What Is a Bachelor of Fine Arts?

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in the United States is the primary degree for students hoping to launch a career in fine and applied arts. It differs from the Master of Fine Arts (MFA), which is considered a terminal degree for students who wish to launch a career as a practitioner in visually oriented or other arts fields. It also differs from liberal arts degrees in that a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is much more focused on the study of art, although liberal arts courses are included in a Bachelor of Fine Arts curriculum.

Students who pursue a BFA usually follow a curriculum that includes between 35 and 40 percent coursework in the liberal arts, primarily English, social science and art history. The remaining coursework is devoted to concentrated study in art and design. Different schools have curricula ranging from traditional and structured to experimental and informal. Since World War II the BFA has become the standard degree for students interested in pursuing a career in art and design.

With liberal arts degrees, students pursue a general course of study with a concentration of courses in one or perhaps two subjects, called a major (or in the case of two subjects, a double major). Often a secondary subject with a smaller concentration of courses, called a minor, is also included in a liberal arts program. With the BFA, liberal arts also form a significant portion of a student's education. However, the percentage of liberal arts courses is much lower than in a traditional college or university. The bulk of courses in a BFA program are offered in a concentrated course of study across a range of fine arts courses, rather than focusing on one or two areas.

The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) was founded in 1944 as an organization of schools, colleges and universities offering programs and degrees in the fine and applied arts. It establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials. There are approximately 290 accredited institutional members. Individual students, instructors and others affiliated with schools of fine arts and design may also apply. The Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) is a consortium of 36 leading art schools in the U.S founded in 1991. AICAD is open to colleges in the U.S. that are free-standing (not part of a larger college or university) private, nonprofit, specialized institutions of art and design that offer either the BFA, MFA or both degrees. Members must also be accredited by NASAD (the National Association of Schools of Art & Design) and the appropriate regional accrediting agency. There are also international affiliates in Canada and other countries, which must also meet the equivalent criteria in their home countries.

Typically, most artists are self-employed. The remainder work in advertising, newspaper, book and software publishing, specialized system design, software and computer design and related agencies. Opportunities in many arts fields are growing, especially in graphic and computer-related fields. However, competition in the arts field is stiff, and the majority of working artists have supplemental jobs to support themselves.

Although many students who earn a BFA go on to pursue a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree, it's not necessary to do so in order to launch an arts-related career. Students may also move on to graduate study in an area outside the fine arts if they choose. Although many BFA programs are expensive, especially at independent institutions, financial aid is generally available from federal sources and directly from the institution.