Savannah College of Art and Design expands its educational model beyond the university campus with a new project-based program designed to prepare high school students for creative and professional success.
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has introduced PRO 340: Project-Based Thinking, a new academic initiative that brings university-level learning experiences into select high school classrooms. Inspired by the university’s renowned SCADpro innovation studio, the program is designed to immerse students in collaborative, real-world projects while developing the professional skills increasingly demanded by universities and employers.
According to SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace, PRO 340 marks the first time the university has adapted the experiential methodology behind SCADpro for high school education, giving students access to the same project-based philosophy that has become a defining characteristic of the institution.
“For the first time ever, SCAD pulls back the curtain to share our secrets of experiential, outcomes-based education at SCADpro with high school students and educators,” Wallace said.
Bringing Professional Practice Into High School Education
Rather than focusing solely on traditional classroom instruction, PRO 340 places students in an environment modeled after professional creative studios. Throughout the course, participants work through structured projects while strengthening skills in research, collaboration, project management, communication, creative problem-solving, and decision-making.
SCAD Senior Vice President for Academic Quality Dr. Gokhan Ozaysin said the program reflects the university’s long-standing mission of preparing students for professional careers by connecting business challenges with design thinking.
The curriculum is organized into 10 instructional levels, each centered around an authentic SCADpro case study. Students also receive guidance from faculty across multiple disciplines, alongside coaching from SCADextra and SCADamp specialists focused on teamwork, presentation, and communication skills.
Switzerland Becomes the First Launch Partner
The inaugural implementation of PRO 340 will take place at Leysin American School (LAS) in Switzerland, making it the first high school in the world to adopt the program.
Serving students from more than 60 countries, LAS selected PRO 340 to strengthen its entrepreneurship and innovation curriculum by combining creative thinking with practical business education. According to the school, student demand for innovation-focused learning has continued to grow, making the partnership a natural fit.
SCAD said additional partnerships with high schools across the United States and internationally are expected as the program expands.
Learning Through Real Projects
One of the distinguishing aspects of PRO 340 is its emphasis on authentic educational experiences.
Students interact with materials drawn directly from the SCAD community, including photographs, videos, animations, work samples, and interactive learning resources. More than 40 original videos introduce learners to SCAD’s campuses, faculty, creative facilities, and student projects, reinforcing the experience of working within a professional studio environment.
Participating educators also complete a specialized credentialing program developed by SCAD’s academic quality, faculty development, and educational technology teams to ensure the curriculum is delivered according to university-level standards.
Academic Credits and Professional Credentials
Students who successfully complete PRO 340 earn multiple credentials recognizing both technical and professional competencies.
The program awards:
- A SCADextra badge in teamwork and collaboration;
- A SCADamp badge in visual presentation;
- A PRO 340 completion badge;
- Five transferable SCAD university credits that can be applied toward undergraduate degree requirements and the university’s Business Collaboration minor.
These credentials are intended to provide students with tangible evidence of academic achievement while offering an early introduction to university-level expectations.
Extending the SCAD Educational Model
The launch of PRO 340 reflects a broader shift in higher education toward experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and earlier career preparation.
By extending the SCADpro methodology into high schools, SCAD is positioning students to engage with professional-style challenges before entering university, exposing them to design thinking, innovation processes, and collaborative problem-solving at an earlier stage in their academic journey.
For SCAD, the initiative represents an expansion of its educational philosophy beyond traditional undergraduate programs, connecting secondary education with the creative practices that increasingly define modern industries.
