<p>RainingAgain, I couldn’t possibly tell you what the exact differences are or even why SCAD isn’t NASAD accredited. I do know that there are a number of schools that are not stand alone art schools that are NASAD accredited such as Cincinnati, Carnegie Mellon, UCLA etc, all of which have strong engineering programs too. </p>
<p>NASAD’s mission was to create some standards, besides the normal regional accreditation process that SACS and others like them provide, for schools of art and design. Why SCAD isn’t NASAD accredited is a major mystery, especially since SCAD has been severely criticized on forums for not having it. I just can’t believe that a wealthy school like SCAD can’t get it done fairly quickly. However, I can’t answer for them. Maybe they feel that one accrediting body is enough. Maybe they are applying for NASAD accreditation, but it hasn’t happened yet. Maybe NASAD requires too many liberal arts as part of the curriculum. Who knows? The best thing is for you to ask someone high in the administration and get a straight answer.</p>
<p>One thing that I do like about SCAD is that they are now a “not for profit organization,” which I think was a great step in the right direction. I have also perused their curriculum, and they seem to have some great course offerings especially related to interactive design and sequential art. They even have a sound art program, which is very intriguing. Yes, there are things I like about SCAD.</p>
<p>//NASAD’s mission was to create some standards, besides the normal regional accreditation process that SACS and others like them provide, for schools of art and design.//</p>
<p>In quick review of NASAD guidelines for a few of the majors I am familiar with, I see no issues that I am aware of. BTW, I guarantee you that the SCAD library blows away the library at any stand-alone art college…well, let’s just say it’s a full city block and three stories tall. It was a “back room” when I attended. I’d be surprised if any stand-alone art college had a better library facility.</p>
<p>I attended RIT (undergrad), and that had outstanding resources, but it isn’t a stand alone of course.</p>
<p>In reference to the question about why SCAD isn’t NASAD accredited: I was reading on the studentsreview site where one of the posters explained that in order to have a NASAD certification, a school has to be on the semester grading system and apparently SCAD is on the quarter system. I don’t know if this is true, but it could be. Interesting to read some of the posts on there- both pros and cons.</p>
<p>RaingAgain,
For someone who constantly tells taxguy not to declare something as fact if it is not, I am curious as to your reference to stand alone art school libraries, Have you indeed checked them all and compared them point by point?</p>
<p>//For someone who constantly tells taxguy not to declare something as fact if it is not, I am curious as to your reference to stand alone art school libraries, Have you indeed checked them all and compared them point by point?//</p>
<p>Did you not read my “qualifiers” ?</p>
<p>Examples
“…well, let’s just say…”
“I’d be surprised…”</p>
<p>Reread the post, and you’ll understand. The statement, “I guarantee…etc” was clearly qualified and obviously subjugated by the above two examples.</p>
<p>//In reference to the question about why SCAD isn’t NASAD accredited: I was reading on the studentsreview site where one of the posters explained that in order to have a NASAD certification, a school has to be on the semester grading system and apparently SCAD is on the quarter system.//</p>
<p>Not likely. Having read through the NASAD standards for accreditation, I did not find a reference. Having attended and worked at SCAD as a staff memeber, and having maintained some contact with two profs plus an ex-prof now at MICA, and having attended a school on a quarter system that does have NASAD accreditation (RIT)…I’m no expert, but I see no reason why the college wouldn’t pass easily.</p>
<p>I can see how, in the past it may not have, for example the library facilities were very small in the 1990s, but that would not be an issue presently. Also be aware that the school does not hire adjunct faculty to the best of my knowledge and graduate students do not TA classes. All classes are led by the professors, and I believe even the art history classes are limited to less than 20 students whereas at RIT there were up to 3 or 4 times that many in some.The college publishes a ton of information, discloses just about every nit-picky fact about itself, and as far as I can tell…meets all the criteria.</p>
<p>All I can tell ya is that the former president had an ego the size of Chicago and the environment was a little stressed as a result. He was very aggressive and maybe he ticked some people off. He’s been gone for quite some time now I believe, maybe five or six years.</p>
<p>Guarantee means guarantee just be more careful before you so easily crit other peoples’ opinions as facts. You are entirely too defensive and apparently not open to any constructive crit when it comes to SCADD.
We are just interested people trying to share info, nothing more and nothing less.</p>
<p>At face value, but not when it is further amended. Meaning is also determined by context. Consider the context to appreciate the full meaning.</p>
<p>//just be more careful before you so easily crit other peoples’ opinions as facts.//</p>
<p>So an erroneous opinion, or statement, should not be corrected?</p>
<p>//You are entirely too defensive and apparently not open to any constructive crit when it comes to SCADD. //</p>
<p>No problem if it is factual. I’ve seen far too many assumptive statements that are outright errors.</p>
<p>//We are just interested people trying to share info, nothing more and nothing less.//</p>
<p>Hmm…does not “info” imply facts? Erroneous facts need to be corrected. Wouldn’t you appreciate knowing the correct information as opposed to the incorrect information? If the info is erroneous, it has no value.</p>
<p>I think the best info on schools comes from students or those with personal experience, although facts about each school can be interesting. I understand rainingagain’s frustration. The general sense of scad - in the air - is as all you all describe, iffy - but, still, the experience depends on each student. the serious, driven, conscientious student can succed anywhere. Risd, and some others may get more of those students, but students go to other places for various reasons, and the best artists and designers have come from all over. This is a fact!!! I know many many many people, for instance, who went to yale grad school for art. Aside from being able to say they went there, and being part of a group, they art no better off than equally comprtrny people from other places. It raises an eyebrow for a sec and then it’s each person for himself and show ne what you can do.</p>
<p>Modiam, I agree. I think the “name” or contacts of the school can get people in the door,but it is the portfolio and demonstrated talent that gets the person the job.</p>
<p>When I hire people in my own profession (education), I’m looking for many things other than competence or skills in the main field of interest: creativity, energy, and ambition are among three positive characteristics I look for. And as I watch my own kids’ early post-college careers develop (one in design, the other in sports analysis), what I see is their raw talent and many years of accumulated experience and learning (a lot on their own) being brought together with ambition, creativity, credentials (diplomas), and connections (only partly as a result of where they attended school). But they are the ones who are making things happen; you don’t get a career from college, but rather from your own skills, effort, and luck.</p>
<p>Hyper-defensive? Sure, why not. I have a degree from the college and if someone makes disparaging remarks based upon misinformation or assumption, I’m going to correct them. Kinda like the irritating cousin that’s always right.</p>
<p>I think RainingAgain is just trying to bait us into discussion. I do not think he/she really takes himself to seriously, just likes to see our responses.</p>
<p>//I think RainingAgain is just trying to bait us into discussion. I do not think he/she really takes himself to seriously, just likes to see our responses.//</p>
<p>No. I don’t like to see misinformed responses at all.</p>