Getting an Acting Degree

If you want to get an acting degree, you have a few options: you can get a bachelor of the arts degree, like a BA in Theatre, or you can get a BFA in Acting, which usually includes more conservatory-style training. A few drama schools also offer Associate Degrees in Acting. Finally, actors who want to take their skills to the next level can also apply for an MFA in Acting, a graduate education program.

Let's look at these acting degrees one by one so you can choose the right degree for you. You may also want to read more about the pros and cons of acting degrees.

1) BFA in Acting

We'll start with the BFA in Acting because it's the college acting degree that is best suited to those who specifically want to be actors.

Why?

Because unlike a BA in Acting, where you take a lot of general study and liberal art courses, a BFA focuses on training you to prepare to be a professional actor, which means more acting and performing arts classes, and often more lab work and performance opportunities. Every acting college is different, of course, but your training will resemble more an acting conservatory training if you choose a BFA in Acting. Most of the best theater colleges offer a BFA in Acting.

2) BA in Theatre

If you want a more general education, a bachelor of the arts degree in theater may work better for you and give you more options when you graduate, like becoming a producer, director, teacher, stage manager or other profession in the world of the theater. A BA is 60% theater classes and 40% liberal arts courses. Some BA programs don't have many practical acting classes, but in some theater schools, you can choose an emphasis on acting or performance

3) Associate of Arts Degree in Acting (A.A.)

Some drama schools, like the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, offer an A.A. in acting to students who complete some extra college general education courses and study for 2 years full-time. This can be an option for students who want an acting degree but are not ready to commit to 4 years of studies. If you are thinking of getting an A.A. degree, check if the credits earned will be transferrable toward a B.A. at an acting college.

4) MFA in Acting

An MFA in Acting is usually reserved for actors who have been working for a while and are looking to take their acting career to the next level. Many of the best MFA acting programs offer near-professional performance opportunities in large theaters with an opportunity to work with guest directors or resident theater companies and earn points toward an Equity card.

Getting an MFA in Acting can be a lot of hard work but can also pay off. Masters acting classes are usually small and graduates often appear in an industry showcase in New York and Los Angeles to get noticed by agents and casting directors.

You don't need to have a bachelor of the arts degree in acting to apply to an MFA acting program. You can usually have any type of undergraduate degree, as long as you have significant experience as an actor and show potential at entrance auditions. Actually, some graduate acting colleges, like the prestigious Yale School of Drama, don't require students to have a bachelor of the arts degree at all to apply to their Masters program (students who don't have a degree receive a Certificate in Drama in place of an MFA in Acting)

Hope this helps you choose the right acting degree to reach your acting goals, whether it is a bachelor of the arts degree or an MFA in Acting. Now you know what you want, you can start learning more about acting colleges. You can also browse our listings of acting schools and acting colleges to find acting colleges and drama schools that offer acting degrees. Or just use the search box below and enter the acting degree you want.

Good luck with your acting career!

Return from Acting Degree to Acting School Stop Home