M.F.A. in Sound Design

Entry Requirements for Postgraduate Programs

1. Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. A minimum academic requirement of a 60% or above in the previous academic program is expected. 

2. English Language Proficiency: 

   • IELTS (International English Language Testing System): A minimum overall score of 6.5 is required, with no individual band score falling below 6.5.

   • TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet-Based Test): A minimum overall score of 85 with no band less than 20 is expected.

   • PTE (Pearson Test of English): A minimum score of 58 is required with no band less than 53.

3. Portfolio : Applicants are required to submit a portfolio showcasing their previous creative work and experience.

SCAD is committed to supporting international students in achieving their educational and creative aspirations. The university offers a range of scholarships specifically designed to help international students pursue their studies.

1. International Student Scholarships: SCAD offers various merit-based scholarships for international undergraduate and graduate students. These scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, artistic talent, and the potential for creative excellence.

2. Distinguished Scholar Award: This prestigious award is given to exceptional undergraduate students, including international students, who demonstrate outstanding academic and artistic accomplishments. It provides substantial financial support.

3. Graduate Fellowships: SCAD offers graduate fellowships to international students pursuing master's and doctoral degrees. These fellowships cover tuition and other educational expenses and are awarded based on academic achievement and creative potential.

4. International Honors Scholarships: These scholarships recognize and reward the achievements of international undergraduate students. They can significantly offset the cost of tuition.

5. Regional Scholarships: SCAD offers scholarships for students from specific regions or countries. These awards aim to increase cultural diversity and foster a global community at SCAD.

6. Online Student Scholarships: International students who choose to pursue their education through SCAD's online programs can also access a range of scholarships designed to support their virtual learning journey.

7. Need-Based Scholarships: SCAD provides need-based scholarships for international students who may require financial assistance to pursue their creative education.

8. Talent-Based Scholarships: In addition to academic excellence, SCAD recognizes and rewards talent in various artistic fields, such as visual arts, performing arts, and creative writing.

9. SCAD Challenge Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to students who participate and excel in the SCAD Challenge, a competition that showcases creative talent.

10. International Baccalaureate (IB) Scholarships: SCAD offers scholarships to students who have completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

11. Artistic Achievement Scholarships: These awards are designed to recognize exceptional accomplishments in various artistic disciplines and creative fields.

SCAD's commitment to supporting international students through scholarships underscores its dedication to promoting diversity, talent, and artistic excellence. These scholarship opportunities enable international students to access a world-class art and design education and contribute to a vibrant global creative community.

The Savannah College of Art and Design - Atlanta (SCAD Atlanta) offers a cutting-edge Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) program in Sound Design, designed to empower students with the expertise to craft immersive auditory experiences for various media platforms. Graduates of this program are well-prepared for a wide array of exciting career prospects in the dynamic field of sound design.

1. Sound Designer: Graduates can pursue careers as sound designers, working in film, television, and interactive media to create and shape the auditory elements of storytelling.

2. Game Audio Designer: The gaming industry offers opportunities for sound designers to create interactive and dynamic audio experiences for video games, enhancing gameplay and immersion.

3. Music Composer for Film and Media: Some graduates may choose to specialize in composing music for film, television, commercials, and other media, creating scores that enhance the emotional impact of visual content.

4. Foley Artist: Foley artists recreate and record sound effects in a studio to synchronize with on-screen actions, making the sound feel more realistic. Graduates can excel in this specialized role.

5. Dialogue Editor: Dialogue editors focus on cleaning and enhancing recorded dialogue in films and TV shows, ensuring that speech is clear and free of background noise.

6. Sound Mixer: Sound mixers are responsible for balancing and blending various audio elements in post-production to create a cohesive and immersive auditory experience.

7. Audio Post-Production Supervisor: Graduates can take on roles as audio post-production supervisors, overseeing the entire sound design process for a project and managing a team of sound professionals.

8. Live Sound Engineer: Opportunities exist in the live events industry, where sound designers can work as live sound engineers, ensuring optimal audio quality for concerts, theater productions, and events.

9. Sound Editor for Animation: Animation studios require sound editors to enhance the audio experience of animated films and TV shows, adding voiceovers, music, and sound effects.

10. Podcast Producer: The booming podcast industry offers roles for sound designers to produce and edit podcasts, creating engaging and high-quality audio content.

11. ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) Mixer: ADR mixers work on replacing or enhancing dialogue in post-production, ensuring that it matches the lip movements of actors on screen.

12. Field Recordist: Some graduates may opt to become field recordists, capturing authentic and unique sounds from various environments and locations for use in sound design.

13. VR and AR Sound Designer: With the rise of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), sound designers can create spatial audio experiences that immerse users in 360-degree soundscapes.

14. Educator: For those passionate about teaching, opportunities exist to become educators in sound design programs, passing on their knowledge and skills to the next generation of sound designers.

15. Freelance Sound Designer: Entrepreneurial-minded graduates may choose to work as freelance sound designers, taking on a variety of projects and clients, offering their expertise across multiple media.

16. Sound Design Consultant: Sound design consultants can work with businesses and organizations to enhance their audio branding and auditory experiences.