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Doctor of Fine Arts

Doctor of Fine Arts

6.3
A special degree that a university gives to people for work in the fine arts
  • noun
  • /ˈdɑktər əv faɪn ɑrts/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Doctor en Bellas Artes
  • She was awarded the Doctor of Fine Arts degree in recognition of her outstanding contributions to contemporary art.

Examples

  • Common courses available are Doctor of Musical Arts, Doctor of Fine Arts, and others.

    Blog text (25)
  • Many artists aspire to earn a Doctor of Fine Arts to enhance their credentials in the fine arts field.

  • The university will confer a Doctor of Fine Arts degree at the graduation ceremony next week.

Synonyms

honorary degree
vsDoctor of Fine Arts
  • Formal
9 4.6

A title a university gives to show respect for someone's work without study or exams

is the same kind of award but specifically for achievements in creative arts
ArtsD
vsDoctor of Fine Arts
  • Formal
8.9

A university gives a degree as an honor for work in the arts

is narrower, honoring achievements in a particular artistic field rather than all arts
Doctor of Arts
vsDoctor of Fine Arts
  • Specialized
7.1

A high-level degree for study or achievement in arts and humanities

is only an honorary recognition for artistic achievement rather than an earned qualification

How Advanced

PhD
  • UK
139 4.8
Doctor of Fine Arts
  • Specialized
6.3
certificate
307 2.7

Surface Forms

Morphology

doctor + of + fine + arts

The phrase literally combines 'doctor' (a doctoral degree) with 'fine arts' (artistic disciplines) in a standard genitive/partitive construction, so a learner who knows the constituents will infer it denotes a doctorate related to the fine arts. While the specific nuance that it is often awarded as an honorary degree may not be deducible from the words alone, the core composition and meaning are predictable and cross-linguistically common.

Etymology

Doctor of Fine Arts comes from an old university tradition of giving the name Doctor to people they want to honour. When this name is given to painters, actors, or musicians for their work in Fine Arts, it is an 'honorary' 'degree' that shows respect for their achievement in art.