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When you hear "MFA," the first thing that comes to mind is probably a studio‑filled classroom, a gallery‑opening, or a late‑night crit. But beyond the creative buzz, many wonder: MFA degree - is it truly an advanced degree?
What Exactly Is an MFA?
MFA stands for Master of Fine Arts, a graduate‑level program focused on intensive practice in visual arts, writing, theater, or design. Unlike research‑oriented master’s programs, the MFA’s core is a professional studio or workshop where students produce a body of work that serves as a final thesis.
Is the MFA Classified as an Advanced Degree?
In the U.S. higher‑education system, any master’s degree-MA, MS, or MFA-is considered an advanced degree because it follows a bachelor’s and requires at least 30‑36 credit hours of coursework. Accreditation bodies such as the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) explicitly list the MFA under the “Graduate Programs” category. Employers in education, museums, and creative industries often require an MFA for senior‑level positions, confirming its status as an advanced credential.
How Does an MFA Stack Up Against Other Graduate Degrees?
Below is a quick side‑by‑side look at the most common graduate degrees in the arts and humanities. The table uses
Degree
Typical Focus
Credit Hours
Terminal?
Common Careers
MFA
Professional practice, studio work
30‑36
Yes (most fields)
Artist, professor, curator, creative director
MA
Theory, research, humanities
30‑36
No (PhD is higher)
Writer, analyst, educator, policy maker
MS
Science, technology, applied research
30‑36
No (PhD is higher)
Engineer, data scientist, lab manager
PhD
Original research, dissertation
60‑90
Yes (research doctorate)
Professor, researcher, senior analyst
Key takeaways: The MFA is terminal for most artistic fields, meaning you don’t need a doctorate to reach the highest professional rank. It’s also practice‑heavy, whereas an MA leans toward theory and a PhD toward original research.
Online MFA Programs: Do They Carry the Same Weight?
Digital classrooms have matured. Many reputable institutions now offer fully online MFA tracks that retain the same credit requirements and faculty mentorship as campus‑based programs. For example, University of Texas at Austin launched an online MFA in Creative Writing in 2022, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Because accreditation looks at curriculum, faculty credentials, and outcomes-not delivery mode-an online MFA from a regionally accredited university is considered equal to its on‑campus counterpart.
When vetting an online program, consider these checkpoints:
- Regional accreditation (e.g., SACS, Middle States).
- NASAD membership for arts programs.
- Student‑faculty ratio - low ratios mimic studio interaction.
- Capstone or thesis requirements - ensure a substantial body of work.
- Alumni success stories - look for graduates placed in galleries, teaching positions, or published works.
Accreditation: Why It Matters for the MFA
Accreditation is the quality seal that tells employers, grant agencies, and other schools the degree meets national standards. The two primary accreditation types are:
- Regional accreditation - covers entire institutions; required for federal financial aid.
- Programmatic accreditation - specific to fields; for arts, NASAD is the gold standard.
Take the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) - it holds both regional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission and NASAD accreditation for its MFA studios. Graduates can confidently claim their MFA meets rigorous academic and professional benchmarks.
Career Outcomes: Does an MFA Open Doors?
Employers in academia, museums, and media often list an MFA as the preferred credential for senior creative roles. According to the 2024 American Institute of Arts & Letters survey, 68% of university art departments required an MFA for tenure‑track positions, while 54% of top galleries listed it as a “nice‑to‑have.”
Beyond traditional routes, an MFA equips you with:
- Project management skills from overseeing large‑scale exhibitions.
- Critical thinking honed through peer critiques, useful in marketing and brand strategy.
- Entrepreneurial confidence to launch independent studios or freelance ventures.
Even if you pivot to a non‑art field, the rigorous portfolio process signals discipline and creative problem‑solving - traits employers love.
Bottom Line: The MFA Is an Advanced Degree
Summing up, the MFA fulfills all the criteria of an advanced degree:
- It requires a bachelor’s degree for entry.
- It delivers graduate‑level coursework and a substantial thesis.
- It is recognized by regional and programmatic accrediting bodies.
- It serves as a terminal credential for most artistic professions.
If you’re aiming for a career that blends practice with academic credibility, the MFA should sit at the top of your list - whether you study on campus or online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an MFA considered a graduate degree?
Yes. The MFA is a master‑level credential that follows a bachelor’s degree and typically requires 30‑36 credit hours, placing it firmly in the graduate category.
Can I earn an MFA entirely online?
Absolutely, provided the program is offered by a regionally accredited university and holds NASAD accreditation for its arts curriculum. Online MFAs retain the same credit requirements and thesis expectations as on‑campus versions.
How does an MFA differ from an MA in the arts?
