Types of MFAs

Types of MFA Degrees

MFAs are largely similar in two ways: 

• Most of them are full-time programs lasting three years, though you might find part-time options.
• They are terminal degrees that may qualify you to teach the subject you studied. As you review careers below, keep in mind that postsecondary teaching is an option in all cases. In fact, the analytics company Lightcast calculates that these jobs were by far the most common for MFA graduates in the last 12 months, with more than 1,000 academic job postings requesting this education. 

However, MFAs differ in two main ways: learning format and art form studied. Learning format refers to the way that instructors deliver courses, which can be on campus, online, or a hybrid of the two. Most MFAs are either in person or hybrid — the sensory nature of fine art tends to encourage up-close viewing or listening. Depending on your art of choice, you may not have many online MFAs to choose from.

A low-residency MFA is a common type of hybrid master's degree. Low-residency graduate students complete fully online courses but travel to campus for one or two weeks of intensive classes each year. 

We've listed the possible fields of study below. Some graduate programs have relatively broad names, while others have narrower concentrations — for example, an MFA in Creative Writing with a concentration in fiction versus an MFA in Fiction Writing.

MFA in Creative Writing

Writing students learn the function and form of their chosen type of writing. Most classes require them to submit a writing assignment every week for critique by instructors, teaching assistants, or classmates. Over the course of the program, students write many thousands of words and gain experience with giving and receiving constructive criticism. The culminating project is usually a complete manuscript in the student's specialty, such as a novel or screenplay.

Creative writing MFAs are the most common variety. These programs can be fully online because there's no physical performance involved. Low-residency programs are also common. 

Concentrations and Common Courses

Possible jobs for MFA graduates include the following:

Editor

• Median Annual Salary: $73,080
• Job Growth: -4% 

Technical Writer

• Median Annual Salary: $79,960
• Job Growth: 7% 

Writer or Author

• Median Annual Salary: $69,510
• Job Growth: 4% 

MFA in Performing Arts

These graduate degrees encompass all disciplines in drama and dance, both in front of and behind the curtain. Most classes get students moving so they gain lots of performance experience, and other courses highlight the history of their field and the technical aspects of performance art. 

Online programs are rare in the performing arts. This limits the amount of flexibility that dance and drama students have while studying, because they typically need to attend classes in person at set times.

Here are some possible career paths for performing arts program alumni: 

Actor

• Median Hourly Rate: $17.94
• Job Growth: 3%  

Dancer or Choreographer

• Median Hourly Rate: $22.62
• Job Growth: 5% 

Producer or Director

• Median Annual Salary: $85,320
• Job Growth: 7% 

MFA in Visual Arts

You can earn an MFA with a concentration in a range of visual media, such as painting, ceramics, sculpture and studio art, graphic design, and fashion. Each medium calls for different skills and expertise, so there's wide variety in coursework among these types of art.

There are more online and low-residency MFAs in visual arts than in performing arts, but fewer than for creative writing. Internship requirements are also common in fashion and graphic design programs to give these students a chance to apply their skills in the workplace.

Concentrations and Common Courses

Depending on your specialty, you might find work in one of these occupations:

Art Director

• Median Annual Salary: $105,180
• Job Growth: 6% 

Craft or Fine Artist

• Median Annual Salary: $53,140
• Job Growth: 4%

Curator

• Median Annual Salary: $53,420
• Job Growth: 10%

Fashion Designer

• Median Annual Salary: $76,700
• Job Growth: 3% 

Graphic Designer

• Median Annual Salary: $57,990
• Job Growth: 3%

MFA in Music

As with performing arts MFAs, these music degrees may appeal to both performers and behind-the-scenes personnel. MFAs for music performance may be geared toward specific instruments such as voice or piano, or might be open to musicians of any kind. 

Performance MFAs are rarely online or have low residency degrees because they rely on close interaction among live musicians. You might find some online options for music scoring, composition, and sound engineering. 

Below are some of the common specializations, along with example classes:

Concentrations and Common Courses

Here are a few jobs for MFA music graduates:

Music Director or Composer

• Median Annual Salary: $62,940
• Job Growth: 1% 

Musician or Singer

• Median Hourly Salary: $39.14
• Job Growth: 1% 

Sound Engineering Technician

• Median Annual Salary: 60,670
• Job Growth: -1%

MFA in Film

Schools offer MFA programs for every aspect of filmmaking, from visual technology and sound design to production and direction. Some degrees feature interdisciplinary concentrations such as screenwriting and directing together. Most programs culminate in a finished short film that students collaborate on.

Many film MFAs are low-residency programs. They often require an internship at a film, TV, or digital production company.

Read on for common courses in some of the major film studies concentrations:

Concentrations and Common Courses

Film MFA graduates may qualify for the following roles:

Film and Video Editor

• Median Annual Salary: $62,420
• Job Growth: 9% 

Special Effects Artist or Animator

• Median Annual Salary: $98,950
• Job Growth: 8%

Producer or Director

• Median Annual Salary: $85,320
• Job Growth: 7% 

Which Type of MFA Should You Choose?

The choice of a degree program is yours alone, with many factors to consider. But there are three main questions that might help you choose a specific type of MFA degree program. You might ask yourself these questions as a starting point in your MFA research. 

• What subject do I want to study?
  This question should be the easiest, because you know what your passion is. However, you might need to make some tough decisions based on practical career prospects. 
  For example, you might consider whether to focus on cello performance or sound engineering and production. There are more musicians in the country, but the field is growing at a slower rate than sound engineering. In addition, it tends to be less stable and predictable work, which is why the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists musicians' hourly wages rather than an annual salary.
• Do I want to learn online or in person?
  You can eliminate many programs that aren't offered in your preferred learning mode. Keep in mind that you're unlikely to find online programs in the performing arts and in many aspects of music.
  Another important consideration is funding, which is potentially linked to the question of online versus on campus. MFA students may qualify for partial or full funding if they take on a teaching assistantship in their academic department, but this arrangement is rare for online learners. If you receive a funding offer in exchange for TA work, you may need to decide whether it's worth accruing more student loan debt to study online.
• Do I want a full-time or part-time program?
  Part-time MFAs are relatively uncommon, so your answer to this question could considerably narrow your choices.