What is a Fine Arts Degree?

Associate of Fine Arts: Requirements, Description, and Careers

An Associate of Fine Arts degree is a 2-year program that is generally designed for transfer to a 4-year bachelor's program or for students who seek to begin entry-level or freelance work. Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent, and some schools require a portfolio of the applicant's work.

Students take many types of art courses to get a foundational education, as well as general or liberal arts courses to round out their study. Students can take elective courses to focus on a particular concentration. Some courses include studio art, drawing, math, and photography.

Some schools offer Associate of Fine Arts degrees that are more specific to a certain topic. For example, film schools have AFA degrees that are specific to filmmaking, such as screenwriting, acting, or producing. Students in these programs take courses directly related to their focus instead of adding general courses. Associate's degrees in film and other subjects can be obtained online as well.

Those with an Associate of Fine Arts degree can pursue entry-level or freelance jobs such as:

• Graphic designer
• Painter
• Illustrator

Bachelor of Fine Arts: Requirements, Description, and Careers

Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees are 4-year programs designed for students to hone their craft and enter the professional world. Admissions requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent, transcripts, letters of recommendation, test scores, a personal essay, and a portfolio. The essay and portfolio usually depend on what specific concentration a student is entering. Some fine arts degree concentrations include:

• Creative writing
• Theatre
• Fashion
• Art
• Photography
• Sculpture
• Printmaking
• Art education
• Acting

In a bachelor's program, students take general education courses along with courses that apply to their chosen focus. Many fine arts programs, such as painting or sculpture, require students to take foundational art courses in their freshman year in subjects that don't directly relate to their concentration.

Fine arts programs in other subjects, such as theatre performance, require fundamental courses related to their subject in order to provide students with a strong foundation in their chosen area of study. The further a student is in their program, the more advanced and concentrated the courses become. Some courses are split into 2 or 3 parts, with each part more advanced than the previous one.

Additionally, many universities offer online degrees in theatre, art, writing, and other fine arts concentrations if one chooses to pursue distance learning.

Those with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree can pursue entry-level work in careers such as:

• Art director
• Web designer
• Creative director
• Graphic artist/designer
• Fashion designer (assistant, associate, senior)
• Interior designer (junior, senior)
• Interior design project manager

Master of Fine Arts: Requirements, Description, and Careers

Master of Fine Arts degrees are 2-year programs that are designed for students and working professionals to hone their craft at the most advanced level and prepare them for executive or managerial positions. Applicants need a bachelor's degree, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and usually a personal essay and portfolio of work pertaining to their concentration.

While there are no general or foundational education courses, many programs still require students to complete certain courses that may not be directly related to their concentration. For example, an MFA in Sculpture program may require courses in art history and artistic critique. There are online master's degrees in cinematography, creative writing, and other fine arts subjects if distance learning sounds like a good fit.

Those with a master of fine arts degree can pursue careers such as:

• Senior editor
• High school theatre teacher
• Executive director of a photography studio/company
• Senior graphic designer