What is the difference between an MFA and an MAA?
The MAA is intended to link studio practice in Visual Arts, Media Arts, or Design to professional practice. While the focus of the MFA degree may be directly related to developing a substantial body of work in preparation for an exhibiting career and, in some institutions, to developing teaching skills, the MAA has a broader intent. The purpose of an applied degree is to prepare students for employment upon graduation and to provide a way to respond to evolving industry-driven career preparation needs as the demand for advanced knowledge and technical skills grows. For example, an MAA student in the visual arts stream may be interested in investigating an aspect of his/her studio practice as it relates to a specific community context or even to industry. Nevertheless as in many MFA programs students do develop their own practice-based research in a critical context through rigorous studio and critical studies courses. The 12-credit internship requirement is a specific feature of the MA
