Master of Fine Arts

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For alternate uses, see MFA (disambiguation).

A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a graduate degree in an area of applied or performing arts typically requiring two to three years of study beyond the bachelor level. Coursework is primarily of an applied or performing nature (versus research and academic inquiry) with the program often culminating in a major work or performance.

Common fields of study include Theater, Creative Writing, Filmmaking, and Visual Arts. The MFA is generally considered a terminal degree because there are very few doctoral degrees in applied arts, although this is beginning to change as PhDs are beginning to be developed in fields such as Creative Writing. The MFA is commonly required for permanent or full-time positions teaching at the college level.

Programs generally require a bachelor's degree prior to admission, but many do not require that the undergraduate major be the same as the MFA field of study. The most important admissions requirement is often a sample portfolio or a performing audition.

The MFA differs from the MA in that it is more concerned with practical application in the field, while the latter is interested in the academic study of the field.zh:藝術創作碩士