PhDier Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 What is the grade MFA (Master of Fine Arts)? Is it Equivalent to PhD? I am a postgraduate in visual arts, but do't know if MFA equals PhD. Can you help me answer the question. I am currently out of the USA, and would like to study in the USA. I already had an MA in visual arts, but most departments of visual arts do not offer PhD, they instead offer MFA. Colleagues; your answer will help me take the right decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyonessrampant Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 No, an MFA is not the same as a Ph.D., but depending on what you do, you may not need a Ph.D. If you do writing, there are Ph.D. in creative writing programs. If you do stuff with visual media, I'm not really sure if there are Ph.D. programs specific to that. Maybe post this in the visual arts forum and see what kind of feedback you get. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbgrad Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 An MFA is art! A PhD cannot be an art program it can be something art academic like art critique or art history but it cannot be about doing art. So it is equivalent in the sense that it is the highest degree in actually doing art. Academically an MFA is not exactly a PhD but not an MA either. So to be clear: MFA=Doing art such as illustration, drawing, theater, interior design, etc.. PhD=Art critique, art history, the impact of renaissance culture on the evolution of art in Europe or something like that. So it would be more like a social science sort of thing. I think many professors in fine arts have MFA's not PhD's but please double check that. If you love art do the MFA, if you love blabbering about do the PhD . cheers! awvish 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainbowworrier Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 In order to teach university, you need a terminal degree. The MFA degree is the terminal degree in Fine Arts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runonsentence Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 The distinction between the MFA and the PhD is the nature of the work you undertake. Namely, the MFA is a studio degree (largely based on creating your own art/writing/etc.) while the PhD has a stronger research component. Some disciplines, such as fine art, consider the MFA a terminal degree and a qualification for teaching. Other disciplines, like creative writing, are more and more turning to candidates with PhDs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewin Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 If you get a PhD you can call yourself "doctor", then explain to people "but not a real doctor". rainbowworrier 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhDier Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 Then, getting the MFA is enough to apply to to be a college faculty. Profuse thanks and appreaciations for all of you friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BachRocksMySocks Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 You absolutely CAN receive a Doctoral degree in music called a DM, which is different than a PhD. I am sure there are some universities that offer degrees or certificates higher than an MFA for fine art. For example, after receiving a master's in music performance, (MM), you can receive an Artist's Diploma or other degrees. Investigate further. I am sure you can get more education beyond an MFA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violetvivian Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 As others have stated, they aren't equivalent. However, some schools in the US are now trying to develop a PhD in the visual arts. It's quite a controversial topic right now (and the general opinion is that it's a bad idea). If you're interested, you can read more about the new visual arts PhD and more traditional visual arts degrees in a book called Art School: Propositions for the 21st Century. It's an interesting read--I would recommend it to both visual artists and historians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prolixity Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 If you get a PhD you can call yourself "doctor", then explain to people "but not a real doctor". You got that backwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewin Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 You got that backwards. Well, I think so too but those outside the academe often do not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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