Master of Science in Arts Administration
About the Program
Master of Science: 45.0 quarter credits
The MS program in Arts Administration is designed to provide academic preparation for leadership positions with nonprofit organizations, foundations, corporations, and government agencies involved in the visual and performing arts.
Students may enroll in the program on a full- or part-time basis. Classes are offered in the evening. With the exception of the internship, which is geared to the student's schedule and interests, the entire program can be completed in the evening to accommodate working students. Students should plan to enter the program at the start of the fall term. Full-time arts administration students may complete the degree in five consecutive terms when beginning in the fall term.
Professional Opportunities
Graduates of the program serve in various administrative capacities with museums, galleries, historical societies, government agencies, performing arts organizations, arts centers, and philanthropic and corporate foundations.
Admission Requirements
Requirements for Admission
In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to graduate studies, applicants should present a résumé demonstrating a strong affinity for the field through work, volunteer experiences, education, or special training. Undergraduate preparation must include at least one course in financial accounting, two courses in the history or literature of an art form, and/or two courses in the practical or creative aspects of an art. Applicants who lack this preparation (or the equivalent) must complete work in the above areas during the first two terms in the program.
An important part of the admissions process is a personal interview with the Program Director. Potential applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview through the Department of Arts & Entertainment Enterprise 215.895.2453 once the application is processed through Graduate Admissions.
Financial Assistance
A limited number of assistantships are available. Students should have experience in gallery management, public relations or newsletter writing/editing, and should indicate their interest in these positions in their initial letters of inquiry. Students are also encouraged to explore other assistantships available across the University. In the past, arts administration students have held positions in the honors program, the Greek Life Office, the Leadership Program, and the College of Evening and Professional Studies. Awards are made annually on a competitive basis.
Dean's Fellowship
In addition to teaching and research assistantships, the College of Arts and Sciences also awards 10 Dean's Fellowships per year. These highly competitive awards are granted across the College, and come with a $5,000 stipend supplement for each of the first two years of study in addition to any other support a student receives.
For additional information on requirements and how to apply, visit Graduate Admissions at Drexel University.Degree Requirements
Each student is assisted with the planning and completion of a program of study in accordance with the student’s needs and career goals. Each candidate for the MS in arts administration must complete 45 credits, including courses in cultural policy, management skills, and fund development. To enable the student to tailor the program of study to meet his or her career goals, a variety of electives are offered. Students may identify tracks in marketing, fund development, finance, or research through their selection of electives.
Many of our students work in an appropriate related arts job associated with a professional arts organization. After completing all core courses, some students choose to complete an internship within the arts and cultural community. The student's thesis grows out of the internship experience or can address a research topic that the student chooses to explore further.
Curriculum
| Professional Requirements | ||
| AADM 505 | Overview Of Arts Administration | 3.0 |
| AADM 510 | Writing for the Arts | 3.0 |
| AADM 610 | Financial Accounting for Non-Profit Arts Organizations | 3.0 |
| AADM 620 | Law and the Arts | 3.0 |
| AADM 650 | Fund Development for the Arts | 3.0 |
| AADM 670 | Audience Development | 3.0 |
| AADM 710 | Strategic Planning and Evaluation | 3.0 |
| AADM 750 | Arts Administration Seminar | 3.0 |
| AADM 751 | Management Techniques In the Arts | 3.0 |
| AADM 770 | Technology and the Marketing of the Arts | 3.0 |
| AADM 798 | Thesis and Internship | 3.0 |
| Electives | 12.0 | |
| Sample Elective Offerings | ||
| International Cultural Policy | ||
| Trends in Fund Development | ||
| Leadership in the Arts | ||
| Production Laboratory in the Performing Arts | ||
| Visual Arts Organization Management | ||
| Special Problems in Arts Management | ||
| Performing Arts Management | ||
| Community Cultural Planning | ||
| Technology Management in the Arts | ||
| Human Resources Management in the Arts | ||
| Applied Research Methods | ||
| Grant Writing for the Arts and Humanities | ||
| Public Relations Writing and Strategies | ||
| Strategic Human Resource Management | ||
| Leading for Innovation | ||
| Integrated Marketing Communications Management | ||
| Services Marketing | ||
| Leading Effective Organizations | ||
| Business Statistics | ||
| Total Credits | 45.0 | |
Courses
AADM 505 Overview Of Arts Administration 3.0 Credits
Provides a survey of the field of arts administration and introduces nonprofit governance including incorporation, mission development, and roles and responsibilities of boards of directors.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 510 Writing for the Arts 3.0 Credits
Covers strategies for writing non-marketing materials in the arts such as funding proposals, advocacy letters, board communications, and persuasive speeches.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 540 Production Procedures In the Arts 3.0 Credits
Surveys organizational, administrative, and technical aspects of artistic productions, concerts, exhibits, showcases, readings, showings, and fairs.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 610 Financial Accounting for Non-Profit Arts Organizations 3.0 Credits
Covers accounting principles, accounting procedures and internal control, forecasting, balance sheet analysis, budgeting procedures, and financial reporting for non-profit arts organizations.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ACCT 111 [Min Grade: D] or ACCT 115 [Min Grade: D]
AADM 620 Law and the Arts 3.0 Credits
Examines the relationship between the arts and law, including contracts, license fees, copyrights, intellectual property, royalties, labor-management agreements, liability, immigration law, and use fees. Each class is conducted by an area legal expert on a specialty as it relates to the arts.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 650 Fund Development for the Arts 3.0 Credits
Provides an in-depth examination of techniques in researching, procuring, and retaining contributed funds for cultural organizations. Covers techniques and strategies for individual, corporate, governmental, and foundation grants and gifts.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 660 International Cultural Policy 3.0 Credits
The course explores some of the major themes in international cultural policy today: globalization, culture and development, diversity and identity, and cultural diplomacy, in five different regions of the world (Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa).
