration of 3D Animation & VFX curricula has been fine-tuned to provide students with a specific technical and artistic education and has been tailored to fit industry standard technical and artistic roles as laid out in the Visual Effects Societies Handbook.
To learn more about the MFA program, refer to NYFA’s Course Catalog or request more information.
NYFA’s MFA in 3D Animation & VFX is a four-semester, full-time graduate program.
Outside of thesis completion, students tackle open-ended problems and challenges facing the industry as a whole, completing an array of projects. The program ends with a screening of thesis projects for invited guests, including members of the industry from the production, executive, and talent representation spheres. To learn more about the projects that animation students complete, visit our projects page.
To complement their 3D Animation & VFX classes, MFA students also take History and Theory Courses, designed to align with many topics within their discipline. Prospective MFA students can learn more about these requirements on NYFA’s History and Theory Courses page.
The MFA in 3D Animation & VFX is offered at our Los Angeles campus.
NYFA Los Angeles
3300 W Riverside Drive
Burbank, CA 91505
3300 W Riverside Drive
Burbank, CA 91505
Master of Fine Arts Degree in 3D Animation & VFX
| Location | Program Start Date and End Date | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | January 12, 2026 – April 24, 2027 August, 2026 – December, 2027 | Spring 2026 Semester The program semesters tuition and duration is listed below. In addition to tuition please review the programs associated feesTuition:$20,019 Per Semester Fall 2026 (August start): 5 Semesters |
*Additional Fees:
Spring 2026
| Equipment & Technology Fee: | $1,405 Per Semester |
| Wellness Services & Programming Fee: | $145 Per Semester |
| Activity Fee: | $125 per semester |
| Orientation Fee: (Spring 2026: January 5th – January 9th) |
Domestic Students: $150 International Students: $200 |
| Graduation Fee: | $100 |
| International Student Fee: | $200 for the first semester, $120 each subsequent semester |
Please note: Equipment, curriculum, and projects are subject to change and may vary depending on location. Students should consult the most recently published campus catalog for the most up-to-date curriculum.