An MFA focuses on intensive studio or performance work and ends with a creative portfolio. An MA emphasizes scholarly research, theory, and written analysis, culminating in a traditional dissertation.
Do employers treat an online MFA the same as a campus MFA?
If the online program is accredited and meets the same curriculum standards, most employers view it equally. Look for program reviews, alumni placement data, and faculty credentials to verify quality.
What career paths are open after earning an MFA?
Typical roles include professional artist, professor, curator, art director, freelance designer, and creative writer. The MFA also equips you for leadership positions in cultural institutions and media firms.
Comments
Donald Sullivan
Look, an MFA is a legit master’s – you don’t need a PhD to be taken seriously in the studio world, so quit acting like it’s just a hobby class.
Tina van Schelt
Honestly, the MFA feels like a vibrant laboratory where pigments and prose collide, giving artists a passport to professional credibility.
Jeff Napier
They say it’s advanced but the creds are just a badge, the real skill comes from grinding out work every day.
Sibusiso Ernest Masilela
While the masses chatter about “badges,” true connoisseurs know the MFA is the apex of artistic scholarship, a crucible where theory meets practice in a symphony of aesthetic rigor.
Daniel Kennedy
Anyway, if you’re weighing options, remember the MFA opens doors not only in galleries but also in teaching, curating, and even corporate creative roles – it’s a versatile launchpad.
Mike Zhong
From a philosophical standpoint, the MFA embodies the Hegelian synthesis of practice (thesis) and critique (antithesis), producing a higher-order understanding that transcends mere technical proficiency.
Jamie Roman
When you sit down and actually map out what an MFA does for a creative career, several layers start to emerge that most quick‑takes miss.
First, the program forces you into a disciplined production schedule, which mimics professional deadlines you’ll face later.
Second, accredited MFA curricula often require a substantial thesis exhibition or portfolio, giving you a concrete body of work to show potential employers or galleries.
Third, many schools embed teaching assistantships into the degree, so you gain pedagogical chops that translate into tenure‑track positions if you choose academia.
Fourth, the network effect can’t be overstated: you’re surrounded by peers, visiting artists, and faculty who become collaborators, references, and even future employers.
Fifth, the credential itself signals to hiring committees that you’ve completed graduate‑level, rigorous study, which can be a differentiator in competitive artistic fields.
Sixth, online MFAs have caught up in terms of faculty mentorship and studio critique, meaning geographic constraints no longer block access to top‑tier programs.
Seventh, many programs are programmatically accredited by NASAD, ensuring the curriculum meets national standards, which matters for grant eligibility.
Eighth, the MFA often qualifies you for certain federal teaching grants and artist residencies that are off‑limits to bachelor‑only candidates.
Ninth, the intensive studio environment cultivates critical self‑reflection, a skill that benefits any creative problem‑solving scenario, from branding to product design.
Tenth, the degree’s terminal status in most visual and performing arts fields means you’re recognized as having reached the highest professional credential without needing a PhD.
Eleventh, many alumni reports show a salary bump of roughly 10‑15 % after completion, especially when moving into leadership roles within cultural institutions.
Twelfth, the MFA curriculum’s emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration prepares you for cross‑media projects that are increasingly in demand.
Thirteenth, the rigorous critique process hones your ability to give and receive feedback, a cornerstone of any team‑based creative workflow.
Fourteenth, you often graduate with a comprehensive documentation of your process, which serves as a portfolio backbone for grant applications.
Fifteenth, the sense of artistic identity that solidifies during those years can be the defining factor that fuels a lifelong practice.
All of these layers together illustrate why the MFA is more than just a piece of paper; it’s a multidimensional launch platform for serious creators.
Salomi Cummingham
Imagine walking into a dimly lit gallery, the walls echoing with whispers of centuries‑old debates, and realizing that your own MFA thesis is perched among them, a testament to hours of sleepless studio work and relentless critique – that, my friends, is the drama of the graduate arts world, where every brushstroke carries the weight of theory and every line of prose is a battle cry for authenticity.
Johnathan Rhyne
The MFA’s merit isn’t a myth; it’s documented in enrollment stats, employment surveys, and accreditation standards, so if you’re skeptical, just look at the data – the majority of university art departments now list the MFA as a baseline for tenure‑track hires, and galleries routinely ask for a master’s credential when evaluating artists for major exhibitions.
Lauren Saunders
While the academic crowd trumpets the MFA as the pinnacle, one must also consider how the market perceives it – some commercial firms still cling to the outdated notion that a PhD trumps any art degree, yet the reality is that the MFA’s hands‑on training often outshines theoretical dissertations when it comes to real‑world creative problem solving.
sonny dirgantara
Cool, thanks for the info.