In 2025, MAGIC—the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex at Miami Dade College celebrates a decade of shaping the next generation of animators, game developers, and immersive storytellers. What began as a bold vision to position Miami as a creative tech hub has grown into a nationally recognized academic center, graduating hundreds of students, forging powerful industry partnerships, and producing award-winning films, games, and VR experiences. From 65 students in 2015 to over 800 today, MAGIC has become a launchpad for diverse talent and a catalyst for economic development in the digital arts.
The Program
The Miami Animation and Gaming International Complex (MAGIC) at Miami Dade College opened its doors in 2015. MAGIC is the first facility of its kind at a public higher education in Florida. Modeled after a feature production studio — MAGIC has positioned itself as a new animation and gaming industry hub and has gathered enthusiasts, studio executives, software specialists, artists and others from around the country to collaborate in different initiatives. Both academic programs “Animation & Game Art” and “Game Development & Design,” are industry focused, with a skilled training curriculum designed to fill jobs currently in demand by the industry. A college credit certificate is also offered on “Virtual and Augmented Reality Technologies,” where immersive simulations can be designed not only for entertainment, but a range of other industries going from healthcare to logistics.
In 2018, The Aspen Institute and the Siemens Foundation awarded the MAGIC program at Miami Dade College with the Siemens-Aspen Community College STEM Award, in recognition of the outstanding preparation and education the program provides students seeking careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). In 2023, the MAGIC program was included in the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program’s newest guide: “Excellence & Equity in STEM Programs,” which covers three strong suits of high-value STEM programs: Outreach and Recruitment; Onboarding, Advising, and Student Support; and High-quality Programs and Employer Partnerships.
Learn about the MAGIC Program, Our Students and Student’s Success Stories. Contact us at (305) 237-3560 or visit magic.mdc.edu