Doctor of Fine Arts

Doctoral programmes leading to DFAs are of equivalent level to a PhD, with the same requirement to demonstrate new knowledge, but typically contain a practical component and a more structured programme of learning than a PhD. DFA programmes are offered by universities including University of Hertfordshire and University of East London.

The honorary degree is typically conferred to honor the recipient who has made a significant contribution to society in the arts. Notable individuals who have been conferred the honor include Frank Stella,[1] Richard Serra,[2] Stephen Colbert,[3] Carmen De Lavallade,[4] Anna Deavere Smith,[4] Jacques d'Amboise,[5] Bill Pullman,[6] Abelardo Morell,[7] Twyla Tharp,[8] Kanye West,[9] Gordon Parks,[10] Jack Nicholson,[11] Jodie Foster, [12] and Meryl Streep.[13]

At Yale University, the DFA is an earned degree conferred on students who hold a Master of Fine Arts degree in dramaturgy and dramatic criticism from the Yale School of Drama, and who have "completed MFA qualifying comprehensive examinations, and have written a dissertation of distinction whose subject has been approved by the DFA committee" of faculty.[14]

In 2016 ELIA (European League of the Institutes of the Arts) launched The Florence Principles on the Doctorate in the Arts.[15] The Florence Principles relating to the Salzburg Principles and the Salzburg Recommendations of EUA (European University Association) name seven points of attention to specify the Doctorate / Ph.D. in the Arts compared to a scientific doctorate / Ph.D. The Florence Principles have been endorsed and are supported also by AEC, CILECT, CUMULUS and SAR.

• Doctor of Arts (D.A.) – sometimes an honorary and sometimes an earned degree
• Doctor of Humane Letters (D.H.L.) – typically an honorary degree
• Doctor of Music (D.Mus., D.M. or Mus.D.) – sometimes an honorary and sometimes an earned degree
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) – typically an earned degree