Editing Master of Fine Arts (section)

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Short description|Graduate-level university degree}}
{{Globalize|article|USA|date=August 2010}}

A '''Master of Fine Arts''' ('''MFA''' or '''M.F.A.''')<ref>{{cite web| title = College Art Association Standards and Guidelines Document: MFA Standards – Adopted by the CAA Board of Directors on April 16, 1977; revised on October 12, 1991, and October 26, 2008.| url = http://www.collegeart.org/guidelines/mfa| publisher = [[College Art Association]]| access-date = 16 March 2013| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130304074946/http://www.collegeart.org/guidelines/mfa| archive-date = 4 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Association of Writers & Writing Programs Standards and Guidelines Document: AWP Hallmarks of a Successful MFA Program in Creative Writing | url = https://www.awpwriter.org/library/directors_handbook_hallmarks_of_a_successful_mfa_program_in_creative_writing | publisher = [[Association of Writers & Writing Programs]] | access-date = 16 March 2013 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130323092028/https://www.awpwriter.org/library/directors_handbook_hallmarks_of_a_successful_mfa_program_in_creative_writing | archive-date = 23 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = The Master of Fine Arts Degree and Faculty Policies | url = http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/site/docs/NASAD%20MFA%20Policies/The_MFA_and_Faculty_Policies.pdf | publisher = Co-published by the [[National Association of Schools of Art and Design]] (NASAD), the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) | access-date = 16 March 2013 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131214050716/http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/site/docs/NASAD%20MFA%20Policies/The_MFA_and_Faculty_Policies.pdf | archive-date = 14 December 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | title = The University Film and Video Association Guidelines for MFA Programs | journal = Journal of Film and Video | volume = 52 | issue = 1 | pages = 33–47 | publisher = [[University Film and Video Association]] (UFVA) | jstor = 20688233 | last1 = Bukalski | first1 = Peter J. | last2 = Barbier | first2 = Annette | year = 2000 }}</ref>
is a [[terminal degree]] in [[fine art]]s, including [[visual arts]], [[creative writing]], [[graphic design]], [[photography]], [[filmmaking]], [[dance]], [[theatre]], other [[performing arts]] and in some cases, theatre management<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/courses/acad/program_info.jsp?major=389&div=G&dept_code=95&dept_id=103#389 |title=Brooklyn College |publisher=Brooklyn.cuny.edu |access-date=24 April 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429194022/http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/courses/acad/program_info.jsp?major=389&div=G&dept_code=95&dept_id=103#389 |archive-date=29 April 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uncsa.edu/designandproduction/progGradPerfArtsMan.htm |title=Design and Production &#124; Programs |publisher=Uncsa.edu |date=12 April 2012 |access-date=24 April 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520012020/http://www.uncsa.edu/designandproduction/progGradPerfArtsMan.htm |archive-date=20 May 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/catalog/current/cota/theatre/mfa_information.html |title=Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts – 2014–15 CSULB Catalog |publisher=Csulb.edu |access-date=24 April 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102062413/http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/catalog/current/cota/theatre/mfa_information.html |archive-date=2 January 2015 }}</ref> or [[arts administration]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seattleu.edu/artsci/mfa/ |title=Master of Fine Arts in Arts Leadership – Graduate Degrees – College of Arts and Sciences – Seattle University |publisher=Seattleu.edu |access-date=24 April 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421163225/https://www.seattleu.edu/artsci/mfa/ |archive-date=21 April 2015 }}</ref>
It is a [[graduate degree]] that typically requires two to three years of [[postgraduate]] study after a [[bachelor's degree]], though the term of study varies by country or university. Coursework is primarily of an applied or performing nature, with the program often culminating in a thesis exhibition or [[performance]]. The first university to admit students to the degree of Master of Fine Arts was the [[University of Iowa]] in 1940.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/archives/faq/faqfirsts/|title = University Libraries &#124; the University of Iowa}}</ref>