MA vs MFA: Which is Best for You?
Publication Date: Nov 5, ’24
Critiques are a vital part of the MFA in Graphic Design residency experience. Students showcase their semester work through exhibitions and artist portfolios, and receive feedback from their peers and instructors.
Master of Arts (MA) degrees are commonly confused with Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees, as they are both advanced degrees that focus on educating students interested in the arts. Though they share this common goal, there are some differences between the degrees that are important to be aware of before deciding which to apply to. This article will demonstrate that:
- MAs and MFAs are graduate degrees intended for students who want to advance their studies through learning from experts in their field.
- Most MA degrees are focused on academic research, while MFA curricula emphasize developing a creative practice through hands-on workshops and personalized mentorships.
- Both MA and MFA programs require standard application materials, but MFA applications usually include a portfolio of creative work.
- MA students can go on to pursue PhDs or jobs in their fields, whereas MFA graduates often choose to pursue creative lines of work, though some graduates pursue related PhDs.
How are MA and MFA Degrees Similar?
Before analyzing the differences between the two degree types, it is important to understand the similarities between them. MA and MFA degrees are both Master’s degrees, meaning that they both typically require a Bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite for attendance, and assume that the student is interested in pursuing advanced study in their field.
The programs are generally similar in length as well, typically taking anywhere from two to three years to complete, depending on your chosen field of study. In both degree programs, the student is considered a graduate student, and will be provided with opportunities to deepen their understanding of their work, as well as learn from professors who are experts in their fields. VCFA graduate Sarah C.B. Guthrie (VA ‘10), writes in the 2020 edition of in residence:
“Every single faculty member pushed me leaps and bounds in my intellect and my ability to think at a high level about what I was doing with my work.”
Residency provides Visual Art students an opportunity to display their artwork in exhibitions and galleries that are occasionally open to the public. Photo of a collage by Lauren Poretsky (VA ’25)
What are the Differences Between MA and MFA Degrees?
Curriculum and Learning Methods
All things considered, the biggest difference between MAs and MFAs is research. MA degrees emphasize academic research as the primary methodology for advanced learning, so students who wish to use their time in graduate school to contribute new research to their fields excel in this type of environment. Students are often highly specialized in their studies, and many go on to pursue Doctoral degrees (PhDs) in order to continue their education, and to be able to teach at the college level, as MA degrees are not considered terminal degrees.
Another reason why a student might choose to pursue an MA is to advance their career. In 2019, a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that jobs typically requiring a Master’s degree are likely to grow at a rate of 16.7% through 2026—more than twice the rate of projected growth for all occupations regardless of degree (7.4%).
While research and career development are both still involved in the MFA curriculum, they are not the primary focus of the program. MFA programs emphasize honing your craft and improving your creative practice, while becoming part of a creative network. Instead of traditional graduate lectures or seminars, students learn through workshops and mentorships from faculty who are often working artists themselves.
In addition, unlike the MA, the MFA is usually a terminal degree. Managing Editor of Writer’s Digest Moriah Richard writes:
“The MFA is a terminal degree, meaning that there’s no way to receive a PhD in fine art; this means that getting the degree shows that you’ve become an expert in the field and can apply to grants and some scholarships. Because of this, the MFA also opens more possibilities for teaching at the higher academic levels—many professorial positions these days require either an MFA or PhD.”
Design exhibitions at residency are a useful tool for collecting feedback, but they are also a way to celebrate each student’s achievements and build a community network of artists. Art by Mary Robbins (VA ’25)
Application and Admission Requirements
Many MA and MFA programs require similar standard application materials, such as academic transcripts, a resume, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and standardized test scores.[d][e] A combination of some or all of these will typically accompany an application to most graduate programs.
The most significant difference between MA and MFA applications is how the applicant demonstrates their level of competency through their work. MA applicants are often required to submit an academic writing sample, an essay that uses in-depth research to analyze, add to, or complicate existing research in the applicant’s chosen field. These essays are written in a formal tone of voice, and if developed fully, can be submitted to academic journals for publication.
In contrast, rather than a formal writing sample, MFA applications include something that represents the applicant’s creative work and demonstrates their skill level. Someone applying to an MFA program in Film might submit a clip or a commercial, whereas someone applying to an MFA program in Writing might submit a portfolio of their published work, or their work in progress. The medium of representation for the applicant’s work will differ depending on the field, but the common goal is to showcase the applicant’s creativity, and identify their goals for improvement.
VCFA has a low student-to-teacher ratio, and students benefit from personalized mentorship from professors who are working artists in their fields. Photo of Music Composition core faculty member Mike Early.
Career Paths and Opportunities
When deciding which type of graduate degree to pursue, it is important to identify and consider your goals. MA and MFA programs help students develop different skill sets, so graduates go on to pursue very different careers. For example, a student with an MA degree in English might become an editor, an English teacher, or a technical writer. The analytical and research skills required to be successful in an MA program can be widely applied to many different career paths, including some that might not seem as obvious, such as public relations or social media management. Jessica Peresta, a blogger, author, and podcaster writes on Indeed:
“Most consider an MA as more of a scholarly degree since it often covers more of the history and academics of a creative subject rather than the craft itself. It may cover more types of art or creative work because the goal may not be to create it, but rather to understand it. Between the two degrees, MAs often have a broader range of employment opportunities, while MFAs may earn higher pay for their specialized skills.”
While graduates of MA programs might have a wider range of options after graduation, MFA programs prepare graduates for highly specialized professions that can be quite rewarding. MFA students build skills like creativity, innovation, and a fully-developed artistic practice, preparing them to be successful in creative settings upon graduation, though keep in mind that having an MFA does not necessarily guarantee any particular career path[g][h].
MFA graduates can use their network of artists to build successful careers in performance art, visual art, creative writing, graphic design, film making, music composition[i][j][k], and more. With an MFA, you can pursue becoming an author, director, screenwriter, gallery curator, graphic designer, or a composer, among many other opportunities. Louise Hawes, a Founding Faculty member of VCFA’s Writing for Children & Young Adults program, affirms:
“Permission is a powerful tool. Giving yourself permission to spend two years learning to tell the stories only you can tell, will change your life and your writing. Your full-time job, your family, your community will still need you, but they will understand that the time you’re taking out each day or week or month, will fill you, bring you new skills and self-confidence, and maybe even a whole new career. Thank your family and friends for understanding this, then join us and write, write, write!”
In addition, because MFAs are generally considered terminal degrees, most MFA graduates are qualified to teach at the college level. It’s important to note that tenured teaching positions at four-year institutions are highly competitive, so while you may not find that type of position right away, you can look for lecturer, adjunct, or visiting professor roles that can be quite fulfilling, and allow you to maintain an artistic practice while you pursue teaching roles.
How Do I Decide?
When making the decision to pursue either an MA or an MFA degree, the best thing to do is consider your personal and professional goals. Are you someone who is interested in contributing to the academic research in your field, or are you looking to join a creative community? Do you plan to earn your PhD someday, or is your goal to become a working artist? Considering both your professional and personal goals will help you come to a decision that supports your interests and aspirations as both a graduate student and as a person.
If you’re interested in learning more about the VCFA MFA experience from students, faculty, and graduates, explore some of our VCFA Stories.
Carly Bria Seidnitzer is a writer and higher education professional. She holds an MA and BA in English from the University of Connecticut, as well as a Certificate in Creative Writing from Fairfield University. She lives with her husband on the southern Connecticut coastline.