B.A. or B.F.A.

[thalioness]

I apologize if this topic has been previously discussed. I tried to use the search bar for similar posts but could not find any. (It wouldn't allow me to search "B.A." - not very useful.)

I am a 4th year undergraduate pursuing a B.F.A. in Painting and I am curious about the worth of this degree versus a B.A. in Painting. More specifically, I do intend to apply to graduate school and I would like to know the considerations that grad programs give to these degrees (if any at all), or what readers personally feel is more valuable to an artist in the making.

I don't mean to say a B.F.A would not be valuable, but I am looking at it from this angle: With a B.F.A., I am due to spend another 2 1/2 years in school and I work to pay for college in cash. (Very opposed to student loans if I can get buy without them). A B.A. would be about a year a shorter, and $8,000 cheaper.

Since I will be graduating in 5 1/2 years regardless, I will have taken all the studio courses a B.F.A. would need to take, including a secondary and everything in between, except that I would not have completed a Thesis or a Directed Studies. I'd have to build a comprohensive portfolio whether I'm in school or not, so I don't quite know if it's worth shelling out thousands of dollars to have it displayed in a student gallery for 3 days.

So as a current undergraduate who seeks to eventually apply for graduate school, what difference does a B.A. or B.F.A. make for my future?

[imbeingdead]

Pretty much no difference. People with B.A.s get into top tier MFA programs all the time. It really all depends on your work.

Edited July 10, 2012 by imbeingdead

[losemygrip]

I find that odd that the BA takes less time. In schools that I attended and worked, they required the same number of credits. Just different kinds of credits. (The BFA requiring MUCH more are and fewer electives). You must be going to an art school?

It's true, however, that for grad school the portfolio is what counts. It might be great now, or it might be that the extra year would give you that much more time to develop your work and prepare a great portfolio.