Theatre Grad School for becoming Professor- M.A. or M.F.A?

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello,
This is my first post. I am a class of 2000 college graduate with a B.A. in Drama, minor in Dance. Since graduation I have been working professionally in theatre and acting and recently have delved into teaching. I now teach part time and I LOVE it! However, there is little room for growth in both salary and position at my current job. (I teach in a studio). I very much want to go to graduate school for theatre so I can teach at a college level.</p>

<p>My question is, being that my undergrad grades are good, and from a well respected theatre school, and my professional experience is noteworthy, do I still need to get the M.F.A. to teach? Would an M.A. still make me hireable at a college level? </p>

<p>I want to eventually teach acting and direct college theatre productions, so I am not sure what the correct path is. </p>

<p>I am looking for the most cost effective and time effective path. Any ideas of specific schools would be appreciated. Currently I live in NYC, but I am willing to relocate if need be. </p>

<p>Thank you in advance!</p>

2

<p>The M.F.A. is valued more highly than the M.A. when it comes to get college teaching jobs. Because the M.F.A. is considered a terminal degree, you can get a tenure-track position with an M.F.A., but you cannot with just an M.A. </p>

<p>At a community college, both are treated about the same. At a university, no.</p>

3

<p>It depends on where you want to teach.</p>

<p>If you are willing to teach as an adjunct or at lower-level schools (mid-tier universities and colleges) an MA with a lot of experience may be fine. An MFA, however, is the terminal degree in the field and you may find some difficulty finding a tenure-track job or advancing in the field without one, especially since there are a glut of MFAs who want teaching positions.</p>

<p>I’m not in the field, but here’s what I think: if you are content with teaching on the side while acting and dancing as your main profession, the MA should be fine. If you want to teach full-time and be a tenured professor at a good university, then you need an MFA.</p>