MCAD's Laptop Computer Requirement

Yes. All incoming undergraduate, degree-seeking MCAD students are required to own a laptop computer.

The laptops are part of a comprehensive academic program at MCAD called the Core Four Curriculum. One focus of this new curriculum is to prepare students for the changing local and global job market, which is increasingly defined by digital technology and team-based workspaces. Students will need these computers to participate in classrooms, complete assignments, and engage in critiques. Students will also conduct research, enter class discussion groups and communicate with both teachers and administrators through a digital infrastructure. Nearly all of the courses that students will take during their first two years at MCAD will require the use of a laptop in some manner.

Because the laptops are a custom build designed specifically for the MCAD curriculum, students are required to purchase them through MCAD. The cost will simply show up on the student's tuition statement. Students will pick up their laptops during orientation.

MCAD will offer Apple laptops fully loaded with industry-standard software needed to complete course assignments for a student's first two years at MCAD. More than 100 high-powered computers are also available for more advanced, specialized computing in MCAD's computer labs.

Students fully own the computer from the time that they pick it up at orientation.

There is no good reason to buy the computer at a retail outlet. The cost would be significantly higher - perhaps as much as $1,000 more for the computer and software applications. The laptop that MCAD provides is custom built for the curriculum and students' needs and has been tested to work with our network, classrooms, library and other infrastructure.

Yes. Your laptop includes a customized AppleCare Protection Plan, which provides a minimum of two years of service and support directly with Apple.

Yes. MCAD has on-site support and training for students who purchase the MCAD laptop bundle.

The computers that we offer are specifically built for the curriculum and classes. If a student uses a computer not custom designed by MCAD, we cannot fully guarantee that it will work within our technology landscape. In addition, there are a number of required software applications a student will have to buy and install just to complete classroom assignments. We estimate that these software programs alone may cost a student well over $1000 during their first two years at MCAD. Although we will assist students with laptops not purchased through MCAD, we cannot provide maintenance and troubleshooting for these machines. Nonetheless, if you decide not to participate in the laptop program, a waiver form must be signed. Please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@mcad.edu to receive a copy of the laptop waiver form.

At this time, MCAD does not support Windows laptops within the classroom environment.