SCAD Savannah and SCADnow Commencement 2026
Congratulations, SCAD class of 2026! Join us in celebrating your accomplishments at the SCAD Savannah and SCADnow commencement ceremonies. The Presidential Conferment of Degrees begins at 9 a.m., followed by the Presentation of Degrees at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
During the celebration, thousands of outstanding graduates will hear their names called as they cross the stage, entering the next chapter of their lives. Attendees will hear from brilliant guest speakers, including SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace, to commemorate this momentous occasion. For those unable to attend in person, all ceremonies will be live streamed. Find video links on the main commencement page.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Stella McCartney announced as SCAD Savannah’s 2026 commencement speaker
Stella McCartney was born in London to a family of creators who were legendary in public, yet ordinary at home. Raised in both the city and the English countryside, she was kept grounded by her late mother and muse, Linda McCartney – a photographer, vegetarian and animal rights activist whose values and innate appreciation for beauty continue to inspire her today.
Schedule of events
All the times listed are Eastern Time.
Friday, May 29
9 a.m. | Presidential Conferment of Degrees ceremony
Savannah Convention Center, Exhibit Hall
Doors open at 7:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m. | Presentation of Degrees ceremony
Savannah Convention Center, Exhibit Hall (main level)
Doors open at 10:30 a.m.
During the ceremony, degrees are presented in order of highest degree earned, rather than by school.
School of Film and Acting
Acting
Cinematography
Editing
Film and television
Performing arts
Production design
Sound design
School of Liberal Arts
Art history
Dramatic writing
Equestrian studies
Writing
School of Visual Communication
Illustration
Photography
Sequential art
Visual Communication
11:30 a.m. | Presentation of Degrees ceremony
Savannah Convention Center, Governor’s Ballroom (upper level)
Doors open at 10:30 a.m.
During the ceremony, degrees are presented in order of highest degree earned, rather than by school.
School of Fashion
Accessory design
Fashion
Fashion marketing and management
Fibers
Jewelry
Sneaker design (SNKR+)
School of Fine Arts
Painting
Sculpture
3:30 p.m. | Presentation of Degrees ceremony
Savannah Convention Center, Exhibit Hall (main level)
Doors open at 2 p.m.
During the ceremony, degrees are presented in order of highest degree earned, rather than by school.
School of Animation and Motion
Animation
Motion media design
Visual effects
The De Sole School of Business Innovation
Advertising
Advertising and branding
Business of beauty and fragrance
Creative business leadership
Design management
Luxury and brand management
Social strategy and management
School of Design
Design for sustainability
Graphic design
Graphic design and visual experience
Industrial design
Service design
User experience (UX) design
User experience research (UXR)
3:30 p.m. | Presentation of Degrees ceremony
Savannah Convention Center, Governor’s Ballroom (upper level)
Doors open at 2 p.m.
During the ceremony, degrees are presented in order of highest degree earned, rather than by school.
School of Building Arts
Architectural history
Architecture
Furniture design
Interior design
Preservation design
School of Creative Technology
Applied AI
Digital media
Game development
Immersive reality
Interactive design and game development
Themed entertainment design
Unsure which commencement to attend? View details about SCAD’s academic schools.
SCADnow Graduates
SCADnow (eLearning) graduates are invited to participate in Savannah's Presidential Conferment of Degrees and Presentation of Degrees ceremony. All other students can participate in the ceremonies at the SCAD location where they are enrolled.
If you have any questions, email [email protected].
Ticket allotment
Each graduate will be allotted two (2) guest tickets for the Savannah Presidential Conferment of Degrees ceremony. Each graduate will be allotted four (4) guest tickets to their designated Presentation of Degrees ceremony.
SCAD does not regulate private ticket redistribution and strictly forbids the sale of commencement tickets.
Graduates will receive an email with a link to claim commencement guest tickets from Tassel on Friday, May 1.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Graduates
When is the deadline to order cap and gown?
The online deadline to order cap and gown is Monday, April 6. We encourage students to place their orders ahead of this deadline to ensure they receive them before the ceremony.
Do I need cap and gown to participate?
Yes, cap and gown are required to participate in the Presidential Conferment and Presentation of Degrees ceremonies.
What time should graduates plan to arrive?
Graduates should plan to arrive at the venue an hour and a half prior to the start of the Presidential Conferment of Degrees ceremony and their Presentation of Degrees ceremony.
When can graduates expect to receive their diplomas?
During the ceremony, graduates will receive a congratulatory letter from President Wallace inside their SCAD diploma cover. Official diplomas are mailed after final spring grades are submitted and degree requirements are verified. Graduates will be notified by email when their diploma order is submitted and their digital diploma is available. The printed version will be mailed approximately 3–4 weeks later.
