BA vs BFA (a primer and a test to help you decide)

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>Ladies and gents, and students, too:</p>

<p>Here is something from the CC archives that some of you may find helpful. It has to do with whether to pursue a BA or a BFA and was written, I believe, a former poster named Shauna and by doctorjohn of Otterbein. (If I am wrong about that, someone will surely let me know …) Whoever wrote it, it may be of use to some of you. </p>

<p>NMR</p>

<hr>

<p>While there are many types of ways to get an education in musical theater in college, the two most common degrees received in musical theater are the BA and the BFA. I’ve composed a small summary of what has been written on the board about the differences and similarities between the two. </p>

<p>BA </p>

<p>BA stands for Bachelor of Arts. A student who studies toward receiving a BA in musical theater will usually take a selection of general education courses required by the university and then fine arts electives, just like a student who aims to receive a BA in language or business. This is a good choice for students who enjoy studying a broad range of topics as well as performing, although they may not be able to take quite as many fine arts courses as someone studying for a BFA. </p>

<p>BFA </p>

<p>BFA stands for Bachelor of Fine Arts. In general, this degree is given by schools that favor a conservatory approach to training (though there are a few exceptions). This means that the majority of a student’s courses are taken in musical theater-related areas and that the student has far fewer general education courses in subjects such as language, math, or science than a regular college student would. Depending on the school, fine arts-related courses may make anywhere from about 60% to 95% of the student’s total coursework. This degree would not be a good choice for students that are not absolutely certain that they will want to pursue performing in musical theater as a career. </p>

<p>In addition, doctorjohn (click to be taken to his contact info) has created a test to help students figure out which might be the best program for them. His take on the situation is as follows: </p>

<p>Bright, academically-inclined students are often torn between the BFA and the BA degree. The BFA offers pre-professional training and (perhaps) a quicker route into the profession, but at the cost of a broad liberal arts education and the chance to study other disciplines. The BA offers the latter, but likely will not provide time for daily work on the voice and the body. So how to decide on the best path? </p>

<p>First, some clarification. A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree is typically around 60-70% (and sometimes as much as 95%, as Shauna has pointed out above) of the total curriculum, with the remaining work in general studies and electives. By comparison, a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) is typically around 30% of the curriculum, with the remaining work divided between general education and electives, including other majors. As for the classes themselves, most BA courses, as is typical of college classes, will meet two or three times each week for an hour or two. Many BFA classes will meet daily for an hour or two or more. The educational assumption of BA classes is that students will be doing most of their learning outside of class, reading and studying. The assumption of most BFA classes is that students will be doing most of their learning inside class, performing and receiving immediate feedback on their work, and watching others do the same. </p>

<p>It should be obvious that the BA degree offers a much greater degree of flexibility in the program. It also has a lot more “free” time. </p>

<p>So which is right for you? Try answering the following questions by circling the appropriate number from 1 to 7, where 1 = strongly disagree and 7 = strongly agree. </p>

<li>I absolutely cannot imagine being anything other than a professional actor. </li>
</ol>

<p>strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 strongly agree </p>

<li>I want to learn about as many different subjects as I can in college. </li>
</ol>

<p>strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 strongly agree </p>

<li>I am a singer and a dancer, and I want to spend my life performing. </li>
</ol>

<p>strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 strongly agree </p>

<li>I really enjoy spending time in classes in literature, history, social science, etc., listening to lectures and engaging in discussions. </li>
</ol>

<p>strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 strongly agree </p>

<li>Except for being onstage, I’d rather be in dance class, or acting class, or choir than anyplace else in the world. </li>
</ol>

<p>strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 strongly agree </p>

<li>I need lots of solitary time, to think and to write. </li>
</ol>

<p>strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 strongly agree </p>

<li>I need to be active and busy all the time. </li>
</ol>

<p>strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 strongly agree </p>

<li>I am really torn between doing a BA or a BFA degree in Theatre. </li>
</ol>

<p>strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 strongly agree </p>

<p>Now add up your scores on the even (green) questions and the odd (blue) questions. If your score on the odd questions is significantly higher than your score on the even questions, then you’re probably going to be more comfortable in a BFA program. If your even score is significantly higher than your odd score, then you probably want to be in a BA program. And if your scores are more or less equal, you probably want a BFA program that will allow you to explore other subjects. </p>

<p>Please do not take this test as an absolute, but simply as one of many indicators of the kinds of programs you want to look at. </p>

