Although it is virtually unknown among a majority of Americans, art and design is a rapidly growing industry that plays a critical role in innovation and startup culture, and significantly impacts our economy. According to The Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD), over 25 million people are currently employed in art or design-related industries, and by 2020 this number is expected to grow beyond 28 million.
Moreover, according to a report entitled Creative Industries: Business & Employment in the Arts, “Nationally (as of 2015), 702,771 businesses are directly involved in the creation or distribution of the arts, and they employ 2.9 million people. This represents 3.9 percent of all U.S. businesses and 1.9 percent of all U.S. employees—demonstrating statistically that the arts are a formidable business presence and broadly distributed across our communities.”
Which Advanced Arts Degree is Right for You?
While a bachelor degree provides the foundational preparation for pursuing many careers in the arts, advanced degrees like the Master of Arts (MA) and the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) provide complete immersion and progressive preparation for high-level careers in several artistic disciplines. Choosing a graduate-level degree proves that you are seriously devoted to making the utmost preparation for your chosen career.
Choosing the correct advanced degree in art for a particular avenue of pursuit is an important step. The most obvious difference between the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree and the Master of Arts (MA) degree is the ratio of liberal arts courses to fine arts courses students are required to take. This will be outlined more below.
The most basic way an MFA degree differs from a Master of Arts (MA) degree in that the MFA degree centers around the practice in a particular field, while an MA centers on the scholarly or critical study of a particular field. An MFA program coursework will focus entirely on culminating a major work or performance. The MFA is considered to be a terminal degree, which means it is the highest degree that can be obtained in the study of fine arts.
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
With a higher focus on art courses (65-85%) and less on liberal arts courses (15-35%), an MFA provides more hands-on experience for aspiring artists. The MFA is typically a 2-3-year program requiring 60 credit hours. The MFA is designed to focus on one particular area of specialty in order to develop advanced performance and creative skills.
A Master of Fine Arts is a good choice for students who want to earn their living in some of the following artistic careers:
- Painters
- Photographers
- Sculptors
- Dancers
- Musicians
- Writers
- Art gallery manager
- Museum of fine arts director
- College-level instructor
Master of Arts (MA)
In some contrast to the MFA, the MA focuses approximately 50% of the course work on liberal arts and 50% on visual arts. An MA can typically be earned in as little as one year or 30 credit hours. For those who want a little more flexibility, a Master of Arts will offer a broader range of classes and prepare you for more diverse career opportunities.
An MA is an academic degree, and the coursework generally focuses on scholastic, academic, and critical study within the field. With this focus on academic theory and analysis, MA graduates are prepared for careers in the following fields:
- Art teacher at the K-12 levels
- Art historian
- Art curator
- Art critic
The Master of Arts (MA) Degree from Academy of Art University
Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California, offers one of the premiere Schools of Art Education in the United States. At Academy of Art University’s School of Art Education, they seek to constantly inspire a new generation of artists and tap into unparalleled creative resources through innovative studio space, workshops, diverse design courses, field training, and more.
The School of Art Education’s philosophy is that every educator should be skilled in, and passionate about, what they teach. Graduate students develop a broad range of visual art skills as well as a deep understanding of pedagogy – the art and science of teaching. Academy MA students acquire inspirational artistry and sound teaching techniques that lead to success in their classrooms.
The Master of Arts in Art Education degree from Academy of Art University helps the student grow both as an artist and as an educator. Students study and explore art education programs in schools, communities, and museum settings by carefully examining ideas and notions through a global perspective lens. Each student also creates a Capstone project that will envision, create, implement, and document their vision of a successful education arts program.
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree from Academy of Art University
The Master of Fine Arts program at Academy of Art University provides students a framework for advanced study in drawing and painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Students are focused on technical and conceptual development in figurative, abstract, or landscape work. The School of Fine Art provides graduate students with studio space, exhibition galleries, and world class facilities.
At the Academy’s fine arts school, students master the classical tradition and are encouraged to let their creative imaginations take flight. Academy of Art University instructors are career artists who help perfect techniques in the student’s chosen area of focus, while imparting the business savvy necessary to build a successful career.
MFA Graduates leave the School of Fine Art with a portfolio that has collectors and galleries clamoring for their work. Students learn how to find apprenticeships, representatives, and gain exposure in the art world through the Academy’s expert instructors, as well as enjoy opportunities to showcase their work at numerous exhibits.
Why Should You Pursue an MA or MFA?
The very notion that a student has pursued an advanced post-graduate degree signals a positive vibe to prospective employers. Whether a creative earned an MA with a view toward teaching, or an MFA with a goal of creating their own artistic contributions or entering academia, these degrees prepare artists for the duties and challenges they will face in the career world.
Deciding which degree is right for you depends on your goals. Both an MA and an MFA can open the doors to teaching in high schools and smaller colleges. The MFA further targets teaching the craft of writing or teaching at the university level – often as a means to pay the bills while working on personal writing endeavors. The MA is mainly about academia and other writers; the MFA is about your writing and your creative growth.
Either degree provides a higher level of preparation for a career in the arts, but the granting institution is also a factor. For those pursuing an advanced degree, Academy of Art University offers a challenging and rigorous post-secondary education that is world-renowned for excellence. If you’re looking to refine and enhance your skillset to increase employability, join their world-class community of artists.
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