Doctor of Arts

The Doctor of Arts (D.A.; occasionally D.Arts or Art.D. from the Latin artium doctor) is a discipline-based terminal doctoral degree that was originally conceived and designed to be an alternative to the traditional research-based Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and the education-based Doctor of Education (Ed.D.). Like other doctorates, the D.A. is an academic degree of the highest level. The D.A. is also frequently conferred as an honorary degree with the added designation of honoris causa.

British actor Nigel Planer wearing the academic dress of a Doctor of Arts, awarded as an honorary degree by Edinburgh Napier University

The Carnegie Foundation was the first to fund ten universities with seed money to initiate the degree.

The D.A. differs from the Ph.D. and Ed.D. degrees in its shift in emphasis from research (though a project or thesis is generally required) to the advanced study of a specific discipline, content area expertise, learning theory, and curriculum design. As such, it is often described as a "teaching doctorate". The D.A. differs from the Ed.D. in its strong disciplinary focus, while still embracing the Ed.D.'s concern for issues in education, and a theoretical as well as practical preparation in pedagogy.

Earned Doctor of Arts degrees offered in the United States are the D.A. in English Pedagogy from Murray State University, the D.A. in the Great Books of the Western World from Harrison Middleton University, the D.A. in Music from Ball State University and the D.A. in biology and political science from Idaho State University.

Europe

In 2016, ELIA (European League of Institute of the Arts) launched The Florence Principles on the Doctorate in the Arts. The Florence Principles, relating to the Salzburg Principles and the Salzburg Recommendations of the EUA (European University Association), define the differences between a Doctorate in the Arts compared to a scientific doctorate or Ph.D. degree. The Florence Principles have been endorsed by the European Association of Conservatoires, CILECT, the Cumulus Association, and the Society for Artistic Research.

In Austria, a PhD in Practice can be completed at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, the University of Applied Arts Vienna, the Mozarteum University Salzburg, and the University of Art and Design Linz.

In Cyprus, Frederick University offers a PhD in Art and Design Practices. In the Czech Republic, the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague provides a PhD in Visual Arts.

In France, the École nationale supérieure d'arts de Paris-Cergy offers a practice-led doctorate. In Belgium, KU Leuven offers a PhD in Research at the School of Arts (LUCA). Additionally, Leiden University provides a programme in this field.

In Germany, a PhD in Artistic Practice can be obtained at the University of Fine Arts of Hamburg and the University of the Arts Bremen. The Bauhaus University, Weimar offers a four-year programme culminating in a PhD thesis that consists equally of a scientific and an artistic or design component.

In Ireland, the University of Limerick offers a four-year structured PhD programme designed for professional performing artists wishing to engage in academic research. The Burren College of Art offers a PhD in Studio Art, while the National College of Art & Design in Dublin provides a practice-based PhD. In Northern Ireland, Ulster University in Belfast offers practice- and research-based Art and Design programmes.

In Italy, a PhD in Artistic Practice can be obtained at the Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome.

In the Netherlands, it can be pursued at the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague.

In Switzerland, the Institute for Contemporary Art Research (IFCAR) at the Zurich University of the Arts offers a PhD in Fine Arts.

Scandinavia

In Finland, the Doctor of Arts degree is a research-based qualification awarded by the University of Art and Design Helsinki upon successful completion of studies and a dissertation in the fields of art and design.

In Sweden, the University of Gothenburg offers a doctoral studies programme in artistic practices, including craft, design, design management, fine art, film, photography, literary composition, poetry, and prose. Additionally, the Malmö Art Academy offers a four-year doctoral programme for professional artists and curators, leading to a PhD in Fine Art. In Stockholm, a PhD in Artistic Practice in Visual, Applied, and Spatial Arts can be obtained at Konstfack.

In Norway, the Oslo National Academy of the Arts offers a three-year full-time doctoral programme (180 ECTS credits) leading to a PhD in Artistic Research. A PhD in Artistic Research can also be pursued at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim.

United Kingdom

In London, Goldsmiths, University of London, the Slade School of Fine Art, and the Royal College of Art offer PhD programmes in Artistic Practice.

Outside London, the Edinburgh College of Art, the University of Plymouth, the University of Leeds, the University of Manchester, Newcastle University, the University of Wolverhampton, the University of Reading, and the University of Brighton offer PhD programmes in Artistic Practice. The DPhil in Fine Art at the University of Oxford supports research in contemporary art-making (through the practice-led DPhil) as well as contemporary art history and theory.

Other national variations

Argentina

In Argentina, the Doctorate of Arts is offered by the National University of Córdoba and the National University of Rosario.

Australia

In Australia, the Doctor of Creative Arts degree is offered at several universities as a terminal degree in the field.

United States

While the PhD is the most common doctoral degree in the United States, the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation recognize a number of research-oriented doctoral degrees such as the D.A. as "equivalent".

The idea for a Doctor of Arts degree was originally proposed at the 1932 meeting of the Association of American Universities by Wallace Atwood, then president of Clark University. However, it was not until in 1967, with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, that Carnegie Mellon University began to offer the D.A. in Mathematics, History, English and Fine Arts, conferring the first such Doctor of Arts degrees in the United States the following year, in 1968, to Donald H. Taranto in the field of mathematics. Guiding principles for the Doctor of Arts degree were established in 1970 by the Committee on Graduate Studies of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and by the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States. Additional support was provided by the Carnegie Foundation in 1971.

At its height, Doctor of Arts degrees were awarded at 31 institutions in the United States. The National Doctor of Arts Association (NDAA) was founded in 1991 at Idaho State University and held two national conferences.

As of 2026, the Doctor of Arts degree is awarded in English Pedagogy at Murray State University, which describes the degree as "more pedagogically focused than the PhD and more disciplinarily centered than the EdD." The degree is also offered in Music at Ball State University and in biology and political science at Idaho State University. There is also a DA in the Great Books of the Western World offered at Harrison Middleton University.

See also

• Doctor of Fine Arts – typically an honorary degree
• Doctor of Liberal Arts