What Is an MFA Degree? All You Need to Know

The world of art is constantly moving forward, making the pursuit of higher education a strategic step toward unlocking one's full potential. It fosters artistic excellence and opens doors to a myriad of opportunities in the field. The growing importance of an MFA degree isn't limited to personal and professional development. It's also due to the expansion of art in digital media, web design, fashion, and beyond. 

So, what is an MFA degree? Join us as we unravel the diverse tapestry of the fine arts world, look into specializations, and the various exciting career paths you can explore.  

What Is an MFA Degree?

An MFA is a Master of Fine Arts, a graduate degree pursued by aspiring artists who practice and perform different art disciplines, such as visual arts, performing, creative writing, design, and filmmaking. Earning an MFA degree allows you to finesse your craft, gain practical experience in the field, and expand your knowledge and skills. Pursuing an MFA degree will enable you to enhance your sense of aesthetics, ignite creativity, and encourage cultural engagement. Moreover, it allows you to collaborate with peers and professionals and receive constructive feedback. Lastly, MFAs are considered terminal degrees, meaning they're equivalent to terminal degrees like PhDs in other fields. 

What Is the Difference Between a Master of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts?

While both degrees are immensely helpful in developing your talent and increasing your knowledge and skills, there are substantial differences between the two. The main difference between an MFA and an MA degree is their scope of focus. An MA degree is typically more academically oriented on theoretical and research-based studies and focuses on humanities or social sciences like history, sociology, philosophy, and literature. On the other hand, an MFA degree has a more practical focus and prioritizes creative expression and hands-on experience. 

Another difference is that as an MFA student, you’ll spend more time and resources developing your craft during your studies. In contrast, as an MA student, you’ll spend your time forming your opinions by reading about the ideas and concepts of prominent figures in the field. Moreover, an MA program is broader, whereas an MFA is narrower and provides detailed instruction on a specific discipline. They also differ in program length, as an MFA degree involves completing more credit hours than an MA degree. Because it takes more time and commitment to earn an MFA degree, it's considered a terminal degree, contrary to an MA, which isn't a terminal degree and can serve as a stepping stone toward a doctoral degree. 

What Can You Do With an MFA Degree?

Pursuing an MFA degree opens up different career paths that go beyond pure artistic creation. You can take on many endeavors, such as:

• Publishing: After earning an MFA in creative writing, you can find roles in the publishing industry as an author, writer for magazines, editor of print and digital publications, and more.
• Art Administration: Earning an MFA degree in visual arts allows you to take on roles as a gallery curator, art program coordinator, art director, and more.
• Filmmaker: You can also pursue a career in filmmaking and work as a director, producer, cinematographer, etc. 
• Designer: You can utilize your creative background and work as a designer in digital media, or if you have a fashion design background, you can become a fashion designer, stylist, or curator.
• Academia: You can also pursue a career in academia to become a professor in your respective field and mentor students on their academic journey.  
• Freelance Work: You can also leverage your creative skills as a freelancer in various ways, such as writing, graphic design, illustration, animation, etc.

How Long Does It Take To Get an MFA Degree?

An MFA program can vary in length; while some accelerated programs can last one year, most MFA programs take two to three years, and some can take up to four years to finish. The length it takes to earn an MFA degree depends on the discipline. For example, completing an MFA in creative writing can take three academic years. The length of an MFA degree also depends on the residency type. Low residency MFA programs typically have a shorter duration than high residency programs. 

MFA Program Types

The two types of MFA programs are low residency and high residency programs. Both offer coursework to help you advance your technical skills, develop your style, and meet your artistic goals. 

Low residency

Low residency MFA programs are designed to accommodate students with professional and personal commitments. This way, you can complete a large portion of your coursework remotely with occasional campus visits. During campus visits, you can participate in workshops, personal development sessions, and one-on-one meetings with faculty. 

