Pratt Institute has transitioned its Center for Continuing and Professional Studies into the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS). The School, which builds on the Center’s more than 40-year history of exceptional course offerings, is growing to meet the demands of creative professionals by expanding its for-credit certificate programs, non-credit programs, and online courses.
The announcement of the School was timed with the release of its fall 2015 course catalog. Open registration for fall began on July 27 for courses starting on August 24.
SCPS, which operates from Pratt’s Manhattan and Brooklyn campuses, offers a wide range of original courses and programs, including individual non-credit and for-credit courses such as Environmental Graphics, Online and Social Media Marketing, and Introduction to UX/UI Mobile Design for working professionals in design, fine art, and architecture; non-credit certificate programs such as Fashion New Media and Design Entrepreneurship; American Institute of Architects (AIA) Professional Development courses; and an Autodesk Training Center for computer-aided design (CAD) users.
In addition, SCPS gives high school and college students the opportunity to experience Pratt through its for-credit Pre-College Program for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors and for-credit Summer Credit Intensive courses for college students looking to satisfy art and/or elective requirements.
More than 12,000 students have enrolled in Center for Continuing and Professional Studies courses over the last 10 years. SCPS students have access to faculty who are working professionals and experts in their fields, one-third of whom teach in Pratt’s degree-granting programs. Faculty members infuse their industry expertise into the curriculum and help connect students to internships and jobs.
“Pratt Institute has long helped creative professionals gain the advantage that they need to compete in a fast-moving and competitive world,” said Maira Rey Seara, dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, who joined Pratt as dean in April 2015. “We anticipate the future needs of artists, designers, and architects in the workplace, and equip them with the tools that will enable them to achieve professional and personal success,” she added.
Seara, who was formerly Director of Continuing Education Program Development at Pratt, brings 14 years of experience in continuing education and professional development to the role of SCPS dean, a newly-created position that reflects the increasingly prominent role that continuing education and professional studies play in the careers of creative professionals.
A fall information session was held on September 9. SCPS also scheduled a Preview Saturday Class on September 12 to give prospective students the opportunity to sample a SCPS course in a three-hour workshop. Students who have registered and completed a Preview Saturday class are eligible for a 20 percent discount on a 30-hour course in fall 2015 or spring 2016 semesters. More information and the SCPS fall 2015 course catalog can be found here.