MSM’s Online Degree Completion Program

A degree completion program is designed for students who have yet to begin or complete their collegiate studies. Students can complete their bachelor’s degree by utilizing previously earned credits —whether that’s from past college coursework or your professional experience. MSM’s BFA Online Degree Completion Program is tailored to professional performing artists who want to finish what they started while continuing their careers.

Manhattan School of Music is pleased to offer the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts. An innovative, asynchronous degree program, which bridges the gap between professional experience and academic achievement. Our new BFA Online Program is a fully accredited 120-credit-hour Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts. By using the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) students can earn up to 90 credits for their lived performance experience. Therefore, students can complete the program in as little as one year with 30 credits left to degree completion.

Learn about the program on its website page here.

A Prior Learning Assessment is a formal evaluation of your professional experience—in this case, your performing arts career. Candidates submit evidential materials of performance history (i.e., resumes/CVs, recordings, concert programs, playbills, contracts, etc.). Then a panel of MSM’s faculty and Subject Matter Experts evaluate that work to determine how many college-level credits it equates to. BFA Online candidates can enter the program with as many as 90 PLA credits towards degree completion.

• PLA Credit is based on your real-world experience as a professional artist.
• Transfer Credit comes from previous academic coursework you completed at a college or university.

Both types of credit count toward your 120-credit degree, and our Admission Team will work with you to maximize both wherever possible.

Asynchronous learning means you don’t have to attend live classes at set times. Students can watch lectures, complete assignments, and participate in discussions at their own pace each week. This format is perfect for artists with variable performance or rehearsal schedules.

Yes. Graduates of the BFA Online Program are well-prepared to pursue master’s degrees or professional programs in fields like music, education, law, or business.

All mid-career performing artists with at least 5 years of professional experience, who have received a high school diploma, or educational equivalent (GED) and have not completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts, are eligible for the BFA Online Program.

This program is not intended for high school students or recent high school graduates. If you are looking for a traditional 4 year on-campus college program, please visit our MSM College Programs website page.

Not necessarily. As long as you have a minimum of five years of full-time professional experience (even if it’s in the past), you are eligible. The BFA Online Program is also intended for performers who are shifting into new roles—like teaching, directing, or arts administration or leadership—and require a bachelor’s degree to support that next step.

Yes! Candidates who have not already received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree are still eligible for the MSM BFA Online Program. Adult learners may pursue this program as a strategic next step in their careers. The BFA Online allows you to pivot into the performing arts more formally, enhance your credentials for teaching, arts leadership, or for Graduate Studies.

Classical Arts, Voice
Classical Arts, Instrumental
Classical Arts, Composition
Dance (any genre)
Jazz Arts, Performance
Jazz Arts, Composition
Acting – Theatre
Acting – Film
Musical Theater
Multidisciplinary / Other**

** Applicable Areas of Specialization under “Other,” include Jazz Arts, Vocal and Popular Arts: Singer-Songwriter, Composer/Producer, and Instrumental.

Yes! We gladly welcome applicants from all over the world. All International Students must provide a Duolingo language test score of 120 or higher for admission. When submitting Unofficial/Official Transcripts, International applicants must ensure all documents are translated into English

The BFA Online Degree Completion Program has a 3-phase application process. All interested applicants can visit https://apply.msmnyc.edu/apply/ to start today.

Phase I

Candidates must demonstrate at least 5 years of professional performance experience. The BFA Leadership will review your submitted CV/Resume and Academic History to determine eligibility for the program. Phase I applicants must pay a $130 application fee upon submission. All eligible applicants will advance to Phase II.

Phase II

Candidates will be evaluated on the quality and depth of their performance experience by a panel of Subject Matter Experts. Applicants who meet the performance evaluation will advance to Phase III.

What to prepare:

• Comprehensive C/V (.pdf): This Curriculum Vitae should include all professional performance experiences with relevant dates, roles, productions, directors, and venues/companies.
• Performance History Document: A selection of 10-20 performances from the CV which applicants will upload Articles of Evidence.
• Articles of Evidence: 10-20 documents or clips that provide proof of performance (i.e., concert programs, playbills, contracts, performance reviews/interviews, press footage/reels, union membership, letter of recommendation, etc.).
• Personal Statement: A 500-word essay.
• Prescreen Video Upload: A 3–5-minute Performance Reel.*

*This does not need to be a professional reel and can be individual clips that total no more than 5 minutes.

Phase III

Candidates will be evaluated on the knowledge and skills gained in the curricular areas of Technical Skills, Literature, Repertoire, & History, and General Education by a panel of Subject Matter Experts. Phase III applicants must pay a $475 PLA application fee upon final submission.

What to expect:

• Three Self-assessed questionnaires and 250-word essays on the applicants’ competencies in Technical Skills, Literature, Repertoire, & History, and General Education.
• Articles of Evidence upload(s) to support each competency. Applicants may use previously submitted materials from Phase II, if they apply.

For more information regarding Application Fee waivers, please contact onlineeducation@msmnyc.edu

Tuition for the BFA Online Program is dependent upon how many credits the student will need towards degree completion. This can only be assessed through the application process. For more information on the 2025-2026 school year tuition rates, please visit BFA Online Tuition Overview.

Unfortunately, there are no MSM merit-based scholarships for the BFA Online student body. Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) is not applicable for the 2025-2026 school year; however, we are optimistic that Federal Aid will become available in the 2026-2027 school year.

For more information on Outside Scholarships & Private Loan options please visit, MSM Scholarship & Financial Aid located in the Financing your Education page on the MSM website.

The length of time in the BFA Online Program is contingent upon how many PLA credits are awarded in the admission process. Students who enter the program with the maximum of 90 PLA credits and enroll in full-time (12 credit hours) coursework, can complete the program in as little as one year (3 semesters total). Students who enter the program with the maximum of 90 PLA Credits and choose to enroll in part-time (6 credit hours) coursework may complete the program in two years’ time (6 semesters).

Admitted students who do not receive 90 PLA credits will receive a personalized academic plan to guide them through the program in as little as two years.

Please note that a minimum of 60 PLA credits is required for admission.

The BFA Online degree is 120 credit hours. Candidates can enter the program with a minimum of 60 PLA credits and a maximum of 90 PLA credits. These credits are determined through the Prior Learning Assessment and evaluated by our BFA Admission Team and Subject Matter Experts. At a minimum, students will be required to take 30 credit hours (10 courses) for degree completion.

MSM offers professional and career-oriented courses online—these may include topics in artistic identity, entrepreneurship, performance psychology, community engagement, artistic adaptability through digital skills, and more. These are designed to support your future career goals in and beyond performance. Please visit 2025–2026 BFA Academic Catalog for more information regarding BFA Online Courses.

No. The BFA Program is a fully online degree program. All coursework is completed asynchronously, so you can learn from wherever you are, on your own schedule. However, all admitted students in the BFA Program are welcome to visit campus to attend all College Programs.