Exploring Degree Programs at Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) stands as a prominent private art school with multiple locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, and Lacoste, France. Incorporated on September 29, 1978, by Richard G. Rowan, Paula S. Wallace, May L. Poetter, and Paul E. Poetter, SCAD began offering classes in September 1979. The institution started with a small group of staff, faculty, and students, offering eight majors that laid the foundation for its future growth.
A Brief History of SCAD
Initially, SCAD offered eight majors: ceramics, graphic design, historic preservation, textile design, interior design, painting, photography, and printmaking. The first graduate received a degree in May 1981, followed by the first graduating class the following year. By 1982, enrollment exceeded 500 students, growing to over 1,000 in 1986 and 2,000 in 1989.
In 2002, SCAD expanded its global presence by opening a study abroad location in Lacoste, France. This campus provides programming for various academic departments offered by the university's degree-granting locations. In 2005, SCAD opened a location in Midtown Atlanta, merging with the Atlanta College of Art in 2006.
Richard Rowan served as president from 1978 to April 2000, after which he became chancellor, focusing on international recruitment. Paula S. Wallace, formerly the provost and dean of academics, succeeded Rowan as president, managing the institution's internal affairs. Wallace has spearheaded collaborations for annual events like the Sidewalk Arts Festival, Savannah Film Festival, Fashion Show, SCAD Style, deFine Art Festival, Art Educators' Forum, and Rising Star.
In June 2020, SCAD discontinued studies at its Hong Kong location, citing concerns over student safety and academic quality following the 2019-20 Hong Kong protests and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read also: SCAD Tuition and Expenses
SCAD's Commitment to Preservation and Urban Renewal
SCAD's dedication to preserving Savannah's architectural heritage is evident in its restoration of buildings for college facilities. This effort has earned recognition from the American Institute of Architects, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Historic Savannah Foundation, and the Victorian Society of America. The college campus in Savannah includes 67 buildings throughout the downtown area's grid-and-park system.
Campus Locations and Facilities
SCAD operates across multiple locations, each offering unique facilities and resources:
Savannah, Georgia: The main campus features 67 buildings integrated into the city's historic grid.
Atlanta, Georgia: SCAD Atlanta, located in Midtown, provides classroom and exhibition space, computer labs, a library, photography darkrooms, printmaking and sculpture studios, a dining hall, fitness center, swimming pool, and residence hall.
Lacoste, France: The SCAD Lacoste campus comprises 15th- and 16th-century structures, including an art gallery, guest houses, a computer lab, and a printmaking lab.
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Hong Kong (Former): Until June 2020, SCAD occupied the renovated historic North Kowloon Magistracy Building, offering classrooms, meeting areas, computer labs, an art gallery, and a library.
Libraries
SCAD operates three libraries: Jen Library in Savannah, ACA Library in Atlanta, and Lacoste Library in Lacoste, France. Jen Library, the largest, houses approximately 42,000 books, 11,000 bound volumes of periodicals, and 1,600 videotapes in an 85,000-square-foot building that once served as a Maas Brothers department store.
Residence Halls
SCAD provides various residence hall options for its students. In Atlanta, these include ACA Residence Hall of SCAD, Brookwood Courtyard, and the Forty. In Savannah, residence halls include Ann Street, Barnard Village, Boundary Village, Montgomery House, Oglethorpe House, Turner House, Chatham House, the Victory Village complex, and The Hive student housing complex.
Academic Programs and Recognition
SCAD offers a wide array of degree programs, with over 100 undergraduate and graduate options across art, business, design, and STEM disciplines. This allows students to customize their education to meet their specific goals. The university confers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Architecture, Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Urban Design degrees, as well as undergraduate and graduate certificates.
SCAD is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The professional M.Arch. degree is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, and the Master of Arts in Teaching degrees are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. SCAD is also licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
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Rankings and Achievements
SCAD has received numerous accolades for its educational and professional excellence:
- Ranked the No. 1 design university in the Americas and Europe in the Red Dot Design Award Rankings.
- Recognized among the top five universities globally for design.
- Top-ranked disciplines include industrial design, fashion design, user experience design, fibers, accessory design, furniture design, and interactive design and game development.
Student Life and Opportunities
In Fall 2023, SCAD enrolled over 17,000 students from all 50 states and more than 110 countries. The university provides a vibrant campus life with various opportunities for students to engage and grow.
Athletics
The athletic teams of the SCAD Savannah campus are known as the Bees. SCAD Savannah competes in 22 intercollegiate varsity sports, including men's, women's, and co-ed sports. Opportunities for athletics participation also exist through the college's intramural programs. SCAD had been a Division III member since 1992, but would now be joining the Florida Sun Conference. The athletic teams of the SCAD Atlanta campus are likewise called the Bees. SCAD Savannah competes in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports.
Events and Festivals
SCAD hosts numerous lectures, performances, and film screenings at its two historic theaters, the Trustees Theater and the Lucas Theatre for the Arts. These venues are also used for the annual Savannah Film Festival. Other events include the Sidewalk Arts Festival in Forsyth Park and the Sand Arts Festival on Tybee Island.
SCAD SERVE
Students looking to channel their skills in art, design, and entrepreneurship for good can tap into the power of SCAD SERVE, the university's service initiative that connects the SCAD community with local leaders in Atlanta and Savannah, Ga., to help improve quality of life for neighbors in need. Guided by university and local leaders, students harness their talents to innovate across six critical areas: food, shelter, clothing, education, safety, and the environment.
SCADpro
Motivated students can work directly with global brands through SCADpro, the university's innovation design studio, connecting with Fortune 500 companies in real-world collaborations that pay off. According to a 2025 study, 99% of recent SCAD graduates were employed, pursuing further education, or both within just 12 months of graduation.
Controversies and Criticisms
SCAD has faced controversies, including backlash for naming an academic hall after Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Following renewed interest in the Anita Hill hearings, petitions were formed by SCAD students and alumni demanding the school change the building’s name. Despite significant support for the petition, SCAD refused to rename the building.
Additionally, SCAD has been censured by the American Association of University Professors for issues surrounding academic freedom, tenure, and the dismissal of faculty members.
Economic and Community Impact
SCAD has a significant impact on tourism and the economy in Savannah. A report published by SCAD in 2018 claimed the school generated over $3 billion for the city and attracted 14.5 million visitors. A similar report in 2020 claimed that the school’s Atlanta and Savannah campuses brought in $766.2 million in annual economic impact for the state.
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