SCAD MFA in Photography: Interdisciplinary, Career-Focused Program
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) provides a Master of Fine Arts in Photography, requiring 90 credit hours, across its campuses in Savannah, Atlanta, Lacoste, and online via SCADnow. The curriculum consists of mandatory photography classes alongside electives from more than 40 fields. Facilities are equipped with darkrooms, alternative-process labs, high-resolution scanners, and inkjet printers. Students have the opportunity to concentrate their studies and conclude with a self-directed MFA thesis exhibition. Career advancement is a key focus, supported by SCAD’s Office for Career and Alumni Success, along with internships at organizations such as Magnum Photos and Aperture. The faculty includes Dale Clifford and Michael James O’Brien. Currently, there are 82 students enrolled, with tuition for 2025-2026 projected at $43,155. Graduates pursue diverse photography careers worldwide.
Key facts
- SCAD offers an MFA in Photography across four campuses: Savannah, Atlanta, Lacoste, and SCADnow online.
- The 90-credit-hour program includes required photography courses and electives from over 40 disciplines.
- Facilities include darkrooms for up to 8×10 film, alternative-process labs, C41 processing, and medium-format digital cameras.
- The program does not specialize; students can shift focus and complete a self-directed MFA thesis exhibition.
- Career development includes internships with Aperture, Magnum Photos, The New York Times, and TIME.
- Faculty include Dale Clifford, Michael James O’Brien, Josh Jalbert, Jeff Rich, Ryan Debolski, and Vivien Allender.
- Guest artists have included Zanele Muholi, Duane Michals, Albert Watson, Tyler Mitchell, Laurie Anderson, and Carrie Mae Weems.
- Tuition for 2025-2026 is $43,155 per year; educators may receive half-tuition scholarships.
Entities
Artists
- Zanele Muholi
- Duane Michals
- Albert Watson
- Awol Erizku
- Tyler Mitchell
- Laurie Anderson
- Farah Al Qasimi
- Mona Bozorgi
- Rashod Taylor
- Campbell Addy
- Robert Fairer
- Carrie Mae Weems
- Pat Dierker
- Matthew Rowean
- Laurie Victor Kay
- LeAndra LeSeur
- Cheriss May
- Ellen von Unwerth
- Matthew Barney
- Gilbert & George
- Mark Seliger
- Mary Ellen Mark
- An-My Lê
- Michael James O'Brien
- Josh Jalbert
- Jeff Rich
- Ryan Debolski
- Vivien Allender
- Dale Clifford
- Jonathan Sage
- Michael Acheampong
Institutions
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- SCAD Museum of Art
- SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film
- SCADpro
- SCAD deFINE ART
- Photo London
- Arte Laguna
- Lenscratch
- Aperture
- Magnum Photos
- The New York Times
- TIME
- National Portrait Gallery London
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- Harvard Art Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Photography Chicago
- The Sierra Club
- Cranbrook Academy of Art
- Clemson University
- Miami University
- College Board
- University of Oregon
- Southern Oregon University
- College of Wooster
- Maine Media College
- Lesley University College of Art and Design
- European Graduate School
- Andrews Gallery
- Eleanor D. Wilson Museum
- Sarah Spurgeon Gallery
- Schneider Museum of Art
- Center for Fine Art Photography
- V&A London
- Matte Projects
- Photolucida
- Thames & Hudson
- Architectural Digest
- Condé Nast Traveler
- Elle Décor
- National Geographic
- Vogue
- The New Yorker
- Rolling Stone
- GQ
- Verbal Abuse
- British Journal of Photography
- American Suburb X
- The Brooklyn Rail
- M Le magazine du Monde
- see-zeen
Locations
- Savannah
- Atlanta
- Lacoste
- France
- London
- Venice
- Italy
- Iceland
- Stockholm
- Sweden
- Ireland
- New York
- United States