Some people say talent is enough. Others swear by a formal education. So, what degree do you need to be an actor? The short answer is none.
A BA or BFA in Acting is one of the lowest-paying degrees you can attain. A degree in dramatic arts or film can provide training, but casting directors hire actors for their skills, not their diplomas.
The most important thing a casting director or agent wants to see on your resume is that you have serious professional training. Then, you need to back up that training with the quality of your work.
Many actors train at an acting school, take acting classes, while also gaining experience in theater and student films. Some study at the many acting studios NYC has to offer, like the Maggie Flanigan Studio, while others hire private coaches or take a hodge podge of classes over many years.
What matters is training that provides craft and pushes you to develop emotional range, physical control, and a deep understanding of human behavior. A successful actor trains consistently, auditions often, and works hard to sharpen their skills.
This blog breaks down different paths to an acting career, what helps actors book roles, and why the right training matters more than a degree. If you are serious about an acting career, understanding the difference between education and true preparation is key.
Key Takeaways
A degree will not make you an actor. Serious, focused training will.
Casting directors hire talent, skill, and preparation, not diplomas.
If you want a real career, commit to real training that pushes you to grow.
The Truth About Degrees in Acting
No single degree guarantees success in the acting industry. Some actors earn a college degree in theater, film, or communications, while others take the many acting classes NYC or Los Angeles has to offer.
Many train at an acting school or conservatory program and also gain experience in school plays and student films. Formal education can provide structure, but it is not the only way to build a strong foundation.
Most actors who book roles do so because of their acting skills, audition technique, and ability to create compelling human behavior. Casting directors, agents, and directors look for talent, preparation, professionalism, and a sense that an actor has a solid process, not necessarily if they have a diploma or not. A successful actor develops their craft through formal training, private coaching, and real-world acting experience.
The real question is not about a degree but about the quality of training you receive. Acting is a craft that requires consistent practice, technical skill, and emotional depth. The most important thing is finding training that pushes you to perform with truth, range, and confidence.
The Traditional Route: College Degrees in Acting
Some aspiring actors earn a BA or BFA degree in theater or film, but a diploma alone won’t secure a career. Casting directors hire based on skill and the quality of your work, not education.
Still, for those who prefer an academic setting, the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theater are common options. However, these are incredibly expensive.
Bachelor’s Degrees (BFA vs. BA in Theater)
A BFA in Acting is an intensive, performance-driven degree focusing on acting skills, voice, movement, and scene work. It offers hands-on training but leaves little room for other career paths. These degrees cost anywhere from $120,000 to $280,000. It is an astronomical sum.
A BA in Theater provides a broader, generalized acting education, combining acting with academic coursework required for the degree. This flexibility helps aspiring actors develop other skills, which is useful if they need a second job while building their careers.
I interview and accept dozens of students each year who have graduated with either a BA or BFA in Acting and Theater. Every single one of them is frustrated because after four years they still don’t know what to do. They do not have a solid craft, they possess a general appreciation of acting and theater, that's about it.
The majority of serious actors need more training after their undergraduate experience.
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Acting
An MFA in Acting offers advanced training and strong industry connections, but it takes three years and comes with a high price tag.
The top MFA programs in the country, NYU, Julliard, Yale, Brown, and UCSD are incredibly difficult to get into. These schools take 14-16 students out of the 2500-3,500 who apply. That number is only growing now that Yale and Julliard are fully paid for.
Some actors pursue an MFA because they desire a career in academia. In my opinion, if you are serious about pursuing a professional acting career, an MFA is valuable only if you can get into one of the top five programs. It’s like winning the lottery in terms of what it can do for your career. The price tag can vary between a full ride and $250,000.
The Conservatory Route: Training Without a Traditional Degree
A college degree is not the only way to prepare for an acting career. Many successful actors train at conservatories, where the focus is entirely on craft, technique, and process.
Unlike university programs, which can be mired in academic requirements that stifle the creative process, private acting conservatories can provide deep, immersive training without general education requirements. Some, like the Maggie Flanigan Studio, specialize in the Meisner Technique, which helps actors develop truthful, instinctive performances through rigorous, structured training.
Programs range from short-term intensives to full-time, multi-year training, all designed to prepare actors for professional work in film, television, and theater. The cost of these programs is also a fraction of the price of a degree.
