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Home ― News ― DSU ranks among top 50 public animation schools in the nation

DSU ranks in top 50 for animation in the nation

July 11, 2016

Animation Career Review recently announced its rankings for the top animation schools in the nation. Dakota State University ranked in the top 50 public schools nationwide and in the top 25 in the Midwest region. Colleges and universities were ranked based on academic reputation, admission selectivity, depth and breadth of the program, value as it relates to tuition and indebtedness and geographic location.

Dakota State’s Digital Arts and Design: Production Animation bachelor's degree and Production Animation 2D and 3D minors were among the programs considered in the rankings. These programs highlight both digital arts and design and production animation coursework, which prepares graduates to pursue careers in animation, 3D graphic design, TV/film effects, broadcast design and many others.

Ryan English, Assistant Professor of Animation at DSU, was also interviewed by Animation Career Review.  English’s extensive career in the animation industry includes work in some of the biggest box office hits, like Happy Feet, X-Men, Hotel Transylvania 2 and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.  He cited the fact that meeting DSU professors who were enthusiastic and had a diverse array of backgrounds led him to move to Madison to teach. His interview also spoke of the work his students do in the classroom and how small class sizes let him get to know the students.

“My class size averages around 16 students, and many of them I see each semester,” English said. “This definitely allows for me to get to know their strengths and areas that need work. I try to relate classroom topics to real-life tangible concepts that my students might have had the opportunity to experience because I find this helps in bridging understanding into knowing.”

You can read English’s full interview at: http://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/close-knit-qa-ryan-english-dakota-state-university-animation-program 

DSU moved up 7 spots in the regional rankings since the previous year’s rankings, sitting at #17 for 2016, and move up 10 spots in the national rankings at #34.

Animation Career Review was launched in 2011 with the goal to be the most comprehensive source of information for aspiring animation and game design professionals. All the rankings for 2016 can be found at http://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/2016-animation-school-rankings