Another terminal degree question

If an MFA is a terminal degree, should another master's be strongly advised for those seeking the MFA? I'm not exactly sure where my thinking is going here, but many, not all, PhD programs require a master's and/or have candidates pursue one (that's why so many people receive an MA from their PhD institutions). As a result, those with a PhD are qualified in the less specialized field as well--at least in terms of teaching at the 100 or 200 levels. Getting a PhD means that a person is ultra-specialized--having more than an area of interest or concentration, this person is now an expert in a narrow field of study. This would seem to be true of an MFA graduate--it is true one specializes in broad areas like poetry or fiction, but in some sense, one becomes a specialist in his/her own work. There is constant advice about the kinds of writers a candidate should read in terms of the work he/she is trying to complete for the program (this is all appropriate, I think) but it can leave a person with a BA in, say, philosophy (like myself) and an MFA with a pretty spotty literature background--not to mention a sparse background in collegiate writing (composition, technical, etc.) especially from the point of view of an employer.

There are too many MFA programs creating too many graduates who want jobs teaching, of which there aren't many. Obviously, many of us will have to "settle" for teaching composition or literature. The question is are we qualified to teach these subjects, or, rather, are we perceived to be qualified? That's the trick. Applying for a job where one may be asked to teach four or five sections of composition a semester may not be very likely when the MFA thesis is a chapbook and there's little evidence of academic research or writing throughout the program. Again, I'm not saying this matters (the best preparation for teaching comp is teaching comp) but might it matter to prospective employers? I used to think the MFA would put me slightly ahead of those with mere MAs, but now I'm not so sure. I have an MA already, but does the MFA really matter if I can't get a book (or two!) published (a probable requirement to teach creative writing)? Was I better off going into a PhD program (although they have their own "producing more than we can hire" issues)?

From a future job standpoint--I don't know. It's a bit academic at this point (I'm fairly close to being finished) but it may be something to consider as we think about the particular program at UB, as well as other programs around the country.

Finally, I will say this: in terms of fiction writing, this degree has been the best thing I've ever done. I think my work is miles above what it had been. In terms of being an artist, irrespective of jobs or publication, I would do it again and again--I'm just wondering about how to make the best of the piece of parchment I'll receive and those who will come behind me.