Arts Administration MS

Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS) 
Minimum Required Credits: 36   
Co-op Option(s): None     
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 50.1002 
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 25-4013

About the Program

The Arts Administration program provides academic preparation for leadership positions with creative enterprises, museums, foundations, corporations, and government agencies involved in the arts and culture sector. Students interested in the management of arts and cultural organizations, including museums of all types, will find a curriculum that provides them with a broad foundation of understanding the history and current trends of the sector, as well as opportunities to explore specific areas of practice in more depth. The program blends rigorous academic study with practical, real‑world experience, preparing students to navigate today’s complex arts and cultural landscape. Guided by industry-active faculty and connected to Philadelphia’s vibrant creative community, students engage in applied projects, collaborative learning, and professional partnerships that build leadership, financial, and strategic skills. This experiential, practice‑oriented approach equips graduates to lead resilient, innovative, and community‑centered arts and cultural organizations.

Arts Administration students will complete several core courses, followed by a thesis sequence, along with electives that they can choose to take within or outside of the program. Students must enroll in the program as either an on campus or online student. While students choose a primary modality (on-campus or online), they may take select courses offered in the alternate modality. The program is designed to accommodate working students and thereby supports both full‑time and part‑time study and all classes are offered in the evening or online.

Students should plan to enter the program at the start of the fall semester but can also start the program throughout the academic year. Full-time students may complete the degree in an accelerated manner in four semesters (taking three courses a semester) or six consecutive semesters (taking two courses a semester) when beginning in the fall semester. There is also a part-time option.

Goals and Objectives

Drexel’s Arts Administration program will prepare the cultural workforce of the future to fulfill their missions of stewardship and education. These leaders will develop a knowledge and skill base to steer tomorrow’s museums, cultural organizations, and cultural enterprises.

Graduates of the program will:

• Demonstrate awareness of the changing environment of the sector and use critical thinking skills to identify issues and broad-based policy solutions.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the administrative theories and practices of arts and cultural organizations, including corporate structures, business models, governance, leadership, management, planning, capitalization, evaluation, marketing, audience and community engagement, legal issues, and fund development.
• Understand the particular requirements of managing artistic and cultural disciplines and distinguish among the needs and requirements embedded in the management and leadership of various disciplines in the profession.
• Demonstrate capacity for leadership in the cultural community, having an awareness of their own leadership strengths, ethical standards, and ability to motivate and engage others.
• Identify strategies to implement the mission and vision of an organization.
• Work effectively in teams, demonstrating competence in interpersonal communication and collaboration that can be applied in a leadership role or from any position within a team or an organization.

Admission Requirements

Same as Drexel Admissions.

Degree Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Identify, analyze, and evaluate qualitative and quantitative research to inform evidence-based decisions in cultural organizations.
• Design and conduct original research using qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods approaches to address issues in the cultural sector.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal, written, and oral communication and collaborate in teams to apply leadership theories in cultural practice.
• Integrate multiple communication modalities and information-sharing strategies to enhance organizational effectiveness and program or service delivery.
• Assess and apply technology tools to communicate, collaborate, solve problems, conduct research, and support creativity and lifelong learning in cultural organizations.
• Apply management techniques, critical thinking, and ethical leadership to address organizational challenges, motivate others, and foster inclusive, antiracist cultural environments.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the history, policies, and practices of the cultural sector and use this understanding to advocate for equity, sustainability, and effective resource management.