<p>Some final thoughts about this dilemma. Informal research shows that successful Musical Theatre performers come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some have BFA Theatre degrees. Some have Music degrees. Some (frequently dancers) never went to college. And some did a BA in Theatre (or another field) and then went and studied after graduation, either in formal MFA or MM (Master of Music) programs, or they went to NY and hired a voice teacher, a vocal coach, took dance lessons, and got into an acting class. Intensive training is critical to success in our field. The real question is not whether, but when. If you have no interest in academics, aren’t going to be happy unless you’re in class and rehearsal at least eight hours a day, then you should do a BFA in Theatre or a BM in Music. But if you love academics, want to study many different subjects, need quiet time to read and write and think, then you may want to do a BA degree at a school where you can act in shows and get a better sense of yourself and the world before you commit yourself to the intensive professional training which an MFA, MM, or other advanced study requires. </p>

<p>The middle ground, which works for some, is a BFA program that requires or at least encourages a significant amount of work in fields besides voice, dance, movement and acting.</p>

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<p>NMR---thanks so much.</p>

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<p>NMR:</p>

<p>Shauna did indeed write the first part, which is still on the Geocities MT FAQ site which she created all by herself several years ago, as a high school senior (!) Here's that link, incidentally: Colleges</a> For Musical Theater Major Discussion FAQ</p>

<p>I wrote the section with the survey questions. I'm happy to respond to questions about it. It needs revision in any case. Thanks for finding it!</p>

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<p>NMR-</p>

<p>This was a great resource! I loved it. Thank you so much.</p>

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<p>NMR, thank you for posting this!</p>

<p>It has made me decide I need a BA program or at the very least, a flexible BFA. For me, a good performer needs knowledge of all realms of academia, and a good liberal arts education can be the key.</p>

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<p>Something we found interesting when doing our research is that not all BFAs are created equal. The number of MT classes .vs. GenEd classes often varied at the different schools. There were even a couple of BFAs and BAs that seem to cross over the spectrum...meaning the BAs at a couple schools required more MT classes and less GenEd classes than a couple of BFAs at other schools. </p>

<p>There were also differences in the amount of 'lecture' .vs. 'active participation' MT classes required at each school. Whereas 'lecture' classes included classes such as 'dramatic literature', 'history of dance', 'Musical Theater Playwrites.' 'Participation' classes would be more of an active class such as 'Tap Dance', 'Voice Lessons', and 'Preforming Shakespearean Monologues.' All wonderful and useful classes but something to consider.</p>

<p>We found the "BFA .vs. BA" an important question to ask ourselves, however, analyzing the curriculum of the various programs was an extremely useful endeavor to undertake. The time spent was worth it.</p>

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<p>I agree completely Enjoytheadventur .... the "primer and test" at the top of this thread is a VERY useful tool (THANKS for posting this NMR!!! :)), but not all BA/ BFA/ BM programs are made alike, and examining the curriculum for each school (including the availability of additional non-required performance courses, number of credits required outside of the major, etc...) can really help narrow down a long list!</p>

<p>The primer says that most BA programs require 70% of your courses be outside of your major.... this is very true in some BA programs.... not the case in others... research the specific schools. Don't assume that because two schools offer the same degree that those degres will be identical.</p>

<p>GOOD LUCK!!</p>

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<p>Just wanted to emphasize that I doubt that doctorjohn considered this a definitive/never-fail test when he invented it. Rather, he likely intended it as a guide to help students who are pulling their hair out trying to figure out if they would be more suited/satisfied/happy with a BA or a BFA program. So, as EnjoytheAdventur and KatMT point out, please don't just take the test: also look into the requirements for various BA and BFA programs. My D's BFA in MT program at NYU/Tisch seems to me to provide the perfect balance between studio courses/training and academics. (Three days a week of studio classes versus two days a week of academics.) A BFA in MT from, for instance, CMU, won't have nearly that many academic courses. So look closely as the wise ones here recommend and best wishes! Believe it or not, y'all will be on the other side of this next year at this time and can come back onto the list and share what you learned with the next ones coming up! :)</p>

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<p>NMR - :)</p>

<p>I am so happy that your D is liking NYU. I have been lucky to work with a lot of NYU Tisch students and grads.... great program!</p>

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<p>NMR's assumption is correct. The test was not intended to be definitive. And Kat is right that not all BA degrees are built alike. Neither are BFA degrees. But while some BFA degrees may have a large component of liberal arts courses, the intent of the BFA dgree is to prepare professional theatre artists to work. Some BA degrees have the same intent; these are BFA programs in everything but name, and most often, there are political reasons within the university and the state why they are not called BFA degrees.</p>

<p>But other BA programs, the ones with 30-40% of the curriculum in the major, and the rest in core subjects and electives, are not intended to provide "pre-professional training." Rather, their intent is to provide part of an overall liberal arts education. The assumption is that some graduates will work in the theatre, some will pursue further education in theatre, and some will join the Peace Corps or go to law school. Or med school :-)</p>

<p>As all the other posters have said, you need to do the homework. Ask. We'll tell you.</p>