Savannah College of Art and Design
Degree Subject
Degree Level
Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is a private, nonprofit, student-centered institution that was established to prepare gifted students for professional creative careers. SCAD focuses on innovation and meaningful learning experiences through individual attention in a positive learning environment. SCAD strives to provide high quality education with talented and committed faculty and staff, advanced learning resources, cutting-edge technology, and widespread support services. Savannah College of Art and Design provides bachelor and master degrees as well as undergraduate and graduate certificates. SCAD is a member of the Sloan Consortium of institutions that are dedicated to providing superior online education.
Savannah College of Art and Design has more degree programs and emphasis areas than any other art and design institution in the nation. It offers certificate programs and degree programs at the bachelor and master degree level in 42 majors and 52 minors in areas such as animation, architecture, cinema studies, fashion, graphic design, interior design, photography, and visual effects. Students are expected to focus on three study areas: foundation courses such as art fundamentals, liberal arts courses such as math, science, and English, and their specific chosen major area.
Savannah College of Art and Design was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of “America’s Best Colleges” and one of “America’s Best Graduate Schools.” Kaplan-Newsweek also regarded SCAD as one of the U.S.’s “Most Interesting Schools”. SCAD’s eLearning degree program in historic preservation also recently received the silver medal in Best Practices in the Distance Learning Programming area by the U.S. Distance Learning Association. The eLearning program also received the National Academic Advising Association’s Certificate of Merit and the Instructional Technology Council’s Outstanding Course Award.
The Savannah College of Art and Design was established in 1978 by Richard G. Rowan, Paula S. Wallace, May L. Poetter and Paul E. Poetter. SCAD was founded to provide college degree programs that were not currently available in southeast Georgia and to develop a specialized professional art institution to attract students from all over the world. On September 29, 1978, SCAD was officially integrated in the state of Georgia and a board of trustees established. In 1979, SCAD bought and renovated the Savannah Volunteer Guard Armory to become the first classroom and administration facility. The building was named the Poetter Hall honoring two of the founders. The building is still used by the college today. The SCAD eLearning programs were launched in 2003. The SCAD Atlanta campus opened in 2005. The Atlanta campus expanded in 2006 when SCAD obtained the Atlanta College of Art. Today, Savannah College of Art and Design has over 9,000 students from all 50 states and 90 countries.
Savannah College of Art and Design has campuses located in Savannah and Atlanta and international campuses in Lacoste, France. SCAD plans to open an additional international campus in Hong Kong in 2010.
Accreditation
The Savannah College of Art and Design is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Scholarships Offered
Savannah College of Art and Design offers a variety of scholarships based on need, as well as academic, artistic and combined honors. These scholarships include: Academic Honors Scholarship, May and Paul Poetter Scholarship, Artistic Honors Scholarship, Frances Larkin McCommon Scholarship, Combined Honors Scholarship, Savannah Coca-Cola Bottling Company Scholarship, Mayor’s Next Step Scholarship, Atlanta Board of Visitors Endowed Scholarship, Community Foundation Scholarship, Eckburg Scholarship, European Board of Visitors Scholarship, Student Opportunity Scholarship, and Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarships.
Financing Options
Savannah College of Art and Design participates in many federal financial aid programs such as Federal Pell Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Stafford Loans with Subsidized and Unsubsidized options, Federal PLUS Loan, Graduate PLUS Loan, and Federal Work-Study Program. State programs are also available such as the Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (GTEG), the HERO Scholarship and the HOPE Scholarship. Other states may offer financial programs and it is important for students to check with their state of residence. Private loans are also available. SCAD also participates in employer tuition assistance and prepayment plan through Sallie Mae Tuition Pay Plan.
Credit Earning Options
Savannah College of Art and Design evaluates student transcripts for eligible transfer credits. Each student is evaluated on an individual basis by comparing the curricula and assessing the courses. A maximum of 90 quarter credit hours of undergraduate credit for a bachelor degree may be granted. Students can also earn credits from College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Advanced Placement, and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) examinations. Students may receive a maximum of 45 quarter credit hours from these examinations.