Doctor of Fine Arts

Doctoral programmes leading to DFAs are of equivalent level to a PhD/JD/MD/DO, with the same requirement to demonstrate new knowledge, but typically contain a practical component and a more structured programme of learning than a PhD/JD/MD/DO. 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 received the honor include Georgia O'Keeffe,[1] Taylor Swift,[2] Frank Stella,[3] Richard Serra,[4] Stephen Colbert,[5] Carmen De Lavallade,[6] Anna Deavere Smith,[6] Jacques d'Amboise,[7] Bill Pullman,[8] Abelardo Morell,[9] Twyla Tharp,[10] Gordon Parks,[11] Jack Nicholson,[12] Jodie Foster,[13] and Meryl Streep.[14]

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.[15]

In 2016 ELIA (European League of the Institutes of the Arts) launched The Florence Principles on the Doctorate in the Arts.[16] 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