You can also utilize your time outside campus to work intently on your art from home. Moreover, you won't be tied to a specific location, so you can choose the program that best suits your artistic goals. Another benefit of a low residency MFA program is the ability to tailor your learning experience to your needs and schedule. 

High residency

On the other hand, high residency or full-residency MFA programs will require you to attend courses in person, so you'll be able to have a traditional college experience. It includes an immersive learning experience, fully engaging in your studies, and being surrounded by peers and faculty. Moreover, you can benefit from the structured curriculum with a set schedule of workshops, seminars, and classes. By living on campus or nearby, you'll be able to network and build connections with peers, faculty, established artists, and industry professionals. This way, you can receive and give constructive feedback regularly. 

MFA Specializations

MFA programs often offer diverse specializations, allowing you to develop your craft in an artistic discipline. By providing you with the necessary tools, knowledge, and skills, you'll be able to create meaningful art and contribute to your chosen field. Some of the popular MFA specializations are:

• Visual Arts: The visual arts area encompasses a variety of specializations, such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, pottery, illustration, metalsmithing, ceramics, etc., where you get to explore your creativity and imagination.
• Creative Writing: This area of fine arts consists of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, playwriting, etc., where you can focus on either specialization and get to work with peers and professors to strengthen your craft. 
• Film and Media Arts: Specializing in filmmaking and media arts, such as filmmaking, cinematography, editing, screenwriting, production, etc., allows you to find your preferred medium to challenge conventional norms within the field. 
• Performing Arts: The performing arts area consists of specializations like acting, directing, choreography, theater, dramaturgy, stage management, etc., which allow you to develop your talent and participate in productions. 
• Design: The design area of fine arts will enable you to specialize in graphic design, game design, communication design, industrial design, etc., and master your technique and work with digital tools. 
• Fashion Design: Specializations within the field include fashion design, costume design, or textiles, where you get to find and hone your unique style and craft. 

MFA Degree Cost

The costs associated with pursuing an MFA degree vary based on several factors, such as the program's prestige, as high-prestige MFA programs may have higher tuition fees and other expenses. Another factor is residency type. Usually, low residency programs have lower expenses than high residency programs. The location also factors in the overall cost of an MFA, as states with lower cost of living usually have lower tuition and other fees. However, teaching assistantships, financial aid, scholarships, and grants can help alleviate the cost of graduate studies. 

The Bottom Line

The landscape of the arts is ever-evolving, so pursuing an MFA degree can become a transformative journey and offer you unparalleled opportunities for advanced professional development. It also helps you refine your artistic skills, encourage creative expression, and build connections with a diverse community of faculty, peers, and artists. 

Moreover, MFA caters to various specializations like painting, dancing, photography, design, sculpture, and beyond. It also prepares you for careers in academia, publishing, art administration, and various creative endeavors. 

Art is how we decorate space and time, so an MFA degree allows you to achieve artistic excellence and make a mark in the world. Whether you're a seasoned artist wanting to challenge your skills or simply passionate about arts, explore all possibilities and unlock your artistic potential with an MFA degree today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Is an MFA higher than a master's degree?

An MFA is considered a terminal degree, meaning it's the highest level of education you can achieve in fine arts and performing arts. On the other hand, a master's degree isn't terminal and can serve as preparation for doctoral studies. Therefore, an MFA is usually held in higher regard. 

Can you gain admission to MFA programs without a bachelor’s degree?

Yes, you can gain admission to an MFA program without a bachelor's degree. While there are universities that require a bachelor's degree, there are many schools that don't require a bachelor's degree. In that case, you'll have to focus on building a solid portfolio and show passion for the craft. 

Does obtaining a creative writing MFA qualify you to teach at universities?

An MFA in creative writing offers many job opportunities, such as becoming an editor, author, teacher, scriptwriter, public relations specialist, writing coach, and many more. Another highly esteemed opportunity is teaching in universities as a lecturer, instructor, or assistant professor, which can ultimately lead to the position of a professor.