The Arts Administration Program

The School of Dance, Theatre, & Arts Administration
Photo of dancers rehersing at the Ballet Center

Curriculum

The MA in Arts Administration is awarded after the successful completion of a minimum of 45 hours of graduate course work, the completion of a professional internship experience, and the acceptance of a written thesis.

The curriculum provides students with a philosophical base for decision making and planning, as well as a comprehensive range of techniques for working effectively in the field. Although core courses are offered by faculty in the College of Creative and Professional Arts, an essential part of the Arts Administration Program is the selection of courses in such areas as business, communications, law, computer technology, and public administration.

Required Courses for a Masters Degree in Arts Administration

  • Research Methods
  • Principles of Arts Administration
  • Management Concepts
  • Audience Development
  • Marketing Concepts
  • Fund Raising and Grantsmanship
  • Policies and Procedures of Arts Administration
  • Legal Aspects of Arts Administration
  • Colloquium on the Arts
  • One 3 credit course in financial management
  • Internship
  • Thesis

Read the Graduate Bulletin.

Electives

Graduate courses in such disciplines as theatre, music, dance, art,  communication, law, business, computer technology, or public policy may be selected in consultation with the student’s academic adviser. With approval, up to six credits of graduate work may be transferred from other institutions.

Internships

Each student spends several moths—often the summer between the first and second years—acquiring practical experience and mentoring in a professional arts organization. Recent internship hosts have included Lincoln Center, The Smithsonian Institution, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Orchestra, Warhol Museum, Sante Fe Opera, National Youth Orchestra, and Museum of Contemporary Art.

Thesis

The creation of a thesis in the culminating project of every student graduating from the Arts Administration program at The University of Akron. Thesis topics may be historical, theoretical, analytical, or, in some, cases, project oriented.