What conservatory training offers that a university program often lacks
Deep immersion in acting technique. The best acting studios NYC has to offer prioritize hands-on training over academic study. A conservatory approach to acting training focuses on developing a complete actor and artist.
Here at MFS, our students enter the professional world capable of taking on challenging roles in theater, television, and film. Actors spend long periods working to master their instrument, developing their craft through voice work, movement training, theater history, and film history, rather than sitting at a desk immersed in academic coursework.
Small class sizes and individualized attention. Many college programs have hundreds of students, many of whom do not work hard or take themselves seriously. This can be very frustrating for those who are passionate and bust their ass.
With fewer students per class and a more selective admissions process, students can receive direct, personalized feedback from experienced instructors. This allows each person to refine their skills and prepare for real-world acting opportunities. They are also surrounded by an artistic community of hardworking, accountable classmates.
A focus on practical skills over academic theory. Conservatory training is designed for those serious about pursuing a professional acting career. Students gain hands-on experience through rigorous scene work, audition preparation, and live performances. The goal is to develop a strong, adaptable actor ready to perform professionally.
Alternative Educational Paths for Actors
Not every actor follows a traditional college or conservatory path. Many working actors build their craft through focused training programs, private coaching, or on-the-job experience. These options provide flexibility, but this approach has serious limitations.
Acting is a craft that requires discipline, skill, and deep preparation. While these options can provide some experience, they often lack the structure and rigor needed to develop a great actor.
Short-term acting programs & intensives
For actors who want rigorous training without committing to a multi-year program, short-term intensives offer an efficient way to at least begin developing their craft.
These programs, which can last six weeks, a semester, or a full year, focus on some essential skills like script analysis, voice training, movement, and audition technique.
They can provide a good springboard into the art form and can help with gaining some fundamental skills and illuminating more clearly where an actor needs to focus their attention for more substantial growth.
Workshops & private coaching
Ongoing training is essential for actors and artists at any stage in their careers. Scene study classes, voice work, and movement training keep actors sharp between projects.
Many actors also work with private coaches to prepare for auditions or develop specific skills, such as public speaking, dialects, or physical performance techniques. One-on-one coaching allows actors to address their weaknesses and refine their strengths with direct, personalized feedback from seasoned professionals.
Learning on the job & self-taught paths
Some actors try to learn through experience alone, taking roles in student films, independent projects, or community theater. While this can provide exposure, it rarely leads to lasting success.
Watching other actors and practicing independently can only take someone so far. Without professional training, most actors struggle with consistency, lack technical skills, and fail to compete with those who have received serious instruction.
What Actually Prepares You for a Career in Acting?
Raw talent isn’t enough. The entertainment industry is filled with talented people, but only those who train seriously, work hard, and show up prepared have real careers.
Casting directors don’t care about your degree. They care about whether you can bring a character to life, make strong choices, and handle the demands of the job. That kind of skill doesn’t happen by accident—it comes from real training.
Mastering acting technique
A great actor isn’t just emotional—they have control over their craft. Training in techniques like Meisner, Classical, or On-Camera acting teaches actors how to create authentic, grounded performances. Without technique, you’re just guessing. Directors don’t hire actors who guess.
Developing a strong, versatile voice
Your voice is one of your most powerful tools of expression. If you can’t be heard or understood, if your diction is sloppy, or if you can’t adjust your vocal quality for different roles, you’re limiting yourself.
Serious actors train in voice projection, articulation, and even accents so they can adapt to any role, whether on stage, television, or film.
Understanding movement & physicality
Acting is not just about words. Your body tells a story, too. Movement training—whether it’s the Alexander Technique, Viewpoints, or Suzuki—teaches actors how to use their physicality to eliminate tension, create vivid characters, refine presence, and develop simplicity.
Breaking down a script like a professional
If you don’t know how to analyze a script, you don’t know how to act. Understanding character objectives, subtext, and scene dynamics separates a professional from an amateur.
Training in script analysis teaches actors how to make strong, specific choices that bring depth to their performances. You need to know how to break a script down into beats, implant meaning, justify text, create impulses, and do actions. If you can’t, learn how toto do it or you will have a very difficult time doing much more than a few lines on Law & Order.
Auditioning & industry preparation
Talent means nothing if you can’t book work. Knowing how to audition, market yourself, and handle the business side of acting is just as important as your skills.
Headshots, resumes, and industry connections matter. Walking into an audition room unprepared will get you continually rejected. Casting directors consistently call in those actors who know what they’re doing every time they get an opportunity.
