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A Master of Fine Arts (MFA or M.F.A.) is a terminal degree in fine arts, including visual arts, creative writing, graphic design, photography, filmmaking, dance, theatre, other performing arts and in some cases, theatre management or arts administration. It is a graduate degree that typically requires two to three years of postgraduate study after a bachelor's degree, though the term of study varies by country or university. Coursework is primarily of an applied or performing nature, with the program often culminating in a thesis exhibition or performance. The first university to admit students to the degree of Master of Fine Arts was the University of Iowa in 1940.

Requirements

A candidate for an MFA typically holds a bachelor's degree prior to admission, but many institutions do not require that the candidate's undergraduate major conform with their proposed path of study in the MFA program. Admissions requirements often consist of a sample portfolio of artworks or a performance audition.

Comparison with related degrees

The Master of Fine Arts differs from the Master of Arts in that the MFA, while still an academic program, centers on professional artistic practice in the particular field, whereas programs leading to the MA usually center on the scholarly, academic, or critical study of the field. Additionally, in the United States, an MFA is typically recognized as a terminal degree for practitioners of visual art, design, dance, photography, theatre, film/video, new media, and creative writing—meaning that it is considered the highest degree in its field, qualifying an individual to become a professor at the university level in these disciplines.

See also

• Bachelor of Fine Arts
• Doctor of Fine Arts
• National Association of Schools of Art and Design

References

1. "College Art Association Standards and Guidelines Document: MFA Standards – Adopted by the CAA Board of Directors on April 16, 1977; revised on October 12, 1991, and October 26, 2008". College Art Association. Archived from the original on 4 March 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
2. "Association of Writers & Writing Programs Standards and Guidelines Document: AWP Hallmarks of a Successful MFA Program in Creative Writing". Association of Writers & Writing Programs. Archived from the original on 23 March 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
3. "The Master of Fine Arts Degree and Faculty Policies" (PDF). Co-published by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
4. Bukalski, Peter J.; Barbier, Annette (2000). "The University Film and Video Association Guidelines for MFA Programs". Journal of Film and Video. 52 (1). University Film and Video Association (UFVA): 33–47. JSTOR 20688233.
5. "Brooklyn College". Brooklyn.cuny.edu. Archived from the original on 29 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
6. "Design and Production | Programs". Uncsa.edu. 12 April 2012. Archived from the original on 20 May 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
7. "Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts – 2014–15 CSULB Catalog". Csulb.edu. Archived from the original on 2 January 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
8. "Master of Fine Arts in Arts Leadership – Graduate Degrees – College of Arts and Sciences – Seattle University". Seattleu.edu. Archived from the original on 21 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
9. "University Libraries | the University of Iowa".
10. "College Art Association Standards and Guidelines Document: MFA Standards – Adopted by the CAA Board of Directors on April 16, 1977; revised on October 12, 1991, and October 26, 2008". College Art Association. Archived from the original on 4 March 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
11. "Association of Writers & Writing Programs Standards and Guidelines Document: AWP Hallmarks of a Successful MFA Program in Creative Writing". Association of Writers & Writing Programs. Archived from the original on 23 March 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
12. "The Master of Fine Arts Degree and Faculty Policies" (PDF). Co-published by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
13. Bukalski, Peter J.; Barbier, Annette (2000). "The University Film and Video Association Guidelines for MFA Programs". Journal of Film and Video. 52 (1). University Film and Video Association (UFVA): 33–47. JSTOR 20688233.

Further reading

• Improving Institutional Circumstances for Graduate Students in Languages and Literatures: Recommendations for Best Practices and Evaluative Questions (MLA Committee on the Status of Graduate Students in the Profession)

• Master's degrees
• Performing arts education