Degree BA or BFA?

<p>I was looking on the website and I saw that musical theatre was a BA degree. Can anybody help me out on the difference between BA and BFA? What exactly are the differences?</p>

<p>Generally speaking, a BA degree program will require a student to take more general education courses outside of the major than a BFA degree program will require.</p>

<p>However, there is wide variation in the requirements for the same degree from school to school. There are some BFA programs that do require quite a lot of general education in addition to major classes, and some BA programs that require close to as many credits in the major as some BFAs.</p>

<p>Most BA programs will require 30% - 60% of the course work be in the major (however, most will allow you to take far more courses in the major as electives than are required for the degree. It may be easier to double major, add a minor at a BA school and still graduate within 4 - 4.5 years then in a BFA program, where it may take more like 5 - 6 years to complete a double major. But again all of this will vary from school to school.). Most BFA programs will require 60% - 90% of the course work be in the major (however, some will allow you to take more classes outside of your major… double major, add a minor, etc… if you choose. This will vary from program to program.).</p>

<p>You should find the online catalog for all of the schools in which you are interested. Look at the program requirements, and the course description where they describe all of the courses offered. if a school piques your interest contact the department directly to find out whether or not you can take more classes in the major than are required, double major, add a minor, etc… </p>

<p>Often people will ask if a BA or a BFA is “better.” Ultimately, one is not better than the other… but one type of program – more well rounded academics in addition to strong training or fewer classes outside of the major (regardless if the program is a BA or a BFA) may be right for you.</p>

<p>There are many paths to a similar professional outcome. You have to figure out which journey is the “right” one for you. :)</p>

<p>Thank you! I will definitly look into all the schools and maybe I can draw some more conclusions as to which are best for me</p>

<p>My d will be an incoming BA MT major at American this fall. It seems to me that the difference between a BA and BFA depends on the school. At AU, the BA requires 10 gen ed classes (but my d placed out of 4 with AP credit), 2 semesters of writing (d could have placed out but felt she needed it because her HS was a performing arts HS and weak on writing) and one semester of math. The MT BA requires a minimum of 48 credits in theater/MT, but you can take as many as you like. My d will take voice and dance every semester. She is thinking of a double major in dance, or history, or both. This fall her schedule will be very similar to her friends who are doing BFAs at other schools: intro to theatre, stagecraft, voice (1/2 hr private), dance, college writing and one gen ed.</p>

<p>oh i see, well thank you for the information!
good luck to your d!!!</p>