<p>What is difference between a BFA program and a BA program in acting? Can you be admitted to grad school for a major other than theater later in life if you have a BFA. Which degree would open up more doors for acting? Is the training better in one program vs the other? Thank you!</p>
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<p>Absolutely!</p>
<p>The BFA offers more intensive performance training, but many people do just great with a BA. </p>
<p>I remember what Rich Rose at UCLA explained to us at my D’s acting audition. Something like: All kids are wired differently. There are those kids that are smart, enjoy academic endeavors and also love to act and want to do, and can handle doing, both. And there are those kids (he used his son as an example), that are smart/intelligent (sometimes brilliantly so) and do the homework assignment and then forget to turn the work in because it’s sitting in their backpack under a peanut butter sandwich. The latter type of kid is more likely to thrive in a BFA program. (In fact, his son is not attending UCLA but rather a BFA program elsewhere and is thriving).
I’m sure I totally butchered the story/explanation but when he told it I laughed aloud (no one else was laughing) and then covered my mouth in embarrassment. He turned to me in the crowd and said “I guess I’ve just described your daughter, right?” But the story has stuck with me. </p>
<p>My daughter fits that general description anneliesesmom. I’ll add something else. She’s a kid that learns in a studio while doing rather than in a classroom. Shakespeare in a classroom was death while Shakespeare in a studio was life changing. “Our” kids have the easiest time with this decision. Where it gets more difficult are for the kids that have strong academic passions as well as a stong desire for intensive acting training. </p>
<p>While no one is close to “ready” upon graduation in terms of skill sets, BFA kids will be closer because they’ve spent more time in a studio. But BAs can catch up in several ways. The kind of training BFA kids might have that are not part of many BA programs can be gained at many non college settings. Also, many BAs choose to get MFAs which to me is the ultimate combination and one I would have pushed my daugther to consider if she was more academically minded. Also keep in mind that there are some BA programs – Northwestern, Fordham and UCLA – that are more like a BFA program in terms of performance training. </p>
<p>I don’t know if there’s really a “type” of person that goes into BA/BFA. It’s all about what you want, I believe. I do very well with academics and I absolutely love having philosophical discussions about art, reading a bunch of things and especially writing. I have no doubt that I would be a great fit for a BA, but it’s just not what I want to focus on at this point of my life.</p>
<p>To be quite honest, I believe that the type of people who do better at a BFA program are indeed the ones who “can handle doing both” and are incredibly smart, focused and professional, because you need those skills to thrive at a BFA program. If you are the type of person that “forgets to turn the work in because it’s sitting in their backpack under a peanut butter sandwich”, you’re going to have a lot of trouble for sure. The work has to be flawless and ready when it’s your time to present a scene and you have to be on time. A BFA student may not write as many academic papers as a BA student, but the demands are still very high. We are expected to comprehend the human psyche and how different people think every single day, and that is no easy task. Needless to say, if you’re not a person who likes researching, reading, and analizing, you’re probably not going to do the best work you can do.</p>
<p>Also, BFA programs (as far as I know) still have gen eds and if you fail your gen eds you can get kicked out or not graduate (remember “Fame”?)</p>
<p>Our D opted for a BA in a school with a highly respected Theatre program since she thrives on academic challenge, peer diversity, and wanted to double major in addition to graduating ready to work as a performer. Most of her MT friends opted for BFAs. </p>
<p>The first thing we figured out when evaluating programs is that there is not a cut-and-dried BA versus BFA difference. Programs can be put on a continuum, with Conservatories on one tail and some BA’s far over on the other, but in the middle the can be crossover where some BA programs can actually be made more performance-focused than some BFAs. I’d say programs like Northwestern, U Mich, Penn State and maybe NYU seemed to occupy that middle ground, though others here no doubt have a clearer picture of various schools. </p>
<p>I think the biggest difference I’ve noticed in the case of D’s school versus BFAs is that her BA affords far more scheduling/curriculum flexibility than her BFA friends have. More of their curriculum is a prescribed series of courses, and more of their daytime hours are spent as a group in studios/classrooms, while kids in D’s program design vastly varied curriculum based on their evolving interests over 4 years. Some kids graduate with 80% performing classes (more than many BFAs), while others graduate with less than 20% performance courses. For example. D is a Junior and could take nothing but studio classes from here on out if she wanted to. As a result of this flexibility, kids graduate from her program with vastly differing areas of expertise, while grads of BFA programs might tend to leave with a more uniform skill set. Her Theatre program produces lots of successful performers, but also many respected writers, directors, stage managers, academics, producers… and even lawyers and doctors.</p>
<p>Another thing I’ve only recently become aware of is the extent to which the scheduling flexibility allows upper classmen to perform professionally in the nearby city (Chicago) while remaining enrolled. This may be possible in some BFA programs as well, but has opened up possibilities that we’d never considered when initially choosing schools.</p>
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Fordham’s auditioned BA program is much like a BFA.</p>
<p>My daughter has a choice of BA or BFA; both require the core curriculum of the university (with the dreaded MATH class). The BA students can have no more than 50 credits from the theater curriculum, while the BFAs usually have around 65-70. A BA will have other requirements, just like if the BA was in English, such as a foreign language, sciences, etc. She’s planning on the BFA, but can easily switch to the BA if her interests change.</p>
<p>Thank you for all of your replies. Just found out last night she got accepted in NYU Tish BFA and can also doublle major or minor in one of their college of Ats and Sciences as well. So the top 2 choices now are NYU BFA or Emerson College BA theater studies acting with a minor in communications. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>There is no specific answer to that question, because the content of a BA or BFA degree will vary significantly from school to school.</p>
<p>Some BA programs are more professionally focused in terms of training and opportunities… like Fordham, James Madison, Northern Colorado, Northwestern, etc…</p>
<p>Some BFA program contain a fair amount of general education requirements and opportunities… like NYU, Elon, Penn State, etc…</p>
<p>Look specifically at the curriculum of both required courses and electives that each school has to offer. Ask if students can minor, take more training courses than required, etc…</p>
<p>Many BA grads work professionally without going to an MFA program.</p>
<p>Many BFA grads choose to get further training in an MFA program even after completing a BFA.</p>
<p>Graduates of both degree programs can choose to switch course and go to graduate school in another area as long as they have the pre-requisites. I have know some BFA graduates who wanted to change paths who took a year or a semester to complete pre-requisites/ or take course work to prepare for the MCAT or LSAT and then applied to masters programs in the new area… or medical school … or law school… etc… </p>
<p>I suggest looking for the program (regardless of degree offered) that your child believes they will grow and enjoy the most over the next four years. Which training opportunities and program structure interest them the most. Which group of students and faculty do they want to make part of their “tribe.” </p>