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 670 Audience Development 3.0 Credits
Overview of organizational practices and theory related to audience development non-profit arts organizations.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 680 Trends in Fund Development 3.0 Credits
Examines current trends in the area of major gifts, capital and endowment campaigns, planned giving, venture philanthropy, and internet strategies. The class will look to real-world examples demonstrating unique or inventive strategies that utilize current or emerging technologies and social and economic trends.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is AADM.
Prerequisites: AADM 650 [Min Grade: C]
AADM 710 Strategic Planning and Evaluation 3.0 Credits
Provides a survey of the theory and practice of planning and evaluation as it relates to arts programs. Includes development of critical issues, goals, strategies, outcomes research planning, and protocol development.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 720 Leadership in the Arts 3.0 Credits
Explores the concepts of leadership and examines leadership experiences and potential as they relate to the field of non-profit arts and culture.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 731 Human Resources Management in the Arts 3.0 Credits
Examines human resource management and labor relations specific to non-profit arts and cultural organizations. Students will learn about labor union contract negotiations when working with performing and visual arts institutions.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 740 Production Laboratory in the Performing Arts 3.0 Credits
Provides practical experience in artistic production, including establishment of timelines, negotiation of contracts, allocation of resources, ticket sales and accounting, and technical direction.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
AADM 750 Arts Administration Seminar 3.0 Credits
Examines issues affecting the development of cultural policy in America, including demographic change; leisure preferences; and trends in education, social policy, politics, and economic development.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 751 Management Techniques In the Arts 3.0 Credits
Examines approaches used to manage and oversee various arts organizations, including managing change, decision-making, negotiation and presentation skills, and assessing management style.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 752 Performing Arts Management 3.0 Credits
Provides an introduction to and overview of management practices of non-profit performing arts organizations. The primary focus will be on current theory and practice in day-to-day operations, management, and associated planning for the performing arts: theatrical, dance and music organizations.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is AADM.
Prerequisites: AADM 751 [Min Grade: C]
AADM 753 Visual Arts Organization Management 3.0 Credits
Special problems and challenges related to managing visual arts organizations. The course will build on learning from foundation-level courses, discussing issues related to managing art museums, art schools, galleries, public art programs, and more.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is AADM.
AADM 754 Museum Management 3.0 Credits
Major issues in museum management including earned income, deaccession, looting and repatriation, museum directors, staff and volunteer management, and an introduction to new museology.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is AADM.
AADM 755 Community Cultural Planning 3.0 Credits
Examines the process of community cultural planning and local arts policy development, including trends and issues in national, state and local arts policies and external influences (economic, social and educational trends) that affect local planning.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 757 Political Activism in the Arts 3.0 Credits
Course examines the strategies, trends and dynamics of arts based issues from a variety of political perspectives. Using case studies, class will explore systems that influence activism in politics and the arts and instances when art has been politically controversial, its causes and consequences.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is AADM.
AADM 758 Ethics in Arts Organizations 3.0 Credits
Examines ethical issues in managing arts organizations.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is AADM.
AADM 759 Cultural Organizations in Transition 3.0 Credits
Identifies issues and trends that will have an impact on cultural organizations of today and extends the examination of those impacts into the future through forecasting and scenario creation. Uses multiple disciplines such as economincs, technology, and organizational development to assess influence.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is AADM.
AADM 760 Special Problems in Arts Management 3.0 Credits
Allows the student to select topical management problems in the arts and study approaches appropriate to their solution. May include data-gathering techniques, interviewing, developmental procedures, etc., as required.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 765 Special Topics 0.5-9.0 Credits
Covers topics of current interest to faculty and students; specific topics for each term will be announced prior to registration. May be repeated for credit if topics vary.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
AADM 770 Technology and the Marketing of the Arts 3.0 Credits
Covers digital recording, videocassettes, satellite transmission, cable television, holography and other technological developments, and their implications for the marketing of the arts.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 775 Technology Management in the Arts 3.0 Credits
Examines the function and strategic use of technology tailored to the future arts and cultural leader. Through an interactive learning process, students gain an understanding of the role and impact of technology in the non-profit arts and cultural organization. A prior technology course or background in technology is not required.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 780 Applied Research Methods 3.0 Credits
This course provides students with an overarching understanding of many of the applied research methodologies that are relevant to scholars and practitioners in the arts administration field. This course stresses the identification of and the advantages and disadvantages of each appropriate research methodology.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
AADM 798 Thesis and Internship 2.0 Credits
Allows students to work in the appropriate arts-related job associated with a professional arts organization. Thesis is written as a case study of the internship experience or as a scholarly work related to the student's individual research interest. Students identify and shape a research question related to the arts and culture field, then conduct an in-depth literature review, shape a methodology for researching their questions, and report their findings in a thesis document.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is AADM.
AADM 799 Thesis Completion 0.5,1 Credits
This repeatable course allows the student to complete required research, writing and revision of the required thesis, which began during AADM 798.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 20 times for 10 credits
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is AADM.
Prerequisites: AADM 798 [Min Grade: C]
