SCAD students learn to present themselves and their work in a professional manner. Students receive critical and thought-provoking feedback in a supportive environment that fosters creative achievement.
In many ways, SCAD has re-created the university experience, molding it to the unique needs and lifestyles of a diverse student body.
Class schedules, collaborative projects and internships are designed to teach and model real-world experiences. While SCAD is focused on helping students develop professional knowledge and master skills, the learning environment offers a full university experience to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the world around them.
Faculty members regularly assess students' achievement of learning outcomes and continually seek to improve and expand the curriculum to respond to professional needs and trends. Programs are evaluated and updated annually. Changes are made according to student interest, professional trends and learning outcome assessments.
All undergraduate programs begin with a core curriculum of foundation studies and general education courses to instill fundamental knowledge and teach skills necessary for success at SCAD. Foundation studies in studio arts build visual, conceptual and creative abilities, while general education courses in liberal arts develop critical thinking skills by providing an intellectual foundation and breadth of knowledge for lifelong learning.
SCAD provides students the flexibility to pursue their interests while gaining knowledge and expertise in a specific discipline. In addition, students can broaden their education and career preparation through a variety of elective subjects or by completing a double major or minor.
Graduate programs build on current levels of knowledge and achievement to help students reach personal and professional goals, advance understanding and skills in art and design, and assume leadership roles.
Through peer critiques and seminar discussions, students evaluate their own work through a self-critical perspective and analyze and explore old and new knowledge and skills in their fields. The graduate experience culminates in student teaching, internships and/or in a thesis or final project. Graduate students emerge from their studies at SCAD with a highly evolved theoretical and practical understanding of their fields.
Through sponsored projects, custom-designed classroom assignments or creation of commissioned work, students may participate in corporate partnerships and learn all aspects of product development-from contracts to market research, and from deadlines and presentations to client approval.
Students recently have worked on projects for United Colors of Benetton, American Greetings, VTech, Case-Mate, JCPenney, Newell Rubbermaid, FUZE Beverage, Swarovski, JCB, the Italian Trade Commission, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and many others.
SCAD is dedicated to offering an active learning environment that is engaging and collaborative. SCAD's Collaborative Learning Center is designed as a creative hub to facilitate authentic and collaborative learning opportunities for students, faculty and external partners. The center engages students in real-world projects through for-credit courses and gives them distinct opportunities to collaborate with top businesses, major organizations and distinguished artists. These collaborative learning opportunities set SCAD students apart from other university graduates and prepare them for successful careers.
Accessory design students use specialized equipment such as men's and women's shoe lasts, a shoe finishing machine and cylinder industrial sewing machines. Industry-standard Lectra Romans CAD software is used for designing bags and shoes. Fashion students use industry-standard dress forms, cutting tables, professional sewing machines and specialty finishing equipment. Digital labs offer an Infinity Plus plotter for patternmaking and a Mimaki textile printer, as well as software including Kaledo, Vision Fashion Studio, Gerber Suite, Lectra U4ia and Virtual Fashion Pro.
Students working in animation, game design and other digital media have access to a full motion capture lab, a private server for hosting large files and a powerful render farm. Students work with software programs and digital tools that include Autodesk Mudbox, Unity 3D, CryEngine, the Unreal Engine, ZBrush, 3ds Max, Final Cut Studio, Cinema 4D, Nuke, Mental Ray, Pixar's RenderMan, Houdini and Action Script.
Film students work with equipment found at major production and postproduction facilities, and use digital technology, nonlinear editing systems, digital audio workstations and comprehensive labs for screenwriting, scheduling and budgeting. Production facilities and equipment include Steadicam EFP, Super Panther and Fisher dollies, chroma key/green studio, sound stage and an ICON D-Control professional recording studio. Students have access to high-end Final Cut Red Suite, Avid Media Composer Nitris DX workstations, Media Composer software only stations, as well as a Symphony Nitris DX editing suite. Camera equipment includes Red One digital 4k cameras, Panavision Panaflex G2 cameras, Ariflex 416 film cameras and a diversified line of Sony and Panasonic HD cameras for file-based media acquisition, posting, and distribution.
Sound-specific production equipment includes 46 HD and LE Pro Tools workstations, two dedicated surround sound mix/mastering rooms, a music recording studio, a Foley sound stage, two dialogue recording and editing suites and a MIDI lab with synthesis and sampling technologies.
At each SCAD location, the university contributes to the enhancement of the surrounding community through heritage, cultural and educational programs, such as open discussions with acclaimed authors at the Ivy Hall Writers Series in Atlanta; exhibitions and public tours and workshops in Hong Kong; and performances and films in Savannah. SCAD is committed to restoring and reusing buildings that serve as architectural and historical touchstones for students as well as valuable resources for the local communities.
SCAD students, faculty and staff are involved in local arts groups and other non-profit cultural, civic and religious organizations. SCAD encourages good citizenship and volunteerism, and serves to enrich the cultural landscape at each SCAD location.
SCAD signature events throughout the year promote awareness of art and design fields in each SCAD community. Annual events include Savannah Film Festival, Atlanta Fashion Seen, Sidewalk Arts Festival, Sand Arts Festival, Game Developers eXchange and deFINE ART, and draw more than 100,000 attendees. Unique venues host extraordinary festivals, symposiums, performances, concerts and films.
Through the admission department, SCAD offers continuing education workshops and summer programs for all ages and levels of experience. At each SCAD location, these outreach programs introduce to a wider audience an appreciation for the arts and provide new experiences in creative expression.
Life at SCAD is active and engaging within and beyond the classroom. The SCAD experience includes programs and activities that promote student interaction, leadership and community service, and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
With more than 70 student organizations, SCAD students have many opportunities to meet others who share common interests-from improv comedy to skateboarding.
SCAD also sponsors student groups affiliated with professional organizations as well as clubs related to academic programs. Leadership development opportunities are promoted through all student organizations including the Student Activities Council and United Student Forum, and SCAD's award-winning online student news outlets and Internet radio stations. For students who want to become involved in the community, Service Opportunities for Students provides an array of volunteer programs.
SCAD student resources include a bus system that provides free transportation to and from class and late-night shuttles; a professional student success and counseling staff to serve as resources for any concerns and emergencies; and security officers who are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Specialists in learning styles and counseling help students adjust to university life and reach their personal and academic goals.
Student residence halls offer the opportunity for social engagement, involvement with the university community and a variety of programming events to support academic, career and social needs. Apartment-style and traditional residence halls feature live-in residence directors and amenities that include swimming pools, cafés, laundry facilities, fitness centers, computer labs and meeting rooms. In common areas, students can relax and watch television or play sand volleyball, pool or table tennis. Graduate-preferred housing provides graduate students with additional living environment options.
SCAD competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in 16 men's and women's sports. SCAD athletics teams have won 12 NAIA Region XIV titles and 17 conference titles. In 2010, the women's swimming team earned the university's second consecutive NAIA national championship. Over the past nine years, the SCAD equestrian team has earned 13 American National Riding Commission championships and 10 individual Intercollegiate Horse Show Association championships.
In Atlanta, SCAD competes at the intercollegiate level in men's and women's cross country, golf and tennis.
Students also participate in a wide variety of intramural sports and outdoor activities at SCAD. Quarterly intramurals are open to anyone; teams include baggo, dodgeball, flag football, volleyball, indoor and outdoor soccer, basketball, kickball, softball and Ultimate Frisbee. Outdoor activities include whitewater rafting, off-road biking, rock climbing, skiing and canoeing.



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