Whom do I contact for more information about the ceremonies?
Email [email protected].
Where do I park?
Parking is very limited at the Savannah Convention Center. Parking will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis for guests. Follow signs and attendants on commencement day for available spaces. We strongly encourage graduates to ride with their guests (i.e., carpool) or utilize rideshare services, as parking is limited. Please be advised that construction is taking place near the convention center, which may impede traffic.
We highly recommend considering riding the SCAD shuttle service, ride share, or taking the Savannah Belle Ferry to the ceremonies as an alternative.
Will transportation be provided from SCAD?
Student-only shuttles will run from SCAD student housing to the Savannah Convention Center from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Residents of The Hive and Turner House may take shuttles departing from the SCAD Museum of Art (MOA) parking lot at Fahm Street and Turner Boulevard. A shuttle will also stop at Oglethorpe House, River (Graham Scott), and Ann Street. Another shuttle will stop at Chatham, Barnard Village, Montgomery House, and Victory Village.
Students and guests can also take the free Savannah Belle Ferry, running every 20 minutes from City Hall landing on River Street near the Hyatt Regency Savannah, to the convention center. All ferries are ADA accessible and run from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where do I submit requests for ADA seating?
For any special seating requests for guests, email [email protected]. Be sure to include your name, SCAD ID number, major, and degree.
What is the bag policy?
Large bags, including but not limited to backpacks, suitcases, large camera bags, and large purses, are not allowed in the venue. Clutches 4.5 x 6.5 inches or smaller, diaper bags, medical bags, and CLEAR bags no larger than 14 x 14 x 6 inches (two pockets maximum) are permitted. All bags, purses, and packages are subject to inspection before entry to the venue.
Can I share with my friends and family?
Yes, your friends and family can livestream graduation on the main commencement page. A link to the livestream will appear on scad.edu/commencement one hour before the ceremony. You can also share your experience using #SCADGRAD and by following @scaddotedu.
How do I share my commencement moments on social media?
Use #SCADGRAD and #SCAD2026 to share your experience. Be sure to tag and follow @scaddotedu.
Whom do I contact for more information about the ceremonies?
Email [email protected].
FAQs – Guests
What time should guests plan to arrive?
Doors will open at the Savannah Convention Center at 7:30 a.m. for the 9 a.m. Presidential Conferment ceremony; 10:30 a.m. for the 11:30 a.m. Presentation of Degrees ceremonies; and at 2 p.m. for the 3:30 p.m. Presentation of Degrees ceremonies.
Where do I park?
Parking is very limited at the Savannah Convention Center. Parking will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis for guests. Follow signs and attendants on commencement day for available spaces. We strongly encourage graduates to ride with their guests (i.e., carpool) or utilize rideshare services, as parking is limited. Please be advised that construction is taking place near the convention center, which may impede traffic.
We highly recommend that guests consider riding the SCAD shuttle service, ride share, or taking the Savannah Belle Ferry to the ceremonies as an alternative.
Will transportation be provided from SCAD?
SCAD shuttle service will be available to all students and guests. Shuttle services will run from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Shuttles will depart from the SCAD Museum of Art (MOA) parking lot, located on the corner of Fahm Street and Turner Boulevard.
Students and guests can also take the free Savannah Belle Ferry, running every 20 minutes from City Hall landing on River Street, near the Hyatt to the convention center. All ferries are ADA accessible and run from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where do I submit requests for ADA seating?
For any special seating requests for guests, email [email protected]. Be sure to include your name, the graduate’s name, SCAD ID number, major, and degree.
How do I access closed captioning for the in-person ceremony?
Closed captioning will be livestreamed at each ceremony. A QR code will be provided at each ceremony to directly link closed captioning to your mobile device. The QR code will be activated one hour prior to the ceremony.
What is the bag policy?
Large bags, including but not limited to backpacks, suitcases, large camera bags, and large purses, are not allowed in the venue. Clutches 4.5 x 6.5 inches or smaller, diaper bags, medical bags, and CLEAR bags no larger than 14 x 14 x 6 inches (two pockets maximum) are permitted. All bags, purses, and packages are subject to inspection before entry to the venue.
Will the ceremony be streamed live online?
All ceremonies will be streamed live on the main commencement page. A link to the livestream will appear on scad.edu/commencement one hour before the start of each ceremony. Review the troubleshooting to ensure a seamless streaming experience.
Do I have to register to view the livestream?
No, you do not have to register to view the livestream of ceremonies.
How do I share commencement moments on social media?
Use #SCADGRAD and #SCAD2026 to share your experience. Be sure to tag and follow @scaddotedu.
Whom do I contact for more information about the ceremonies?
Email [email protected] for more information.