Which animation courses should I take?

I’m a mechanical engineer and about to finish my masters in Industrial engineering. I know little VB6 and I did programming in Excel.
I have passed pre-elementary and elementary drawing exams. I like drawing/painting, hobby.

With this background, what animation courses would you suggest for me? Which softwares / tools should I learn and which first?

I went to a training institute of animation. There I was told web designing will be relevant. They have graphics, web designing, 2D/3D animation courses.
Further, I asked them short term courses. They told to start with Adobe Photoshop CS4, Illustrator, flash and 3D Max. Then, they said I may take Maya and other modules.

Should I take a short term course first and have a feel and then decide what next I can do, or should I go for long term courses in the first place?

Thanks in advance.