Doctoral programmes leading to DFAs in the UK are of equivalent level to a PhD, with the same requirement to demonstrate new knowledge, but typically contain a practical component and a more structured programme of learning than a PhD.
[1][2] At Yale University in the US, the DFA may be conferred as an earned degree on students who have graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale School of Drama and who have completed a dissertation.
[4] The Florence Principles, relating to the Salzburg Principles and the Salzburg Recommendations of the European University Association, name seven points of attention to specify PhDs and other doctorates in the arts.
[5] As an honorary degree, the DFA is typically conferred on a recipient who has made a significant contribution to society in the fine arts.
Notable individuals who have received honorary DFAs include: Georgia O'Keeffe,[6] Taylor Swift,[7] Frank Stella,[8] Carmen De Lavallade,[9] Anna Deavere Smith,[9] Jacques d'Amboise,[10] Bill Pullman,[11] Abelardo Morell,[12] Twyla Tharp,[13] Gordon Parks,[13] Seth MacFarlane,[14] and Jack Nicholson.