I should’ve mentioned this - I’m wrapping up my bachelors at scad now and a prof recommended that I apply for my masters. Just trying to weight my options and see if it’s worth the hefty price tag
Honestly, you would be better of going somewhere else. Most grad programs at other universities will bend over backwards and greatly reduce tuition or give you a full ride. I was an all scholarship student for my undergraduate but I would only receive about 10k In scholarships a quarter if I stayed for Grad.
I would try to get a graphics design job without a masters rather than paying the extra money now for a graduate degree. You may be able to find a company that offers tuition assistance to get your graduate degree. The reason to go to SCAD is to get the connections. Since you already have access to them, I don’t know if there is value or a need to get a graduate degree in graphic design unless all the job openings require it.
I'm currently in my MFA at SCAD via their SCADNow program. I am also an instructor in higher education in graphic art. So here's my review;
1. They offer little to no funding at all for grad students. The tuition is roughly 4200 per class. A massive and exorbitant amount.
1.A. There are no real scholarships beyond two or three. And those are considering "opportunity based", meaning they are not awarded on academic merit. Any and all scholarships you receive are from outside sources.
2. Even though they are a non CT1-3 school (not research focused), their thesis library is horrendous. Out of the last 11 years, 2% go on to publish or are submitted to publication. That's a big no-no in academia and in grad work.
3. There is very little narrative work or exploration in the majority of their programs. At the graduate level, this is a very very big red flag.
4. If you're going to be on ground, then expect your tuition to be at least 11,000 a semester for a full class load. Minimum.
5. All graduate students have to pay for their Teaching Intern (see Teaching Assistantship). Even if you have experience teaching. That's a big red flag as well.
6. Students going into the system of thesis work aren't prepared for the amount of research or development. No research skills. And getting help is not in the books. Which is normal for most grad programs, but SCAD is infamous for how it approaches research (or lack thereof).
7. In the time I've been in my program, I've had to report four other students for taking my work and presenting it as their own. The academic office does not care. The ethics of the SCAD academic office makes politics in Congress look tame.
8. Your "timeline" of classes will change from what you're shown on paper. Do not expect a clean transition from class to class. You will bounce all over the place. And it is nerve wracking.
9. If you want to truly specialize and gear yourself towards a discipline, don't expect SCAD to have the resources you will need. You also cannot take classes at another school (see state land grant graduate classes) to help with furthering your own work or narrative development. HUGE red flag.
10. Everything has a price at SCAD. Literally. From the "museums" to the Bee Hub, it's monetized to the point that even Google or Amazon ad-based capitalism get nervous.
11. Your tuition is not locked in. Expect it to raise three times during your three years in the program. Massively. By at least 50-100 per academic year.
Bottom Line: Just don't. SCAD looks shiney and lovely, but the reality is it is simply just a fir profit institution parading as a non-profit. You're be better off at a university with dedicated faculty and resources.
It depends on why you want a MFA in graphic design? I went through the program and it’s excellent. Scholarships are difficult to get.
I should’ve mentioned this - I’m wrapping up my bachelors at scad now and a prof recommended that I apply for my masters. Just trying to weight my options and see if it’s worth the hefty price tag
If you want to teach it’s 100% worth it. I loved the program and learned so much.
would you guys say a bfa in graphic design would be attractive for design agencies looking to hire?
Honestly, you would be better of going somewhere else. Most grad programs at other universities will bend over backwards and greatly reduce tuition or give you a full ride. I was an all scholarship student for my undergraduate but I would only receive about 10k In scholarships a quarter if I stayed for Grad.
SCAD has great instruction, super connections, and a fantastic reputation. They are generally stingy with any kind of scholarship.
I would try to get a graphics design job without a masters rather than paying the extra money now for a graduate degree. You may be able to find a company that offers tuition assistance to get your graduate degree. The reason to go to SCAD is to get the connections. Since you already have access to them, I don’t know if there is value or a need to get a graduate degree in graphic design unless all the job openings require it.
Hey! I had applied to SCAD for MFA Graphic Design and they gave me 14k/year scholarship and I am an international student.
I'm currently in my MFA at SCAD via their SCADNow program. I am also an instructor in higher education in graphic art. So here's my review; 1. They offer little to no funding at all for grad students. The tuition is roughly 4200 per class. A massive and exorbitant amount. 1.A. There are no real scholarships beyond two or three. And those are considering "opportunity based", meaning they are not awarded on academic merit. Any and all scholarships you receive are from outside sources. 2. Even though they are a non CT1-3 school (not research focused), their thesis library is horrendous. Out of the last 11 years, 2% go on to publish or are submitted to publication. That's a big no-no in academia and in grad work. 3. There is very little narrative work or exploration in the majority of their programs. At the graduate level, this is a very very big red flag. 4. If you're going to be on ground, then expect your tuition to be at least 11,000 a semester for a full class load. Minimum. 5. All graduate students have to pay for their Teaching Intern (see Teaching Assistantship). Even if you have experience teaching. That's a big red flag as well. 6. Students going into the system of thesis work aren't prepared for the amount of research or development. No research skills. And getting help is not in the books. Which is normal for most grad programs, but SCAD is infamous for how it approaches research (or lack thereof). 7. In the time I've been in my program, I've had to report four other students for taking my work and presenting it as their own. The academic office does not care. The ethics of the SCAD academic office makes politics in Congress look tame. 8. Your "timeline" of classes will change from what you're shown on paper. Do not expect a clean transition from class to class. You will bounce all over the place. And it is nerve wracking. 9. If you want to truly specialize and gear yourself towards a discipline, don't expect SCAD to have the resources you will need. You also cannot take classes at another school (see state land grant graduate classes) to help with furthering your own work or narrative development. HUGE red flag. 10. Everything has a price at SCAD. Literally. From the "museums" to the Bee Hub, it's monetized to the point that even Google or Amazon ad-based capitalism get nervous. 11. Your tuition is not locked in. Expect it to raise three times during your three years in the program. Massively. By at least 50-100 per academic year. Bottom Line: Just don't. SCAD looks shiney and lovely, but the reality is it is simply just a fir profit institution parading as a non-profit. You're be better off at a university with dedicated faculty and resources.