Maggie Flanigan Studio: Serious Training for Serious Actors
Earning an acting degree won’t guarantee a career. The acting industry is competitive, and casting directors don’t hire based on diplomas. They want actors who bring emotional truth, skill, and depth to their performances.
That level of artistry doesn’t come from lecture halls or general education courses. It comes from rigorous, hands-on training. The Maggie Flanigan Studio (MFS) provides the structure, discipline, and mentorship needed to prepare actors for long-term careers in theater, film, and television.
Why serious actors train at Maggie Flanigan Studio
Meisner Technique training instills fundamental skill and emotional truth. Acting is not about pretending. Acting is the ability to truthfully do under imaginary circumstances. It's about creating real human behavior under and illuminating the human condition.
MFS specializes in the Meisner Technique, a step-by-step process that develops an actor’s ability to work truthfully, instinctively, and with emotional depth.
Small class sizes & personalized mentorship. Training should be personal. Our acting studio keeps class sizes small so each actor gets direct feedback, hands-on coaching, and mentorship from experienced professionals.
A true conservatory experience without the unnecessary classes. Many college acting degree programs require general education courses that don’t contribute to an actor’s craft.
Our studio eliminates distractions, focusing entirely on acting, voice, movement, and industry preparation. Every class is designed to build a fully realized, professional actor and artist.
Industry preparation & professional connections. Talent alone won’t book jobs. Actors must know how to audition, market themselves, and build relationships with agents and casting directors. The Maggie Flanigan Studio offers industry-focused training, ensuring students leave with the tools to compete.
Programs that deliver real results
Professional Actor Training Program (PATP): This two-year conservatory program offers MFA-level training for actors ready to commit fully to their craft. The PATP includes every class offered at the Maggie Flanigan Studio.
With 22-28 hours of weekly training, it provides the full two-year progression of the Meisner Technique, voice, movement, theater history, script analysis, Chekhov Technique, Breathwork, Mask & Character, Dialects, Clown, Cold Reading, and Period Style. The PATP allows our graduates to compete at the highest levels of the industry.
Core Program: This 14-18 hour per week program builds a strong foundation in Meisner, voice, and movement, and other core classes, focusing on the essential skills every serious actor needs.
Bare Essentials Program: Designed for those balancing busy schedules, this flexible 8-12 hour per week program provides the essential, fundamental training in Meisner with a choice of additional auxiliary classes.
Professional Business Program: Many actors leave training unprepared for the industry. This optional third-year program teaches actors how to build a career, covering auditioning, branding, self-taping, and networking with casting directors and agents.
In just two semesters, actors gain the professional knowledge that typically takes years to learn on their own.
What sets Maggie Flanigan Studio apart
A degree won’t make you a great actor. Serious, focused training will.
At the Maggie Flanigan Studio, actors do more than memorize lines. They develop the craft, discipline, and depth needed to compete at the highest level. Our programs challenge students to grow as artists and commit fully to their work.
If you are ready to train like a professional and build a lasting career in film, television, and theater, call us today to schedule an interview.
Conclusion
There is no single path to becoming an actor, but one thing is clear—training matters. A degree won’t book you roles, and talent alone won’t sustain a career. What sets successful actors apart is the depth of their craft, their ability to create truthful performances, and their preparation for the industry’s demands.
Actors who commit to serious, structured training develop the discipline and skill needed to compete. Whether you pursue a BFA, MFA, conservatory, or hands-on experience, the key to success is putting in the work.
If you are serious about acting and want training that builds real artistry, Maggie Flanigan Studio offers the most rigorous, professional preparation available. Call us today to schedule an interview and take the next step toward a lasting career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree should an actor get?
An actor doesn’t need a specific degree, but if you choose to pursue one, a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Acting or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theater can provide some structured training.
However, casting directors don’t hire based on diplomas. What truly matters is a rigorous, hands-on training that builds skill, discipline, and a deep understanding of the craft.
What is an actor's degree called?
Actors who pursue a degree typically earn a BFA in Acting, a BA in Theater, or an MFA in Acting for advanced training. These degrees focus on performance, voice, movement, and script analysis.
What qualifications do you need for acting?
No formal qualifications are required to become an actor, but professional training is essential. A strong foundation in acting technique, voice, movement, and script analysis sets great actors apart. Industry experience, audition skills, and networking are just as important as raw talent.
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